For thy weary head...Pillows!

It's hard to believe that it has been so long since our last blog update. Does anyone know what happened to February? Unfortunately for us, we have been trading illnesses for most of the month, which is one of the reasons we have been mia. Apologies! We are so touched by all of you welcoming us so warmly to the blog world. Thank you!

I have a “thing” for pillows. At home each sofa has its very own assortment bought or created by me expressly for it. Needlepoint is a favorite and I have collected numerous finished vintage needlepoint canvases just waiting to be fashioned into beautiful pillows. Then there are those opulent silk pillows that beckon....relax with me and don’t forget your book. Let’s not forget those new fabrics made to be oh so soft. Those pillows beguile you to rest your head for a moment. "Zzzzzzz....", excuse me, was that me snoring??? Since I cannot get enough pillows, we decided to create them for the shop. Enjoy these photos of our beautiful new pillows designed exclusively for Brissonte’.

I am in love...IN LOVE...with this pillow. For a while now, making pillows out of vintage feed sacks has been all the rage, and I must admit I love the look. So last summer I went crazy locating as many vintage feed sacks as I could find (a task much more difficult than I expected it to be). After much searching we finally amassed a small collection that we are now making into pillows and handbags. So chic! $79.00

Here at Brissonte' we are currently obsessed with brown and blue. Love this color palette!

These pillows have a lovely sheen to them. Anything shiny and sparkly is good in my book.

This color scheme is so French Country.

This vintage cross-stitch was too lovely to let fade into obscurity. Now it finds new life as a pillow. Rescuing and up-cycling vintage items is one of our favorite things to do. $49.00.

~Colleen & Erin

For information on purchasing any of the pillows shown above, please contact us at brissonte@gmail.com.

All images copyright Colleen and Erin Perry. Please do not use without permission. Thank you!

Extra-ordinary Pincushions

Pincushions! I have never met a pincushion I did not long to pick up and examine and think about purchasing. The more unique the cushion, the more attracted I am. I have several books about them on the bookshelf too. Recently I went through a bag of orphaned china pieces thinking I would create something really cool. So there I am staring into the bag, and my brain is perking, the smell of coffee is in the air, and eureka! Those poor orphaned teacups, creamers, sugar bowls, and planters have found new service as Pincushions. Each one is unique. All are decorated with handmade ribbon flowers, trimmed with vintage beads or charms and individually decorated. Wow, don’t you just love them? Please let me know what you think!

~Colleen

This pincushion is available for purchase at our etsy shop: www.brissonte.etsy.com

This pincushion is available for purchase at our etsy shop: www.brissonte.etsy.com

This pincushion is available for purchase at our etsy shop: www.brissonte.etsy.com

For information on purchasing one of the pincushions not listed on etsy, please contact us at brissonte@gmail.com and we will be happy to assist you. Thanks very much!

All pictures and designs copyright Colleen and Erin Perry. Please do not reproduce without permission. Thank you.

Moments that bring joy to your soul....

It's snowing out today here in Massachusetts....again. It's February, which means that the moment I hear the word "snow" my face immediately scrunches in displeasure. Gone is the wonder and beauty of our white christmas, and all that seems to remain is ice, slush, and sand. The snow banks on the side of our driveway are already taller than my 5'6", and the driveway itself is covered in a 2 inch layer of ice from a previous storm. Shoveling at the Perry household is now a circus act, clowns included, and we're considering taking it on the road. Might as well make some money if we're going to be breaking ankles.

In spite of all of the cold, gloom, and cabin fever, there is an undeniable beauty to winter. I love the stillness that envelopes the world in the midst of a storm. Outside my window the snow falls quietly, no people, cars, or animals to disturb the peace, and everything feels so serene. These are moments of reflection and prayer. Looking out at the cold, I can't help but feel thankful for my warm home.

I am thankful for our neighbor, who saw us struggling and rushed over to rescue us with her kindness and giant snow-blower. Without her help, I fear we might still be out there, shoveling away. I am thankful for our two beautiful cats, who love us unconditionally and never cease to drive us crazy meowing for attention when we get home from work. And I am thankful for all of the truly beautiful people in this world that never cease to inspire me to be a better person. Several days ago my mother and I were leaving our favorite McDonalds and saw the scene pictured below: an employee carefully leading two elderly ladies over the ice in the parking lot. Truly beautiful.

~Erin

Mon Amour

Valentine's Day is right around the corner....how does time fly by so quickly? When running a retail business, it's so important to be on top of these things, and yet I consistantly feel as if I am caught in a vicious game of catch-up. I haven't quite gotten used to 2009 just yet.

But with every new season comes new stock for the store, which fills me with childish delight. I love finding new lines and products, as well as vintage bits and bobs and various antique furniture and accessories, with which to decorate our 1600 sq. ft mill space. Not always an easy feat, I admit, but I enjoy the hunt more than anything else.

So I thought I'd share some of our Valentine's Day picks. For information on how to purchase any of the products seen here, please visit the website (updates and online shop coming soon, I promise!) for our contact information or email us at brissonte@gmail.com. Please enjoy!

Our Valentine's Day display at Brissonte.

Handmade hanging heart pillows decorated with ribbon roses and other bits and bobs. Made at our on-site studio and available only at Brissonte!

This lovely heart pillow is available at our etsy shop: http://www.brissonte.etsy.com/.

I am in love with this!

All Seasons Festooning....addicting!

Adorable little treat boxes make perfect gifts.

~Erin

Welcome!

It's that time of year again. A season to be thankful for the past and the present, and to look ahead towards the future and the new year. For my mother and I, the passing of this year brings with it the 1 year anniversary of our design business, Brissonte'. With all of its ups and downs, triumphs and failures, adventures and misadventures, and special memories, its difficult not to feel bittersweet. I have a lovely memory of vacuuming the hardwood floors in the studio, watching the snow fall outside the 8 ft tall windows, just a year ago. It feels like it could have been yesterday. We have come so far since those first days we spent open and without heat (it broke down the first day we opened, what timing!). The store changed time and time again as we struggled to find our footing in the design world. We've knocked down walls, moved more furniture than Uhaul, and glittered ourselves silly. Still, through all the changes, our mission has remained the same; to share the sense of wonder we feel when we find ourselves in the presence of beauty. From forgotten treasures of times past, to bits of fabric and glittering jewels. From the smile of a true friend, to the delight of a child upon receiving a bit of chocolate. We delight in the world that surrounds us. As artists and designers, it's what makes us tick. We are so thankful for the opportunity to share our vision with you, and we hope you find joy and relaxation in our latest venture. We want your time with us, whether at our storefront, website, or blog, to be a time away from time.