Style at Home’s Home & Style feature in the October 2007 issue profiled Harricana By Marioushe patchwork pillows made from recycled vintage coats. Check them out. It’s a fabulous, lush website.
We’ve been pushing this idea of repurposing fur for years. Martin wrote about it back in November 2004. We even have a couple of vintage pieces in the shop right now that would be great for pillows. I always mention the recycling, repurposing aspect to customers.
A couple of years ago a gorgeous black mink trenchcoat liner with pockets came in. They were big in the eighties. I haven’t seen them so much lately. It was below the knee but had no sleeves. Didn’t seem that someone would buy it, as is.
So, we purchased some chocolate brown velvet and tassles from Designer Fabric Outlet. Cut the fur below the arms which left a rectangularish piece. Sewed the mink together with the velvet, added the tassles and voila: a throw for the living room.
The remnant piece became a small throw cushion. They now live on our antique brown leather club chairs.
It is a decadent conversation piece. I always tell guests how it came to be and show off the pockets that we kept. On chilly nights I wrap myself up in it and stick my hands in the pockets.
Andrea Swinton
www.takeaboo.com
