It’s easy to take pillows for granted—they’re widely available at every price point for outdoor furniture. Ordinary pillows—no detail, no welting, no style—are ho-hum accessories that add little to a patio or porch. However, amped-up custom pillows and cushions from Calico can totally transform an outdoor space. Read on!
Kate Pearce: @katepearcevintage
Over the past five years, Kate and her husband have been remaking an 1899 Victorian house in Chicago. “One of the biggest shifts in my outdoor spaces happened when I stopped thinking of them as patios—and started thinking of them as rooms,” she recalled.
Kate is an experienced thrifter. She learned not to focus too much on the upholstery, because fabric is one of the easiest things to change. “When evaluating a piece, look at the bones first: the shape, proportions, craftmanship and details,” she advises. “Fabric can always be reimagined.” This vintage outdoor set was the perfect example:
The front porch went from "blah" to one of Kate's favorite "rooms" of the house. "This is my new favorite space to linger with a coffee and a good book!" she states.
"Contrast welting and the pattern mix make these pieces feel designed rather than manufactured," notes Kate. Cushions of Sail Away stripe in Aloe and bolster pillows of the flamestitch Nevaeh are accented in Canvas in Buttercup - all Sunbrella fabrics.
Working with the Calico store in Wilmette, Illinois, Kate was able to transform her vintage outdoor set so that the front porch feels connected to the rest of her home. “Now they feel like entirely different pieces!”
Veronika Javor: @veronabrit
A covered patio by the pool of Veronika Javor’s home in Houston, Texas had great wicker furniture—plus dingy cushions and tired pillows. But Veronika had a vision. “I’ve always dreamed of a Palm Beach-inspired backyard—and the Calico store here helped make it happen with new custom Sunbrella cushions for our outdoor furniture.”
In the store, Veronika found just what she wanted in Mason, a Forest Green Sunbrella stripe and Canvas, a solid also in Forest Green. She chose Canvas in Cameo, a light pink solid for the welting.
“I took the fabrics home,” she noted, “so that I could see them in our space and imagine how everything would turn out.” Sunbrella fabrics are fade and weather-resistant, so they’re perfect for hot, rainy summers!
Another smart move: replacing the three cushions on the sofa with a single bench cushion. More streamlined and much easier to keep aligned and in place!
“Calico’s quality is top notch—and they make it so easy,” said Veronika. “I think your outdoor space should be a reflection of your taste, your style and your home.”
Lisa Mende: @lisamendesign
Designer Lisa Mende Lisa believes that one of life’s greatest luxuries is having a home you love—not to impress others, but because it restores you every single day. Lisa has a lovely patio and dining area that she spruced up with new cushions and pillows, working with the Calico store in Charlotte, North Carolina. With her design style of “livable luxury”, she creates rooms infused with color, pattern and texture.
Lisa chose Sunbrella fabrics Canvas in color Spa and accented the boxing of the cushions with a contrast welt of Cast in color Pumice. Hidden zippers at the back of each cushion allow easy access.
Lisa did not have previous cushions to use as a guide for the workroom, so a home visit was needed to make a template for each frame style. This special service requires a slight additional charge—and guarantees that everything will be just right when delivered!
Back pillows of the same Sunbrella fabrics add comfort to the nearby seating area, a nice spot for drinks before dining.
Alisa Bovino: @aglassofbovino
The After photo below shows the tailored result of recovering the cushions of this sofa on Alisa Bovino’s three-season porch. The old cushions were in rough shape, she noted, “beaten up by the elements, children and a cat”. Working with the Calico store in Summit, New Jersey, Alisa chose Sunbrella fabric samples to bring home as candidates for cushion covers and side pillows.
For the cushions, she selected Leisure in Sky with contrast welting of Canvas in White. Neutral pillows were covered in Tranquil in Camel to complement the outdoor carpet.
Alisa is also a thrifter and loves to stalk secondhand furniture to remake in a new traditional style. “Calico was able to use my existing cushions,” said Alissa. “I didn’t have to have entirely new ones made. Sometimes the best ‘new’ thing is just reworking what you already have. The whole porch is still a work in progress, but the palette feels fresher already!”
The new cushions are in place on the sofa. They complete the transformation for no-worry, easy-care family gatherings.
Gail Disner: @thesoutherngail
This inveterate home renovator has been working on her family’s 1936 Colonial house for six years—and just recently brought color and texture to their covered outdoor patio with new pillows. Working with the Calico store in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Gail chose a mix of outdoor fabrics to enliven the dining area.
Gail added ruffles to the pillows - and an applique green fabric, beautifully mitered.
Gail loved Kravet's diamond jacquard Salisbury so much, that she chose two colors of this fabric, Slate blue and Grass green. For contrast, she added a Sunbrella jacquard, Alette in Sparrow.