A custom pillow that features family pictures is a great way to personalize your living spaces.  However, the trend towards accenting living spaces with pillows is not new; it goes back centuries, in fact.

The golden age of pillows was between the 16^th and 18^th centuries in Europe where the artistic styles of the day found expression in beautifully painted and embroidered throw and bed pillows. In 16^th century Britain, pillows featured sheep skin lining, and were filled with feathers. As the Victorian era dawned, landscapes and portraits in the famously muted pinks, yellows and greens of the period began to feature extensively on pillows in stately homes everywhere.

The French were the masters when it came to embellishing their pillows. These were made of silks and velvets, and featured lavish embroideries. Rich gold thread was used extensively, and crewel work added to the beauty of these pillows.

Those antique designs of yore are making a come back on today’s pillows. Hand embroidered silk and satin Victorian pillows can be expensive. However, you can have a beautiful vintage pillow for a fraction of the price using modern printing and scanning technology. All you have to do is scan a favorite vintage print or portrait that you find in magazines or books, and transfer these to your pillows. These not only make great unique personalized gifts for someone who has a fondness for all things vintage, but can also make a beautiful addition to teen bedding and kids bedding to bring in pinks and other girly colors in a beautifully old world way.

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