The Modern Materialist : pillows

Suite Dreams

Laureen Mahler — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:01:00 GMT

If you love the Adobe Creative Suite as much as I do, then you're already drooling over these clever CS pillows. But guess what? The deal gets even sweeter:

[$80, My Suite Stuff]

You can get all six of the CS program pillows for a mere $80. Let's just say that this is 1) a decorative steal, and 2) a hell of a discount on the current going rate for the digital version of CS, which'll put you back about $1,400. Ouch.

[via Fleuron]

OMG: Design Your Own Pillow Studio

Laureen Mahler — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:06:00 GMT

You know how sometimes it seems impossible to find the right pillow? Either the color is off, or the fabric is wrong, or one little design ruins the entire thing. Well, your pillow problems are solved with Inmod's new design-your-own-pillow studio. With extensive designs, colors, and fabrics to choose from, this might just be pillow heaven.

Here's how it works:

1. Select your design from 80 different templates.
2. Choose a fabric (cotton, linen, or silk).
3. Pick your size (18" x 18" or 26" x 26").
4. Choose your colors (dozens available) for background and details.

It's that easy, and you'll be in perfect pillow paradise. Here's my pick:

Though to be honest, I spent about an hour tweaking a multitude of designs, and this one happened to be onscreen when I remembered I needed to drink coffee and eat breakfast.

[$40-$80 each, Inmod]

[via Cool Hunting]

These Pillows Go Together Like Something and Something

Alex Zalben — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:02:00 GMT

Man, it's on the tip of my tongue. They go together like... Down and feathers? No, that's not it. Well, anyway, the only thing that would make this better would be pie. Mmmm... Pie:

[diffractionfiber's Etsy Store]

[Via UniqueDaily]

Sleep Easy on Eco-Friendly Pillows

Steph Auteri — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:19:00 GMT

[$55, Etsy]

What so great about these pillows (aside from how darn cute they are)?

These fabric, appliqued pillows by Etsy seller alexandra ferguson are made from 100% recycled felt from plastic water bottles.

After the jump, some more ways you can protect the environment with your eyes closed:

[$55, Etsy]

[$62, Etsy]

[Via Apartment Therapy]

Go To Sleep (And Never Wake Up)

Steph Auteri — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:09:00 GMT

Is it just me, or are designers becoming more...um...morbid?

Thanks to MM reader Tat for letting us know about these pillows, which are sure to give your mom a heart attack when she comes to visit:

The first is how my loved ones will one day find me.

Check our more photos of these Great Slumber pillows here.

Emoticon Pillows

Diana Vilibert — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:44:00 GMT

These emoticon pillows make me happy. And really happy. And silly. And stern. And unsure. And sad.

[$38, Art Lebedev]

Midnight Munchies

Steph Auteri — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:34:00 GMT

[Photo via]

This is so not cool.

The other day, I happened to have coffee in the early evening, and then was unable to fall asleep that night. I tossed and turned for hours and, eventually, my tummy started rumbling. Another roadblock to sweet, sweet sleep. I ate two string cheese. I tossed and turned some more. It was a miserable night.

[$67, Bonjour mon coussin]

So how the hell does anyone sleep when they have chocolate- and coffee-scented pillows!?

I Sea Pretty Pillows

Steph Auteri — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:31:00 GMT

This is the opposite of what it looks like outside my window right now.

Perhaps because my condo overlooks a highway.

And is nowhere near the beach.

That, and it's cold and bleak outside.

But I can still see seashells if I want to...

[$140, OpenHouse]

...or at least seaglass-inspired pillows. That frilly green number is my favorite.

Related: High to Low: Pillow Talk

Snuggle Up With a Glass of Wine

Diana Vilibert — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:16:00 GMT

This is going to be me in about 7 hours. But even if you're not drinking much, you can still snuggle up with a glass of wine:

These wine pillows are, unfortunately, probably the most action I'll be getting tonight.

[$50, Sofa Garden]

More Gifts for the Jaded Indie Rock Aficianado

Shaun Seneviratne — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:04:00 GMT

As jaded as your friend who can't put down his Pavement and My Bloody Valentine records is, he/she still needs clothes to wear and, sometimes, a pillow to cuddle (face it, you know they go to bed dreaming about this stuff anyways):

Make sounds with your mouth as you press these plush buttons.

For the shoegaze fan that never learned to play guitar.

[99 EUR (Approx. $126), DaWanda]

[Via CRAFT Magazine]

Vans x Bad Brains Spring 2009 Collection

Give your favorite punk rocker a raincheck this Christmas and wait until these sweet Bad Brains-themed Vans come out in the spring. Vans is also teaming up with Kiss and Slayer, but that's not nearly as cool.

[Vans]

[Via High Snobiety]

The term "experimental music" is thrown around so much. This shirt should help clear things up.

[$20, Glennz Tees]

[Via MAKE Magazine]

Not Tonight, Honey

Diana Vilibert — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:13:00 GMT

Tired of trying to get out of sex because you "have a headache"? Don't even waste your breath--let your pillow say it for you:

One side of the pillowcase gives your partner the green light, and the other tells them to take care of themselves. Sorry, no pillowcase yet for "ok, but just a quickie."

[£9.99, LazyBone]

iFurniture: Throw Pillows For Mac Users

Shaun Seneviratne — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:28:00 GMT

I always had a feeling that one day Apple would take over the world. It really is only a matter of time when cars, toilets, and pants are iCars, iToilets, and iPants. And I honestly don't have a problem with that. I think I'll start with my throw pillows:

This is the perfect gift for the Mac-lete in your life. Throwboy (a company that fellow Modern Materialist Alex Zalben reported on here) offers an assortment of nerdy pillows from RSS Feeds to Apple icons to internet abbreviations.

[photo via]

[$29, Throwboy]

[Via Missbehave]

Good Night, and Good Luck

Alex Zalben — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:01:00 GMT

Sometimes, we need a pillow to remind us what to do at night:

[$40 each, Third Drawer Down]

[Via CribCandy]

Halloween Tip: The Spookiest Geek Pillows

Alex Zalben — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:02:00 GMT

It's Halloween week here at the Modern Boo-terialist (I know, it's a stretch), and there may perhaps be nothing geekier than Halloween pillows that look like the Mac OS icon. Some more versions:

[$39, Etsy]

[Via Nerd Approved]

Clean Up Your... Tears... In Bed

Alex Zalben — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:03:00 GMT

One of the most annoying things about, uh, crying, in bed is forgetting that there's no tissues around. I mean, you get your... tears... everywhere, and then there's no way of cleaning them up. Your hot, sticky tears, I mean. Luckily, there's a solution so this will never happen again:

Now you can blow your... nose... without a care in the world! Just make sure to use protection, of course. Nose protection.

[87€, Design3000]

[Via Random Good Stuff]

Related: These Benches are Scrabulous

This Pillow Has a Secret

Alex Zalben — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:39:00 GMT

Can you guess what it is? Here's the answer...

It's a reversible teddy bear, so no-one knows your secret shame!

[Via Yanko Design]

Follow Up: Wordplay Cushions

Alex Zalben — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:34:00 GMT

Hey, you guys remember those Scrabble benches and pillows I posted about a while ago? Well, I've got some awesome news for you, straight for the horse's mouth:

They're available for purchase! You can get one letter of your choice for £18; two for £34; three for £48; four for £60; and five or more for £14 each. Sadly, the benches aren't on sale yet, but I bet if we all buy enough of these cushions, the benches are next...

[Stephen Reed Design]

These Are Not Cigars

Alex Zalben — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:05:00 GMT

Nope, they're actually...

Pillows! To be honest, I don't know who these are for: are there a lot of cigar fans who like having comfy throw pillows in their thermadors?

[$35-$100, Sofa Garden]

[Via The Uberreview]

Heart To Heart

Alex Zalben — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:01:00 GMT

Things that generally aren't both cute and comfy:

- A porcupine.

- Knives.

- Human Hearts.

And yet:

[$35, Think Geek]

Go Green In Bed

Alex Zalben — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:30:00 GMT

Going green is important, but you can't do it twenty-four hours a day. I mean, what about when you're in bed? Well, what about this, eco-protector?
[$65, Uncommon Goods]

It Smells Like Sleep In Here

Alex Zalben — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:30:00 GMT

Grossest post title ever, I know, but how else to talk about this:

It’s a travel pillow that has vents for aromatherapy. So you can relax, AND annoy everyone you’re traveling with. Cool!

[£10, Gizoo]

[Via Geek Alerts]

You’re Getting Sleepy…

Alex Zalben — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:30:00 GMT

Just getting into work huh? Still a little sleepy? You know what, you’re the only one in the office, why not just lay your head down on a pillow, and… Wait a second, that’s not a pillow! That’s a…

Pillow ring! Brilliant, for those times when you just want to take a tiny nap.

[Downstairs Studio]

[Via Design Sponge]

Pass Out Here

Alex Zalben — Thu, 29 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

There are… Times… To say it politely, when we forget where to fall asleep. Sometimes it’s a floor. Other times it’s a bathtub. It’s not a problem to fall asleep during these… Times… But the waking up is a mother. That’s why it would be nice to have a reminder, like this:

[$27, 8Ball]

[Via Nerd Approved]

Geek Out: World’s Most Expensive Nerd Pillow

Alex Zalben — Tue, 13 May 2008 19:30:00 GMT

All right, so I’m about to tell you about two custom Nerd Pillows, one about twice the price of the other. The one pictured above is the basic Nerd Pillow, each hand-made from 100% Italian Wool. Nice, right? Check out the price, and the even more expensive option, below:

[$120, Spye Design]

Yup, $120 for a throw-pillow you could probably make with some felt and cotton. But that’s not all. Spye Design also has a Premium Nerd Pillow, made with Italian cashmere, for $240. Okay, that makes a little more sense, I guess? Because it's cashmere? Though I think my felt and cotton plan still holds.

[$240, Spye Design]

Geek Out: DOSugus Pillow

Alex Zalben — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:30:00 GMT

My parents bought some of the first available PCs, when they came out. Suffice to say, it wasn’t long before I was programming in DOS like a pro. When Windows was released, it actually took me a while to adjust to the idea that I didn’t have to configure everything in random strings of code, but instead, just click, and I was ready to go. Some days, I actually dream that I could go back to DOS.

Lucky for me, Art Lebedev Studios has created the Dosugus pillow, so that you can rest your head on DOS, while dreaming of DOS. The only thing that makes it slightly off from authentic for me? The fact that it’s not a weird, slightly pale green color. Oh well, can’t win ‘em all.

[$36, Art Lebedev]

Geek Out: VG Controller Pillow

Alex Zalben — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:30:00 GMT

I think we all have a good sense here of what sort of things we like, right? Steph and Wendy like delicate assemblages of tasteful furniture and clothing, while I like video game pillows.

At least, that’s what I assume Wendy was telling me when she e-mailed me this particular item, saying she thought of me when she saw it. And I’d get super pissed about it too, except, well, she’s totally spot on.

Can I go out on a limb and say this is the perfect gaming pillow? It’s 20”x20”, which is great for putting in your lap, which means it’s great for resting your controller on while waiting for a Cut-Scene to load. And, you can probably find whatever controller you’re using, and place it on its own picture! How cool is that? Pretty cool, I’d say.

The pillow is out of stock now, but you can check out the rest of the items in their store at the link below.

Oh, and bonus prize to anyone who can spot the prototype controller on the pillow, and tell me what system it was for.

[Upper Playground]

Retro Arcade: Space Invaders 30th Anniversary Pillows

Alex Zalben — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:30:00 GMT

For got about Space Invaders 30th birthday, didn’t you? Relax, there’s still enough time to get it a present. Or rather, to get yourself a Space Invaders themed present.

And don’t you deserve a present?

The pillows are pretty large (17.71" x 8.66"), and come in “a shade of drab yellow and drab gray.” Which is the words of the website selling this product, not me.

You can pre-order these boring pillows from their lame distributor for a totally snore-worthy price. Kidding.

[$30, NCSX]

The Cushions That Zip Together, Stay Together

Alex Zalben — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:30:00 GMT

All right, hippies. Or rather, grown up hippies… Those beanbag chairs are getting old and stinky, so why not throw them out and get something new for your living room?

No, no, I’m not going to make you get off the floor. You can stay down there as long you pick up Pling’s ZipZip Pillows, a series of interlocking pillows that, yup, zip together to make a couch, or bed, or… Line of zipped together pillows, I dunknow.

Pricing is available upon request, and you can check out another pic below:

[Via Gizmodo]

Retro Arcade: Tetris Pillows

Alex Zalben — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:30:00 GMT

Anyone else confused that the best geek stuff consistently comes from Etsy? Anywho, Etsy user sequoiam has made a set of old school Tetris pillows that lock together in different combinations.

Sadly, the pillows do not disappear once a row is made, and you’ll probably have to hum your own Russian-esque music. We’re just not there in the technology yet, people.

Here's a few more pics of the pillows:

[$19, Etsy]

[Via Totally Geek]

Where’s The Remote Pillow

Alex Zalben — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:00:00 GMT

Problems with this:

1) How uncomfortable is it to have a pillow that has a TV remote stuck in it? Imagining for a second that the idea is to put the remote in the pillow when you’re done watching TV, and take it out while you’re watching. However, personally, I rarely use the remote while I’m watching TV. I switch on a show, watch it, and then switch it off. Also, this is the point when I usually loose the remote, not between TV watching. Side-note: I may be stupid.

2) Guess how much this cotton and hemp pillow that comes in plain black or white is. No, really, guess.

[$116, Uncommon Goods]

[Via Nerd Approved]