SANITY FAIR: DECORATING WITH... SCARVES

Aside from the odd scarf tied to a handbag, I don't wear them much. After all, I don't drive a convertible, I don't wear a lot of suits, and I'm too young to go the cravat 'n pearls route. BUT... I own a lot of scarves anyway. Vintage (a rare White House design, silks inherited from my grandmothers), designer (Fendi, Hermes) and a sentimental polyester number I bought off the street in Rome. Rather than keep these beauties stashed in the back of my closet, awaiting a dream car purchase or the onset of my golden years, I decided to bring them out in the open, and into my decor. Here are a few inspirations for the home, starting with the king of scarves, Hermes.

STUFF YOUR HERMES - PILLOWS

Aren't these colors fantastic? It's actually a very neutral room, but the feeling is sophisticated and lively. There are only four (count 'em) uses of color - and the Hermes scarf pillow (backed in mocha satin) sets the palette for the room. Design by Robert Brown Interior Designs.

Some lovely Hermes pillow options available from Decorati.

A very adult, masculine palette isn't put off by a little scarf scrollwork.

Very elaborate, and traditional, patterns available from Vivre - similar to the one in the picture above.

More gorgeous pillows available from Decorati. I'm head-over for the pink and red combo with tassels!!!

Hermes on Housewives, of all places. Kelly Bensimone, of the Real Housewives of New York City, has two hot pink couches in her living room, chocked full of Hermes pillows. The pillows are completely fabulous, and I'm so sad I couldn't find more pictures to show you. However, you can watch the video of her house tour (including a giant horse, her washer and dryer, and more pillows) HERE.

Here's a mid-century modern mix with Hermes. Although the scarf is elaborate, the color scheme does match the chair. A little - not totally sold on this one!

Large Hermes cushions - you'll need at least three scarves, one for the front, one for the back, and another for the sides (just be emotionally prepared to cut it up!). The look is stupendous. Not sure about the rest of this room. Are zebra bridles really a great use for your Twillys?

HANG YOUR HERMES

I love the idea of framing and hanging scarves. They often make beautiful, abstract patterns, and you can indulge in color combinations and designs you wouldn't necessarily want to wear. Here, an art deco inspired framed Hermes scarf gives a jolt of color to a quiet living room. This image is, of course, from Domino.

And don't make the scarf shine alone - I love this whimsical, lime green chinoiserie frame, done by Dose of Design!

An Hermes scarf in a traditional frame. Notice how the scarf border creates an instant mat.

A beautiful use of a framed Hermes scarf in Ivanka Trump's New York apartment (from Blue Hydrangea). The various blues and greens in the room all come together in that scarf.