Guest Picks: Go-To Sources for Pretty Pillows

1. AphroChic

I have been a huge fan of AphroChic founder Jeanine Hays since day one, and her collection continues to inspire. I love the new cushions featuring watercolor illustrations. They'd be so pretty in the bedroom!.

Or, if you are looking for something with a more groovy, '70s vibe, why not scoop up a Mandala Pillow from AphroChic? I love the subtle silhouette in the background, and the crisp black and white keeps it feeling fresh, not retro.

2. Chic Decor Pillows

This Etsy shop run by a mother-daughter team carries a wide range of handmade cushions in fun prints at affordable prices. Bonus: shipping is only $2.99 to anywhere in the United States.

It was hard to choose a favorite from their shop, but I am really loving the Ikat prints. I would put one of these made with the DwellStudio Ikat Trellis fabric on my favorite armchair.

3. Skinny laMinx

Heather Moore, the designer behind Skinny laMinx, is based in Cape Town, South Africa, and she creates all of the designs in the shop. I think her work complements mid-century modern furniture really well. If you gravitate toward that style in your home, why not try one of Heather's pillows?

One of my favorites from the Skinny laMinx shop is this one in a print called "Lava," which was inspired by 1950s West German ceramics. It would pair perfectly with a sleek, sculptural mid-century chair, don't you think?

4. Blissliving Home

This shop always has a good selection of soft, feminine, modern designs — think glam metallics, florals, rosettes and plush materials. I have been on a bit of a British kick lately (hello, Downton Abbey), so I immediately gravitated to the pillows with an English accent.

There are plenty of Union Jack pillows out there, but this one really caught my eye because of the layers of velvet, the linen appliques and the slightly askew format. It has just the right amount of cheek!

6. Be Still Shop

Be Still may be based in Australia, but they ship their pillow covers worldwide; do not fear if you see something you love! Graphic designer Sarah Robinson has impeccable taste and offers lots of pillows with a global-modern feel, like this gray silk Uzbek Ikat.

Isn't this linen basket weave gorgeous? I can imagine it adding just the right amount of pop to a dark leather sofa.

7. Aurelia

This Etsy shop is based in New Zealand and carries handmade pillows that are traditional with a twist, like this drop-dead gorgeous Kelly Wearstler "Bengal Bazaar" print. I love, love, love it!

A decorator favorite, these pillows in Quadrille's "China Seas" print would be lovely alongside layers of raw-edged linen and Indian block prints in shades of soft plum and cocoa.

8. Designer Fluff

This new site makes to-the-trade fabrics available to all in the form of stunning pillows in a wide range of shapes and sizes. They are a bit pricey, but they do offer an excellent return policy, which would give me a lot of peace of mind. If the pillows you ordered simply don't work in your home, you can send them back within the month and get a full refund.

I love this "Pink Flame" pillow. It's a little wild, but somehow the crisp geometry of the print keeps it feeling sophisticated. I would tuck it into a white or cream-colored armchair in a sunny window.

9. ABC Carpet & Home

This is a vast resource for just about anything and everything home related: from carpets and furniture to books, baby gear and, yes, pillows. The selection here covers a range of styles, but it is well curated, so it's not too overwhelming to browse.

I usually go for more sedate cushions, but why not try something different? I could see this bright, digitally printed pillow right at home in a modern studio space with white walls and floors.

10. Moxie Mandie

This adorable Etsy shop offers fabulous chevron-print cushions for those of you as chevron-obsessed as I am. I really want one or two of these, and at under $30, it wouldn't break the bank.

Another favorite from Moxie Mandie, this cushion is handmade with a fun vintage fabric. This would look so cute in a mash-up of florals, faded stripes and other vintage fabrics on a simple white sofa.

I hope you've enjoyed this roundup and have found a few new shops to boot. Which was your favorite? I'd love to hear!

Next: Master the Throw-Pillow Mix