• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Interiors Addict

Heart Your Home

@interiorsaddict on Instagram   @interiorsaddict on Facebook   @interiorsaddict on Pinterest  
Subscribe
  • Job Board
  • About
  • Before & Afters
  • RENO ADDICT
  • Kitchens
  • Bathrooms
  • Kids Rooms
  • Bedrooms
  • Living Room
  • Shopping
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipes
  • Parenting
  • Travel
Interiors Addict
  • Job Board
  • About
    • Our Story

      Australiaโ€™s largest interior design, styling and renovation blog for the everyday Aussie. By former journalist and magazine editor Jen Bishop, the original interiors addict!
      READ MORE

      Weโ€™re big on Instagram!
      @interiorsaddict

      • About
      • Contact Interiors Addict
      • Work with Interiors Addict
      • Advertise / Find a job in Interiors
      • Press
      • Get Your Free Ebook

        This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • By Room
    • Browse by Room

      Where you can search for all our posts about a specific room. Only interested in kitchens and bathrooms? We got you!

      • Kitchens
      • Bathrooms
      • Kids Rooms
      • Bedrooms
      • Living Room
      • Home Office
      • Dining
      • Laundry
      • Outdoor & Exteriors
      • Renting
    • bookcover-jens-reno
  • Before & Afters
    • Before & Afters

      Who doesnโ€™t LOVE a good before & after? If you want to be inspired by the whole reno process, and not just the shiny photos at the end, this is the place for you!

      View Articles

      • Before & Afters
      • Jen’s reno
      • Real Renos
      • RENO ADDICT
    • AFTER lounge80’s beach shack now an eclectic, retro-inspired holiday home
    • Tv-Removal-2_a-1Before and after: how to make the most of compact living
  • Reno Addict
    • RENO ADDICT

      Looking for reno inspo? Find it all here, from other peopleโ€™s projects to the latest trends, tools and products, whether youโ€™re DIY-ing or employing trades.

      View articles

      • Reno Products
      • The Block
      • DIY
      • Reno Trends
      • Before & Afters
      • Real Renos
    • AFTER lounge80’s beach shack now an eclectic, retro-inspired holiday home
    • AFTER kitchenKitchen reno proves space planning just as important as finishes
  • Shopping
    • Shopping

      Want to know where to buy the latest furniture, homewares, rugs, art and more? Weโ€™re always sharing our latest finds and telling you where you can buy them.

      View Articles

      • Furniture
      • Homewares
      • Art
      • Smart Home
      • Appliances
      • Reno Products
    • Greg Natale accessoriesGreg Natale debuts new lifestyle collection at Maison&Objet Paris
    • Joan BlondNew Aussie original art collection inspired by our endless summer
  • Inspiration
    • Inspiration

      While Jenโ€™s a legitimate interiors addict, sheโ€™s no design professional, so she calls on an army of the countryโ€™s best to share their expertise with you. Be inspired by their stories too!

      View Articles

      • Decorating 101
      • Interviews
      • Expert Tips
      • Before & Afters
      • House Tours
      • Designers
      • Styling
      • Renovating
      • Real Renos
      • Covet my coffee table
    • Screen Shot 2023-01-23 at 4.05.25 pmTerrazzo and character are in and grey is out, says designer
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle

      Weโ€™re mostly about the home but Jen also likes to share other things she thinks youโ€™ll love, like food and travel.

      • Recipes
      • Travel
      • Parenting
    • 0Q7A5539Foodie Friday: Confit salmon with preserved lemon & pomegranate
    • Burrawang HouseNew Hamptons style luxury retreat in the NSW Southern Highlands
  • Jobs
    • Advertise on our job board
    • Job Board FAQs for advertisers

Pillow talk (or why men hate cushions)

February 22, 2013

FacebookPinEmailTweet

Myย fiancรฉย enjoyed his last therapeutic guest rant post so much, he’s back for more!

This isnโ€™t a blog about men versus women. Or interiors addicts versus non interiors addicts. Or gay versus straight. This is simply a blog about practicality and function. About being able to use your abode for what it was always intended – living.ย Which brings me to a rather controversial topic: cushions.

cushions

Let me be tactful. Cushions… no. When you use cushions… no. Cushion usage… no. You know what, screw it – people, no matter who you are, what you do or what you like, you donโ€™t need 20 damn cushions on your two-seater sofa! Or your king size bed! Or your… in fact, it doesnโ€™t really matter, you just donโ€™t need stacks of pillows.

I get the fact that some cushions are pretty. The aesthetics of a good pillow add to a room. Thatโ€™s cool, Iโ€™m down with that, I bet Jay-Z has some pretty cool pillows. Maybe JT does too, he likes a good suit and tie after all. But any more than three on your sofa, or your bed, or anywhere else really, and I think you may be missing the point of what that piece of furniture was all about.

You see, a sofa is for sitting. A bed is for lying on. The floor is for walking on. A car is for driving. I think you get my point. You canโ€™t do any of those things properly when you are being suffocated by cushions, no matter how pretty they are – even if they are pretty enough to justify leaving your partner for.

A case in point if you will indulge me. After a long day of work rattling on about the media and advertising industry (itโ€™s what I get paid for), I come home with the sole intention of flopping in front of the TV to watch Air Crash Investigations. Nothing like some exceptional flying skills (or lack thereof sometimes) to ease away the pains of the day. But wait, as I go to take my seat in front of the TV, I unceremoniously slide down onto the floor in an uncontrolled flop until I am resting uncomfortably under the coffee table. Why? Because cushions, when in groups, become dangerous. Did you know the collective for cushions is actually โ€˜gangโ€™ or โ€˜battalionโ€™*.

*Fact may not be factual.

Letโ€™s now move our discussion to the bedroom… not in that way. Keep it clean. There is nothing like the feeling of tucking yourself into some clean sheets on top of a comfortable mattress. But after you have taken 10 minutes to dismantle the pile of ornamental cushions off the bed and stack them properly on the floor or in a container, chances are youโ€™re a little less relaxed than you were before the initial thought of hitting the hay snuck into your brain. Then there is the task of re-doing the cushions when you awake in the morning. โ€œNothing like a strong coffee, the newspaper and some cushion stacking,โ€ said nobody, ever.

I have but one question for those of you who do this. Who is looking at your bedroom that often with such a critical eye that you feel the need to decorate your bed with a swarm of pillows? If youโ€™re waking up to the sight of Neale Whitaker, Shayna Blaze and Darren Palmer judging you, then youโ€™re doing it wrong… and perhaps not locking your doors securely enough at night. I once saw Darren Palmer roaming the streets looking for rooms to judge. True story*.

*Story may not actually be true.

Call me lazy, call me unstylish, call me annoyingly practical. But overuse of cushions is a disease that is quickly taking over Australia and creating mass panic. Letโ€™s kill it off now!

Note from Jen: I feel compelled to share this clip from UK sitcom Coupling (I’ve shared it before) which sums up men and women’s attitudes to cushions just perfectly. Bloody hilarious!

FacebookPinEmailTweet

Primary Sidebar

Popular This Week

  • Australian kitchen dimensions: standard sizes for every last detail
  • Palette Cam 15 apps to help you build your dream home
  • IKEA hacks Australia: DIY built-in HEMNES cabinetry how-to
  • The best places to buy Australian bed linen online
  • AFTER kitchen Kitchen reno proves space planning just as important as finishes

Follow us on Instagram

The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting ๐Ÿคฃ Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help โค๏ธ
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late isย marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydneyโ€™s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I'll post and I hope to be home and with my lippie back on by Monday. You know it's serious when I'm lipstick free, right?!

This was about a week ago in intensive care. And although my arm is still bloody sore I'm now on a normal ward and no longer attached to any drips, drains or a catheter. I've come a long way.

This has been the most physical and mental challenge of my life but I'm through the worst. I kept my arm. The doctors saved my life.

I cannot say it enough times. If you're worried about your health, don't hang around. Things can change so quickly. 

A huge thanks to my amazing husband @damianfrancis We've had the hardest year yet and our marriage has never been stronger, even if my rings did get cut off my finger in hospital ๐Ÿ˜œ

As great of a job as he is doing at home with the kids, I cannot wait to get home now. Countdown is on to a new year and a fresh start.

And I can't say enough just how overwhelmingly grateful I am to all the medical professionals involved in my care, from the @healthdirectaus nurse who sent me to Emergency to the exceptional surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff.

Happy New Year, everyone. Remember you never know what's around the corner and this is not a dress rehearsal!

And huge thank you for all your kindness here. Has been amazing while stuck in bed.

Xxx

For those who missed it, I was unlucky enough to get necrotising fasciitis. You'll have to Google it.
The unluckiest girl or the luckiest? Day 6 in int The unluckiest girl or the luckiest?

Day 6 in intensive care after suddenly coming down with a very serious necrotising fasciitis in my elbow on Sunday. Four operations later (with more to come) I'm out of the woods, alive and have my arm. But I won't be going home until after Christmas. Also picked up a bonus bit of pneumonia to keep things interesting.

I won't lie. This has been super super hard but I feel extremely lucky nonetheless. Have come across some exceptional surgeons, anaesthetists, doctors and nurses who have been incredibly kind at my most vulnerable as well as great at their jobs. I'm really grateful. Huge thank you to my amazing husband who is holding down the fort with the help and cooking of our wonderful friends. And to friends who check in, send love, flowers, snacks and sushi, I will never forget it.

Of course I will be sad tomorrow but my boys can visit and we will have another Christmas next month.

I'll leave you with this. Never ever ignore those health niggles. @healthdirectaus is always a great starting point.

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and will enjoy everyone else's celebrations on here with only a hint of bitterness ๐Ÿ˜‰

PS. Does this win the most unflattering photo of me ever published? I think so! No lippy for a WEEK.
Follow on Instagram
Visit Jen's profile on Pinterest.

Get Your Free Ebook

Ebook cover

Never miss the latest renovating and interiors products, news and inspo again! Sign up for our newsletter and we'll send you the best bits from the blog, direct to your inbox. Plus you'll get our latest eBook: What Made The Biggest Impact in Jen's Own Reno.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Avatar

About Damian Francis

Damian Francis is Jen's husband and a former consumer technology journalist for T3, GQ and Men's Health

More Recent Posts

AFTER lounge

80’s beach shack now an eclectic, retro-inspired holiday home

Terrazzo and character are in and grey is out, says designer

The Old Vicarage project

Designer profile: From expat childhood to high end interiors

AFTER kitchen

Kitchen reno proves space planning just as important as finishes

Greg Natale accessories

Greg Natale debuts new lifestyle collection at Maison&Objet Paris

Foodie Friday: Teriyaki miso chicken fried rice

Average cost to fix a botched DIY job is $1500

Outer team up with Queer Eye’s Bobby Berk on outdoor dining sets

Hardie exterior cladding

New exterior cladding product perfect for the Scandi-barn look

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarSarah-Ann says

    February 22, 2013 at 8:50 am

    Too funny! Keep the posts from Damian coming.

  2. AvatarCath @mybeardeigeon says

    February 22, 2013 at 9:00 am

    I feel that I must weigh in here. We have a lot of cushions in our house. A lot. They drive my husband mad too for the simply reason that he does not know how to use them. If you just sit on them without adjusting them behind your back they will be uncomfortable and they will also squash the cushion and make it look yuk.

    Unlike you Damien, my husband is not allowed to complain about them since cushions, in our house bring in a good income and help pay for the roof over our heads and the sofa under the cushions.

    Perhaps you need to choose some cushions of your own Damien, so you have ownership over them and feel included in the cushion decisions in the house?

    • AvatarDamian says

      February 22, 2013 at 10:38 am

      Cath, thanks for your feedback. Unfortunately I was traumatised as a child when a battalion of cushions led a surprise attack on me while I was watching TV. I’ve never recovered from that situation. I have suspicions that Darren Palmer was somehow involved, but I can’t prove this.

      On a side note (and one not filled with lies), Jen has curbed her enthusiasm for mass cushions, which is great for me.

  3. AvatarKate Barnes says

    February 22, 2013 at 9:36 am

    Agree with Cath above. I let hubby-to-be pick cushions for his ‘man den’. He decided he wanted only one. It was a start I suppose! He also never adjusts the collection on our lounge behind his back to make it comfortable. Just sits on them, says they are uncomfortable and then gets up leaving the cushions in a squashed mess. Which then leads me to spend loads of time plumping and fluffing them back to their original state. Hmmm…Damian might have a point…. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    • AvatarDamian says

      February 22, 2013 at 10:43 am

      Hold on… did I just… almost convert someone? Is that a pig flying by my office window? Mmmm, bacon. Huh…

      Thanks Kate!

  4. AvatarSimone says

    February 22, 2013 at 10:08 am

    Hello, Alex??? Is that you!
    I feel like I have had this conversation…. more than once!
    Too funny.

  5. AvatarJourdan Parker says

    February 22, 2013 at 11:35 am

    Hi Damian,

    I share the same addiction to cushions. But like you, my partner hates them. Well maybe doesn’t hate them, but certainly is over my obsession with them.
    I am quite particular too, and dislike people actually resting on them or heaven forbid, actually sit on them. I can’t stand them being all out of shape.
    I have uploaded a very unflattering picture of my cushions stacked beside the couches on instagram. Ask Jen to show you. This is how they are most nights.
    Jourdan : )

    • AvatarDamian says

      February 22, 2013 at 10:15 pm

      Haha. You may need help. Where’s Frasier when you need him…

      Thanks Jourdan

  6. AvatarBel says

    February 22, 2013 at 11:35 am

    Ah I have to weigh in here. I HATE, HATE, HATE cushions too. They are annoying and as you mention a waste of space/time. Plus they get dusty and that means more stuff to keep clean. I like to keep my interiors minimal and functional with good artwork on the walls – no cushions!

    • AvatarDamian says

      February 22, 2013 at 10:16 pm

      Bel, you’re my hero. Brilliant. Minimalism is awesome. So much less to clean!

  7. AvatarAmy Timbrell says

    February 22, 2013 at 2:46 pm

    Ahh yes Damian, but just look at that Flowers & Flamingo cushion from Everything Begins ; ) Amy

    • AvatarDamian says

      February 22, 2013 at 10:17 pm

      Nope, still nothing. Sorry! ๐Ÿ˜‰

  8. AvatarEmma - My Bespoke Chair says

    February 22, 2013 at 4:39 pm

    How I wish I could put a picture on this reply of my chaise longue. Cushions the whole way down, finished with a nice throw. You’d freak Damian! ๐Ÿ™‚

    • AvatarDamian says

      February 22, 2013 at 10:18 pm

      Actually, I’m feeling a bit queazy right now. No need to show the picture! ๐Ÿ™‚

  9. AvatarSurely Sarah says

    February 24, 2013 at 5:55 pm

    I am going to make my husband read this post, so he doesn’t feel so alone in his cushion-hating ways!

  10. AvatarHelen McA says

    February 25, 2013 at 3:42 pm

    I have to say I like a good cushion. I indulge in some cushion perving in magazine and on interiors blogs and Instagram. But in our whole house we have fewer than 10 cushions. I have recently upgraded our living room quota from 2 to 3 cushions.
    Furthermore I like my cushions to be comfortable and durable – they are subjected to dogs and a child. They must, however, look luxurious – with awesome fabrics and finishes. They must be so fabulous that I do not have to update them with the trends all the time.
    I am probable breaking all the cushion rules.

    • AvatarDamian says

      February 26, 2013 at 2:16 pm

      There are… CUSHION RULES? Oh dear lord we’re all doomed.

  11. Avatar@darrenpalmerint says

    February 26, 2013 at 2:09 pm

    DAMO You’re lazy, unstylish and annoyingly practical.
    i have RARELY roamed the street looking for judging opportunities and for the record i barely make my bed. ever.

    • AvatarJen Bishop says

      February 26, 2013 at 2:10 pm

      THANK YOU!

      • Avatar@darrenpalmerint says

        February 26, 2013 at 2:16 pm

        Haha i do think he has a point. have you seen “Along came Polly?”

    • AvatarDamian says

      February 26, 2013 at 2:18 pm

      Hmmm… that actually makes you pretty OK in my book, Darren. Which means from now on I rarely have to make the bed. To do so would be unlike you, which would therefore be unstylish. You just can’t argue with that logic.

  12. AvatarRobyn says

    March 3, 2013 at 7:32 am

    Cushions are works of art. I use them everywhere I can. The origins of the cushion and their survival is proof that mankind cannot live without them. There is only 1 cushion rule – Use them. What is wrong with you guys?????

Footer

Interiors Addict

Interiors Addict

  • About
  • Contact
  • Work with Jen
  • Press
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy

Browse

  • RENO ADDICT
  • Jen’s Reno
  • House Tours
  • Real Renos
  • Interviews
  • Styling
  • Designers
  • Bedrooms
  • Covet My Coffee Table
  • Expert Tips
  • The Block
  • Art
  • Furniture
  • Recipes

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RENO ADDICT

Copyright © 2011–2023 Addicted Media Pty Ltd
Website care by ClickWP ยท Log in

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!