'Throw this on for good measure'

Do you own an outfit – could be that t-shirt and pair of jeans, or dress – that you can throw on and are instantly ready to go on your way? It’s a no-brainer solution to Saturday lunch with friends, or that business meeting first thing at the start of the work week.

The same one-stop solution exists for your home.

Throw blankets in new colors and prints can change the look and feel of your home in a variety of ways. Wrap yourself around these simple, blanket throw décor ideas:

Tradition way to use a faux fur throw

The first and foremost way to accent your furniture or bedding is to stylishly drape a blanket throw over bedding or a classic chair or sofa. A jaguar print faux fur throw, for example, would enhance the browns of a mahogany wood dining table and chairs. Or a faux fur print might diversify a modern living room with contemporary furnishings in a limited color palette (see above photo).

Use a blanket throw to protect your couch seats or chairs that are difficult to clean. Try out a faux thermal throw in a fun shaggy texture. The blanket is fully lined and unbelievably comfy. Don’t be surprised if you suddenly like your couch and chairs a lot more after its shaggy makeover.

A blanket is a must for outdoor picnics

Take it outside. Now is the time for fall sports games and tail gating, and camping. A textured blanket throw like a sheared mink throw will keep you nice and warm even as it starts to get chilly. Drape it on your patio furniture during those outdoor bonfires in case some of your guests feel cold.

The furry throw is far more attractive than the solid-colored fleece throws most people use outdoors, and it doesn’t pick up all the grass and dirt if you decide to lay it on the ground. The thickness of a Sherpa throw, for instance, resists the dampness of wet grass, in case you feel like laying out for a cool picnic.

Baby wrapped in a faux blanket

Perfect for an afternoon nap, these throws are all soft and plush for the babies in your family. Have your baby lie on a throw when playing on the living room floor, or line the bottom of your baby’s play pen with one. These throws have an advantage over other baby blankets in that their thickness creates a bit of padding for your active tot.

How’s that for a throw with infinite uses?

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of mattersofstyleblog.com; apartmenttherapy.com; mattclaytonphotography.blogspot.com

'What Faux Fur Animal Are You, cont.?'

Looking for a faux fur throw, but still can’t decide between which one?

Invoke the animal spirit of the faux fur rug of your choosing by matching the throw in your home to your best personality.

In the previous post, I covered the distinct characteristics and mythical qualities of the coyote and the lynx. Ever wanted to know what makes the raccoon and the jaguar so popular?

The Raccoon

Dexterity, disguise and transformation are several traits closely linked to the raccoon. In ancient rituals, this masked creature was believed to be the bearer of change, healing and transformation. It was only by wearing a mask, especially during these rituals and ceremonies, that the human spirit could acquire knowledge hidden from our conscious selves.

A set of nimble ‘hands’ allow the raccoon to gather food, catch fish and open crawfish. But its ability to use its hands to satisfy its curious and dexterous nature is one that also gets the raccoon into trouble. Wily and cunning, the raccoon is a talented and mischievous animal.

Raccoon Faux Fur Throw

The Jaguar

Unlike the leopard, the jaguar has a more muscular, stocky build and shorter limbs. It is the third largest cat with the ability to crush the skulls of its prey with its strong jaw.

If you are anything like the jaguar, then you are an excellent swimmer and tree climber.

A solitary animal, the jaguar only socializes during the mating season. It prefers the nighttime, and is rarely seen active during the day. Because of these traits, the jaguar is believed to practice its magic at night and to use the moon to set its course of action.

Strong, sensitive and powerful, the jaguar is the chosen ‘power animal’ of many shamans.

Jaguar Faux Fur Throw

What will it be? Raccoon or jaguar?

-S. Gonzalez