Throw Pillow Edge Styles: Knife Edge, Self Welt, Flange & More
Discover the details that separate custom designer pillows from ordinary throw pillows. Learn the differences between knife edge, self welt, contrast welt, flange, and other decorative pillow edge styles, plus expert tips for choosing the right finish for your home's design. Whether you're selecting custom pillows or refreshing your living room, this guide explains how these small details make a big impact.
“The details are not the details. They make the design.” - Charles Eames
It’s all in the details when it comes to creating a space that is uniquely yours. The easiest way to create a layered, detail-filled design is with your decorative throw pillows. Pillows can be simple, have a little detail, or be over-the-top ornate. Here’s everything you need to know about throw pillow details.
The Basics
Knife Edge pillow
what is a knife edge pillow?
Knife edge pillows are the simplest forms. There are no ornate details around the edges, just the fabric sewn together, creating a sharp corner.These pillows create a clean, contemporary look that works with any decor.
contrast welt - romo
self welt vs knife edge
What’s a welt? A welt is simply a thin cord covered in fabric that creates a decorative ridge around the pillow. Welting provides a tailored look and gives a outline to the pillow.
Self Welting uses the same fabric as the pillow.
Contrast Welts use a separate fabric to create a contrasting look.
jayson home - Contrast Welt
what is a Flange pillow?
What’s a flange? A flange is a piece of fabric that extends beyond the seam of the pillow, giving it a soft, feminine detail.
There are a number of possibilities when it comes to flanges. They can be self or contrasting, split, or even ruffled.
A split flange creates two separate pieces of fabric to extend beyond the seam of the pillow, creating more volume, and can even be done in two different fabrics!
A butterfly flange is a flange that pleats at the corner. This is also called a Turkish corner.
A ruffle flange creates a lovely ruching.
pictures and examples of pillow edge styles
decortive pillow Details
Decorative pillow details that make a difference:
I love banding, trims, gimp, and brush fringe! These little details can take your room from basic to layered and dynamic!
One of my favorite designer resources to shop for these details is Samuel and Sons Passementerie.
Passementerie, simply put, is decorative trimmings, braids, and fringes used on home and fashion accessories.
Tape
Tape is a decorative strip of material that is sewn onto the pillow. Tape can be applied on the face, edges, bottoms, or even on the flange of a pillow. The possibilities are endless!
Fringes
What are fringes?
Fringes are trims applied to a pillow to create ornate details. They can be small, thick, long, fluffy, looped or tasseled; so many options!
Brush fringe is a technique that applies simple strands of fabric that hang off the pillow.
Tasseled fringe is trim that creates individual tassels that are applied to the pillow.
Pom pom fringe is trim with fabric balls, or pom poms, that hang off the pillow.
Our Favorite Embellishing Details Right Now
Need help finding the perfect throw pillows for your space? Schedule a design consultation today!
Design in Odd Numbers: Mastering the 3-5-7 Rule (Copy)
Discover how the 3-5-7 rule in interior design can transform your home with beautifully balanced, professionally styled spaces. Learn why odd numbers create visual interest, how to style coffee tables, bookshelves, mantels, and more, plus practical decorating tips you can use in every room to achieve a layered, designer look.
EXAMPLES OF THE 3-5-7 RULE IN INTERIOR DESIGN: 3 ITEMS IN LIVING ROOMS coffee table styling
STACK OF BOOKS
VASE
TRAY
EXAMPLES OF THE 3-5-7 RULE IN INTERIOR DESIGN 5 ITEMS on shelves or a book shelf in a living room
ART
FRAMES
PLANTS
DECORTIVE OBJECTS
FLOWERS
EXAMPLES OF THE 3-5-7 RULE IN INTERIOR DESIGN: 3 ITEMS on a nighstand in a bedroom
BOX WITH PERFUME
PLANT
FASION FORM
At Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors, one of our go-to styling principles is the 3-5-7 rule—a simple yet powerful guideline that helps create visual harmony and interest in any room. If you’ve ever admired a perfectly styled shelf or a balanced coffee table and wondered why it just works, chances are the 3-5-7 rule was at play.
What Is the 3-5-7 Rule in Interior Design?
The 3-5-7 rule is based on the idea that groupings of odd numbers—specifically three, five, or seven items—are more visually appealing and dynamic than even-numbered arrangements. Our eyes naturally seek out balance, but not symmetry. Odd numbers give a sense of movement and asymmetry that feels more organic and less staged.
Why DO OFF NUMBERS LOOK BETTER IN INTERIOR DESIGN?
Visual Movement: Odd-number groupings allow the eye to move more freely around a vignette, pausing at focal points without becoming stagnant. Asymmetrical Balance: An arrangement of three candleholders or five framed prints creates a rhythm that invites curiosity and engagement. There’s something about it that feels collected, intentional, and just a bit artful. Preventing Perfect Symmetry: Asymmetrical balance helps the display to feel more organic. It creates focal points for your eyes to be drawn around and nauturally scans odd groupings for a focal point.
The Power of Odd Numbers in Visual Balance
Odd numbers create what designers call visual tension—a delicate imbalance that draws attention in a pleasing way. Even numbers can feel too predictable or rigid, while odd numbers give a sense of natural flow. Think of a triangle: three points that feel grounded yet energetic. That’s the magic of the 3-5-7 rule.
Where Is the 3-5-7 Rule Most Useful?
This rule shines in styling surfaces like:
Bookshelves
Coffee tables
Mantels
Console tables
Open kitchen shelving
Entryways
Whether it’s three sculptural vases on a credenza or five throw pillows on a bed, the odd-number arrangement keeps the eye moving while feeling cohesive.
When Might the 3-5-7 Rule Not Work? Common mistakes when decorating with odd numbers
There are moments when breaking the rule works better. For instance:
Minimalist interiors may call for a single strong statement piece.
Symmetrical spaces—like a dining table with two pendant lights—benefit from even-number balance.
Very small spaces might feel cluttered with groupings of five or seven.
As with any rule in design, it’s more of a guide than a mandate. Trust your eye and the needs of the space.
How to Keep Odd-Numbered Groupings Cohesive
To make a grouping of three, five, or seven items feel intentional rather than random, consider:
Color: Use a shared palette or finish to tie pieces together.
Shape & Size: Vary the height and scale for interest, but keep at least one visual thread connecting them through visual hierarchy.
Style: Objects should feel like they’re part of the same design family—even if they contrast, they should complement.
Spacing: Don’t crowd your arrangement; give each item room to breathe.
A trio of ceramic vases in varying heights but a similar glaze, or a collection of framed art in different sizes but unified by color, are great examples.
Where to use the 3-5-7 Rule at Home
Start small. Try it on a coffee table or nightstand or even a vignette styling before moving to larger displays with decorative accessories.
Create a focal point. Use the tallest or most colorful item as the anchor.
Play with texture. Mixing glass, metal, wood, or fabric adds depth. Go for a collected look.
Edit, then edit again. Too many accessories, even in odd numbers, can feel cluttered. Negative space is important!
Design is part instinct and part strategy. At Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors, we love using principles like the 3-5-7 rule to create spaces that are not only beautiful but balanced and livable. Whether you’re styling your shelves or reworking your entire home, remember—sometimes, odd is just right.
Want help bringing your space together? Reach out—we’d love to help you style your story.
The Art of Dining: A Tablescape Inspired by the Art of Christina Haglid
Swaying with the ocean’s breath, illuminated orbs dance over translucent waves. Nighttime flowers blossom under moonlight. Peace washes over as glimmering stars brighten the endless midnight sky. Inspired by Christina Haglid’s ethereal artwork, Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors sets the space between light and dark.
Our team had the honor of participating in ASID Illinois inaugural Art of Dining event this year!
12 talented interior designers created beautiful tablescapes that were inspired by the art of: René Romero Schuler, Christina Haglid, Steve Turner, Mark Bowers & Jeff Conroy. The event was hosted at Gallery Victor Armendariz and Zola Lieberman Gallery in River North.
Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors was inspired by Christina Haglid’s ethereal artwork.
The fragility of the environment has always played an important role in Christina Haglid's work. As a child growing up on the East Coast, the ever changing seaside landscapes intrigued her. This fragile balance between nature and her subject matter is as delicate as a paper lantern floating on the ocean.
The Ocean, Christina Haglid 2019 - 2020, acrylic on panel, 8h x 10w inches
Christina Haglid’s history with writing poetry has shaped the narrative process in her artwork. She views objects in the painting like words placed on a page. Haglid creates her paintings with watercolor and gouache on paper or acrylic on panel. She composes flowers, manipulated objects, and architecture together in compositions to symbolize the subtle conversations and interactions between them. Her imagery is placed in imaginary landscapes that are inspired by actual places seen throughout her travels.
Each tablescape highlighted a color from Sherwin Williams, one of the event sponsors. Our vignette incorporated the beautiful color: Smokey Blue
Smoky Blue by Sherwin Williams
Petunia in Space, Christina Haglid, 2018, watercolor and gouache on paper, 5.25h x 5w inches
“At the heart of my work is the recurring depiction of perseverance, strength of will, and a subtle optimism. Symbolically through the objects, precarious situations depict a moment of possible difficulty, often involving the influence of nature.”
Paper Boat, Christina Haglid, 2019 - 2020, acrylic on panel, 8h x 10w inches
Monolith No. 4, Sarah Haglid, 2020, watercolor and gouache on paper, 8h x 9w inches
Daybreak, Christina Haglid, 2015-2018, watercolor and gouache on paper, 7.88h x 14.50w inches
Swaying with the ocean’s breath, illuminated orbs dance over translucent waves. Nighttime flowers blossom under moonlight. Peace washes over as glimmering stars brighten the endless midnight sky. Inspired by Christina Haglid’s ethereal artwork, Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors sets the space between light and dark.
What inspired us:
mysterious and spiritual quality
movement vs. calm nature of water
layers of ocean moving at night
juxtaposition of light and dark
floating quality of the orbs, glowing flowers
glowing effect of organic objects
story of the object and its environment
We used color and a 3D fabric texture to evoke the feeling of the ocean at night. Generous florals adorn a feminine bust with a mysterious gaze. Droplets of gold accents float over the blue tablecloth, emulating the ocean. Glowing orbs dance over waves of fabric on each end of the table setting.
Thank you to everyone who came out to support us and a special thank you to all that made this tablescape possible. We couldn’t have done this without you!
The team, Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors
Need help designing the perfect table setting? Schedule a design consultation with our team today!
How to Design Your Living Room
Expert advice on how to design your living room.
1. First things first…paint last! It may seem counterintuitive, but with so many nuanced options, you'll want to get it just right. We used Benjamin Moore’s luscious ‘Galapagos Green’ in an ultra flat finish for the ceiling in our latest living room makeover. Be patient, and be bold!
Botanical Garden Living Room, Photo Credit Dustin Halleck
Best Specialty Art and Framing Project: ASID IL Design Excellence 2021, Photo Credit Dustin Halleck
2. Find your focal point. Every room has a natural center point, whether it's the fireplace, TV, or picture window with an expansive view. Plan furniture around this center line. Sometimes a room can have two focal points, like a TV wall and a fireplace. This is trickier, but with the right sectional, anything is possible. Art is one of my favorite focal points. A good frame makes the piece. Artists Frame Service is our favorite local framer. Art helps set the mood in the space, balances the weight of the room, adds color + texture, and creates a conversation starter.
Pro Tip: I love vacation art. These are special pieces picked up on your travels that bring you back to that time and place. Also, buy art done by family members, local artist’s pieces that speak to you, or try framing your own artwork!
Botanical Garden Living Room, Photo Credit Dustin Halleck
3. Select functional furniture. Opt for tight over loose cushions. You'll save yourself the trouble of constantly cleaning between the seats. Multifunctional furniture is great! Pull up ottomans on casters and add instant seating. Bonus if they cant be tucked away under a coffee table or console. Make sure there’s ample surfaces to live and function. Consider a console behind your sofa, end tables for a wine glass, or a coffee table 18-20" from the sofa edge.
4. Think about function & address traffic flow. Do you host super bowl parties and need seating for 8-10? Maybe the kids need it to be cozy, while you need it to be easy to clean. Perhaps it's just you, your partner, and your dog relaxing after a long day of work. Knowing how you will use the space will determine the direction of the design.
To find a flow, think about how you and your guests are entering and exiting this room. Are two points of entry needed? Does that point of entry cross the path of the TV? Can that be avoided?
Our Team: Violeta, Bianka, and Sarah (from Left to right)
5. Layer your lighting. Think ceiling lights, table lamps, floor lamps, and windows. Balance the light in the space. Make sure your lighting is on dimmers to adjust it has a day turns to night.
6. Bring in color. Start with the rug. Use the colors of the rug to influence the palette for the rest of the room. Your rug should be large enough that the front two feet of the sofa sit on it comfortably.
“Cover” by Knots Rugs, Sold Exclusively at Integral THread
7. Choose fabrics for your lifestyle. Busy living calls for stain treated or bleach cleanable fabrics depending on your needs (and how rowdy your guests get!) Cozy up with the final layer of pillows. Add in pattern, texture, and trim here. Have fun with it! These can be changed out seasonally or as you want to update your decor!
First Place winner of The Gallery Walk 2021, PHoto Credit Michael Kaskel.