Arranging Throws

Here in North Carolina, it doesn’t feel like summer is near. Yesterday, I had to turn on the heater and it’s been rainy, drizzly, overcast, and anything but, summer-ish!

I love decorating with throws around the house. They add layers to your décor, and they’re versatile!   I have a couple that I love because there is a story behind them.  I’ve had a few for more years than I’d like to remember, and some are relatively new! 

I use them throughout the house in various ways, like folding and placing them over the back of a chair or a sofa, draping them, arranging them, and tossing them. 

The loveseat boasts another throw, this time folded and draped over the arm. The brown and white checks of the throw pick up the room’s brown tones, while it pairs well with the solid-colored brown pillow. 

This throw has a story!  It’s folded and draped neatly over the back of our blue pin-striped chair.  Where I grew up, in the small town of Taft, CA, they have Oilderado Days every ten years.  Taft is a small oil town where there might be more derricks than population!  It’s still home to me. 

Oildorado embodies tradition and celebrates the town’s heritage, economic lifeblood, and community spirit. The celebration isn’t just a ten-day party but an all-encompassing celebration of where they started, where they are, and where they’re headed. Oildorado galvanizes the community in almost all respects and leaves everyone who attends with a striking sense of pride. If you happen to be in the area, join them October 10-19, 2025, for the 115th celebration of the City of Taft! 

The throw itself, pictured above, was purchased during the 2010 celebration.  We still lived in California and joined the celebration, meeting with Dad and my hubby’s family.  It was a bittersweet time for me because I had just lost my mom in January of that year, and Dad was still acclimating to living alone. 

What’s unique about the throw is that it highlights many areas that have become synonymous with growing up in Taft.  From the signature Fox Theatre to McKittrick Brea Pit – and many other landmarks representing home when it seemed the world was just better! 

I love throws draped over the edge of a bed – it just makes the bedroom inviting, and it’s a great way to pick up accent colors to complement the room.  I said I had a couple of throws that have sentimental value to me, but I must confess, I have three!  This is another that holds fond memories. 

Before traveling in the Jayco and later in the fifth wheel, we took trips to enjoy various places and stayed at B&Bs. It was not a mere means of lodging. It was part of the experience, fun, and, dare I mention, complimentary breakfasts.

When we visited Cambria, California, for the first time. It’s a quaint and fun tourist town on the Pacific Ocean coastline surrounded by Monterey pines.  It’s a beautiful area, and a few miles north, up the Pacific Coast Highway, is Big Sur – a well-known mountain resort area.  While in Cambria, we visited a small shop where we fell in love with an antique secretary, so much so that we bought it. The owner helped us place the secretary in the back of our SUV, and to help keep the piece intact while traveling, he gave us this throw. It means so much to me because he was ill and told us he had cancer. On our next visit to Cambria, the shop had been sold, and we’re sure the owner passed. 

Another throw is folded and draped over the side edge of this chair in the primary bedroom.  It added just the right touch! 

In the Amish room, I draped another throw across the bottom corner of the bed. It was from my late aunt, who gave me this throw and a beautiful cookie jar out of the blue. I was never close to her, so it was a huge surprise when she had these ready to give me.  I love the colors, and it picks up the pinks and greens – a room modeled more to resemble a room at a B&B.  I’ve had more women swoon over this room. 

Psst – it’s a room I’m considering changing after many years.  What do you think, should I? 

Lastly, the image above is recent. Our entryway is a long hall, and I love it! I have an entry table set further into the hallway, across from the opening to our dining room. To create something more inviting as you walk in the door, I bought a metal sign that reads, “Stay Awhile.”  Under it, I had a dried arrangement in a large vase and a lantern sitting on the floor. 

I wanted something to soften the space, so I bought a bench, which doubles as seating when we have company. I draped the white throw from our bedroom over the edge and added a pillow my Mom cross-stitched. The lantern looks cute on the opposite side.  

Looking up from my office desk, I can’t help but smile when I see the pillow.