Why I’m obsessed with Pendleton blankets.

Add instant color, history, and nostalgia to your home with Pendleton blankets as seen in Episode 101 of HGTV’s Southern Spitfire.

As a designer, I’m always looking for finishing touches that add, not just cozy warmth and vintage colors to a room, but also add a rich sense of history. Did you know that Pendelton blankets have been made in the USA since 1863? Still family owned and operated, this mill originally produced the Native American trade blankets for the areas regional tribes. What?!?!

One more incredible fact about this American made brand! Did you know The Beach Boys were originally called the Pendeltones because the name derived from the wool shirts that surfers wore to stay warm, which were made by the Pendelton Mills in the 1960’s? I’m sorry… that blows my mind!

Badlands National Park photo credit: Jessyel Tyler Gonzalez

These blankets have such a rich history… a true slice of Americana that begin in1863, and still in operation with headquarters in Portland Oregon. And if you’re not already in love with this brand and the badass products they produce, this fact will seal the deal!! Pendelton Mills is a proud supporter of the National Park Foundation. For the past 100 years Pendelton Mills has produced distinctive blankets that represent our nations great parks. Each blanket is named and labeled with the parks name and image.
Since beginning their contribution to the National Parks Foundation, Pendelton Mills has contributed more than $800,000 to this American charity.

Using these amazing Pendleton blankets in my designs.

Shown, is the Badlands National Park blanket with organic green tones and accented with burnt orange, ivory, cobalt blue, and yellow stripes.

President Roosevelt designated the Badlands National Park in 1929, and it’s an area known for fossils and rugged rock sedimentary layer from years of erosion.
Personally I bought the blanket because it shared it’s name “Badlands” with a song from my favorite Bruce Springsteen album, Darkness on the Edge of Town.

As a designer, here are my top 5 super creative ways to use a Pendelton blanket and get those yummy vintage colors in your home!

1) Wall hanging. Forget store bought framed art. How about hanging a gorgeous quilt on the wall behind the couch, in the stairwell, or behind a bed?

2) As a bench cushion or floor ottoman. Find an old bench at the flea market but hate the fabric? Get your staple gun out and simply redo the bench cushion using a old Pendelton blanket. Now your flea market find is ready to centerstage in your foyer or entry way.

3) Custom cover for a bench cushion or floor ottoman. Found an old bench at the flea market but hate the fabric? Get your staple gun out and simply redo the bench cushion using an old Pendelton blanket. Now your flea market find is ready to take center stage in your foyer or entryway.

3) Bed spread. Enjoy your Pendelton blanket every single day by using it as a cozy, inviting bed spread. Design the entire room around the vintage tones of the blanket itself.

4) Curtains. Forget cheap polyester, boring linen, or cotton curtains! Buy matching twin quilts and ring curtain clips. Simply apply the clips to the top of the quilt and hang on a standard rod. Introducing boho curtains thanks to Pendleton’s amazing wool blankets!

5) Tablecloth for screened porch dining table. Have friends coming over for a Casual Sunday brunch of coffee and pancakes, or game night on the screen porch with a fire crackling in the background? Set the tone for a welcoming space by using a Pendelton wool blanket as a table cloth. Why not?!?! Get outside the box… way outside the box folks.