I adore simple equestrian touches to home decor, and if you aren’t familiar with Approximate Notions, you need to be! They offer the most beautiful equestrian pillows that will enhance any living area. Felicia Hughes not only founded this company, but she also designs, prints, sews, and personalizes each product. The items are also made in the USA! From Equine Journal, this describes AN’s beginnings in a nutshell, “When a riding mishap forced downtime on designer Felicia Hughes, she redirected her energies to create horse-centric Approximate Notions.”
Felicia Hughes
The Company name, APPROXIMATE NOTIONS, is inspired by a line (as quoted below), in the book, The Memoirs of Hadrian, by Marquerite Yourcenar, first published in 1951.
The book is a fictional memoir of the Emperor Hadrian of Rome, (r. A.D. 117-138). Reflecting on the pleasures of life that he has had to forsake at his now advanced age, Hadrian remarks of his favorite horse, Borysthenes,
“My horse knew me not by the thousand approximate notions of title, function and name which complicate human friendship, but solely by my just weight as a man.”
This sentiment, more a statement of fact to anyone who rides, precisely captures Felicia’s experience. Unbridled, the energy, elegance and beauty of the horse inspires her work.
All Pillows are hardware free for optimum comfort with no buttons, no zippers. Pillow covers are 100% linen, machine washable and dryable (how great!). Screen printing inks are Water-Based and Non-Toxic. Heat-set Acrylic fabric paints are used for Personalizing. Pillows come complete with inserts; inserts are 90/10, feather/down enclosed in a 100% cotton cover. And above all else…they’re equestrian themed!
Here is Impulsion, the newest design from AN. This 26×26″ pillow exemplifies The Elegance of Energy. A horse that develops Impulsion is a consummate athlete. This European sized pillow features the AN signature design on a grand scale, an illustration of the horse as an icon of impelling force. Perfect for any dressage lover!
This is Wicklow. Wicklow is a European sized pillow inspired by a lovely young eventer from Ireland and her fabulous, feisty steed. The heavier weight black linen field features a gray horse coming off the jump, ears pinned and ready for the question ahead. Two bold, natural, Dutch linen tapes stripe the horse at midsection, suggesting the intact rails of the jump just taken. A final tape stripe defines the right edge; the course already accomplished. How gorgeous!
Next is Augustus, a 20×20″ pillow! Augustus is “Everyhorse” at play. The dressage horse unbridled, a hunter loose or the royal mount of a long ago Caesar, freed from the rigors of the campaign. Beautiful lines!
And one of my favorites? The Alberon that you can have personalized with your initial! I love the fluid motion of this horse design. This full size pillow may be personalized with a monogram or initial centered between the bold equine graphic. Feature your barn monogram in a choice of vibrant, metallic colors….an elegant item for your home and for gifting the people who know and love your horses.
These are just a few of the things they have to offer! You can purchase Approximate Notions on their website or they are available now at the Skiffington Boutique, ESP Horse Show, in Wellington, FL. Add some Approximate Notions to your home! You can’t go wrong with these beautifully crafted, flawlessly designed, equestrian chic touches!
Here are some other items:
I love Felicia’s work, so simple & elegant!
I completely agree! Very chic!