As you know, I live in a yellow bungalow and I adore the color red. BUT I also love the colors green, blue and pink. Actually, I just plain LOVE color. Pink has managed to slip into my office as of late - and even though the walls are red, I think that is okay. For me, at least it is. Everything that you see in this corner, except for the black & white picture and the books, came from either Goodwill, a thrift shop, or a yard sale... including my straw purse that I got for $2. This little corner of my office makes me happy......because I am drawn to the items and the colors... little things that I enjoy. None of them costing very much.
My "just because" Zoe dress is patiently waiting on a dress form. The painting in the basket spent some time on the dining room wall, but I am enjoying seeing it here until I find another home for it. Even the leopard wallpaper came from Goodwill. I might wallpaper the guest bathroom ceiling with one of the rolls some day. Again, just seeing these things "hang out" in the basket is perfectly fine with me.
Remember this wonderful find? Well, my niece fell in love with it and enjoyed playing with it so much, I gave it to her! I know, I know, I was so excited about that one! Before you think that I was simply being generous and a really sweet Aunt, I was already playing with the idea of finding an older one... a fixer-upper, if you will. One that wasn't so big. I don't know if the one you see below is that much older, but I instantly fell in love with this pink cutie and can't wait to have fun with it. This dollhouse will be staying right here! I'm thinking a yellow door, a green roof, or maybe a red roof... new windows, vintage furniture, cottagy curtains. Isn't this vintagy doll bed perfect for it?
I honestly believe that if you LOVE something or a particular color, it will "work" in your home because you love it. Don't hold yourself back. If you surround yourself with things and colors that make YOU and your family happy then your home will be perfect.Everything will end up going together. Throw the color rules out the window. Life is too short not to surround yourself with who and what you really love.
Pink is my FAVORITE color. I never thought it could be combined with red though. But look how great it looks! I might have to go find some pink stuff...
And I love your photos - you have such an eye for composition.
Posted by: Anina | April 24, 2007 at 04:46 PM
The best item in the whole room? The ceramic deco doxie. I zeroed right in on that puppy. I happen to love Pink and Red together so you have my blessing on that match! Thanks for having me to Daisy Cottage. cheryl
Posted by: cheryl - Trumpet's mom | April 24, 2007 at 04:47 PM
You have such a colorful and inspiring blog. I love how you group things together in baskets. Great finds from Goodwill and thrift shops too.
Posted by: DebraKay | April 24, 2007 at 05:18 PM
The dollhouse... I think it is the same model as mine! The shutters are the same, and the strip of wood across the front used to support a porch roof (mine was broken off, too). But the pink is the same which is weird because mine was originally grey and I painted it almost that exact same shade as yours! Check mine out and see if you think they are the same: http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/sets/72057594078531552/
Posted by: jenny b harris | April 24, 2007 at 05:56 PM
Oh, Kim...again, what pretty pics you take. I love the addition of pink in there & how sweet that basket looks with those things hanging out. Love that leopard wallpaper too...one of my things too. So glad you found the pink dollhouse & passed the other one on to your niece.
Rhoda
Southern Hospitality
Posted by: Rhoda | April 24, 2007 at 05:58 PM
Ohhow I love the additions of pink! I actually love it with red...the same color family after all.
LOVE how your arrange things...I just love to see my things out too...in little displays. LOVE the doll house...oh what fun and love your attitude on color. I keep adding more and more color and it revs me up! I crave it. After so many years of military housing and apartments and houses that had to be sold soon or rental houses...I had had enough of the white everything. I played ot a bit safer here thinking I would have to sell last year. Since we are staying put, I am adding even more color and changing the floors and counters and paint this year. Slowly but it will be done! : )
I come to you for great inspiration!
Hugs,
Sue
Posted by: Sue | April 24, 2007 at 06:04 PM
Pink is my favorite color--and pink and red is one of my favorite color combos. I love what you did with the doll house.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | April 24, 2007 at 06:08 PM
Thank you girls!!!
Oh, Jenny if they are the same or close to being the same, that is so exciting for me because YOUR dollhouse was such an inspiration for me! woohoo! Mine was apparently painted pink by it's previous owner and they started to paint the other side pink too, but stopped. Thank you for telling me that it used to have a porch! How old is yours?
Posted by: Daisy Cottage | April 24, 2007 at 06:18 PM
Ok, that's it! I have to come out of lurking status! I work as an administrative assistant, but have been sneaking on your blog and a couple of others that really grab me. I love your house, your stuff, and what you get out of it all!!! I love crafting and reinventing "cast off" items. So, I soooo get it all! Thank you your providing me eye candy!
Posted by: Esther Sunday | April 24, 2007 at 07:48 PM
Kim, you gave some really great advise. We worry too much about what is "right" when it comes to decor. We need to surround ourselves with what we love and those we love. Thanks, Kim, I have been doing that lately, actually. My condo is going cottage! Thanks to you, love ya, Cindy S.
Posted by: | April 24, 2007 at 08:29 PM
It's all just wonderful Kim!! The colors are beautiful and vibrant - just like you. I love the doll house and it looks so fun sitting next to your stack of books. The doll furniture is great too, as is the chair in your office, the dress, your straw bag, the gorgeous painting. It's all just perfect :o)
Posted by: Allie from Minneapolis | April 24, 2007 at 10:14 PM
Your chair is just darling. I love it.
~Amelia
Posted by: ameliab | April 25, 2007 at 12:11 AM
Ohhhh...I am so jealous. The only doll houses at my thrift store are newish plastic houses. I want one like that that I can fix up. I also love red but, I am turning into a "pink" girl.
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | April 25, 2007 at 02:10 AM
I think your office corner is wonderful. I agree, if you love something - anything goes...
I have several 'just because' hats!! I will NEVER wear them, but HAVE to own them!!
Posted by: niki | April 25, 2007 at 04:45 AM
YOU are the queen of feel good decor! Always so darn pretty and charming! I want to live in your dollhouse and sleep on that bed! & your day out with the girls ahhhh those are the kinds of days I am missing since I moved:( Have Fun! xo
Posted by: berrie | April 25, 2007 at 06:48 AM
wow Kim!!!...I've got a dollhouse, too...not vintage, though...it's sky blue with white shutters...I keep thinking I'll get a Granddaughter to play with it some day...(right now I've got 4 Grandsons!!!)...thanks for inspiring us!!!...Lacy
Posted by: Lacy | April 25, 2007 at 07:53 AM
Your colors really zing Kim - and you've certainly found some great buys when thrifting. I want to go shopping with you!
Posted by: Mary | April 25, 2007 at 07:56 AM
Everyone can use a little pink in their life!
Posted by: Diane Duda | April 25, 2007 at 08:06 AM
You are such an Alexandra Stoddard disciple--she advocates color in every part of your life! Its wonderful!
Posted by: Kim | April 25, 2007 at 08:53 AM
yes...ignore the color rules because everything "goes" together in nature. I love all of your thrifted pretties but I especially love the patterned chair...GREAT colors and shape!
Posted by: julie (jane's apron) | April 25, 2007 at 09:37 AM
I love peeking into your home. My favourite color is pink and over the years I have been pleasantly surprised as to how well it goes with other colors in my home. Love the doll house too!!!
Posted by: Maggie | April 25, 2007 at 09:44 AM
Lovely pictures. I love the dollhouse. Everytime I see one it makes me feel like a little girl again. Thanks so much for sharing with us.
Posted by: Mikki Jo | April 25, 2007 at 02:01 PM
Pink makes everyone look good! I once painted my entire living room pale pink to match a grey and pink mable fireplace. My family hated it, but the reflected glow off those pink walls made me look ten years younger! We ended up moving shortly after the paint job, and I have always wondered if the new owners kept the pink.
Posted by: sisterschoicequilts | April 25, 2007 at 02:05 PM
Oh, I forgot to add this additional thought to my comment yesterday about the georgeous dress that is awaiting a dress form - I have vintage pink lacey dress that I would eventually like to put on a vintage dress form in the corner of my craft room. As you know, the dress forms are hard to find and are spendy. In the meantime, I decided to put it on a cute padded hanger and it hangs on the wall in my craft room. Then, I searched Ebay (my friend indeed) and found a vintage pink hat to go along with it. I hung that above the dress on the wall. The color of my wall is a darker version of robin's egg blue. I love how it looks! Have a great day!
Posted by: Esther Sunday | April 25, 2007 at 02:28 PM
We took a little "road trip" yesterday afternoon. This morning I worked on the blog, etc. So I am just now seeing this. I would love to find a doll house like yours! The bed is perfect for it!
Love the addition of pink and I see your basket as a holder promised projects!!
Pat
Back Porch Musings
Posted by: Pat | April 25, 2007 at 02:38 PM
The pink works great in your corner but that chair absolutely makes this picture. I love it! Great job, once again.
Posted by: Miss Molly Cottage | April 25, 2007 at 03:15 PM
I love your color corner!
Posted by: Jilly | April 25, 2007 at 04:05 PM
I love reading your blog! I just made your banana bread. It's so yummy. Thanks for the easy recipe. I love that you named your house. I did too! Gardenview Cottage
Posted by: Cara | April 25, 2007 at 05:26 PM
I think that pink is great with red! Why not. Do what you love and what makes you feel happy in your home-that's why it's home.
Posted by: willzmom | April 25, 2007 at 05:32 PM
Kim, I loved everything in this post today (particularly the doll things, and that wallpaper!!). You are one of the best thrifters I know, and I'm always inspired by your finds!
That is ironic that you posted today about being "relaxed" in decorating, and surrounding yourself with things that you love...that is what I was feeling "inspired" about today, for my post this Friday.
Hope that you're having a good week!
Andrea
Posted by: Southern Heart | April 25, 2007 at 06:09 PM
So true...I'm a color fan too. Gotta live with what you love! Your photos are great!
Posted by: KLKinFLA | April 25, 2007 at 08:02 PM
Oh My Goodness...That little dollhouse looks like it was meant for your home!! It's PERFECT! I can't wait to see you work your magic on it!! And that little doll bed...Too CUTE!! I totally agree with your decorating philosophy...as long as you always buy things you love...you can't go wrong...no matter if the styles match perfectly or not, they will always give your home a cohesive "homey" look.
:)
Posted by: Lori | April 25, 2007 at 10:04 PM
What could be more fun than coming by to visit you and seeing a new corner all ready to curl up in!? Nothing is more fun. I'm so happy that you are the one with the great Good Will to go shopping at. Nobody does thrifty decorating better.
Donna
Posted by: The Decorated House | April 25, 2007 at 11:00 PM
I just love everything!! I am pink kinda girl!! But I just love all of the colors you use. I am always so excited to visit your precious blog!!!
Teresa
xo
Posted by: T Sheeley | April 25, 2007 at 11:55 PM
Yes you are a sweet Aunt and your new dolls house is adorable.
Posted by: carolyn | April 26, 2007 at 05:45 AM
Fabulous pink Kim! Especially that gorgeous dollhouse awe! We've just painted my studio pink and turqouise, so much fun, come have a look! Carol xox
Posted by: Carol | April 26, 2007 at 06:23 AM
Dear Daisy:( help is on the way with your masthead ok? xoxoxo
Posted by: berrie | April 26, 2007 at 08:03 AM
I just love how everything looks put all together.
Posted by: Felicia | April 26, 2007 at 08:29 AM
KIM ms daisydear:) I've lost your email:( but I've left you a little somethin somethin over at my place:) xoxox
Posted by: berrie | April 26, 2007 at 11:07 AM
I love the new banner!
My little girl {+ her mom} should would love to come to play at your house. She has a thing for Doll houses!
Posted by: Lucinda | April 26, 2007 at 12:08 PM
I love your new banner!!! I am completely illiterate when it comes to this computer so I can't figure out how to do that but yours is perfect!!!
Posted by: Angela | April 26, 2007 at 12:35 PM
I must say I love, love, love your new header! It caught my eye right away!
Posted by: anita | April 26, 2007 at 12:38 PM
I love pink, too, but I've become such a plum, red & green person that I've left pink out of my decorating palette. I guess I should get it back in!!!! Your pink matches you red perfectly and is inspiring me to add some PINK. Thanks, Kim, you always make it look so easy!
Posted by: Marilyn | April 26, 2007 at 02:13 PM
I absolutely agree with you about throwing colors together and ignoring the rules. Your pictures prove your point! You always come up with the most interesting basket vignettes~loved this one.
The new doll house is delightful. I love the pink.
Warmly,
Lallee
Posted by: Lallee | April 28, 2007 at 08:55 AM
I think you're so right about colour. People get caught up in other peoples' opinions, when they should be thinking about what brings them joy. Life is too short not to make yourself happy in every way possible :)
Posted by: Lilli | April 28, 2007 at 01:45 PM
I live in a yellow house & I painted my living room & master bedroom yellow - I have had a major thing for yellow for over 10 yrs, but lately I've been adding my other fave colors, aqua/robin's egg blue, pink, green...along with red, sky blue...I just said to heck with rules - I love all the colors & in flower gardens all those colors go together, don't they? I recently pulled my doll house out of the garage for me to play with. I bought it new & *cough* it was $200! I wish I had thought of yard sales back then! But, it has a shake roof, doors, a porch and it is pink clapboard with shutters. I took out my collected doll house furniture (found a lot of them at the Dollar store). I plan on painting them white, some aqua, some pink, some red, some polka dot! It is gonna be a fun colorful house!
Posted by: tammy g. | April 28, 2007 at 07:16 PM
Your place is delightful, and I am pea green with envy!!!
I like your advice regarding colour (use whatever you love, and it will look fabulous), BUT... I live in a dreary, dark, BROWN log home, with tiny windows and a foreboding atmosphere. I defiantly use my favourite colours and decorating styles despite my surroundings, but as you can imagine, the effect can be somewhat incongruous.
Nevertheless, the loft bedroom sports a a free form 'hippie' theme (warm yellows, orange, red and pink predominate); pinks and soft greens in the master bedroom; mauves and teals and soft white shabby chic furnishings in the livingroom; aqua and red and white in the art room; the kitchen is grotesque and not much can be done with it.
Maybe someday I'll be fortunate enough to live in a cottagey, bright, warm, inviting home like yours, the kind of home I dream about all the time!
Thank you SO much for sharing the beauty that you surround yourself with. It is truly inspiring.
Posted by: Cindie | May 13, 2007 at 01:15 AM
what is the name of that song & who is playing it on your web site???
Posted by: cherie | June 06, 2009 at 12:53 PM
it's the first song with the clarinet...love it!
Posted by: cherie | June 06, 2009 at 01:01 PM
Oh, you could have so much fun with that dollhouse! You've got such a great style-sense with your real house that I can just see you doing some really charming things in mini-form! I've got a dollhouse too! I'm in the middle of moving, but you can see what I got done before I packed up. (I blog about it) Have fun!
Posted by: Jill | July 17, 2009 at 07:11 PM