Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Need a Little Color?

While the polar vortex may be making our days cold and gray, I'm never at a loss for color at my house. As a matter of fact, there are those who think it's a little too colorful around here, especially a designer. I don't care. It's my house, and I like it this way. Besides, I try to tone it down by using neutral furniture with a wide expanse of hardwood floors. I also like to include spots of black and white to balance all the color.

The wine bottles over the stove are just leftover decorations from my wine party. I thought they turned out cute, so they get to stay a little while. I do love my orange tea kettle, and the butterfly collage over the stove. They are my own photos from my own garden, so it reminds me that summer will eventually return.

See, here's the thing. I like using things in my decor that mean something to me. If I hired a decorator, it might look fabulous, but they'd use generic items without heart and soul. So I'll go right ahead and use this corny little stitchery that I made so long ago. I can tell by the initials in the corner that I made it before I was even married.
Would I change anything? Of course! That rippled wood over the kitchen window has got to go! We still haven't installed the granite counters that we want, and I'm considering painting the cabinetry white, while adding a microwave stove hood. And when the appliances start to fade, I'll have to decide whether I'll get stainless steel, or will that already be on its way out? But it won't stop me from displaying my apron just because it's cute...

or a darling teapot.
I try not to worry too much about what others think about it. Someone actually said "Holy $%^&!" when they saw my paint choice, but I just laughed. You see, when I look, I see the picture we bought at a lovely winery, the candle holder I made with pebbles from my hometown beach, or the Indian vase we bought in Sedona Arizona.
 
I can look at this picture and remember the rainy, rainy day when I visited my hometown and there was nothing to do but go through the gift shops, searching for a memento. 
It might not be the most comfy throw pillow, but knowing I got this on a special trip to Mexico is reason enough to put it in my favorite chair.
 Some spots are just plain colorful, with no special memories involved. Are you overloaded with color yet?

And when I get to missing my garden, I have enough houseplants to hold me till it comes back.
Even the half bath downstairs is the same bright asparagus green. But I added some sepia toned prints I took of my hometown lighthouse to give it my own touch. And I really like the cabinet we found that turned the pedestal sink into a vessel style set up. 

 Now my whole house is not this colorful. I actually have toned it down in the rest of the house. The dining room has colorful accessories, but is otherwise sedate, at least in my book. 

I have a traditional china cabinet in here, but it's contents are anything but traditional. This is also where I keep my child sized tea set, so that I'll be ready to hold lollipop tea parties with my grandchildren when they get old enough. 

All the colors in my house make it hard to be down hearted, even in the middle of winter. But don't worry, the master bedroom is quite restful in blue and white. Maybe someday I'll show it to you. Since my garden is sound asleep this time of year, I decided to do a few more homemaker type posts in the meantime. After all, my profession these days is Domestic Goddess. That's what my Facebook page says anyway!

19 comments:

  1. You are absolutely right - it doesn't matter what anyone else says about your decor, even a designer. It is YOUR house and we all decorate to please ourselves and those who live there, not for anyone else. As long as you and your husband are happy with how the house looks, that's all that counts. I think your kitchen cabinets painted white would be perfect with the green walls. I'd love to paint mine white, as well but I'm horrible at that sort of thing, so I don't dare even attempt it. Wish I could afford to have them professionally re-done!

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    1. If we end up deciding to paint our cabinets white, I'll let Brian do it, he's the painter, not me! I've seen pins on Pinterest about techniques to make them come out professional looking, so I think it would work out. He followed my Pinterest advice one other time about painting an oak vanity with gel stain, and it came out fantastic!

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  2. it's fabulous...I love your color choices.

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    1. Thank you Gail! I know I make bold choices, and while I say that I don't care what other people think, I'd rather that they did like them...LOL

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  3. Well, we must be kindred spirits 'cause I just painted my small office space 'carrot stick' orange. The living room is peridot and the den terra cotta. See, we think alike!

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    1. That's good to know Layanee, that others like bold colors in their home also! Have you ever seen the HGTV magazine? They are all about bold colors, so you'd feel right at home.

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  4. I love that bright green! And your bright accents! I especially like your butterfly prints and the colorful side table. I appreciate colorful rooms, especially in winter. My kitchen cabinets are white, and so are the walls, except for one that is heart pine. Very neutral, except for my tomato red coffee pot and toaster, and my red and white checked table cloth!

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    1. Thank you Deb! You are certainly right, my bright home makes winter more tolerable. But I'd still like it to be over, and soon.

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  5. Wow, Robin, you are not afraid of color. I really like the picture in your dining room and I love the fact that you frame your photos. You give me courage to frame mine and use them as art on the walls. So you don't work at Kholes anymore? Must be a relief.

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    1. Ann, I quit my job last winter, and haven't regretted it for a minute. I finally took my Master Gardener training, and also get to cook, bake, craft, read, anytime I want! Yes, by all means you need to frame your own photos. I actually have a lot of them on the walls. I learned my lesson by purchasing a photo of my favorite beach, then I ended up liking my own photos better. Go for it!

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  6. Wow, Robin, your really are not afraid of color! I rally like the picture in your dining room and I love that you use your own photos to frame as art. You give me courage to do the same.

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  7. Hi Robin! I agree with you - our homes are OUR homes, and everything that makes us comfortable and happy is appropriate. I remember our builder didn't like some of my ideas (door knobs, light fixtures, etc), but now, everyone likes those features because they are fun. Your space looks very personal and unique! Love colorful mugs, pillows and your own framed photographs. Happy New Year!

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    1. Thank you Tatyana! I didn't realize how bold it was to frame and display my own photographs, but others have mentioned the same thing. Why not? I take photos of my favorite spots, so of course I enjoy the pictures.

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  8. I love color, and you have one of my favorite shades of green there. Your house is beautiful, and it's a reflection of you. The photos on the walls that I assume you took are so personal, and add that special touch.

    Jen

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    1. Thank you Jen! Your own photos are way better than mine, so I certainly hope that you have your own framed photos to enjoy.

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  9. Such beautiful colors... you've brought the garden indoors!

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    1. Thank you Carolyn, I do always try to incorporate the garden into my decor. Whether it's a birdhouse, or photos of my own garden, or using houseplants, it always feels like a garden around here.

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  10. I love the colors in your home. They are so happy. I bet they bring so much sunshine and warmth to your home during this harsh winter.

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    1. Thank you Sherry! I do find bright colors to be so very cheerful.

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