We like to think of our homes as works in progress—as ever-expanding collections of the mementos we hold dear. We amass and display things that, quite simply, make us happy. We lovingly refer to this process as “building a nest.”
We’re firm believers that every nook, drawer, shelf and cabinet should hold things that we love. Even the items that perform the most mundane of tasks—stirring the pots, keeping track of the passing seconds, supporting our heads as we sprawl across the living room floor—should be beautiful.
So, in our never-ending quest to make our homes our quintessential “happy places,” we’ve been indulging in a bit of color therapy. Enter the pops of blue and orange. When we see colors reminiscent of sunny skies and bright, fresh tangerines, we can’t help but feel cheery. And this collection of home necessities has us alight with thoughts of other standard household items that could use a little color infusion.
1.) Tool Time: Who says that his hammers, screwdrivers and such have to be stowed away in the most unsightly of bins? Nix the dirty, dated toolbox (or the junk drawer stuffed to the gills with a hodgepodge of household tools), and opt for a sleek version instead. There is certainly no need to keep a utilitarian piece as a cute as this tucked away in the shed. Orange Tool Box, Alice Supply Co., $60, bobbyberkhome.com.
2.) On the Dot: Yes, polka dots are girlie. And that’s why we love them. This oh-so-affordable sheet set reminds us of orange candy sprinkles. Sweet dreams, indeed. Home Orange 300 TC Easy Care Dot SS King-Size Sheet Set, Target, $44.99, target.com.
3.) Stir It Up: This bright kitchen set comes complete with spoon, slotted spoon, spatula and rectangular spoon, all of which are made of silicone. And you know what that means—no meltdowns. That, of course, comes in handy when you’re as prone to multi-tasking-induced absentmindedness as we are. (So what if we neglect our cooking utensils as they sit dangerously close to the stove element? We’re busy women.) 12-inch Silicone Kitchen Tools in Orange, Silvermark, $21.99, target.com.
4.) Mixed Messages: Ah, the KitchenAid standing mixer. The gold standard of all kitchen mixing mastery. While we toil away with our hand mixers, fingers cramping as we stir up yet another batch of cupcakes, we dream of the day that this ice blue beauty stands smugly on our countertops. (Are you listening, Santa?) Artisan 5-qt. Stand Mixer, KitchenAid in Ice Blue, $319.99, kohls.com.
5.) On the Clock: How many times do you glance at your watch, cell phone or microwave to check the time as you go about your daily routine? Yeah, we can’t count those moments on just two hands either. That’s why we have vowed to purchase a wall clock that will provide a much-needed dose of eye candy as we rush by it. Retro Orange Metal 9.5-inch Wall Clock, Target, $19.99, target.com.
6.) Fancy Floor Pillows: Sometimes, a girl just needs some space to stretch across the living room floor and make nice with her TiVo. These patchwork pillows are the perfect TV companions. At least they, unlike our significant others, won’t judge us as we indulge in all of our guilty pleasure programming. Mia Floor Pillow, Blissliving Home, $65, bobbyberkhome.com.
