A Cottage of Many Colors
Cottages and Bungalows|June - July 2022
Daisy Cottage's décor is as bright and cheerful as its name.
MERYL SCHOENBAUM
A Cottage of Many Colors

BRIGHT IDEA. Kimberly painted the home's faded facade a bright, bold yellow (Valspar's "Beach Umbrella" in SR610). "I love when a home's exterior is a preview of what's inside," she says. The green buffet is a vintage French provincial style she found at a Goodwill store and painted green. "I love to put indoor furniture on the porch," Kimberly says. "I think of it as another room in the house.

COZY & CONCEALED. In the laundry porch at the back of the house, Kimberly cleverly concealed the washer and dryer behind louvered doors and yard sale wicker furniture under thrift store quilts. The aqua dresser, a contrast to the red table, was a yard sale find. "I don't follow any color wheel," Kimberly points out. "I just go by what I like."

Many homeowners shy away from experimenting with bold colors in their paint and décor. Kimberly McCole is not one of them. In fact, she looks for opportunities to make each interior and exterior space in her 1922 Lakeland, Florida, cottage bungalow come alive with color.

The self-described photographer/artist/writer and homemaker always admired the charming, old cottages she would drive past over the years. Finally, one day, one of them became hers.

"A'for sale' sign was planted in the tiny front yard of a faded yellow cottage, and I asked my husband to pull into the driveway. As we got out of the car, our eyes saw a huge front porch with a white swing beckoning us to try it out. We did, and that was all it took for my heart to fall in love with it. I had been living in a house just like this one, but only in my dreams."

As soon as she and her husband, Kevin, and all their pets moved in, Kimberly couldn't wait to pull out her palettes and express both herself and her home's character with color.

This story is from the June - July 2022 edition of Cottages and Bungalows.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the June - July 2022 edition of Cottages and Bungalows.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM COTTAGES AND BUNGALOWSView All
The POWER or Patience
Cottages and Bungalows

The POWER or Patience

Learn how collecting décor over time, rather than filling areas quickly to appear finished, can transform the appeal of your spaces and ensure your home reflects you

time-read
1 min  |
October-November 2023
Destined for Design
Cottages and Bungalows

Destined for Design

See how Cara Fox, the force behind The Fox Group and our partner for Project House Utah, achieves her career goals with the support of her family

time-read
2 mins  |
October-November 2023
Clearing Clutter, Adding Color
Cottages and Bungalows

Clearing Clutter, Adding Color

A designer creates more space, adds storage and warms up the neutral palette of a guest house with accent colors

time-read
1 min  |
October-November 2023
A Return to Minden
Cottages and Bungalows

A Return to Minden

We revisit our 2022 Project House Louisiana for an update since the project was completed and see The Carrie, the final unit at The Villas

time-read
3 mins  |
October-November 2023
Gathered at the Table
Cottages and Bungalows

Gathered at the Table

Create a charming fall tablescape with items collected over time

time-read
3 mins  |
October-November 2023
Vacation Venture
Cottages and Bungalows

Vacation Venture

The hunt for a short-term rental with good design inspires a new properties business

time-read
3 mins  |
October-November 2023
Farms Fresh Flowers
Cottages and Bungalows

Farms Fresh Flowers

Pumpkins and colorful blooms abound on this South Dakota flower farm, which has quickly become a beloved hub in its community with its special events and U-Pick gardens

time-read
3 mins  |
October-November 2023
The House Next Door
Cottages and Bungalows

The House Next Door

Ready to downsize, a couple builds their new home in the location they still loved

time-read
4 mins  |
October-November 2023
Memories Made Modern
Cottages and Bungalows

Memories Made Modern

Family heirlooms, bright colors and sumptuous textiles transform a home from basic build to bespoke beauty

time-read
4 mins  |
October-November 2023
Fall Décor Harvest
Cottages and Bungalows

Fall Décor Harvest

Our 2023 brand ambassador fills her home's interiors with welcoming warmth and seasonal wonder

time-read
4 mins  |
October-November 2023