Monday 8 October 2007

Seeing Red


I bought this bunch of roses last week to brighten up the corner of the living room. Normally I wouldn't have chosen red, it's not one of those colours that I am naturally drawn to. Or so I thought. All week my eye has been drawn to this vase of flowers, the beauty of these flowers and their rich, romantic, dramatic redness, contrasting so vividly with the white vase.


I don't wear a lot of red, It is my colour of choice for my lipstick and toenails but I don't own many red clothes. I have just bought a red cardigan that I'm looking forward to wearing. I feel happier wearing red in the darker, greyer months, hidden under a coat I don't feel I stand out too much. Perhaps my tastes are changing. Certainly nothing beats a splash of red somewhere to lift and brighten your spirits. And then I noticed just how much red I had lying around the place that I'd never really noticed. I must be drawn to red without realising it.



Judging by the ever increasing of tea towels and linens I have in my kitchen it seems that red has a place in my heart.



I particularly like the combination of red and white, in ginghams, polka dots, old linens, toile de jouy and plain old fashioned rose prints. Simple patterns and designs seem to work so well in red and white or cream.



I've noticed too that I've started to include red a lot more in my ragging, I like the way it lifts some colours and also jars with others. I made this collage at the beginning of the year and was a bit miffed that we had only red papers left in the paper box, but I'm pleased with it. I like the way it lifts the colour of the wooden clock on the mantelpiece.


It's funny how we would never include certain colours in our favourites list but then notice how much they play a part in our chosen surroundings and, how, subconsciously we include them in our wardrobe .

Well there's been no working of my subconscious as far as these are concerned - I have wanted these boots for weeks. I waited for the shop delivery and ever since I have been like a child outside a sweet shop, face pressed up to the window, gazing in longingly! Well this morning on the way back from school, the greyness was all getting a bit too much and a weekend of "shall I/shan't I" resulted in a quick detour on the way home. The boots are mine! And I take it back about not wearing much red, I just remembered a bright red raincoat upstairs in the wardrobe that I bought at a car boot a few weeks ago, obviously just waiting for a pair of matching boots! Or maybe not ... I must remember I like being able to hide!

43 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those boots are gorgeous. Where did you find them??

Samantha said...

Hi Kim,
you are naughty. Those boots are divine. Boot envy!

x

Betty said...

Oh, I love red. Red clothes, red roses. I drive a red car. Red Boots! I have to find some though it is really not cold enough here for boots.

Ali said...

The boooooots, the booooots, they are calling me. Where did you find them? I am a total confessed red-o-phile.

Sophie Honeysuckle said...

I love red!! Those boots are fab!! Perfect to cheer you up on grey, wintery days!

Anonymous said...

oh! Those boots are fabulous!! Isn't it strange when a colour we think we don't like suddenly seems to appear everywhere in our life? Enjoy! ~ hugs, Lynda xo

dottycookie said...

Gorgeous boots, gorgeous roses. I love red - usually darker shades but the occasional bright red is always very welcome too!

Anonymous said...

Oh the boots are too lovely!
Red and white is such a crisp combination, always looks appealing.

Annabelle said...

Wow...I love those boots! I love red and have lots in my house but don't wear it very often for some reason. Love your blog! ~Annabelle

OhSoVintage said...

There is something about red footwear, isn't there? I don't like yellow and it doesn't suit me so I am never drawn to it but it is the colour of 'sunshine' which, of course, is wonderful.

meggie said...

Wow! Those roses- to die for!
I never wear red as a rule, but over the years have now & then succumbed to it, always with regret.
After reading your post, I wondered if I had subconsciously got a lot, so checked. No, dont have much at all. But I do love red roses.

Anonymous said...

Love it all,but the boots are fab!

Heidijayhawk said...

red has been growi ng on me recently as well!

love.boxes said...

love all the pretty red! :)

tess said...

the roses are gorgeous, red ones always seem most the most extravagant don't they. And I love all your red and white accessories, I seem to go for blue and white, but maybe on this wet wet day I need to find some red!

Country Cottage Chic said...

OOOH! Lovely boots! My mum tells me that when I was little I only ever wanted red shoes - it didn't matter if they fit or not, if they were red I liked them. When I started working the very first thing I bought with my very first pay cheque was a pair of expensive red boots that I'd been drooling over - I loved those boots!

Louise said...

Oh what fabulous boots! I'm a red girl from way back and have it everywhere. Chairs, shoes, floor rugs, boxes, teatowels, lampshades - the list is long!

mollycupcakes said...

Ooww! Christmas is coming and in your house it look slike it's already arrived lol
I just love all the red items you've shown in this post. They've put me in the festive mood.

Hugs.
Catherine x

julia said...

I love red, now I'm lusting after those boots. Where did you get them? I can see a whole line of bloggers wearing them!

I think red is a big thing in homes at the moment, it seems to be in a lot of the shops.

How come your tea towels are pristine?? All mine lokk like I've wiped the floor with. As a matter of fact I did wipe the floor with them!! Question answered!

Julia x

Heidi said...

Wow Kim! Red boots and you don't really like red??? :)

I love red, especially the ox blood red (brownish red) colors. I do know what you mean though about being drawn to some colors and not feeling connected to other colors.

Red and pink work well together by the way so maybe this will be a new phase in your life?

~~ Heidi ~~

ginny said...

Gorgeous boots! I love wearing red and am particularly drawn to it on days when i feel down and at low energy. I also feel more alive and upbeat when i wear red. I am wearing a red top and red heart brooch( handmade of course) today. Yay for red i say. Enjoy!
ginny
x

Linda said...

Love, love, love, red.....and the boots are out of this world! Linda

kate said...

Those are gorgeous boots. I love red boots!

Red is such a great colour for picking up our spirits when they are lagging. I think I need to add a few more splashes of it in my house.

The same goes for yellow.

tea time and roses said...

All this red is divine... I do not wear red in clothing, but I love a beautiful red bag and other fun stuff, and those boots of yours are just beautiful!! And of course I love red roses and redwork embroidery. I too never really thought of myself loving red, but it looks like I do!

Smiles...

Beverly

Rowan said...

There's nothing like a bright splash of colour on a grey autumn or winter day. The boots are lovely, I'm not surprised that you eventually gave in and bought them:)

Curlew Country said...

Oh I love red, the more faded type espcially with an odd splash of pillar-box to liven things up. My kitchen linens pile isn't neaRly as nice as yours but that's what I'm aiming for. And I do hope you don't reveal where those boots are form becasue I will have to go and buy some and it will put a serious dent in my Christmas shopping fund! They're beautiful!
Stephx

Ragged Roses said...

Thanks for all your lovely comments! The boots are from a shop in Brighton called Vitas!
xxxx

andsewtosleep said...

Love love love love love those boots Kim. No wearing them in the rain!!
Mary

Mary said...

Love the boots

Rubyred said...

RED IS BEST,lovin all your red things,it's my favourite colour.Your collage is gorgeous you clever thing.Red just looks so fresh against white or cream backgrounds and I love it with denim blue too!

Victoria May Plum said...

Hi Kim

I love red too. It's that time of year again when we start thinking of red and white Scandinavian Christmases!
Love the boots! they look so snuggly.

Victoria x

pinkgreen said...

I love those boots - please tell us where you got them. I too love red - it is really cheering and goes with everything!
Cathy X

ShabbyInTheCity said...

I'm usually a pastel person but like you I think there is quite a bit of red around here! I could go both ways.
I love your rag items from the last post!!!

Michelle said...

I just found your blog from the comment you left at loveboxes(one of my oldest and dearest friends!). I love your blog! I feel as if I have had a little vacation to great britian! Love all your red, I have done that before too, finding color in the oddest places. Have a lovely day, and nice to meet you!

Pam said...

Lovely pictures as usual. I do love red, and wear it sometimes. Those roses! I've never seen red boots before - they look great.

Cape Cod Washashore said...

LOVE your boots! My favorite color since I can remember has been red. =)

Your etsy parcel arrived yesterday afternoon and I sooo love the magazines and pretty papers! Thank you dearly! =) (I am having email and keyboard/mouse problems with my computer - so while I am on your blog I'm leaving this note here now lest I can't get into my email to thank you that way.) ;)

Andylynne said...

Weeeee Red is wonderful. I love your towels they are super. I find I have lots of red at home, but that doesn't suprise me. I wear red a lot too. Even after being told that red isn't for every one..., mostly for smaller women dear. LOL( even though I ALWAYS get complimented when I wear red)
The boots are to die for, wear them in good health & in all their splender.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful array of red items you gathered to show us all building up to that little confession - new boots - enjoy them.

Elzie said...

So many lovely red things you have. Even the boots are!!
Have a great evening.
Love Elzie

Carol said...

Love the blog.
I love little red touches here and there.
You are right, I would never pick red as a favorite, yet my favorite tea towels are red. Lampshades are red. A red rug, red gingham ribbons, red chillies hang in my kitchen and I have lots of cushions with red roses on ! and a snuggly red cardi for winter {"-"}
Carol x

Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said...

Those boots are made for walking...you will look fab in them
Suzie Sews

violetlady said...

Those boots are splendid! Red is my favorite color-- in clothes, decor, lipstick and nail polish. I especially wear it in the fall and winter.

The Polka Dot Pixie said...

Fantastic post! I love red, and seeing it in so many ways is wonderful. And those boots are fabulous!!!!