Shiny happy home.

Here's another home full of lovely little things and splashes of bright color everywhere via desire to inspire.I could totally live here too. The difficulty of decorating with found objects and mismatched vintage housewares is the tendency toward overpowering tackiness and a general sense of clutter. Understatement and balance are key. Here, simple and spare furnishings, a neutral paint color (what's more neutral than white?), and bare walls are punched up with small doses of bold and pastel colors, large patterns (floral, geometric, and ethnic), and whimsical touches like the rainbow flags above the sofa and in the bedroom. What could be happier?

Here are some bright and happy housewares, inspired by the desire to make your home a brighter, happier place! All from etsy.

Top row (L to R):

1. tin canisters (set of 4), $12 from Grey Brocket's Home
   
2. apothecary jars (set of 4), $10 from beatgrrrl's basement
   
3. petal bowls (set of 7), $30 from edelweiss vintage
   

Middle row (L to R):

1. milk glass mug by Hazel Atlas, $6 from Bliss vintage
   
2. tablecloth, $25 from thriftypyg
   
3. mug, $6.95 from Teelady
   

Bottom row (L to R):

1. pitcher by Anchor Hocking, $40 from Callooh Callay
   
2. bowls by Fire King for Anchor Hocking (set of 6), $25 from Vintage Ella
   
3. glass bowl, $8 from Virginia Vintage
   

Gingham Fire-King mugs by Anchor Hocking.

Today I'm profiling a pair of red and blue gingham Fire-King mugs by manufacturer Anchor Hocking. These slightly mismatched mugs (the handles are shaped differently) are available on etsy from seller Tumbleweed Cottage Vintage for $8 here. The Fire-King line of glassware, similar to Pyrex, was produced from 1940-1976 and can be purchased these days in antique stores, garage sales, flea markets, thrift shops, and online. One note of caution: Fire-King products should not be put in the dishwasher, as the glass will lose its shine and any decorative designs may fade or chip away. You can learn more about Fire-King here and here.

The mugs' gingham pattern immediately brought to mind a delightful blue gingham shift I'd seen in this month's issue of Domino, worn by the lovely Carina Schott, fashion designer and owner of the Wakefield, Rhode Island boutique Nonchalant Mom. (Click here for the photo gallery of her beautiful home in Matunuck, RI.) On either side of her are a Forever 21 gingham jumper dress for $20 on the left and a pleated gingham top from F21 for $21.

More higher-end pieces are (L to R) the Jessalyn tank from Wiksten for $150, a gingham shift from A.P.C.'s Summer 2008 collection, and a gingham shirtdress by Sea available at Gargyle for $300.

Finally, a vintage ruffle skirt from fabulous etsy seller ramonawest for $42, a pocket dress from flickr user thegenevacollection; and a gingham jacket that's currently $12.75 on ebay.