June 5, 2024 • 27 mins
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- Follow Pink Dreams Cottage: https://www.instagram.com/pinkdreamsc...
- Shop Pink Emporio Onyx Tile: https://www.tileclub.com/products/emporio-onyx-pink-24x48
Embarking on an inspiring narrative, Katie Haynes' transition from a psychology and business student to an entrepreneur is nothing short of extraordinary. After graduating from Morehead State University, Katie found herself at a crossroads, unsure of the path ahead. Rather than rush into a conventional career, she embraced the unknown, moving to Daytona Beach, Florida, to explore her love for adventure and creativity.
During her travels, Katie's experiences with unique Airbnbs across the globe sparked a dream to create her own. A visit to the pink-themed Rose Cafe in Miami solidified her vision, and a fortuitous discovery of a $5,000 abandoned house on Zillow became the canvas for her aspirations. The purchase marked the beginning of her journey into renovation, where each brushstroke was a step towards realizing her dream of the Pink Dreams Cottage.
Katie's renovation story is interwoven with cherished family ties, particularly the bond she strengthened with her father. Together, they faced the challenge of choosing the perfect shade of pink and integrating personal heirlooms like her grandmother's chandelier. Their collaboration is a testament to the power of shared experiences in creating a home that resonates with history and emotion. However, the impact of Katie's project extends beyond the aesthetic transformation of the cottage. She has cultivated a vibrant community of followers who eagerly anticipate the completion of the Airbnb. Her candid advice and experiences, including the handling of social media negativity, serve as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring DIY enthusiasts. Katie's "Pink Christmas" initiative demonstrates her commitment to giving back, further solidifying the community-centric spirit of her venture.
The rich history of the Pink Dreams Cottage, dating back to 1905, adds another layer to its charm. Katie's serendipitous connection with the descendants of the home's previous occupants deepens the narrative, infusing the renovation with stories of the past. Her plans to welcome the family as the first guests upon completion are a poignant tribute to the home's legacy.<br><br>As Katie continues to share her renovation adventures on platforms like TikTok and hints at a potential blog, the story of the Pink Dreams Cottage serves as a beacon of creativity, passion, and community spirit. Her journey illustrates the transformative power of embracing one's passions, taking risks, and building something extraordinary from the ground up. The Pink Dreams Cottage is not just a renovation project; it is a celebration of history, family, and the joy of creating a space that truly feels like home.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Lindsay Fluckiger (00:00):
Welcome back to another episode of Tile
Trends by Tile Club, the numberone podcast for all things tile,
home improvement and interiordesign.
I'm your host, lindsay Flukiger, and today we have a very
special guest joining us.
She's a dynamic entrepreneurwith a passion for creativity
and renovation.
Please welcome Katie Haynes ofPink Dreams Cottage.
(00:23):
Thank you, I'm so excited to behere.
Thanks, caitlin, we cannot waitto talk to you about all things
pink.
So excited, katie, your journeyis so incredibly inspiring.
Can you tell us a bit aboutyour transition from studying
psychology and business tobecoming an entrepreneur?
Katie Haynes (00:45):
Yes, absolutely.
So.
I studied psychology andbusiness at Morehead State
University and I remember it waslike a week before graduation
and, of course, all of myclassmates knew exactly what
graduate school they'd beattending or what career they
were going to pursue and I justfelt so lost.
I had no idea what I wanted todo or which direction I wanted
(01:07):
to go.
I was interested in everything,but I couldn't imagine picking
just one thing to do for therest of my life.
So I decided on a whim not torush into things, just to
graduate and then move to thebeach for the summer and just
enjoy life to the absolutefullest.
And I would kind of figure itout along the way.
So that's exactly what I did.
I moved to Daytona Beach,florida, following graduation
(01:28):
and I ended up living in alittle studio apartment right on
the beach.
I signed a month-to-month leaseso I had complete freedom.
For how long I wanted to bethere?
You know I intended for it tobe just a summer.
I got a job bartending andserving at a restaurant right on
the beach and somehow threemonths turned into two and a
(01:49):
half years living in Florida andI was just hungry to learn,
hungry for opportunities.
I took advantage of everythingthat came my way.
I wasn't afraid of taking risks, and somehow all of that led to
where I am today.
Lindsay Fluckiger (02:05):
That's so awesome.
It's so inspiring to hearpeople that just say you know, I
just kind of stepped out on aledge and went for it and
amazing to see that almostalways, things end up exactly
how they're supposed to be.
So awesome.
So it's clear that creativityis at the heart of your latest
project.
(02:26):
You have taken not only anabandoned house, but a condemned
house, and you are turning itinto a pink Airbnb near your
hometown.
Truly fascinating, so inspiring.
What inspired this venture?
Katie Haynes (02:42):
So there's a couple of different things that
has inspired this pink Airbnbrenovation.
The first one is that I reallylove to travel.
I've stayed at Airbnbs all overthe world.
I've been to six or sevendifferent countries, many states
all over the US, and I'vestayed in a tiki hut, a cell
boat, a bed and breakfast, ayurt, and those are always just
special parts of the trip for me, memories that will last a
(03:04):
lifetime.
And you could ask me about ahotel that I stayed in five
years ago and I probablycouldn't tell you anything about
it.
But if you ask me about anyAirbnb that I've ever stayed in,
I could tell you a whole listof things about it.
So they're always just sospecial and unique.
So that kind of inspired melike, hey, I think it would be
cool to have my own Airbnb oneday, but I didn't actively
(03:25):
pursue it at the time.
I kind of just kept that in theback of my mind and then, you
know, went on with life and fastforward.
A couple years later I was backin Florida and I visited a place
called Rose Cafe near Miami,florida, and it's a little cafe,
everything's pink.
A little cafe, everything'spink.
(03:47):
They have a pink rose wall,pink telephone booth, covered in
pink florals, pink furniture,pink desserts, like just so over
the top.
And my friend and I actuallyfound this on Instagram and
decided to get all dressed upand drive an hour to go visit
this place.
And of course, we passed upcountless bakeries and cafes on
our way to get there.
But like this was the one wehad to see, this one, you know,
there was something specialabout it.
So I remember getting there andwalking in and my, my jaw just
(04:09):
dropping.
It was like walking into alittle pink fantasy world, you
know, and I just really like Ilove the way I felt there.
I looked around, everyone wasso in the moment, everyone was
smiling and laughing and havinga good time, and I was sitting
there with my friend, we weredrinking our coffee and eating
our dessert, and I just had thislight bulb moment.
I was like that's it, like apink Airbnb.
(04:31):
So I kind of put these thingsall together.
So we spent the rest of thetime there kind of dreaming up
like this little pink house thatdidn't exist.
She was telling me, oh yes,like this is such a great idea,
I'll come help you with the pilland stick wallpaper.
And like you've got to do this.
You know, I was like, yes, likeone day this is going to happen
, but at that time I had morequestions than I did answers.
(04:55):
I mean, I didn't know when orwhere or how.
So once again, just kind of wenton with life and I would say,
like four months later I wasback in my hometown and I was
actually just passing time and Istarted scrolling on Zillow
just for fun, like out ofcuriosity, and the very first
house that popped up had beenlisted less than 24 hours ago
(05:17):
and it was listed for $5,000.
And I was like there, there isno way, you know, that must be a
typo or a mistake or something.
So I scrolled through thepictures and I immediately call
my dad, I tell him about it andI'm just like, but that's not
right, is it?
You know?
Like that's gotta be a typo.
He was like I don't know, callhim and ask you know, set up an
appointment to walk through.
So I called them and within acouple hours of that, call my
(05:39):
dad and I were meeting at thishouse to walk through with a
realtor and like this house wasin bad shape.
I mean I remember walking up onthe front porch like we were
laughing, afraid we were goingto fall through.
Ceilings were falling in, therewas no water, no electricity,
but it was kind of like I waslooking at this house with rose
colored glasses on.
(06:00):
I guess you could say I think Iwalked through it looking at
what it could be versus what itactually was Like.
I just saw the potential and Ihad a vision.
And my dad, on the other hand,was a lot more realistic about
things.
He saw it for what it was allthe work that had to come.
I mean, he's been in thecontractor world for over 30
(06:20):
years and this is my first timeever renovating a house.
So I just had no idea, like thework that would have to go into
this house to make it into thevision.
So I was kind of discouraged.
I thought you know he'sdiscouraging this, he knows more
than me Like maybe this justisn't the one.
So we went and had ice creamafterwards and he looked at me
(06:40):
and said, so how much are yougoing to bid?
I was like, okay, like I'mgoing to take that as a sign of
encouragement.
Like you know, let's do this.
So that's exactly what I did.
I placed my bid of $10,000because it was an auction.
The $5,000 was the opening bid.
I bid $10,000 and I got a calla couple of days later that the
house was mine and the rest washistory from there.
Lindsay Fluckiger (07:07):
Wow, what an amazing story.
I can only imagine how muchlike growing up with a dad who
was in construction probablyinfluenced just your thought
process that this was evenpossible.
So walk us through a little bitabout your and your dad's
relationship and taking on thisproject and how that's played a
part in the overall design andrenovation of the Pink Dreams
Cottage.
Katie Haynes (07:27):
Yes.
So I remember when we startedthis project, he said like Katie
, this is an everything houseand I had no idea what that
meant.
You know, I've slowly figuredthat out along the way.
That means like you're tearingeverything apart before you're
putting it back together,essentially, and I just like I
had.
I had no idea what I wasgetting myself into, but he's
(07:50):
been a great teacher and he'sbeen so patient with me.
It's really strengthened ourrelationship.
We've had a lot of fun together.
We never take things tooseriously.
We definitely created memoriesthat will last a lifetime.
We've definitely createdmemories that will last a
lifetime and I really appreciatethat he's slowed down to like
show me everything along the wayand just teach me so many
(08:11):
lessons.
Lindsay Fluckiger (08:12):
Yeah, it sounds like invaluable time,
wisdom and just really preciousmoments with your dad.
That's so cool.
Yes, so I like I love what youwere saying about going to this
bakery, this cafe that you wentto and then just feeling that
vibe and the aesthetic of justhow fun it was to be there and
(08:32):
like the overall experience andhow much and you probably have
gotten this question a ton howmuch do you think the Barbie
trend is going to attribute tothe success of this amazing pink
aesthetic?
Katie Haynes (08:47):
Yeah, yeah, that's .
That's such a good questionBecause it was.
It was crazy the way everythinghappened, like with the Barbie
trend, because when I startedthis house I had no idea they
were going to be making a movieand, you know, bringing all of
this back.
So I had already kind of jumpedon like the pink trend and the
pink theme and idea and thenwhen that came out, I feel like
(09:07):
it just blew it up even more.
People was like oh gosh, thisis like a a real life Barbie
dream house and it wasn'tnecessarily inspired to be like
a Barbie house, but I think pinkand Barbie is kind of like all
wrapped into one thing.
So I remember like peoplecommenting you know, this is,
(09:28):
this is the real life Barbiehouse and just saying, like girl
, you started this trend beforeBarbie did and I't know.
It definitely built up the hypearound it and stuff and I think
people just fell in love withit even more.
Lindsay Fluckiger (09:38):
Yeah, there's something so nostalgic about
pink on top of just being like,oh, like pink bubble gum.
I was thinking my first dollhouse was this little, tight,
huge, just like plastic house.
That was pink and it had, likethis, mint or no, let's see, was
it mint green door and thenlike a blue roof to it and I,
just I, I went back there justlooking at everything that
(10:00):
you're doing.
So I love it.
How hard is it?
There are so many differentshades of pink.
How hard has that journey beendeciding on which shade is right
and what goes where, how towalk us through that process?
Katie Haynes (10:15):
Yes.
So I would say I'm a prettyindecisive person, but one thing
about me is I will do somethinga thousand times until I thrive
.
So, for instance, there's onewall in the living room that I
have pain Like I am notexaggerating six to eight times
because it is so hard.
There's.
There's so many differentshades of pink and you can go
(10:36):
and get the color swatches andstuff, but you never really know
what it's going to look likeuntil you have it on the wall in
front of you and I just like,poured so much into this house
my dad has, everyone has andlike I want it to be as perfect
as possible.
So once I got one color up, ifthat didn't feel right, I would
go back to Lowe's orSherwin-Williams and get another
(10:57):
one and try again and again andagain.
So, yes, definitely a littlebit of a challenge to find the
right shades of pink, but at thesame time I definitely want to
incorporate different shades ofpink and have them all work
together.
Lindsay Fluckiger (11:10):
Yeah, it really seems like you've put so
much thought and effort intoyour strategy and it really
comes through.
My new favorite post of yoursis the beautiful chandelier that
you just installed.
That medallion is unreal.
Can you tell us about that andkind of the thought process
behind these glorious lightfixtures?
Katie Haynes (11:32):
Yes, so the most recent chandelier that I shared
actually came from my memoirsbasement and everyone loves that
story and wants to know moreabout it.
Like I, just I love things thatare one of a kind and that have
a story behind them, and somany pieces in this house do.
Like I love thrift shoppingthrift shopping I share about
(11:53):
that sometimes and just thingsthat you don't see anywhere else
.
So I was actually visiting mymy mammal, and we were sitting
at her little craft table andshe has this gorgeous chandelier
above that table, looking forlight fixtures, and I asked her
where that came from, because itwas just I couldn't find that
(12:20):
anywhere.
I had Googled everything.
I'd searched on Pinterest andthis was just so stunning.
And she gave me the story ofwhere this light came from and
she said you know what Iactually think I have one
similar in my basement.
Hold on, let's go down thereand look.
And I was just like you've gotto be kidding me.
No way do you have a chandelierlike this just laying in your
basement.
But at the same time, if youknow her, then it's really not
(12:41):
surprising that she would Likeshe just has a little bit of
everything.
So we went down in her basementand she pulled out this trash
bag, opened it up and there wasthe most gorgeous chandelier,
Took it home, I put all thecrystals together, scrubbed it
down and every single piece wasthere.
I mean, it was just amazing andwas like I want to make this
(13:04):
even more special than italready is Like this.
This has got to have amedallion to draw even more
attention to it.
So I searched online, found theperfect one, and it's actually
the very first thing that yousee when you walk in the house.
It's right in front of theentrance and I couldn't love it
more.
That's awesome.
Lindsay Fluckiger (13:24):
So, on the lines of pink and finding the
right shade, we havecollaborated with you for your
upcoming bathroom renovation,which has not been revealed yet.
Um, don't have to like go intodetail of any of that, but can
you tell us a little bit aboutthe inspiration behind the tile
(13:44):
that you chose?
Um, and what we have?
Absolutely.
Katie Haynes (13:48):
Yes, absolutely.
Um.
So, like I said, I am a littlebit of an indecisive person when
it comes to certain things, butthere's other things that I see
it for one second and my mindis instantly made up.
There's no question, nonegotiation.
And I actually saw the tilethat I chose for the first time
on Pinterest and I was likethat's it.
(14:10):
Like I don't need to look atanything else, I just need to
figure out where to place myorder.
Like this is it.
This is perfect.
This is everything I imagined,and more, and I can't wait to
share this reveal.
Like I think everyone's goingto love it as much as I do.
Lindsay Fluckiger (14:26):
We are so excited.
We've been talking a lot aboutit internally and, yeah, we're
just we're.
We're ready whenever you are.
Yes, almost yes.
So, speaking of timelines, whenis this Airbnb slated to be
finished and available to thepublic to start booking?
Katie Haynes (14:46):
Yes.
So this has got to be thenumber one most asked question
is when are you opening thedoors?
Is there a wait list that wecan get on?
When can we book?
We want to stay and I just likeI'm blown, blown away by that.
I still can't believe thatthere's so many people all over
the world like counting down thedays until this place is open
and unfortunately I don't havean exact date just yet.
(15:09):
But I will say we're gettingreally close.
I mean, it's time to startfurnishing the house and do all
of those finishing touches.
But once again it is just mydad and I doing this renovation,
just the two of us together,and he also works a full-time
job, so we're trying to likesneak over here and get things
done in his spare time.
So I guess the opening day isto be announced, but it's coming
(15:34):
soon, I promise.
Lindsay Fluckiger (15:36):
Awesome.
Well, we more like reason tofollow along and be sure that
our listeners are following youas well, to make sure that we're
getting the play by play andand figuring all of it out
Excited.
So, katie, social media hasbeen instrumental in connecting
with others who share yourpassion for DIY.
(15:58):
What words do you have ofinspiration to anyone who's
looking into doing their own DIYproject, whether it be
something small or somethinglarge scale, like what you and
your dad are doing?
Katie Haynes (16:09):
Yes, my advice would be to just start, like, if
you wait until everythingaligns perfectly and you know
exactly what you're doing,you'll never start, because
that's never going to happenuntil you jump into it and you
learn as you go and you figureit out as you go.
Got to believe in yourselfbefore anyone else does and you
(16:35):
just you never know what couldbe waiting for you on the other
side of fear, like I look back ayear ago from now and like it
was a completely differentreality than it is now.
I had an abandoned house thatwas falling in.
Nobody believed in it.
I mean, most people told me,just tear the house down.
It's not worth the time orenergy or money.
This isn't a good idea.
(16:55):
Like, just do something elseinstead.
And I also only had about 2,000followers on Instagram and, to
be honest, half of those wereprobably there to see me fail,
you know.
But I had a vision and Ibelieved in myself and I
actually set a goal to have10,000 followers by the time the
doors open, and that justseemed like honestly impossible
(17:18):
to me.
I had no idea how I could builda community like that, sharing
authentically and consistently.
It wasn't as overwhelming tofocus on that versus like a goal
that seemed so unattainable.
(17:39):
And a year later, now I have abeautiful pink house that people
are asking to be on a wait listfor instead of telling me to
tear it down.
And we've grown a community ofalmost half a million people
from all over the world.
So, yeah, none of this wouldhave ever been possible if I
didn't just start and believe inmyself.
Lindsay Fluckiger (18:00):
That's such great advice and so inspiring.
I love that you weren't soconcerned with like putting
perfect out there.
It was just like let me justshow the document, the journey,
show what really is happening,and I think there's something to
be said about just beingyourself and being genuine on
social media.
Katie Haynes (18:19):
Right.
Lindsay Fluckiger (18:20):
Yeah.
So, speaking of social media,how you know, you are exposing
yourself to limitless people allover the world.
As you said, how do you respondto negativity that comes your
way?
Katie Haynes (18:35):
honestly, I just I don't respond because there's
only one of me, like I don'thave a manager running my
account or anything.
And if I'm going to set asidethe time to be on there and
interact with people, I'm goingto give my time and attention to
the people who are pouring outlove and encouragement and
support.
And, honestly, for every onenegative comment that someone
(18:57):
has to say, there's 100 or 1000positive comments.
Like it's honestly just insanehow social media has built this
community and like it just feelslike I have cheerleaders in my
corner from all over the worldand it's just.
I appreciate everyone's supportand encouragement so much and
their patience and loyalty tothis too, because you know,
(19:18):
we're two years into thisproject and they're still
cheering for us and believing inus.
And yeah, I'm, I'm just excited.
Lindsay Fluckiger (19:27):
Yeah, so cool .
A great lesson in positivityand boundaries, so I applaud you
for that.
Like nope, just don't respond,you don't get my time.
Like nope, just don't respond,you don't get my time.
Motto in life.
So also.
So, katie, I was digging alittle bit around a lot of it
(19:47):
around, as I've already said inyour Instagram and just saw some
things from Christmas anddifferent things that you guys
have done.
Can you share how thisrenovation journey has helped
impact your community and alsohas inspired you to give back to
others?
Katie Haynes (20:01):
Yeah, absolutely so.
I think the most amazing thingabout this project and something
that's happened beyond what Iever imagined is that so many
people have shared with me thatthis project has inspired them
to follow their own dreams, andthat's, that's, the biggest
reward that I could ever ask for.
You know, like I, I can'tbelieve that my story is
(20:24):
inspiring other people to followtheir, follow their dreams, and
just the encouragement andsupport and love that I've
received, I think it's the leastthat I could do, you know, to
give it back to others you knowto give it back to others.
Lindsay Fluckiger (20:41):
Awesome.
I saw something specific aboutcollecting toys or something at
Christmas time and all thepretty wrapping paper.
Can you tell us a little bitabout what Pink Dreams Cottage
did for the children in yourcommunity at Christmas?
Katie Haynes (20:54):
Yes, so we did something called Pink Christmas
where we helped shop forchildren in our local community
who maybe their families werestruggling to get them Christmas
gifts.
So we shopped for Think about15 or 20 different kids and we
(21:14):
went shopping.
We handpicked out toys We'vegot lists of all their likes and
interests and things that wereon their wishlist and things
that they loved and wehandpicked out every single toy
and beautiful pink wrappingpaper.
A couple of my family memberscame to help and we had like a
(21:34):
little get together and theparents came and picked up the
pink gifts for their kids andthey were just so grateful and
it was so rewarding.
I'm so happy to do that andhonestly it was kind of just
something I threw together lastminute.
That was how a lot of my mythings ended up working out, but
it was just such a success thatnow I hope to do that every
single year and hopefully itcontinues to grow bigger and
(21:57):
bigger, you know.
Lindsay Fluckiger (22:04):
Absolutely.
I could see that like being soimpactful as it continues to
grow and you got to startsomewhere.
I love, I love.
I feel like those who learn togive back, um, after everything
they've received is just thoseare the people that we love to
follow, like, I think, in thepopulation in general.
Just those feel good stories,which you already have a good
story, but the fact that you'retaking all of this and and
(22:28):
giving back just says volumesabout your character, um, about
you know your brand and whatyou're putting out there.
Can you tell us a little bitabout the history of the home?
When was it built?
Do you know anything about wholived there, the eras that it
saw?
Timeline of historical events,anything that you can share with
us about the history of thePink Dreams Cottage?
Katie Haynes (22:52):
Yes, absolutely so .
The house was actually built in1905 and I found that out
through Zillow when I waslooking at the house.
But other than that, I reallydidn't know anything else about
the history of the house and I'mso glad you asked this question
because this is such a crazystory that I'm excited to share.
So the day that I got the key,I actually started sharing the
(23:15):
renovation process online andwithin the first few months of
sharing it, I got a randommessage on Instagram from a girl
about my age who said I sawyour renovation online and I'm
so excited that you're doingthis.
My mom actually grew up in thehouse that you're renovating and
we would love to know moreabout your plans and maybe even
(23:38):
come and see it sometime,because I guess her mom had like
drove her by the housethroughout her lifetime but she
never actually got to like bringher inside and show her her
childhood home, because it wasabandoned and condemned and just
like boarded up.
No one could go inside.
So of course, I responded.
I was so excited that this girlfound me and I said that I
(24:01):
would love, you know, to meether and her mom, to know more
about the history of the houseand to show them around and, you
know, share my plans with them.
So we had that conversation andwe tried to meet but life just
kind of got in the way.
Our schedule didn't work out.
Some things came up so fastforward about six months and I
(24:22):
was working with a localphotographer on another project
and the photographer asked me ifshe could bring another model
to the shoot and I was like yes,of course.
Like you know, the more thebetter.
So the day of the photo shootcomes, we all meet at this
location and she introduces meto the girl that she brought,
(24:43):
and it was.
We were kind of in a hurry, itwas a little bit chaotic and I
didn't quite catch her name.
You know, I didn't know thisgirl but nonetheless we had a
great time.
Like we all clicked and hit itoff, had great conversation.
So you know, I would consider itlike a successful little photo
shoot.
So you know, I would considerit like a successful little
photo shoot.
So I would say, about two hourslater I was on Instagram and I
(25:09):
got a message from the girlwhose mom grew up in the house
and of course I'm thinking likethis is just her messaging me
something about the house.
So I opened it up and she waslike, oh my gosh, katie, I knew
I knew you from somewhere, but Icouldn't pinpoint it.
That was me at the photo shoot.
We just met each other and hadno idea and we have this
connection about the house andour minds were just blown Like
(25:31):
it was the craziest thing.
I think we were just destinedto meet each other one way or
another.
So obviously, like since then,we've stayed in contact
throughout this entirerenovation.
You know she'll message mesomething or I'll message her
something, and we actually havesomething really exciting in
store.
I don't want to share all ofthe details yet, but you're
going to get to know her and hermom more, I think, as time goes
(25:55):
on, and also I would reallylove for them to be the first
guest to ever stay in this pinkAirbnb, once it's finished, that
is so sweet and just shockingand time Like what are the?
Lindsay Fluckiger (26:12):
what an amazing story, katie.
I mean it's just like universescolliding to bring it all
together for you.
How incredible.
Well, it has been such a treatto talk to you today, to go
through this inspiring journeywith you, to tell our listeners
all about Pink Dreams Cottage.
I hope they all run toInstagram to follow along.
(26:33):
Can you tell if there are anyother platforms or places that
we can follow along with yourjourney as well?
Katie Haynes (26:40):
Right now I've just been sharing things on
Instagram, but there's somethings in the work and works and
things that are coming soon.
I have a TikTok account.
I haven't started posting onthere yet, but I'm going to soon
and I'll be sharing somedifferent content on there and
then maybe even a website and ablog and things like that coming
soon.
So definitely stay tuned.
Lindsay Fluckiger (27:01):
Thank you for taking the time and we can't
wait to see what's in store foryou and Pink Dreams Cottage.
Katie Haynes (27:07):
Yes, thank you so much for having me.
Welcome back to another episode of Tile
Trends by Tile Club, the numberone podcast for all things tile,
home improvement and interiordesign.
I'm your host, lindsay Flukiger, and today we have a very
special guest joining us.
She's a dynamic entrepreneurwith a passion for creativity
and renovation.
Please welcome Katie Haynes ofPink Dreams Cottage.
(00:23):
Thank you, I'm so excited to behere.
Thanks, caitlin, we cannot waitto talk to you about all things
pink.
So excited, katie, your journeyis so incredibly inspiring.
Can you tell us a bit aboutyour transition from studying
psychology and business tobecoming an entrepreneur?
Katie Haynes (00:45):
Yes, absolutely.
So.
I studied psychology andbusiness at Morehead State
University and I remember it waslike a week before graduation
and, of course, all of myclassmates knew exactly what
graduate school they'd beattending or what career they
were going to pursue and I justfelt so lost.
I had no idea what I wanted todo or which direction I wanted
(01:07):
to go.
I was interested in everything,but I couldn't imagine picking
just one thing to do for therest of my life.
So I decided on a whim not torush into things, just to
graduate and then move to thebeach for the summer and just
enjoy life to the absolutefullest.
And I would kind of figure itout along the way.
So that's exactly what I did.
I moved to Daytona Beach,florida, following graduation
(01:28):
and I ended up living in alittle studio apartment right on
the beach.
I signed a month-to-month leaseso I had complete freedom.
For how long I wanted to bethere?
You know I intended for it tobe just a summer.
I got a job bartending andserving at a restaurant right on
the beach and somehow threemonths turned into two and a
(01:49):
half years living in Florida andI was just hungry to learn,
hungry for opportunities.
I took advantage of everythingthat came my way.
I wasn't afraid of taking risks, and somehow all of that led to
where I am today.
Lindsay Fluckiger (02:05):
That's so awesome.
It's so inspiring to hearpeople that just say you know, I
just kind of stepped out on aledge and went for it and
amazing to see that almostalways, things end up exactly
how they're supposed to be.
So awesome.
So it's clear that creativityis at the heart of your latest
project.
(02:26):
You have taken not only anabandoned house, but a condemned
house, and you are turning itinto a pink Airbnb near your
hometown.
Truly fascinating, so inspiring.
What inspired this venture?
Katie Haynes (02:42):
So there's a couple of different things that
has inspired this pink Airbnbrenovation.
The first one is that I reallylove to travel.
I've stayed at Airbnbs all overthe world.
I've been to six or sevendifferent countries, many states
all over the US, and I'vestayed in a tiki hut, a cell
boat, a bed and breakfast, ayurt, and those are always just
special parts of the trip for me, memories that will last a
(03:04):
lifetime.
And you could ask me about ahotel that I stayed in five
years ago and I probablycouldn't tell you anything about
it.
But if you ask me about anyAirbnb that I've ever stayed in,
I could tell you a whole listof things about it.
So they're always just sospecial and unique.
So that kind of inspired melike, hey, I think it would be
cool to have my own Airbnb oneday, but I didn't actively
(03:25):
pursue it at the time.
I kind of just kept that in theback of my mind and then, you
know, went on with life and fastforward.
A couple years later I was backin Florida and I visited a place
called Rose Cafe near Miami,florida, and it's a little cafe,
everything's pink.
A little cafe, everything'spink.
(03:47):
They have a pink rose wall,pink telephone booth, covered in
pink florals, pink furniture,pink desserts, like just so over
the top.
And my friend and I actuallyfound this on Instagram and
decided to get all dressed upand drive an hour to go visit
this place.
And of course, we passed upcountless bakeries and cafes on
our way to get there.
But like this was the one wehad to see, this one, you know,
there was something specialabout it.
So I remember getting there andwalking in and my, my jaw just
(04:09):
dropping.
It was like walking into alittle pink fantasy world, you
know, and I just really like Ilove the way I felt there.
I looked around, everyone wasso in the moment, everyone was
smiling and laughing and havinga good time, and I was sitting
there with my friend, we weredrinking our coffee and eating
our dessert, and I just had thislight bulb moment.
I was like that's it, like apink Airbnb.
(04:31):
So I kind of put these thingsall together.
So we spent the rest of thetime there kind of dreaming up
like this little pink house thatdidn't exist.
She was telling me, oh yes,like this is such a great idea,
I'll come help you with the pilland stick wallpaper.
And like you've got to do this.
You know, I was like, yes, likeone day this is going to happen
, but at that time I had morequestions than I did answers.
(04:55):
I mean, I didn't know when orwhere or how.
So once again, just kind of wenton with life and I would say,
like four months later I wasback in my hometown and I was
actually just passing time and Istarted scrolling on Zillow
just for fun, like out ofcuriosity, and the very first
house that popped up had beenlisted less than 24 hours ago
(05:17):
and it was listed for $5,000.
And I was like there, there isno way, you know, that must be a
typo or a mistake or something.
So I scrolled through thepictures and I immediately call
my dad, I tell him about it andI'm just like, but that's not
right, is it?
You know?
Like that's gotta be a typo.
He was like I don't know, callhim and ask you know, set up an
appointment to walk through.
So I called them and within acouple hours of that, call my
(05:39):
dad and I were meeting at thishouse to walk through with a
realtor and like this house wasin bad shape.
I mean I remember walking up onthe front porch like we were
laughing, afraid we were goingto fall through.
Ceilings were falling in, therewas no water, no electricity,
but it was kind of like I waslooking at this house with rose
colored glasses on.
(06:00):
I guess you could say I think Iwalked through it looking at
what it could be versus what itactually was Like.
I just saw the potential and Ihad a vision.
And my dad, on the other hand,was a lot more realistic about
things.
He saw it for what it was allthe work that had to come.
I mean, he's been in thecontractor world for over 30
(06:20):
years and this is my first timeever renovating a house.
So I just had no idea, like thework that would have to go into
this house to make it into thevision.
So I was kind of discouraged.
I thought you know he'sdiscouraging this, he knows more
than me Like maybe this justisn't the one.
So we went and had ice creamafterwards and he looked at me
(06:40):
and said, so how much are yougoing to bid?
I was like, okay, like I'mgoing to take that as a sign of
encouragement.
Like you know, let's do this.
So that's exactly what I did.
I placed my bid of $10,000because it was an auction.
The $5,000 was the opening bid.
I bid $10,000 and I got a calla couple of days later that the
house was mine and the rest washistory from there.
Lindsay Fluckiger (07:07):
Wow, what an amazing story.
I can only imagine how muchlike growing up with a dad who
was in construction probablyinfluenced just your thought
process that this was evenpossible.
So walk us through a little bitabout your and your dad's
relationship and taking on thisproject and how that's played a
part in the overall design andrenovation of the Pink Dreams
Cottage.
Katie Haynes (07:27):
Yes.
So I remember when we startedthis project, he said like Katie
, this is an everything houseand I had no idea what that
meant.
You know, I've slowly figuredthat out along the way.
That means like you're tearingeverything apart before you're
putting it back together,essentially, and I just like I
had.
I had no idea what I wasgetting myself into, but he's
(07:50):
been a great teacher and he'sbeen so patient with me.
It's really strengthened ourrelationship.
We've had a lot of fun together.
We never take things tooseriously.
We definitely created memoriesthat will last a lifetime.
We've definitely createdmemories that will last a
lifetime and I really appreciatethat he's slowed down to like
show me everything along the wayand just teach me so many
(08:11):
lessons.
Lindsay Fluckiger (08:12):
Yeah, it sounds like invaluable time,
wisdom and just really preciousmoments with your dad.
That's so cool.
Yes, so I like I love what youwere saying about going to this
bakery, this cafe that you wentto and then just feeling that
vibe and the aesthetic of justhow fun it was to be there and
(08:32):
like the overall experience andhow much and you probably have
gotten this question a ton howmuch do you think the Barbie
trend is going to attribute tothe success of this amazing pink
aesthetic?
Katie Haynes (08:47):
Yeah, yeah, that's .
That's such a good questionBecause it was.
It was crazy the way everythinghappened, like with the Barbie
trend, because when I startedthis house I had no idea they
were going to be making a movieand, you know, bringing all of
this back.
So I had already kind of jumpedon like the pink trend and the
pink theme and idea and thenwhen that came out, I feel like
(09:07):
it just blew it up even more.
People was like oh gosh, thisis like a a real life Barbie
dream house and it wasn'tnecessarily inspired to be like
a Barbie house, but I think pinkand Barbie is kind of like all
wrapped into one thing.
So I remember like peoplecommenting you know, this is,
(09:28):
this is the real life Barbiehouse and just saying, like girl
, you started this trend beforeBarbie did and I't know.
It definitely built up the hypearound it and stuff and I think
people just fell in love withit even more.
Lindsay Fluckiger (09:38):
Yeah, there's something so nostalgic about
pink on top of just being like,oh, like pink bubble gum.
I was thinking my first dollhouse was this little, tight,
huge, just like plastic house.
That was pink and it had, likethis, mint or no, let's see, was
it mint green door and thenlike a blue roof to it and I,
just I, I went back there justlooking at everything that
(10:00):
you're doing.
So I love it.
How hard is it?
There are so many differentshades of pink.
How hard has that journey beendeciding on which shade is right
and what goes where, how towalk us through that process?
Katie Haynes (10:15):
Yes.
So I would say I'm a prettyindecisive person, but one thing
about me is I will do somethinga thousand times until I thrive
.
So, for instance, there's onewall in the living room that I
have pain Like I am notexaggerating six to eight times
because it is so hard.
There's.
There's so many differentshades of pink and you can go
(10:36):
and get the color swatches andstuff, but you never really know
what it's going to look likeuntil you have it on the wall in
front of you and I just like,poured so much into this house
my dad has, everyone has andlike I want it to be as perfect
as possible.
So once I got one color up, ifthat didn't feel right, I would
go back to Lowe's orSherwin-Williams and get another
(10:57):
one and try again and again andagain.
So, yes, definitely a littlebit of a challenge to find the
right shades of pink, but at thesame time I definitely want to
incorporate different shades ofpink and have them all work
together.
Lindsay Fluckiger (11:10):
Yeah, it really seems like you've put so
much thought and effort intoyour strategy and it really
comes through.
My new favorite post of yoursis the beautiful chandelier that
you just installed.
That medallion is unreal.
Can you tell us about that andkind of the thought process
behind these glorious lightfixtures?
Katie Haynes (11:32):
Yes, so the most recent chandelier that I shared
actually came from my memoirsbasement and everyone loves that
story and wants to know moreabout it.
Like I, just I love things thatare one of a kind and that have
a story behind them, and somany pieces in this house do.
Like I love thrift shoppingthrift shopping I share about
(11:53):
that sometimes and just thingsthat you don't see anywhere else
.
So I was actually visiting mymy mammal, and we were sitting
at her little craft table andshe has this gorgeous chandelier
above that table, looking forlight fixtures, and I asked her
where that came from, because itwas just I couldn't find that
(12:20):
anywhere.
I had Googled everything.
I'd searched on Pinterest andthis was just so stunning.
And she gave me the story ofwhere this light came from and
she said you know what Iactually think I have one
similar in my basement.
Hold on, let's go down thereand look.
And I was just like you've gotto be kidding me.
No way do you have a chandelierlike this just laying in your
basement.
But at the same time, if youknow her, then it's really not
(12:41):
surprising that she would Likeshe just has a little bit of
everything.
So we went down in her basementand she pulled out this trash
bag, opened it up and there wasthe most gorgeous chandelier,
Took it home, I put all thecrystals together, scrubbed it
down and every single piece wasthere.
I mean, it was just amazing andwas like I want to make this
(13:04):
even more special than italready is Like this.
This has got to have amedallion to draw even more
attention to it.
So I searched online, found theperfect one, and it's actually
the very first thing that yousee when you walk in the house.
It's right in front of theentrance and I couldn't love it
more.
That's awesome.
Lindsay Fluckiger (13:24):
So, on the lines of pink and finding the
right shade, we havecollaborated with you for your
upcoming bathroom renovation,which has not been revealed yet.
Um, don't have to like go intodetail of any of that, but can
you tell us a little bit aboutthe inspiration behind the tile
(13:44):
that you chose?
Um, and what we have?
Absolutely.
Katie Haynes (13:48):
Yes, absolutely.
Um.
So, like I said, I am a littlebit of an indecisive person when
it comes to certain things, butthere's other things that I see
it for one second and my mindis instantly made up.
There's no question, nonegotiation.
And I actually saw the tilethat I chose for the first time
on Pinterest and I was likethat's it.
(14:10):
Like I don't need to look atanything else, I just need to
figure out where to place myorder.
Like this is it.
This is perfect.
This is everything I imagined,and more, and I can't wait to
share this reveal.
Like I think everyone's goingto love it as much as I do.
Lindsay Fluckiger (14:26):
We are so excited.
We've been talking a lot aboutit internally and, yeah, we're
just we're.
We're ready whenever you are.
Yes, almost yes.
So, speaking of timelines, whenis this Airbnb slated to be
finished and available to thepublic to start booking?
Katie Haynes (14:46):
Yes.
So this has got to be thenumber one most asked question
is when are you opening thedoors?
Is there a wait list that wecan get on?
When can we book?
We want to stay and I just likeI'm blown, blown away by that.
I still can't believe thatthere's so many people all over
the world like counting down thedays until this place is open
and unfortunately I don't havean exact date just yet.
(15:09):
But I will say we're gettingreally close.
I mean, it's time to startfurnishing the house and do all
of those finishing touches.
But once again it is just mydad and I doing this renovation,
just the two of us together,and he also works a full-time
job, so we're trying to likesneak over here and get things
done in his spare time.
So I guess the opening day isto be announced, but it's coming
(15:34):
soon, I promise.
Lindsay Fluckiger (15:36):
Awesome.
Well, we more like reason tofollow along and be sure that
our listeners are following youas well, to make sure that we're
getting the play by play andand figuring all of it out
Excited.
So, katie, social media hasbeen instrumental in connecting
with others who share yourpassion for DIY.
(15:58):
What words do you have ofinspiration to anyone who's
looking into doing their own DIYproject, whether it be
something small or somethinglarge scale, like what you and
your dad are doing?
Katie Haynes (16:09):
Yes, my advice would be to just start, like, if
you wait until everythingaligns perfectly and you know
exactly what you're doing,you'll never start, because
that's never going to happenuntil you jump into it and you
learn as you go and you figureit out as you go.
Got to believe in yourselfbefore anyone else does and you
(16:35):
just you never know what couldbe waiting for you on the other
side of fear, like I look back ayear ago from now and like it
was a completely differentreality than it is now.
I had an abandoned house thatwas falling in.
Nobody believed in it.
I mean, most people told me,just tear the house down.
It's not worth the time orenergy or money.
This isn't a good idea.
(16:55):
Like, just do something elseinstead.
And I also only had about 2,000followers on Instagram and, to
be honest, half of those wereprobably there to see me fail,
you know.
But I had a vision and Ibelieved in myself and I
actually set a goal to have10,000 followers by the time the
doors open, and that justseemed like honestly impossible
(17:18):
to me.
I had no idea how I could builda community like that, sharing
authentically and consistently.
It wasn't as overwhelming tofocus on that versus like a goal
that seemed so unattainable.
(17:39):
And a year later, now I have abeautiful pink house that people
are asking to be on a wait listfor instead of telling me to
tear it down.
And we've grown a community ofalmost half a million people
from all over the world.
So, yeah, none of this wouldhave ever been possible if I
didn't just start and believe inmyself.
Lindsay Fluckiger (18:00):
That's such great advice and so inspiring.
I love that you weren't soconcerned with like putting
perfect out there.
It was just like let me justshow the document, the journey,
show what really is happening,and I think there's something to
be said about just beingyourself and being genuine on
social media.
Katie Haynes (18:19):
Right.
Lindsay Fluckiger (18:20):
Yeah.
So, speaking of social media,how you know, you are exposing
yourself to limitless people allover the world.
As you said, how do you respondto negativity that comes your
way?
Katie Haynes (18:35):
honestly, I just I don't respond because there's
only one of me, like I don'thave a manager running my
account or anything.
And if I'm going to set asidethe time to be on there and
interact with people, I'm goingto give my time and attention to
the people who are pouring outlove and encouragement and
support.
And, honestly, for every onenegative comment that someone
(18:57):
has to say, there's 100 or 1000positive comments.
Like it's honestly just insanehow social media has built this
community and like it just feelslike I have cheerleaders in my
corner from all over the worldand it's just.
I appreciate everyone's supportand encouragement so much and
their patience and loyalty tothis too, because you know,
(19:18):
we're two years into thisproject and they're still
cheering for us and believing inus.
And yeah, I'm, I'm just excited.
Lindsay Fluckiger (19:27):
Yeah, so cool .
A great lesson in positivityand boundaries, so I applaud you
for that.
Like nope, just don't respond,you don't get my time.
Like nope, just don't respond,you don't get my time.
Motto in life.
So also.
So, katie, I was digging alittle bit around a lot of it
(19:47):
around, as I've already said inyour Instagram and just saw some
things from Christmas anddifferent things that you guys
have done.
Can you share how thisrenovation journey has helped
impact your community and alsohas inspired you to give back to
others?
Katie Haynes (20:01):
Yeah, absolutely so.
I think the most amazing thingabout this project and something
that's happened beyond what Iever imagined is that so many
people have shared with me thatthis project has inspired them
to follow their own dreams, andthat's, that's, the biggest
reward that I could ever ask for.
You know, like I, I can'tbelieve that my story is
(20:24):
inspiring other people to followtheir, follow their dreams, and
just the encouragement andsupport and love that I've
received, I think it's the leastthat I could do, you know, to
give it back to others you knowto give it back to others.
Lindsay Fluckiger (20:41):
Awesome.
I saw something specific aboutcollecting toys or something at
Christmas time and all thepretty wrapping paper.
Can you tell us a little bitabout what Pink Dreams Cottage
did for the children in yourcommunity at Christmas?
Katie Haynes (20:54):
Yes, so we did something called Pink Christmas
where we helped shop forchildren in our local community
who maybe their families werestruggling to get them Christmas
gifts.
So we shopped for Think about15 or 20 different kids and we
(21:14):
went shopping.
We handpicked out toys We'vegot lists of all their likes and
interests and things that wereon their wishlist and things
that they loved and wehandpicked out every single toy
and beautiful pink wrappingpaper.
A couple of my family memberscame to help and we had like a
(21:34):
little get together and theparents came and picked up the
pink gifts for their kids andthey were just so grateful and
it was so rewarding.
I'm so happy to do that andhonestly it was kind of just
something I threw together lastminute.
That was how a lot of my mythings ended up working out, but
it was just such a success thatnow I hope to do that every
single year and hopefully itcontinues to grow bigger and
(21:57):
bigger, you know.
Lindsay Fluckiger (22:04):
Absolutely.
I could see that like being soimpactful as it continues to
grow and you got to startsomewhere.
I love, I love.
I feel like those who learn togive back, um, after everything
they've received is just thoseare the people that we love to
follow, like, I think, in thepopulation in general.
Just those feel good stories,which you already have a good
story, but the fact that you'retaking all of this and and
(22:28):
giving back just says volumesabout your character, um, about
you know your brand and whatyou're putting out there.
Can you tell us a little bitabout the history of the home?
When was it built?
Do you know anything about wholived there, the eras that it
saw?
Timeline of historical events,anything that you can share with
us about the history of thePink Dreams Cottage?
Katie Haynes (22:52):
Yes, absolutely so .
The house was actually built in1905 and I found that out
through Zillow when I waslooking at the house.
But other than that, I reallydidn't know anything else about
the history of the house and I'mso glad you asked this question
because this is such a crazystory that I'm excited to share.
So the day that I got the key,I actually started sharing the
(23:15):
renovation process online andwithin the first few months of
sharing it, I got a randommessage on Instagram from a girl
about my age who said I sawyour renovation online and I'm
so excited that you're doingthis.
My mom actually grew up in thehouse that you're renovating and
we would love to know moreabout your plans and maybe even
(23:38):
come and see it sometime,because I guess her mom had like
drove her by the housethroughout her lifetime but she
never actually got to like bringher inside and show her her
childhood home, because it wasabandoned and condemned and just
like boarded up.
No one could go inside.
So of course, I responded.
I was so excited that this girlfound me and I said that I
(24:01):
would love, you know, to meether and her mom, to know more
about the history of the houseand to show them around and, you
know, share my plans with them.
So we had that conversation andwe tried to meet but life just
kind of got in the way.
Our schedule didn't work out.
Some things came up so fastforward about six months and I
(24:22):
was working with a localphotographer on another project
and the photographer asked me ifshe could bring another model
to the shoot and I was like yes,of course.
Like you know, the more thebetter.
So the day of the photo shootcomes, we all meet at this
location and she introduces meto the girl that she brought,
(24:43):
and it was.
We were kind of in a hurry, itwas a little bit chaotic and I
didn't quite catch her name.
You know, I didn't know thisgirl but nonetheless we had a
great time.
Like we all clicked and hit itoff, had great conversation.
So you know, I would consider itlike a successful little photo
shoot.
So you know, I would considerit like a successful little
photo shoot.
So I would say, about two hourslater I was on Instagram and I
(25:09):
got a message from the girlwhose mom grew up in the house
and of course I'm thinking likethis is just her messaging me
something about the house.
So I opened it up and she waslike, oh my gosh, katie, I knew
I knew you from somewhere, but Icouldn't pinpoint it.
That was me at the photo shoot.
We just met each other and hadno idea and we have this
connection about the house andour minds were just blown Like
(25:31):
it was the craziest thing.
I think we were just destinedto meet each other one way or
another.
So obviously, like since then,we've stayed in contact
throughout this entirerenovation.
You know she'll message mesomething or I'll message her
something, and we actually havesomething really exciting in
store.
I don't want to share all ofthe details yet, but you're
going to get to know her and hermom more, I think, as time goes
(25:55):
on, and also I would reallylove for them to be the first
guest to ever stay in this pinkAirbnb, once it's finished, that
is so sweet and just shockingand time Like what are the?
Lindsay Fluckiger (26:12):
what an amazing story, katie.
I mean it's just like universescolliding to bring it all
together for you.
How incredible.
Well, it has been such a treatto talk to you today, to go
through this inspiring journeywith you, to tell our listeners
all about Pink Dreams Cottage.
I hope they all run toInstagram to follow along.
(26:33):
Can you tell if there are anyother platforms or places that
we can follow along with yourjourney as well?
Katie Haynes (26:40):
Right now I've just been sharing things on
Instagram, but there's somethings in the work and works and
things that are coming soon.
I have a TikTok account.
I haven't started posting onthere yet, but I'm going to soon
and I'll be sharing somedifferent content on there and
then maybe even a website and ablog and things like that coming
soon.
So definitely stay tuned.
Lindsay Fluckiger (27:01):
Thank you for taking the time and we can't
wait to see what's in store foryou and Pink Dreams Cottage.
Katie Haynes (27:07):
Yes, thank you so much for having me.
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