Monday, January 4, 2010

Laundry Room Makeover


Welcome to 2nd Time Around Tuesday

I hope you will visit our gracious hostess Diane at A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Words, and see her cute collection of vintage chickens and roosters. I appreciate Diane taking the time to host our "2nd Time Around Tuesdays," and look forward to seeing what everyone is sharing today.

It seems that I've been spending an awfully lot of time in my laundry room lately, especially during the holidays. It made me appreciate some redecorating I did a couple of years ago and I'd like to share those ideas with you today.

My laundry room is small, but efficient. It has cabinets over the washer and dryer, and also has a large stainless sink with cabinets above and below it. The extra storage space comes in handy.

The only thing I didn't like about the room (except for doing laundry) was looking at the unsightly plumbing outlets while I folded clothes, and one day I decided to do something about it.

After discussing the problem with my husband, he and my dad built a shelf that is attached to the wall and runs the width of the washer and dryer.


Then came the fun part -- decorating! (This is where my "Second Time Around" treasures come in)


First, I added the bird pictures, which had been in my parents' attic for years. They are vintage Arthur Singer prints and Mama is delighted that I'm enjoying them in my laundry room instead of them gathering dust in her attic.

Next, I bought a wooden shelf from Hobby Lobby, added two more of the bird prints, a small lamp, and a plant.

The little porcelain birdhouse was my mother-in-law's, and I love being able to see it every day.

This iron shelf came from Hobby Lobby, too, and is perfect for keeping my laundry and ironing supplies handy.

The wooden "laundry" sign came from Ballard Designs, the laundry baskets from Wal-Mart, and the rug came from Penney's.

This print and the others shown around the sink are things I've used in my laundry rooms through the years and I thought they fit in perfectly with the new accessories.

I love decorating challenges, and was very pleased with the way my laundry room turned out. At least, it makes it a little more pleasant to do laundry now.



17 comments:

Unknown said...

Your laundry room is just beautiful, thats one area of my house we have not started on yet. We hope to start that this year. Thanks for visit, hope we talk soon.
Sandy

Beth said...

I absolutely love your laundry room! I love how you made everything that is functional, decorative as well. I do have a question though...I am assuming that the controls to your machines are on the fronts? I have old fashioned style washer and dryer still and the controls are on the top back or back top...lol I can see my plumbing too and I hate it! Will have to see if I can come up with an idea to hide it. Thanks so much for sharing your laundry room!

southerninspiration said...

Oh how pretty! My laundry room is not so pretty. I'd love cabinets like that and that shelf is a great idea. I'm sure I'd love doing laundry if mine were that pretty!! ;p

Suzanne

Dixie said...

What a wonderful job... you make me want to DO my laundry! Come on over to French Lique and decorate my laundry room when ever you feel the need...

Thanks for the beautiful inspiration!

Melissa Miller said...

~WOW! Your laundry room is just gorgeous! One of the prettiest I have ever seen. Love all of your great ideas. You inspired me!

Many blessings to you in 2010!
~Melissa :)

WhisperWood Cottage said...

Want to trade laundry room? Pleeeease? You've done such a great job with yours!! I love all the special touches. So many great ideas!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Who knew a laundry room could look so good! Makes me want to make some changes in mine! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Janie Dear only you can make doing laundry elegant!!! What a great room and I am so very jealous considering I go to the dungeon to do mine!lol Hope you are doing well and are having a great 2010 so far!!! I miss visiting and will be back within a couple weeks I hope. I managed to get myself a cold after 3 years of not having one!lol I'm much better and very very busy at work now that the employees trust me! Lots of complaining to listen to (I'm worn out!lol) So I need to return to blogging just so I can listen to fun stuff! and see beauty like you are showing! Now if only a fairy would come in at night and do all the laundry - right!? So glad to hear from you - hugs Sincerely, Jeannette

my home sanctuary said...

What a great job you did. I wish I had a little more space. I have been wanting to do a shelf like yours above the machines. Thanks for sharing. I am inspired! I think I will visit awhile since this is my first time here. I bet there is lots to see!
Have a great week,
Sherry

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Great job, Janie! Love your bird prints, bird houses, shelves, and all! Cute room!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Tonja said...

It looks great! And, I could hardly wait to tell you that I have the same Bird Houses print. The cut out one. I have had it for several years and it can move easily into lots of areas of the house. Great minds, you know!

Blue Creek Home said...

How lovely. I just redid my laundry room last summer. It really does make a difference how you feel when you're in there working!!

It seems easier to keep clean too...maybe, it's a pride of ownership thing!!!

Rhonda

Cindy said...

Your laundry room is beautiful! I could handle doing laundry in there. Hugs, Cindy S.

Debra from Bungalow said...

What a pretty laundry room! It helps to have a nice space to do the chore of laundry.

Your photos are wonderful! I love them all.

Stop by and see me sometime, Debra

Deb said...

I love your laundry roomm....

Pat Harris said...

I absolutely envy you your laundry room. I have wanted one like that my whole life. :-) It is absolutely beautiful. Who wouldn't mind doing a chore in that room? How fun!. Thank you for visiting junkblossoms. Please come back soon.

Unknown said...

Janie, Your laundry room is an inspiration to us all...love your decorator touch. Wish you lived close to me so I could hire you!

Those prints are adorable!

Thanks so much for linking to 2nd Time Around!

And I love the icy pics in today's post...are ya'll gonna get snow and ice too? We'll see won't we???
Stay warm and toasty! :)