The laundry room’s finished!
And we could kiss Lesley for her idea of carving out a new dedicated laundry room. It’s like it was always there! (Plus a new glass door at the end of a formerly dark hallway with light streaming in = angels singing sound effect to us).
When we last checked in, things were looking a little unfinished, but it’s amazing what that last 10% can do for a room. Our first steps were to add the missing filler, baseboard, toe kick, and crown that we had accounted for when we installed the cabinets (to bridge those gaps on the side, top, and bottom). Then it was on to adding the missing door casing, baseboards, and the new doorknob that ties into the rest of ours. Lastly, we had a party and the under-cabinet lights were invited (and installed).
Can I just say that the under-cabinet lights are my new favorite thing? I want to cover my house with them. I want to put on some R&B and bathe in a tub full of under cabinet lights.
They currently plug in behind the washer – you might be able to see the small white cord snaking down the left corner of the room above the washer – but we have a call in to our electrician to add a switch for them on the wall by the door. That way we can flick them on when we walk in instead of using the toggle switch on the cord.
They were sort of an impulse update back when we were buying our cabinets and they were TOTALLY WORTH THE IMPULSE. I know I’m type shouting at you but I mean it. If I were talking to you in person my voice would be raised and my hands would be flapping around. It was all thanks to a reader who mentioned it was easier to see stains and spot treat them before tossing them into the wash after she added some. In summary: Twinkies are not always worth the impulse, but under cabinet lights? DO IT.
When they’re off the room is still nice and bright from the overhead light, although we’d love to add a skylight or a some solar-tube someday.
After our finishing trims, fillers, and lights were in, it was momma’s favorite part. THE THINGS! Like the drying rack, the ironing board, some art, a laundry sorter, and everything that I got to basket up and stack and pile into the cabinets and drawers.
The laundry room wants to hug it out. Look at those outstretched arms.
We thought things on the shelf should largely have simple functions to make life easier, so there’s a basket for lost socks (currently housing a few of Clara’s) and a dish for change and other random stuff we find in pockets before things go into the wash (if you’re a certain aforementioned member of our family that might mean Legos, mom’s earrings, and and a few crayons for good measure). We also like the idea of keeping our everyday detergent out on the shelf so it’s easy to grab (you can see that in the wider shot a few photos back).
There’s also a mint green caddy to store things like lint rollers and dryer balls along with a mint green trash can which we ended up putting right on the counter for small things like balls of lint and tags from clothing or old washed-papers-from-pockets. The little fake-o succulent is just there’s to add some life to the laundry room – even if it’s faux real.
If you spin around to the wall opposite the washer, we have a drying rack. And it’s kind of a game changer. We used to just lay things outside on the daybed to air dry (or in the extra deep windowsill in the living room of our last house) so to have a devoted pull-out drying rack for hanging or draping things (or clipping them up) is pretty great.
I was leaning towards ordering one from The Container Store but then I saw someone saying it was meh and I saw this one on amazon with a ton of good reviews that swayed us. It boasts over 12 square-feet of drying space for hanging or laying items thanks to the pull out design that extends two feet out from the wall. It’s so nice to have this much hanging and draping real estate. I’m officially on the drying rack train now guys. High fives! I feel like we need a secret handshake or something.
Oh and it closes up like this when it’s not in use. Stealth mode.
Underneath it we have a three-bin laundry sorter from Crate & Barrel. John’s sister grabbed one a few weeks ago and raved about it so we took the plunge. It has only been a few days but we’re drinking the same laundry sorter Cool-aid. Picture us sipping it while cruising along on The Drying Rack Express with spare under-cabinet lights in my purse.
For the ironing board we debated everything from a mini-pull-out or fold-down wall or drawer mounted one but I prefer a full sized board and I like it to be out of the way, but portable. Sometimes I just like to iron in front of the TV. We’ve used this system of two large wall hooks secured with anchors to hold it up off the floor in our last laundry area, which worked well (remember our ironing board wars? They are so ON).
We decided to hang it behind the door on the wall (not the door itself since we worried that might rattle). The hooks stick out a little and would otherwise get slammed by the door so we got one of those small white doorstop things for the back of the door. Ignore that light switch near the door though (it’s the old hall light that we debated keeping just in case but it’s ridiculous back there so we’re going to terminate it when our electrician comes to add a switch for the under-cabinet lights).
For now the art on the left side of the room is just framed pages from a book called Time & Tide by Christian Chaize (it’s full of gorgeous photography). I still have my eye on something like this by Emily Jeffords though, so there might be some musical frames going on.
Speaking of the frames, they’re from Target. We loved that the wood tone tied into our baskets and the laundry shelf and counter, so home they came.
The other side of the room has a little more art – like a wood canvas from Help Ink that I love (it says Bee Kind with bees having a blast all over it). I also hung one of my favorite pieces of fabric (it’s an old handkerchief that a friend of mine found with the name Clara embroidered on it). Something about the old linen fabric and the embroidery whispered laundry room to me.
There’s also another print from my Tide & Time book that I clipped up with a wooden pants hanger. Seemed laundry-room appropriate. I’d love to clip up a Clara painting eventually, so we might have a little crafternoon bonanza ahead of us.
In my mood board I also had a printing press drawer (Clara and I collect heart rocks and I thought it would be so cute to display them in an old wooden drawer with all those tiny compartments for them) but we haven’t come across any that would work yet. They’re totally one of those I-see-them-in-every-antique-store-when-I’m-not-looking-for-them-but-they’re-sneaky-like-a-snake-when-I-am-on-the-hunt.
For the cabinet hardware we went with these simple octagon pulls from Lowe’s. We actually grabbed a bunch of options from Anthropologie (Fashion Show! Fashion Show! Fashion Show At Lunch!) but after holding them all up the simplicity and the nice heavy feeling of the Lowe’s ones won us over. We have two metals going on in here (I like a mix as long as each of them are present enough times to look intentional), so these guys are sporting the polished chrome look along with things like the rolling cart and the knobs on the washer & dryer.
On the ceiling we went with a flush mount light from our Shades of Light collection.
We had a whiter/cooler light bulb dangling from the fixture box before we installed this light, but switched it out for a warmer LED one that makes the room feel less cold (it brings out the honey tones in the shelf, frames, and baskets – and zaps some of the starkness out of the white cabinets).
The oil-rubbed bronze doorknob and similar coloring on the washer and dryer tied it in – especially since the washer and dryer also have chrome on them – so they’re sort of a bridge between those two metals that we mixed throughout the room.
Look at John modeling the new laundry room. You’d almost believe he likes laundry…
Budget breakdown:
- Framing (labor & materials): $360
- Electric (labor & materials): $400
- Plumbing (labor & materials): $375
- New dryer vent: $87
- New HVAC vent: $59
- Drywall & insulation: $298
- Drywall mudding: $84
- Sub-floor materials: $30
- Tiled floor: $451
- Ikea cabinets, filler pieces, toe kick, and under-cabinet lighting:
$862$802 (we went with single puck LEDs instead of the long strip ones we originally got) - Appliance re-install: $15
- Tiled marble accent wall: $281
- Shelf & counter (including stain testers & stain): $97
- A new glass door for the hallway + framing and hanging two doors: $297 (new tools included)
- Trim, crown, baseboard and door casings for both doors + two new doorknobs: $268
- Function/organization stuff (including baskets, our laundry sorter, the drying rack, hooks to hang ironing board, etc): $112
- Finishing touches (like the overhead light, cabinet hardware, wood frames, etc): $176
- TOTAL: $4,192
We think it would be really fun to have a realtor come and estimate what she might list our house for so we can see how much value this reno may have added (along with the other stuff we’ve done over the past year).
And since we’re listing stuff, I think our favorite functional updates are the laundry sorting cart, the drying rack, all the storage in the cabinets and drawers, and the added countertop/shelf surface we’ve gained. When it comes to things that make it feel the most upgraded, the tile backsplash, under cabinet lights, crown molding, and soft-close doors and drawers definitely elevated the room for us (so if you have a laundry zone that could use a little love, those might be nice add-ons).
Couldn’t leave without a little before & after action. Remember when this was our laundry area back when we moved in?
So. Much. Better.
Thanks for coming along on this winding and long-winded laundry room renovation, guys! It’s one of our favorite house changes so far since it’s literally a room that didn’t exist before. We’re more gleeful than… I don’t know… a pigeon with a hotdog? A dog with a blog? A kid in a candy store without adult supervision and unlimited funds? It’s up there.
Psst- Wanna know where we got something in our house or what paint color we used? Just click on this button:
Nicole @ LibertyBellesBlog says
looks AMAZING! all your before and afters rule, but this one is beyond transformative. love it!
Chase says
I wasn’t sure how I was feeling about the wood and the gray tile together…but darn! It looks fantastic! Excellent job.
So…do you keep wandering down the hall and staring that the room? I do that when I hang a new picture or paint a new wall, I can only imagine what it would be like to have a whole new room!
Kara says
This looks so amazing. I hopped over to Amazon and added that laundry drying rack to my wish list – that may just be the inspirational kick in the pants I need to start the laundry room makeover that’s been on my to do list for about four years.
And the fact that this little piece of this post was an inspirational kick in the pants for me leads to my thought on the comments you guys got on last Thursday’s post (and personally, when I see the freebies, I tend to gloss over those posts so I appreciate how involved you try to keep your readers in your “community” by calling attention to the “controversy”). I’m single and although I do own my own home, the idea of taking on a kitchen or creating a laundry room or gutting a bathroom completely by myself is probably not in my future. I tackle a lot of “minor” updates myself and am going to tackle some flooring at some point but what I read your site for is refreshing how-to’s (and how we screwed up) as well as little inspirations. I’m much more pulled towards your design aesthetic than towards this project and that project. I’m not a mom so the projects you do with Clara don’t usually peak my interest. But any big or small house projects – they do interest me – even if there is no way I’ll ever own a home where they make sense.
I don’t want to shape your content and it’s still interesting to me and I APPLAUD you for making a decision to reorganize your business to spend even more time with your family – more of us need to do that. So, in my opinion, you do what’s best for your family and your life and as long as you’re writing, I’ll keep visiting every day.
Thanks Petersiks!
Liz says
lovely, really lovely guys! Can we talk about toe-kicks? I am about to install a similar ikea cabinet and need to craft a toe-kick to get it to blend with the other cabinets in the room. help!
Stacey says
Love! Nice work!!! :)
Natalie says
So pretty!
The wall color really comes through now with everything else finished. It looks so grown up and fancy!
Such an inspriation… Even if I just have a little laundry closet!
Bobbi says
Love the results!! Can’t wait to hear your opinion about the Ikea cabinets after some time has gone by.
Amazing to see such an economical mix of DIY and calling in the professionals! I think folks try to do everything themselves sometimes and get caught up with things best left to the specialists. It’s a great education in how to manage it all, while doing the finish work yourself!
Can’t wait to see how the next room evolves…oh yea, and the dining room trim!!
Michelle says
Absolutely love this room. So functional and pretty and the same time. Exactly what a busy family needs!
I would love to hear what the realtor says. :)
Sarah says
Amen to ironing in front of the tv! I love that the design always stay true to how you really live. I think sometimes the perception is that the more fixed stuff you can put into a room, the more upscale and nice it is but it’s not nice if it means I have to iron in only one room and can’t be by my family.
Susan in Colorado says
I LOVE LOVE the room. This was my favorite post regarding the room. The other posts went above my little old head, but I did read it everyday!! My favorite part I think is the back splash. I LOVE it. Although I am loving that everything is in this room.. ironing board, iron, drying rack. My ‘room’ is actually a walk through to the garage. So no space, not even for a cabinet except above the W/D. Oh well. Anyways, thanks for sharing!!
Staci H. says
The laundry room looks stunning! I dream of this laundry room. Someday…maybe our next house.
I didn’t comment on the suggestions post last week, but I did follow it and read most of the comments. I just wanted to say this post today is so yhl and I love it! I know every day can’t be a room reveal but this is what I love about your blog. It truly inspires me to revamp a room and get my hands dirty :) you guys are masters at inspiration, and I will continue to read your beautiful blog and soak it all up!
PCApplianceRepair says
That is one sweet-looking laundry room! I love the under cabinet lights too. And the drying rack and laundry cart just makes everything better and more useful.
Bailey says
Serious wowza at this before and after. The room looks SO beautiful and seems to have come together so quickly from conceptualization to conclusion. This is one of my favorite updates so far!
Erin says
So if someone were to recreate this to brighten their own boring laundry room but they have a small window next to the cabinets, could you share some fabrics for a cute roman curtain or other type of curtain that would match? I would love to do this!!
YoungHouseLove says
I would go on spoonflower and look at fabrics. Maybe a mint and white one with pops of orange? Could be so cute!
xo
s
Pam says
For Sara Jean,
Most fluorescent tube lights are 40W; check to see if yours are. Our electrician says that we’ll have more light with regular fixtures (we’re replacing 4 40 W with 3 60W regular fixtures (galley kitchen)
Andrea says
LOVE how it turned out! It’s amazing you finished it so quickly too. I was just thinking that you should absolutely get someone to appraise your house now so it was awesome that you mentioned that. Great minds think alike. :) Just removing the wallpaper in the house, painting the trim, and removing the bad carpet I’m sure dramatically increased the value. I’m very curious what a realtor or appraiser would say (it’s also a good idea to update the appraised value with home insurance too)!
Emily says
Great job. Wish you guys would have a post about how to finished the cabinets. A step by step type thing. It looks awesome and would love to see how you made it look so great.
Tory C says
This looks fabulous! You have inspired me to do some small changes to make my laundry space more appealing! May I ask where the mint trash can is from? Thanks!
Maya says
LOVE IT!! I wasn’t totally on board with the color choices before (it looked really gray to me) but it looks so POLISHED and even warm now!!
This is actually the only kind of post that I’ve been missing: posts that talk about the finishing details in a room, explaining the choices you make and showing me really gorgeous eye-candy after pics. I can never seem to bring our rooms to that point, but though I have no major construction plans for our rental, putting on finishing touches is something I SHOULD be able to do!
vania says
What is that I see under the washer? Is that a tray of some sort to catch any potential water leakage?
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, it’s a washer pan and we have a drain hooked up to it to drain any water out of the room through the floor if it leaks.
xo
s
Fd says
I dream of a laundry space like this… When I get a house instead of a n apartment… :-)
Samantha Cobos says
I love how your laundry turned out! But I had no idea what you were talking about at the beginning of your post until I read some of the comments from Thursday.
To tell you the truth I like that you are always finding budget friendly options and diy. I think if you started just buying high end products you would loose readers…It may even be a turn off for many…I don’t think the majority of your readers want you to change.
Your blog is a time line of what you are doing and thinking at that moment – things change – you can change your mind any time and do what is right for you and your family.
I’m an interior designer and I work from home and it is almost impossible to put in a 40 hour work week and be there for the kids. And who wants to work 40 hours a week anyway – having your own business gives you flexibly and you should take advantage of it. You don’t owe your readers 80 hours a week!
You are doing great and I appreciate all your posts :)
Kate says
It looks beautiful!
I come to your blog occasionally for inspiration, as we also love to do projects in our home. I loved your show house and relied on photos from your show house master bathroom for inspiration in my renovated powder room.
With that said, I am also a mama of two young children; I recently left a lucrative, successful corporate position to stay home with my kids full-time. I fully understand your desire and need to scale back to dedicate yourselves more to your family. Home projects and blogging will ALWAYS be there, but your babies will only be babies once, and for such a short time.
I wonder if some of your readers who are pushing for more content perhaps haven’t experienced first-hand the balancing act of family and career, and/or perhaps may be taking your blog a *tad* too seriously. I think we all need to keep in mind the purpose of a blog – a fun place to go for inspiration. It’s not intended to be anyone’s Bible! This isn’t meant as an insult to any of your wonderful fans, just a reality check.
Keep doing what you do best, guys, and most importantly what is RIGHT FOR YOU! :)
Robyn says
Cause no on should take two peoples full time jones too seriously.
Jenny G. says
It’s beautiful! My clothes are jealous.
Downstairs and in Debt says
I want to see a picture of the hallway with the new door installed!!
Mary | Lemon Grove Blog says
This room is seriously perfection, y’all!! I LOVE! :)
Liza D. says
Great job, looks AMAZING! Very inspirational!
Caitlin says
Did you use additional wall anchors when you installed the drying rack?
YoungHouseLove says
They came with anchors so we just used those.
xo
s
Janelle says
The gray with the wood and the art is like MMM. Working so well together!
Vanessa says
Is there a link to the under cabinet lights – both the ones you originally got and the one you traded them for? Or is it a go to Ikea type of thing? Are they led or another type? Do you think Clara’s rope lights (around her bed) would work for under cabinet lights in a kitchen? My mom is on the hunt for some…Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
We went with these (in white): http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50119351/
xo
s
Libradesigneye says
Wunnerful wunnerful! (lawrence welk reruns!) champagne bubbles everywhere . . . with a new baby in the house (!!#morelaundrythanever), giving up the laundry closet was a supreme sacrifice but look at the result! Beautiful, functional, bling-y (tile, undercounter lights and pulls!!)
As for the other, I clicked in last week and scanned through.
You guys are doing fine. The baby isn’t even 6 months and I’m pretty sure most moms with a C section get 12 – 16 weeks of no work (which you didn’t get) and family leave law would give you 6 months if you wanted it. Oh, the joys of running your own business … Personally, as long as your next book tour has a stop in San Diego (uber fans everywhere really do want to have a chance to touch the hem), I don’t give a darn about anybody’s kvetching.
I’m thrilled to see John step in and write more because there are things as a dad that he cannot do during this time. Men everywhere could take a page out of this book as to what constitutes “love in action.” For the first nine months of this new guys life (and really until Clara goes to 1st grade) I don’t expect the blog to be “all things to all people” if you keep your commitment to some balance and the family.
Many of the people writing are unlikely to actually have children yet. The reality is significantly different than the concept. Especially when recovering from major surgery (which you gloss over because you are a glass half full gal).
Don’t you let the critics make you change your ways. John should write about the reality of Sherry healing and the time needed for recommended physical therapy after C. Sherry should write about the reality of lost time with John (romance time) during the first year of a new baby when there is another child in the house.
Waiting til Clara is more mature so you don’t have a toddler demanding immediate action has upped the sane factor a lot, but don’t worry, you will be in boy toddler zone very soon . . which is significantly more demanding than girl toddler zone.
Think you both should chalk this up to “blog critics” … you guys are still in transition. People who have kids and two jobs often spend 8 hours at work / 5 days a week and that is all – especially after a new baby. Running your own business easily spills into every moment.
What is the last time you and John had a conversation for more than 20 minutes when some work related thing was not a part? Normal and exciting and no different than farmers or people who lived over the shop 100 years ago, but sometimes you have to hang the sign in the shop window that says . . “renovations underway” (pun intended)
And, again, though you can’t anticipate it when you have the first babe, and then the second one, you will be in transition for a good long while. It is a sweet time, you guys are still cranking out the work .. nice of you to open the critical floodgates, but separate the wheat from the chaff
(omg that laundry room redo you took on yourselves!) . .
Chalk this up to the elemental – people just have a jones for Sherry’s puns and girl to girl chat style. They will always want more of you (touching the hem! really!).
Love you guys. Be true to you. Hang out that sign.
[And as usual – fine not to print. Or delete between brackets and ] Print this because it is the words of a mother who ran a business from home and had three boys and got help (not psychiatric!! / i got a manny when my youngest came). My darling, traveling-working-60-hour-weeks husband and I agree it was so much cheaper than marital counseling or a breakup and gave us someone else to target when in critic mode. Tired parents know the critic mode well!! Take care of each other first now. That is priceless.
Lisa E says
Well said!
Larissa says
So much this!!!
Jess says
Woooow. You just overestimated the amount of time off that working moms get in the 2010s by a factor of two.
I don’t have kids but I’m sure my friend who had to go a month of not eating lunch in order to build enough leave to take a long weekend and join her husband and toddler at the beach would really appreciate knowing that moms who have C-sections get “16 weeks off.” She got the standard 8 weeks and then drained all her remaining vacation, sick, and personal time to get 3 more. She returned to work when her second son was 11 weeks old.
Working motherhood is a balance, whether you run a blog or are a corporate stiff. No one gets to claim holier than thou here; not Sherry and not moms with outside-the-home jobs. Besides, if you hired help to manage your business and three kids, then why is it so audacious that some people suggested that maybe Sherry ought to do the same?
tara says
I completely agree with Libradesigneye!
L says
FMLA is only 12 weeks (so 3 months not 6 months) and small businesses (< 50 people) are not even required to give that. I've heard of companies only allowing 6 weeks off! This comment is so off base, it's crazy. Get you facts straight. Going back to full time 8-10 hours of work a day when your baby is only 6-12 weeks is tough, to put it lightly.
Libradesigneye says
I have my facts straight. FMLA is over and above the state disability period for medical leave – standard is 6 weeks for new moms, 12 weeks for c sections. 12 +12 is nearly 6 months.
I got about half paid during this time by filing for state disability payments from a fund that is built up by payroll deductions in my state. FMLA is unpaid, which is why most do not take it – but it isn’t just for new moms.
“Twelve workweeks of leave in a 12-month period for:
the birth of a child and to care for the newborn child within one year of birth;
the placement with the employee of a child for adoption or foster care and to care for the newly placed child within one year of placement;
to care for the employee’s spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition;
a serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform the essential functions of his or her job;
any qualifying exigency arising out of the fact that the employee’s spouse, son, daughter, or parent is a covered military member on “covered active duty;” or
Twenty-six workweeks of leave during a single 12-month period to care for a covered servicemember with a serious injury or illness if the eligible employee is the servicemember’s spouse, son, daughter, parent, or next of kin (military caregiver leave).”
Look, before the manny, before I went to work at home, I went back to work with a three month old in the car seat, and dropped two under 7 at school every day. I was exhausted. And sad. Of course I was. Of course they may be.
That was the point.
Amy says
Wow, lovely! I really love the greens and blues you brought in with the art etc. – looks great with and brightens up the neutrals!
Also, MANY EXCITED THANKS for the drying rack info!! That’s something I will be needing in a couple of months when I get my laundry room freshened up, and it’s really nice to have a trustworthy review of one!
Erin says
Amaaaaaazing! Pinterist re-pin for like, ever! Also, late to Thursday s game but, MORE READER’S REDESIGN!! ;) You guys rock!
BeccaK says
I am writing this from my house with a washer/dryer shoved along the wall in the garage (nose-to-nose with my car), and I am swooning with vicarious laundry room joy. It turned out wonderfully, and I have to say that the mint accents are SWEET.
Rachel says
Major laundry room envy you guys! You did such a great job.
Diana says
This looks great, especially for a room that didn’t exist 2 months ago! I think my biggest takeaway from this (besides that I would love to have a real laundry room and not just a corner of the basement) is hanging the ironing board with hooks. I’ve been looking for an ironing board hanger that didn’t have the iron storage on top because height is an issue. Never thought to just buy hooks!! Where did you get yours? Definitely going to be on the hunt for some!
And I figured everyone used laundry sorters! My Mom always used one and so we registered for one when we got married. Laundry days would be a mess if we didn’t have one!
YoungHouseLove says
Those are from Home Depot (in the aisle with the doorstops and garage hardware and stuff).
xo
s
Diana says
Awesome, thank you!! I literally read your post this morning in the Hobby Lobby parking lot after looking there (and getting other stuff). Was really hoping you replied before your sabbatical! =)
Meghan Causey says
I love ALL of your posts, but this one is extra awesome :) The laundry room turned out beautifully. I can’t wait to have a home of our own so that I can go back and binge read old posts for inspiration!
nicole says
So freaking AWESOME!!! I loved watching this evolve. Such a great job guys!!!
Maura says
I’m still having a space-planning geek-out over how great the laundry room decision was for your floor plan! I’m saving money and nerve to remodel/reconfigure our laundry room and three bathrooms (which are stacked in one section of the house and inter-related) and I appreciate SO MUCH your posts about hiring trades, framing, plumbing, and electrical work. I feel a little braver when I see your beautiful finished room! (Can’t wait to see the finished hall door, too!)
Sarah G. says
My opinion (which you may throw out because it’s YOUR blog) about Thursdays thread. Yes, this past week was a little disappointing and yes, I have sort of skimmed the last few posts because they were long and technical. However, if I was planning a laundry room update in the near future, I would read every single word and that’s what makes you great. I may not have needed that info right now, but I might need all those little details in the future. I would tell you it’s your blog and you do what you want, but seeing as this blog is your main source of income, sometimes you have to do what bloggers want to make them happy and keep your job. :) But on an end note, sometimes life happens. Especially with kids! I would think that more of your readers would have understood that, especially since you warned us it would be like this. Take it with a grain of salt and keep doing what you’re doing!
Sharon says
Wow! I knew I would love the finished product and I do! Keep bringing the good stuff you guys! For the record I am a looooong time follower and managed an interior design biz for a long time in my past life. Keep your blog the way you need it to be. I sold very high end products in the design field for years and just because an item is “high end” doesn’t make it good design unless it works in your plan! I for one love that you search out a great design item and show it to us at a great price. Good design can be found everywhere if you look!
Angie says
Your laundry room turned out absolutely beautiful! I especially adore the little trash bucket you put on the counter – so useful and pretty. I would love to have such a pretty laundry area – although I would have put a little color on the wall, like a pale blue or something ;)
Now I have the strong urge to style my dryer nook… XD
[email protected] says
The laundry room looks gorgeous!
I am not one to comment on the blogs that I read but I felt that some of the comments on Thursday’s post were very mean spirited and I think that you guys have been doing a great job. I think you have a nice mix of less expensive items from Target and IKEA and are moving into higher end items like your dresser from West Elm and your table from Restoration Hardware (even it was from an outlet!). You are doing a great job! Just a little positivity for a Monday!!! Keep up the good work!
Natasha says
Amazing!
I would totally want to hang out in there all day :)
Claudie says
Your laundry room really makes me wish my house had room to have one instead of the laundry closet that’s here. It’s bright and feels open even though it doesn’t have a window and I’m a little jealous that you can actually store laundry in your laundry space. :)
I just went and read some of the comments in that post. There were a lot! The blog has definitely changed from how it used to be when I first started reading or even how it was last year. That’s to be expected and this most recent change was one that you guys made an announcement about so I wasn’t surprised. You have to do what’s best for your family regardless of what we, the readers, may prefer. Besides, you will never be able to please everyone so you might as well make sure you’re happy!
The tone of the blog has seemed to shift and I think that’s because you have been handling a pretty major renovation and you aren’t doing as many posts to sort of break that up. So, yeah, there are a lot of posts that are about the same thing, though a different angle or aspect of that thing. That’s just what has to happen if you aren’t doing 5-7 posts a week, but there are major changes going on that you want to blog about.
I for one don’t enjoy posts that are just filler. Just posting to post. I think quality is better. However, I do miss some of the more lighthearted posts that aren’t so meaty and technical and I wouldn’t mind at all a post here or there with just life updates or small changes going on. Your blog has become so successful because of who you two are and your family and your personalities. You know, just because of you. When the posts are as they have been, it can feel like some of that is lost. But I don’t think it is, it’s just the way the confines of a specific post schedule and what happens to be going on at the moment make it seem.
Anyway, I didn’t mean to run on or whatever. I just wanted to say that while there has definitely been a noticeable change, that doesn’t mean that you guys have to do anything different. You blog about your home and your life, which I’m sure is much harder to fit everything in than it used to be. Just do what works best for your family and those of us who want to continue to read as the blog evolves will. :)
Natalie says
Outstanding!
Noelle @ Noelle Mullins Design says
You’ve unearthed a beautiful laundry room! It looks amazing! Love the green accents. I’d love to see a shot with the door partially open and the new glass door in view. I think you had one before but it wasn’t COMPLETELY done. It looks so so good. Congrats!
Diahn Ott says
Great job on this! What a transformation. I think my favorite part, and the part I’m totally stealing from your idea, is the little shelf over the washer and dryer. It bothers me that mine is so open behind there, and this solution is the perfect one for me!
Nicole says
Love your finished laundry room (of course), but what is getting to me is “Fashion show! Fashion show! Fashion show at lunch!”. I say that often, but no one except my husband ever knows what I am talking about. <3 that I'm not the only complete weirdo, and I also love that you didn't try to clarify what you're talking about.
Ok, carry on! ;)
kelly Lightbeam says
I have to admit that I’m not crazy about the mint green accessories, but you’re the only ones that have to like them. (What happened to that beautiful skyscape painting?) It sure is nice to see the reveal!