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:
Jane says
This is the first comment I’ve left – wanted to say how much I enjoy the blog and was surprised by the negative comments in the last post. I subscribe through an RSS reader, so each YHL post is a happy surprise I see when I’m browsing my blogroll. I’m still an aspiring homeowner, so can’t demo my apartment walls and make all the major changes I may like to, but greatly enjoy seeing the projects you’ve taken on and appreciate the detail you put into describing how to execute them. I haven’t come across other projects that provide a similarly real glimpse into the time and effort good home renovations take, from planning to rethinking and putting them into place, and it’s a resource I plan to delve back into when I do get the keys to my own mini castle.
A friend told me about YHL around the time you were transitioning from the second house to the third. Of course the nature of the projects you’re doing has changed; you’re starting from page one and building a home you hope to stay in for decades, not speed-decorating a new space that you will turn over as the trends change.
Just wanted to say I appreciate the work you do and emphasize you have (many, many, I’m sure) silent fans, who might not be drowning out the haters, but are here and happily reading.
mimi says
This looks amazing! Also, I used those exact same pants hangers to hang a large illustration of veggies in my kitchen. So cute!
Christine G says
Dang, now you’ve gone and inspired me to start planning a reno for my gross laundry/utility room. Probably should try to finish the YHL inspired stair runner installation first though…Cheers! ^_^
Jena says
It’s gorge!
So…here’s a question….how often do you go into the laundry room just to hang out and enjoy it’s beauty and completeness….not to do actual laundry?
I’ve heard some people do that with newly finished rooms….
:)
Kels H says
Hi John and Sherry!
I feel a little out of my element here, never having commented before, but I just wanted to let you know that I started following your blog shortly after I found out I was expecting my first child, my daughter. The very first post I read was Clara’s birth story. I have been a loyal YHL follower ever since. You have not only inspired me to attempt my own DIY projects at home in our tiny 500 sq. ft. shoe box, but you’ve also given me a kind of confidence and comfort in parenting, something I am so appreciative of. You’re both fantastic writers, and I, like so many readers, look forward to your posts daily. I love seeing all your detailed projects, but mid-week reader redesigns were always a delight as well! As my now 3 year old would say, “you just do you”- and know that we’ve got your backs. Thank you!
Renee says
Wow!! Soo incredibly beautiful! I might actually enjoy doing laundry in that room!! :) Wonderful job with all the extra touches – I really love it!
And I didn’t realize you guys had gotten so many comments last week…I’ll just add my two cents. You guys should never feel guilty about having a light posting week or getting too busy with other commitments (whether that’s family or work). I think having a “back up log” of short/simple posts might be a good thing to have if you unexpectedly have a busy week. However, it’s impossible to please everyone. So, I say just keep up the good work and keep on doing the wonderful job that you guys do! I’ve never been a DIY person, but it’s the one blog that actually gives me some inspiration and confidence to tackle projects :)
Taylor says
Have you seen this print? I think it would be an adorable addition to this room!
http://caravanshoppe.com/product/how-to-do-your-own-laundry-printable-poster/
YoungHouseLove says
So cute!
xo
s
Heather says
Love the Mo Willems reference! Once of our kids faves. He has some other books about pig that are hilarious as well!
Laundry room looks great!
Jen_nifer says
I love the pants hanger as art hanger! I think I have a few spares I could do the same with.
Sarah says
LOVE the laundry room! I loved this series of posts because it shows how a space in your home that wasn’t the most functional became more useful. I moved into my home a few months before you did, and it inspires me to rearrange my home to fit MY needs. I like this progression in your blog because it shows how the two of you have grown in your own DIY projects. From novice to expert! And so the projects are accordingly harder.
Also, wanted to let you know that I appreciate you coming back and posting with your usual humor today. It’s hard to hear criticism and it’s really refreshing that you put all of that aside for this post, and still showed your upbeat, funny attitude.
Stacy says
OMG, I am showing this to my husband in hopes that next year we can tackle our laundry/3rd bathroom in the basement. It needs some work.
That said, I read through your 6 pages of comments and I am noticing that your voices are absent. Not a single comment reply by you. I truly hope that you aren’t taking that horrible criticism from the other day to heart. I love when you reply – although I get that 6 pages of comments is a lot to reply to. Please know that not everyone cares who’s posting or how often. Some of us still love your blog exactly the way it is. And just for the record, I read back through some of the recent posts and while John did post the most recently, Sherry did as well only 4 or 5 posts back. And I didn’t really expect Sherry to be the one writing the technical aspects of the job since she wasn’t the one doing them 80% of the time. And I miss your old comment disclaimer.
Stephanie says
LOVE the laundry room!! That tile is such a smart choice in case there’s ever a leak/overflow, it won’t damage wood flooring. I put up an IKEA swing-out dryer rack about a year ago and seriously – changed my life.
Not sure what all the hullaballoo (sp?) was over a post last week, but with any blog I read the parts that interest me and skip the parts I don’t. I like probably 80% of what y’all do (that unfinished-looking laundry room shelf/counter is going to irk me!), but it’s a free blog and I’ve learned a lot.
Angela B says
LURV it. Also, while you’re processing last Thursday’s comments, maybe have this playing on repeat in the background. :)
Katk says
Thank you for the full rundown of how this laundry room came about! I’ve never used power tools or built anything from scratch really, but seeing you guys too it makes me feel like I can too!
I want to send out good vibes to you guys today. It must be so difficult to put yourself and your life out there for everyone and then to get criticism back…. You seem so strong and positive that I’m sure you’ll take away only the best of the discussion, but I’m thinking about you today and hoping it hasn’t stung too much. You are my favorite blog (I’ve been reading about 4 years) and I don’t want this feedback to sour you on it. I love reading you every day! :)
Lindsay @ Lindsay Weighs In says
DYING about the “faux real plant” I read it as fo’ real and then laughed even harder. P.S. those are the only kind of plants I can keep alive. LOVE the new room!
Mark says
FOCUS people. This post is about the laundry room reveal. Stop hi-jacking the thread with the negativity regarding the direction of the blog. Sherry said they will address the concerns soon. Please and thank you.
J&S the laundry room looks great. Love the crown molding and under cabinet lighting. You always add things my wife and I don’t even know we need!
I already ordered the drying rack..thanks for the link.
When you have time I would like to hear if you are still liking your new washer and dryer like someone else suggested. We will be in the market soon. Thanks.
Vanessa says
Love it!!!
Missi says
SO! AMAZING! I never thought that I’d love a laundry room so much. But I do!!!! You guys knock it out of the park.
Mary says
I love you guys, all four of you, and everything you write or post is just fine with me, I love it all. Sending a big fat kiss across the river to you guys!
~ Mary
Johanna says
This is fantastic! Such a great job, you two. Or four, whoever helped out :)
Also, I love that you included a clothes rack! They are super common here in Germany (in all sorts of sizes), as dryers aren’t really an item you’d find in every household. For drying clothes outside (and limited garden/yard space which not always allows the placement of long clothes lines), you will often find “rotary clothes dryers” over here (had to look that one up). Thought of your acres (well …) of land and all those cloth diapers that bleach so well in the sun light – also, free and green dry clothes! For the win.
Jennifer R. says
It looks AWESOME! I can’t believe you basically built a new room for around $4K. Inspired.
Nicola says
Love love love your laundry room, you make everything work together so well they look like they all came together instead of several shops or ideas. Amazing x
Tricia says
I am soooooo jealous!! My washer and dryer are in a dark, unfinished corner of the basement….so depressing! I am now determined to have a laundry room someday :)
Emily says
Man, it’s gorgeous! Fantastic job, guys!
Kelly {the Centsible Life} says
First of all I’m a little jelly of the laundry room. We have a dedicated room already but it needs a major overhaul and it’s just not high on the priority list right now. I like how simple and clean it is-exactly what you need in a laundry room!
We just bought a printer drawer at Miss Pixie’s in Rehoboth Beach. (http://www.misspixies.com/) I know you guys head to the beach from time to time so while I know it’s not actually local maybe you can call and have them set one aside? It was $25 which is a major bargain-since I’ve only been able to find them for $$$$ locally.
We plan to use it in my 10 year old’s room since she loves to collect tiny things. :)
Diane says
Love your new bright and airy laundry room! I am a huge fan of 3 bin laundry sorters and drying racks! I hang dry almost everything and find that my clothes last longer, plus you save hydro! I really wanted a 3 bin laundry cart but didn’t want to pay the money for it. Low and behold I found the exact one I wanted sitting on the side of the road one day and wheeled it home! It makes life so much easier!
Abby says
I can’t wait for a picture of the new glass door! I’m betting it might not be painted yet :)
Love you guys. Don’t let the negative nancys get to you–your lives, your business, your decisions. We’re lucky to be along for the ride.
Also, that herringbone tile is a new front runner for my kitchen backsplash. I drool….
Abby
tara says
Hello John & Sherry!!
A few things – first I LOVE LOVE LOVE the laundry room!! It’s so beautiful and light and airy. Don’t forget to post a pic of the hallway with all of that light coming in from the new door :) Wishing my laundry room wasn’t a laundry room/mud room now ha!
Second, I read through the comments from that thread about smaller posts vs. nothing…I’m sad to see so many of your readers saying they’ve lost interest in the blog because it seems as though you’ve lost your spark for it. That had to be really hard for you two to take in, truth or not. I’ve been one of those faithful readers for many years and loved meeting you on your book tour in Minneapolis last fall! While I’m on the “please post anything because I love to read your blog!!” side, I personally don’t think you’ve lost your spark. Your blog has evolved with you two as you’ve become parents and bought different houses. Your family comes first, and I will accept a quick sentence stating “no post” or an art project with baskets as much as a full reno of one of your rooms! I’m a loyal reader and check your blog often for updates – I’m not going anywhere :)
Kate says
I was in Minneapolis too! First in line … Crazy that it was almost two years ago !
Jenise says
I’m not one to comment… like ever, but your laundry room is beautiful, I have MAJOR laundry room envy (mine is in the basement and very spider webby). I’ve seen several other folks ask for more info about under cabinet lighting and I would love to know more as well. I have ikea kitchen cabinets (that I’m really happy with) and am wanting to add under cabinet lights. Trying to decide which ones and how to make them all connected, etc. Maybe when your electrician adds a wall switch you can share about that as well? Will your switch go on the backsplash? Will you cut into that beautiful tile?!
I was also curious about how you attached your crown molding, I know you planned ahead as far as the space needed, but I know that ikea cabinet doors go right up to the very top of the cabinet box, so there’s no place on the actually cabinet to attach molding to. (I hope that makes sense.) Anyhoo, I’d love to know how you finished out the details, especially that one.
And one last thing, I SO enjoy your blog (it’s my nap time indulgence) and enjoy reading your posts, whether they’re big technical projects, or quick craft projects. Sometimes I may skim because I’m not that interested at the moment, but then later I may want more info on that subject because I’m doing a similar project and will go back and search the archives. I have a little boy the same age as Clara and a little girl that just turned one and I don’t see how you do ANY of it! (Seriously, I’ve been painting molding in one room for months now!) But what I really want to say, is that what I enjoy so much about your blog is not your projects, but YOU, John and Sherry. Y’all keep it real and crack me up, and are one of my favorite parts of the day :)
Jessica says
As someone whose laundry is in her kitchen…this brought a little tear to my eye. Well done! :) (And I very much appreciated all the drywall info John! Helped me think I might do some serious bathroom renoing soon.. )
Lydia says
Ahhhhh!!! SO AWESOME. Just had to say it. THAT ROOM IS SO AWESOME. I want that room for my laundry. (Now back to shifting laundry from the washer to the dryer in our unfinished basement… )
Shelley says
We did our laundry room last year. Certainly makes necessary chores more enjoyable. But I will never figure out the lost sock basket logic. I always say put the lone sock where it belongs and eventually (hopefully) the mate will show up and be reunited. May your days be whiter & brighter!!
Leesha says
LOVE. And that sums it up. :)
mags says
I’m not thrilled with the picture-on-the-pants-hanger– doesnt it get humid in there? Won’t you risk curling and wrinkling your picture? If there’s no fan/exhaust in the room, and if you plan on closing the door when the machines are running during naptimes, I’m thinking that picture is going to be a goner in about a week.
Although then again, maybe it’s a regional thing, and maybe laundry rooms dont tend to get humid in your area.
YoungHouseLove says
So far we’ve been ok. Anyone have humid laundry rooms out there? Never noticed any paper being wrinkly in our last house (we had mags and mail next to our stacked washer/dryer).
xo
s
L says
Mags, our laundry room gets so humid when the dryer is running with damp clothes that it’s caused peeling paint on the ceiling. So yeah, it’s definitely possible.
Hilary says
I have never noticed a problem with humidity in our laundry room and regularly run the dryer with the door closed. And if it is peeling the paint on your walls, I personally would have someone check to make sure it is venting properly and that the vent is clear. To me that sounds like a serious issue. If it was happening in my home I would be worrying about mould growing in the walls.
Harmony Q says
Sometimes I wish I could “like” your posts just like on facebook because I think you guys did such an amazing job on this and deserve a serious pat on the back.
Allison says
I love it! Great job! I use Bumgenius diapers on my daughter as a result of blog and we have loved them AND we wash and store them in the same mint green bucket you have in your laundry room. We line it with a gDiaper wet bag and store it under our bathroom sink. Random thought.
Rosie S says
I just love the fresh, white, clean vibe of it all together! SO well done, and knowing the whole process makes it all more amazing! Still in awe of the level threshold…I know…weird that that is my favorite post….LOL
Petra says
Lovely place!!! I’m sure laundry is a lot more fun!
Any plans for the drawers?
I hope you all are doing ok other than being too busy with projects, etc. Do what’s right for you, not every reader out there :)
YoungHouseLove says
We have stuff like extra clothespins and scissors for cutting tags and extra hangers in there.
xo
s
Robyn H says
Looks great! Like it had been there forever. Guys, YOU BUILT A ROOM!! I always love your finishing touches too, you just have a way of making even a tiny space look your own. I love the idea of hanging a print from a pants hanger, I miss your clothes pin light fixture so this is a nice nod to that in a way. :-)
Vivian says
I love the laundry room! Congrats! I just caught up on the thread you spoke about. I think that lots of those “words” could have been used in a different non-confrontational way by some of the readers. I love your blog and while I enjoy the long ‘project’ posts, it would be fun to see a short, quick DIY post more often. Your laundry is amazingly frugal at $4000+, but my DIY is more in the $400 range! All that being said … it’s your blog and you do what you want with it!
Aimee says
I think it looks awesome! I am so envious you have an actual laundry room! I am one with just a laundry closet. Where are the mint caddy and can from? Love them!
YoungHouseLove says
World Market :)
xo
s
Laura C says
What a great transformation – this is the type of change that not only improves your experience living in the house, but adds value to the house long-term. Excellent job.
Sarah says
What a transformation, looks great!
On a totally random note, will I be able to purchase the white picture hanging knob (or the teal glass one) from your target collection anytime soon? I went on target.com last night only to find it is not in stores OR available online. I can’t find anything else I like just as well! Please help!
YoungHouseLove says
I think that means they’re gone. So sorry!
xo
s
Dawn says
Total laundry room envy over here!
Jennifer Laura says
This is so impressive you guys!! I have read every single laundry room post and I still can’t fathom how you guys did this so quickly. Y’all are amazing! And per last weeks question- do what you feel, I love everything you write and post and am happy that you guys get to do this for a living and I can come read for free :-)
kerry says
I love it, nice work! I just heard about something called “the Big Flea” which is supposed to be like 600 vendors at the convention center in DC. Not sure how bad you want that press drawer, but if you’re up for it I feel like you would find one there.
Rock on!
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds like fun!
xo
s
Jana H. says
Love, love, LOVE. It’s so pretty and I’m so totally jealous. :-D I’ve enjoyed seeing it go from an idea to reality and all the steps in between.
Kristin says
A pant hanger as a frame in the laundry room… Genius! Room looks wonderful.
Letty says
The room looks great, and definitely got my wheels turning for my own laundry room!
I hope the comments haven’t gotten you too down– you’re both amazing! This is a blog, something I get to enjoy for free, and it’s none of my business whether you get paid to do it, or how much, or whether your finances will suffer if I don’t visit as often. Quite frankly, I think it’s incredibly rude of people who point out how you make money off the blog, speculating that you must now have more money, or talk about your money at all, really. That’s disrespectful and so none of anyone’s business. People accuse you of being business savvy (yes, “accuse” like it’s a bad thing), but the ones who are focusing on the business side of the blog are those readers– talking about page hits and ad revenues…. when you never treat the blog this way. This wonderful thing we get to read for free, this thing you’ve decided to dedicate your work lives to and that happened to become your source of income, where we’ve all gotten to know two wonderful strangers, this blog, this is YOUR business. YOURS. And yes, you happened to have a very successful blog on your hands. That doesn’t mean that you have to treat the blog as solely a business and that your readers somehow became your shareholders, to whom you need to report and get permission. You treat us like friends, responding to our comments, our emails, and asking us for input, which is why your readers feel as though we were friends with you. I pay for my gym, so I expect something from the cleanliness of the facility and caliber of its instructors; I also expect my cleaning lady to do things the way I ask and to show up on time, because I pay her. But I don’t pay you squat and I don’t feel entitled to “expect” anything from you. I’m grateful for what I get when I get it, and can’t believe how others feel so entitled to criticize you for not doing things as they would.
To be helpful, I will say that I miss the posts that focused on decoration, like tablescapes or holiday décor because Sherry is so creative and has great taste, and I used to love Sherry’s mood boards! Of course I loved when you posted daily (twice a day if I remember correctly!) because I knew to come online and get new content. But pulling back makes complete sense to me. Short and sweet works for many of us, so don’t stress the long posts that are so time-consuming. I hope you remember that despite the spiteful comments thinly veiled as “helpful,” many of us think you’re both fantastic!
Also, since everyone’s all up in your business, I hope you also had people ask if everything was okay with you all, or whether something bad happened, since you don’t normally miss posts and yet you did. Rather than accuse you of “being lazy.” I honestly can’t believe some people… I hope everything’s okay.
xoxo
Kat says
omg, it’s so beautiful that I could rent it out and live there! Great job!