As much as we love having our new built-in shelves in the laundry room, they did kinda get in the way of our oh-so-fancy ironing board storage system. You know, the one that made a clanging noise whenever the spin cycle kicked on?
So clearly the ironing board had to find a new home. Earlier on we thought about making a little cubby so the ironing board could slip into our built-ins, but we wanted maximum space for baskets and bins and bowls (instead of breaking things up and making it narrower). We contemplated just shoving him (her?) in a closet somewhere else in the house, but somehow it felt like he she it belonged in the laundry room… just not looking all busted and ugly.
Those nice little dark streaks? Would you be surprised if I told you they were residue from Sherry’s oft-used no-sew hem tape? Picture the wife hanging her head in shame. And an old more-fun cover that we had was also ruined in a similar manner (ripped – oops). Maybe Casa Petersik is where ironing board covers go to die?
Sherry contemplated sewing a new cover herself (possibly out of ironing-board-disfiguration guilt), but after popping over to Etsy (specifically, here) for some inspiration, she instead found herself inspired to buy a charming little handmade-by-someone-else cover (long story short: she was enamored with the fabric and unable to find it herself at a few local stores that she hit up). So 24 bucks later we had a much more presentable looking ironing board that Sherry is excited to display 24/7 (and has vowed not to maim). She’s more into that ironing board cover than a person should be.
Do I get any husband points for letting her go the pink route? Even I’m man enough to admit that it looks pretty awesome with the grellow walls.
Obviously leaning on the wall wasn’t our storage solution. Nope, we wanted to hang this lady (now that it’s pink, I’ve decided it’s a girl) on the wall. We briefly considered some sort of pulley system from the wall or ceiling that would allow it to fold out for in-room ironing, but thanks to the space being about as narrow as a bathroom stall, we decided we’d much rather hang it somewhere to store it, but keep it removable to accommodate ironing in a more spacious room (Sherry’s partial to the living room, I like the bedroom). The perfect wall for the job was this one (opposite the door) since it had some eyesores of its own to be covered – er, accessorized?
Yup, remember those two painted-over fuseboxes? We figured hanging our chipper little ironing board there was a multi-tasking solution. This way we can easily access the fuse box by simply removing the iron (just like a framed photo or bulletin board, which some other folks opt to hang there instead).
Since all of the ironing board hook / caddy things we found at the store also had a spot for an iron (and our iron ain’t pretty enough to showcase, plus we worried about slamming into it since the room is so narrow) we decided to “make” our own by repurposing two jumbo sized coat hooks from Lowe’s (about $6 each). To hang them, we used long strong wood screws and intentionally drilled into studs (so we didn’t risk hitting any wiring that runs to the fuse box and got a nice secure hold).
The hooks worked perfectly – which was quite a relief since they were the only ones I could find that I hoped were big enough to accommodate the wide ironing board bar and attractive enough to pass TWT (The Wife Test). The only thing we were somewhat undecided about was which direction to hang the ironing board. Sherry preferred the look on the left (pointing up), and I liked the version on the right (which Sherry thinks is “upside down and weird”). Feel free to rock the vote and weigh in on your favorite ironing board direction. Can you handle the excitement? Oh the things we debate around here.
But this is my post, so the rest of the pics will have it hanging my way. Sorry lady-wife. By the way, we realize the ironing board looks a bit far from the appliances (especially from this angle) but that’s intentional because:
- we wanted to position it over the fuse box
- we didn’t want to be banging into the ironing board every time we opened the washer door, so it’s happily out of the bang zone. And if we ever get around to switching the way the dryer door opens that one won’t bang either (right now it swings the other way).
Oh, and notice the missing cabinet doors two pics up? That’s because we had another little project going on at the same time. Those built-in cabinets that we inherited are great for concealed storage (aka, the place where ugly stuff goes to be ugly) – but they were sort of an off-white color that clashed with the freshly painted white trim, and the hardware was kinda blah.
In fact, we had another jeepers-creeper-where’d-you-get-those-peepers-knobs situation going on like this oldie but a goodie. Except this cabinet monster is a vampire since we’re in the midst of watching True Blood Season 3 on DVD (no spoilers – we’re only halfway through). Just picture it saying “Sook-eh, that was not my intention” in a weird Southern accent a la Bill Compton.
So off came the doors, knobs, and hinges. Here’s the old hardware (white eyeball knobs & brass hinges) next to the shiny new replacements. The pink glass knobs (yes, there’s me permitting pink again) were around $4.00 from Hobby Lobby after a 50% off sale (is it me, or are they constantly having 50% off sales there?). The brushed nickel hinges were $3 a set from Home Depot. Together they make for a much more updated (and fun) finish on those cabinets.
But first the cabinet doors and frame needed a coat of Kilz no-VOC primer and two thin coats of white semi-gloss paint (Olympic Premium No-VOC Base 2), which you can barely detect making a difference in these photos. You can kinda see how the door on the left has been framed with fresh paint around the edge. Maybe. If you happen to have binoculars or a magnifying glass next to your computer.
With primer and paint dry and the new hardware screwed in, things were back in working order within about a day or two (although we kept the doors cracked for another 24 hours, just to combat any stick-age).
Not the most dramatic makeover you’ve ever seen, but hey – sometimes it’s the little tweaks that make us the happiest. Sherry says those pulls remind her of pink champagne. Not that she’s ever had any, but she thinks it sounds fancy. Then she said something about pink diamonds but I tuned her out.
Oh and if you’re curious as to what’s actually in that cabinet… in a word: junk. In a few more words: a drill, paint and supplies, seldom used laundry items, bungee cords, and some saws. You know, the usual. If you’re Dexter or something (saws, drills, and bungee cords? yikes).
Oh but before I go, here’s our updated laundry room to do list.
Paint the odd brown quarter round near the baseboards glossy white
Redo all the dinged up trim (also in semi-gloss white)Paint the wallsReplace our dryer hose with a safer all-metal oneAdd adjustable built-in shelving in that nook next to the stacked washer & dryerPrime & paint the upper cabinetryReplace the hinges and knobs on those upper cabinetsHang the ironing board to obscure the giant metal fuse box- Get a new light fixture <- DIY something? maybe a small chandelier?
- Add a window treatment (maybe a homemade one?) <— ?
- Add other functional storage near the door for shoes, Burger’s leash, etc
- Hang some art to keep it cheerful
We’re still debating the whole window treatment part, hence the question mark. That window isn’t a privacy issue (you just see the top of the built-ins and the ceiling from outside) and we wonder if even a simple roman shade would just crowd things since the window practically grazes the built-ins and the white trim and mullions are nice and clean on their own. So we’re planning to figure out the light fixture and then make the call.
Anyway, what’s up with you guys? Anyone have an ironing board cover that they’re loving a little too much? Do you have some small projects like new hardware & hinges or a coat of primer & paint that you plan to cross off your to-do list by the end of the weekend? Anyone want to come over and do some laundry with us? Seeing how many people we can pack into our tiny 3.5′ wide space could be a good time. Or a science experiment (my guess is 32 & Sherry’s pushing the envelope with 43).
Psst- We announced this week’s giveaway winner. Click here to see if it’s you.
Psssst- To jog your laundry room memory, so far we’ve replaced the washer/dryer, taken down window shutters & cluttered shelves along with frosting the door (all here), filled some ceiling cracks, painted the room, and added some built-ins.
Sarah @The Ugly Duckling House says
There’s a science to shopping at HobLob – if it’s not 50% off, wait a week, and it will be!
It’s truly how I shop there. Everything usually goes on a half off sale just about every other week, and switches off with other times that go 50% off the next. Scrapbook paper and jewelry beads for sure I know is an every other week thing, and things like artist’s paint brushes are more of a once-per-month deal.
YoungHouseLove says
I love it. I’ll have to start paying more attention. I usually do the same thing (walk away and come back another time if it’s not 50% off). Just haven’t quite mastered the schedule, so it’s hit or miss.
xo,
s
Monica M says
Can I vote for a bamboo roman with your grellow room? We have that combo in our bathroom and it looks so happy! See pic below: http://photos.allentate.net/Triangle/Med/591/1794527J.JPG
YoungHouseLove says
Very cute! Yet another possibility!
xo,
s
Leah says
beautiful!
Hey Sherdog, I’m visioning frosted glass with a swag over the window. Starting the scarf by the cabinets (fixed to one of those small white screw-hooks) and draping it over a pretty little thing (high and wide ;) over the open corner.
A thin bright fabric, fluffed nicely, hanging as low as you want it. No storage interference and a good way to make a small space look airy, imho~
PS- Thook-y….
Carrie says
Gotta vote for Sherri’s way of hanging the ironing board. It does look upside down the other way! :-)
Mandy Lynn says
Laundry board pointing UP! I’m with Sherry on this one. I mean, yes, it doesn cover the box better hanging the other way. It just looks upside down! It would drive me a little nuts-o haha.
Have to say, I love, love that you thought to use coat hooks to hang it, though! It’s like, ingenious.
I vote for a roman shade on the window…and I’d go with pink champagne colored one, if John is still being cool with the pinky side of things! I think it’s an awesome complement to the grellow, and might help the cute new knobs stand out a little more in pictures ;)
Off to Etsy I go….I’m in freaking love with that ironing board cover! <3
kelly says
i like it hung sherry’s way better even though john’s covers the box.
threadbndr says
I’m with Sherry – point up. And it’s harder to take down if the weight of the wide end is on the hooks. I have my ironing board on hooks in the linen closet, and I want to replace them with hooks like yours – they are so much nicer!
Glad to see somebody else recommended the teflon sheets. I use those all the time when using fuseables. Another idea is parchment paper. I use the teflon under everything and the parchment paper on top – you can sort of see through it, but the bottom of your iron is still protected.
Amy Jackson says
Have to vote for John’s upside down way b/c it covers more of the fuse box, otherwise I’d be for the smaller end up. Sorry $herdog.
Hooked on Hickory says
you guys, it looks awesome! i love how you hung the board up! we were considering doing the same! great way to showcase your fancy shmancy cover! glad you got rid of the eyeballs, the pink diamonds are much more up to par! can’t wait to see it in all it’s glory!
ashley
Hilary says
No champagne for Sherry? Does she drink red wine? I don’t watch true blood but it would be funny to drink some cab while watching. Mwaaaa aaah ahhhh (that’s my vampire noise)
YoungHouseLove says
I definitely enjoy a glass of champagne, just never had the pink kind. Yet. Haha. But red wine. Yes please. Just a glass though. I’m a lightweight.
xo,
s
SushiMama says
I’m with Sherry and like the ironing board pointing “up”. But, the nice thing is- you can have it either way. Maybe whoever irons last gets to decide which way it goes when they put the board away:)
Lauren says
Silly John…everyone knows that ironing boards get hung up pointing UP! I’m with Sherry on this one. The other way is way too weird-looking!
Brittany says
My laundry room is about the same size as my master bedroom, 12×12. And the laundry room is connected to the bedroom by a 12×5 walk in closet. So our plan is to knock out one wall of the closet and expand our bedroom and getbsome build in closets from Ikea to put in e laundry room. Inspiration from Pinterest:
http://pinterest.com/pin/53121733/
YoungHouseLove says
Gorgeous!
xo,
s
Anne says
Oooo Season 3!! Well at least you’re through Season 2 and the crazy goddess lady! Season 4 is now on HBO. We look forward to every Sunday night at 9pm! Even though it’s kind of like porn.
Carolyn says
” the place where ugly stuff goes to be ugly” – For some reason I’m loving that line! You guys are awesome writers. :)
Oh, and I have to agree with Sherry on the ironing board. It does look upside down and weird the other way. (Hey, at least I gave you a compliment before disagreeing with you, right?)
How about whoever does the ironing last gets to decide which way it hangs? Slight motivation to get that chore done…
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, I think it’ll turn into a battle of wills. Up or down. Who will prevail? Haha.
xo,
s
Cristy says
I think that Sherry’s way w/the point going up looks better.
Joy Hughes says
I like the ironing board pointed down… and no curtains on the window! Beautiful (tiny) laundry room you’ve got there!
Susan says
An ironing board cover I purchased from Target came with a matching drawstring bag that I was irrationally excited about. A free drawstring bag!! I’ve since ditched the ironing board cover, but I still use the bag to carry small knitting projects around in my purse. And I used that bag as a pattern to make other small project bags. I am rocking the cool over here.
Karen says
Totally upside down and weird! I thought that before he even wrote it. Also, please no spoilers! We are only on disk 2 of season 3. ;)
Whitney says
John, I know you already do most of the laundry, but you must really want to take over the ironing duties too… With your pointy-end-down configuration, the ironing board is pretty top-heavy. As soon as Sherry bonks her head once or twice trying to get it down, she’ll hand you the iron! Good thing you are manly enough to rock the color pink!
Nicole says
I’m with Sherry! Ironing board facing up all the way. When I saw the first picture with it “John’s way”, I immediately thought, “oh no, they are ‘those’ kind of people”. I love your knob sketch a la Bill Compton. You need to cruise through the rest of season 3, because season 4 is just awesome. Just when you think “what else could they do?” they whip out the truely weird stuff.
Sarah says
Beautiful! Pink has started to make an appearance/come-back in our house too.(http://modernranch.blogspot.com/2011/07/okay-girls-lets-talk-pink.html)
Planning a little laundry face-lift this weekend myself- thanks for the extra inspiration!
P.S. I vote for upside down iron…
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- love those cool pink pillows!
xo,
s
Kim says
I think the ironing board is a he, because it is WELL HUNG :). Also, with all of the divisions, frosting the window could be a PANE. Happy Friday!
YoungHouseLove says
You’re punny today Kim. And I for one appreciate that.
xo,
s
Leslie says
Wow. The room looks great. I love the ironing board fabric.
Megan says
Ha! This post and the “how’s it hanging?” have me laughing like an idiot alone in my office. I wonder if they know I’m not doing any work? I prefer the ironing board up.
Usha says
Simple changes can make such a difference – it looks crisp & fresh now. And oh, just wondering why you guys didnt re-use the wheeled storage cart from your old laundry room? It just seemed so clean & streamlined in your old space.
YoungHouseLove says
We actually left that behind. We wanted that laundry room to stay sweet so bringing it over felt kind of wrong since it wasn’t thick enough to work with the area next to the washer and we had plans for those built-ins anyway. I know, we’re so weird!
xo,
s
Abbie says
Love the room–and the new ironing board cover! I recently put down an ironing board cover after an incident with something very sticky. Recommend a teflon pressing sheet for future no-sew hem tape adventures. So far, no more messes!
YoungHouseLove says
Love the teflon pressing sheet tip! Never heard of one of those until today!
xo,
s
Ali says
I think if you hang the board skinny end down (John’s way), you’ll be channeling your “inner Bret” ala his white box design with the bombers!
GreenInOC says
I think that the ironing board being upside down covers the fuse box completely so I like the look of it.
I also think that the ironing board being upside down would make it unwieldy to take down – there is typically space between the top and the hanger/wall to put your hand behind it and grab but upside down it doesn’t appear that the space is there.
I say that John’s way wins since he is going to take on ALL ironing with his victory. Right? You did say that, right John?!
I actually think that small spot calls for a board that would be recessed into the wall. Usually those boards are 1/2 size, but look at this one I found with a swiveling full size board. Bonus: you could use the adorable ironing board cover!
http://buymylakehome.com/inside-the-house/laundry-room/
YoungHouseLove says
Those little fold down boards are fun but we both realized we’d never iron in there (we like a little more room to flap our arms or something, haha). As for the board, we’ve taken it down and hung it up a bunch of times just to test the hooks and take pics and stuff and so far it’s easy to grab and remove and pop back on there (there’s a smidge of space to wrap fingers around and grab it so it’s not stuck to the wall or anything). Hard to tell from the pics though!
xo,
s
Amy Brewer says
I hope someone else has not already suggested this…If you want a little more pop of color in there you could always spray paint the bottom of the ironing board, maybe a bright pink? I saw on another blog where someone had spray painted the bottom of their ironing board in their sewing room red and it was AWESOME!
YoungHouseLove says
That would be really fun! I think we’ll wait to see what we do with the light fixture and the art and then decide if we need more color or like the clean white look!
xo,
s
Jessica says
I’m with team sherry for the ironing board. Somehow pointed John’s way it’s just not as pleasing to my eye, like it’s too crowded with the legs and the hooks and the end of the board being all close together, whereas the other way there is a comfortable amount of space between everything. Apparently in my mind ironing boards are claustrophobic. weird, I know.
Dara Jarvis says
Hands down, it needs to point up. I am on team Sherry! Very cute – loving the laundry room. Are you going to add a cute little rug?
YoungHouseLove says
I definitely am keeping an eye out. They’re harder to find than you think! Especially since something too thick interferes with the door opening and closing!
xo,
s
Maggie says
“Then she said something about pink diamonds but I tuned her out.” <—-LMBO You two are just so gosh darn hilarious!
I'm with John – point her down!
angel p says
I haven’t read the other replies yet so this may have already been suggested but perhaps you can contact the seller at Etsy and see if she has any more of the fabric from your cover and you can make a small valance for the window. You wouldn’t need much fabric and it really pops nicely against your grellow.
Also, I have to have the ironing board pointing up. Of course, right now all I have is a small portable ironing board since my big one’s leg decided to give out and not stand anymore. :(
YoungHouseLove says
Hunting down more of that fabric is definitely a possibility if we hang the art and a new light and decide it can use more color/pattern in there!
xo,
s
Amelia says
I think I vote for the Sherry-way (sorry, John!) – also, I was just curious what you all are doing with the laundry basket that was in the laundry room originally?
YoungHouseLove says
That’s usually in there when it’s not in the living room full of to-be-folded-clothes. Haha. Eventually we thought it would be fun to upgrade to a pretty woven basket or something for that, but for now the little $3 plastic one is still in rotation!
xo,
s
Susan says
Definitely pointing down! :)
Tina says
Having the ironing board lady-wife’s way doesn’t actually seem to fully cover the fuse box… which was the intention of hanging it over it anyway, right?
Gotta go with the hubby’s direction here :)
Great cover btw! The fabric looks familiar…. trying to place it………..but can’t. shux.
Gracie says
I vote to keep it John’s way. I have to admit it looks upside down to me, but I have seen it placed like that in hotels before. Plus it hides the fuse box that way.
Love the cover. I had no idea they sale ironing board covers on etsy. So fun!!
heather says
I LOVE my Chic Country Mouse ironing board cover! I went out of my comfort zone and got a big bold bright flowered one that I absolutely addooorree. It’s perfect! I’ve had a draft in my blog to do about it haha.
Nicole says
Pointing up, for sure!!!
Sarah says
Sorry, John, but I’m with Sherry on the ironing board direction. It does look upside down and weird. I noticed it immediately in the close-up picture before the side-by-side comparison. The laundry room is looking great though!
T.D. says
if there’s a vote on which way the ironing board should hang- my vote is John’s way (sorry Sherry) because it seems to hide the fuse box better.
Alex M says
Love the fabric! but I have to side with John on the hanging direction. Skinny side down is the way to go. The other way makes the hooks look too far apart!
P.S. I just wanted to let you know that I love your blog and all of the neat things you guys share. I’m a new reader, so every time a read a post that has some links to older posts or other neat things to read (most of them) I end up with about 12 tabs on my browser of other things to look at by the time I’m done the original post! As the owners of a brand spankin’ new house, most of what we are doing is trying to make our house feel like ours and less like everyone else’s, and this has definitely been an inspiration as well as motivation! We even ventured in to making a pot rack out of an old ladder for our not so spacious kitchen!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks for the kind words Alex. So glad you found us and good luck with your place!
xo,
s
elaine says
I love it! So cute :). I’ve got to admit that I like the board Sherry’s way better… but you were on’board’ with the pink diamond knobs and pink cover so I’ll give you my vote for the official tally. We all know in the end that Sherry will just sneak in when you’re not looking and switch it anyway (atta girl!).
Annalea says
Speaking of light fixtures, have you guys ever Googled for capiz shell pieces? I found a few sources for predrilled square pieces (you could DIY a smaller version of that amazing West Elm one that Sherry has the hots for).
Can’t wait to see what you’re up to!
YoungHouseLove says
Now you’re speaking my language. I definitely want to play with capiz somewhere in our house!
xo,
s
Janelle says
Sorry John, but Sherry’s right — it’s upside down and weird.
Langley says
I think you can check off “Hang some art to keep it cheerful” too — that ironing board looks like an art installation. It’s cheerful and patterned!
Christine says
Pointing up! The ironing board, that is. I think it looks better that way, and isn’t it also easier to lift off that way? With the heavier end towards the floor?
I like all the little touches in there, and good for you for treating yourself to a fresh, cute ironing board cover.
YoungHouseLove says
Alas, John and I compared removing it in either direction and it’s pretty equal. I really thought I might win that debate though. Somehow it seems to be equally heavy even though the nose is skinnier on one end. So strange.
xo,
s
Katie says
Gotta go with $herdog on this one…I think it looks weird when it’s upside down (read: narrow-end-down), too! I love how you think of details, and what a difference those details (like the knobs) make in the room. Reminds me to think of the little things when decorating.
tallin says
Pointing down!
Less likely that the ironing board will whack you in the face when you’re taking it down, too!