Laundry Room Reveal

Originally Posted October 2011

Last week I was pretty quiet on the blogging front, but for a very good reason. I have completed my new and improved laundry room. It was a lot of work (isn't everything with two very small boys?), I mean ugly work. You know, the kind of work when your sweaty, your hair is in a messy pony tail, you've got hubby's old paint cover t-shirts on. Yes... It was ugly work, but soooo worth it. I am in love with my new space. Come on, let me give you a tour.

This was the view from the door... Remember?

Booooooo!

This is what my space looks like now. I breath a little happy sigh whenever I enter now.

I chose to go with Behr's Burnt Almond. I had hopes of maybe Honest Blue because we had some left over from another project, but it was flat and I needed a semi-gloss. I also toyed with the idea of pink stripes because I love all things pink... But my husband (who is not into pink as much as I am) shot that idea down pretty quickly. Pshhh, like he even does laundry... Anyway, we have Burnt Almond in our main living areas so I knew I would love it.

When I first decided to re-do my laundry room, I really thought about how to make it as functional as possible. I knew it needed to be easy to clean, and organized. I also wanted to make sure I could neatly and nicely find a home for everything. Enter baskets! I found these baskets at Walmart. They came in sets of three. I bought two sets... I used some of the extras in other areas of my home.

I replaced the wire shelf with this Lack shelf from Ikea.  While I was at it, I lowered it to make it more functional for me.  I'm actually 5' 7" and I still had to get on my tippy toes to reach the other shelf.

I also made this valance from some curtains we weren't using.  I just cut the bottom off and used hemming tape because I'm not a big sewer.   I added these cute flowers made from an old t-shirt. I followed this tutorial from Delightful Order.  I adjusted mine a bit for the size I wanted.

I knew I wanted to use glass jars to hold my borax, lol... I typically store clothespins with my craft things. But this idea from Delightful Order was so cute, they have a new home in the laundry room.

My little painted jar vases are one of my favorite additions to the laundry room. I made different shades of pink with some leftover paint from my craft room. After the jars were painted I just wrapped some hemp cord around the opening, and used hot glue to hold it in place. I think they add the perfect touch of femininity and are perfect for holding my roses. They were super easy and wallet friendly too.

I added storage over my sink because (in my very humble oponion) sponges laying on the sink looks sloppy.  My bloggy friend MeMe gave me the great idea to save cute jars and paint the lid to hold things. I think I'm going to keep the loose change I find in one, and possibly sewing things in the other. No, I'm not a big sewer, but I can replace a button or fix a sock with a hole.

I found lots of cute missing socks ideas on Pinterest. I made this one using chalk board spray paint, a dollar store frame, and my new favorite craft purchase... Chalk ink markers. I tied the ribbon to little screws I put in the wall and used my clothespins to clip some socks... Is it crazy that only my husbands socks ended up here.  

I used the same method and materials to make some wall cute wall art.  BTW, do you see the red handle from my mop sitting there in the corner.  I need to keep it there, when the dogs drink they make a huge mess and I need it close, also the floor get s mopped once a week.  I just haven't been able to figure out a place to put it.  I thought of hanging it but the hole in the handle is awkward and won't hang right on the hooks I have.  Any ideas out there?

Latoya over at the Scott's crib made some super cute wall art using toilette paper. I borrowed that idea and made some fun wall flowers. Perhaps I'll add a how to later this week. I added a few for some cute accents around the space.

And one more pic just because I love it so!

So that's it, hope you enjoyed my little tour (well, I guess that was an exteamly long tour).  Now for my next project... Hmmmm, I'm thinking some mudroom love.  What do you think?

I'm linking to:

Making the World Cuter Monday

Kitchen Command Center Complete... Kind Of.

Okay... so remember when I laid out a list of projects to do around the house, then remember when Irene came around I said I completed a project that deserved it's own post.  Well, this is that post!  I'm super excited (you're probably not as excited as I am, but that's ok) to show you my completed (kind of) Kitchen Command Center... YAY!

Alright.. now for a little before.

Sorry for the bad lighting... couldn't get the flash to work, and it was dark outside.

Yes... not too bad, I guess.  I did clear it off and make it neater when guest would come over though.  I had an outdated desk calendar, speakers from a computer I don't have anymore, piles of mail, and an incomplete home management binder stuffed there.  The insides of the cabinets was just a kind of throw it area... you know when you can't figure out where to put something.  It's funny we've been in this house for about 2 years now and I never thought to do more with this area in my kitchen.  I used to think,  "Why do I need a kitchen office when we have an office in another room?" or "This will make a great homework area one day when the boys go to school."  Then I saw a really similar area on Delightful Order and I was like oooooh is that what that's for... hehhehe.  So I shopped around my house for some supplies and did a little shopping at Walmart and the Dollar Tree.

The night when Irene came to visit, while my husband sat glued to the news.  I did this.  Just like any organizing project... 1. decide what you'll use the space for.  2. Clear out, purge, group like items together. 3. Find a specific home for everything.  4. Make it pretty. : ).

Here's a little tour of my new Command Center.

In cabinets to the left I have all the chargers, then a small bin for hubby to drop things, the green basket has medicine so I don't have to run upstairs in case a guest needs some.  lol... at the top are some boxes that my hubby will not let go of.  Why he needs them I'll never know.

On the right I keep most of the things I use for preschool at home.  The pink binder has lesson plans and printables.  I have my label maker and tapes (I still need to get a small bin to keep it in).  I also keep a stash of lotions and yes... deodorant... don't laugh.  The red basket has little things I collect that may get used for activities with Munchkin and Bear: bottle caps, buttons, sample packages of model magic... etc.

When I was organizing all my print photos,  I found a family pic with a year at a glance calendar.  I was like PERFECT!!! (in my sing song voice).  I repurposed my outdated desk calendar and turned it into a cute cork board.  At some point I'll post a toturial.  The green box has lots of compartments.  I have lots of pens & pencils, dry erase markers, and sharpies.  It also holds action items that come in the mail.  Not bills, but other things that need to be taken care of.  I also keep tape and scissors in it.  So far Munchkin can't reach them, and yes he's tried.  The silver mesh box came from my craft room and now holds keys and I.D. badges.  I used to keep the flowers on my kitchen table, but I thought they were a perfect finishing touch for the Command Center.  Finally you'll see my home management binder.  I finally finished it and have been using it for about a month.  It's awesome.  I strongly recommend this to anyone trying to organize a family.  I will be posting a step by step in the coming weeks, and sharing my section print outs if anyone is interested.

Just another angle, because I am so excited ; )

I keep menus in the right side drawer.

The center has a few extra office supplies, thank you cards, and my coupons.

I haven't exactly figured out what to do with this drawer.  Right now it has a bag that needs to be returned to Home Depot.  Like I said this command center in kind of complete.  I also am not sure how to utilize the cabinets on the bottem.  Possibly product manuals.. hmmm.. we'll see.  Underneath I keep my bag, diaper bag, and hubby's briefcase when he's home.  It should probably go in the mud room, but that's a whole other project.

And one more money shot : ).

You'll notice there is no chair... that is so no little people can climb.

So that's it folks.  Thanks for stopping by.  Oh yeah, for anyone who cares... I have finally settled on a color for the laundry room.  Burnt Almond by Behr. 


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Progress and a new Project

So a little while back I Told you all about my to do list. Well... Things are moving along nicely. I have completed a few of the tasks. The craft room/guest room closet is done... I even painted it (thanks to The Scott's Crib for the inspiration to do that). I have organized all of the print photos.. Haven't gotten to the scrapbooking part yet... But that will come. My utility closet is complete, and I have created a kitchen command center which I will detail in an up coming post. I'm loving the way things are looking, and I'm feeling all proud of myself... Just like a kid... Lol.

My new focus area is the laundry room. This room I want to totally make over. Come with me as I show you around.

This is the view from the doorway. To the right all laundry.. To the left all dog.

Munchkin likes to "help" do the laundry.

I definitely want to replace the wire shelf. I think I may use this floating one from Ikea.

In an attempt to hide all/most of my supplies I'm also adding a few baskets or bins. I also need to add some kind of window treatment, probably a valance since it's high up and won't attract as much fur. Which brings me to the dogs...

In terms of the dogs... They present a particular challenge in keeping the laundry area clean. The crates are ugly.  I need to find a solution.  Also, have you ever seen Turner & Hooch. You know the shoestring drool. Yes... My dogs have that, and like most dogs they shake all the time... Especially right after they drink water. They also shake (okay this is gross... But I'm keeping it real) ear goo all over.  You can see the speckles all over the walls if you look closely.  It. Is. Disgusting.   Every week I'm magic erasering (my word) my walls to get it off.   With that said, which ever paint I use it will have to be glossy. It has to be easy to clean. I also need to come up with something to contain all of their other things: leashes, meds, cleaners... Etc.

The sink area is a whole other issue. I need a place to house all of the little things that collect there. Scissors, sponges, loose change... It all needs a place to go.

That'd be Mr. Blue hanging out.

I also want to add some fun laundry art. Perhaps some wooden letters, or clothes pin craft. We'll see.

Here is some of the inspiration I've collected from around the web. 

Dani NK via Pinterest

I don't really use clothespins (except for crafting) but I may add this just for the visual look.   

                 

I think this is such a funny and cute idea.  Pinmarket via Pinterest

Maybe not 4 rows... but definitely 1.     houzz.com via Pinterest 

I love the idea of all of these... cool thing is, I can actually make them... I think.  

Pinterest via simplecrafter

pinterest via hillcountryhomebody.blogspot.com

I like the hook/knob action on this.  Pinterest via sayitonthewall.com.

I'm thinking I'll be using a sky blue color.  Honest Blue from Behr.  We have lots left over from Munchkin's bathroom, so I'll only have to get one more gallon (glossy of course).  I also like the idea of adding pops of bright yellow throughout.  Wish me luck.

Leiah