Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Laundry Room Blues No More

*I chose this as my favorite project of 2010*
I am linking it up to the CSI Challenge. This post has been edited from its original version.
Feast your eyes on this:


That is so NOT my laundry room. Sniff, sniff, sob, sob.

We just moved into this house in October
(okay, how much longer can I really use that excuse-we just moved in? We're going on almost 6 months, what is the statute of limitations on it??).
Anyway, there are so many things I love about this house. Great space, great kitchen, great outdoor areas. There are a few things I DON'T love about this house. Truvy's beauty shop for a bedroom, the carpet and the laundry closet.

Yeah, you heard me right, it is a CLOSET. In my wonderful 2900 square foot house, I have a laundry closet! Anyway my A-Z Decorating has inspired me to get it spruced up just in time for "L" week:

Now that I tricked you by that amazing laundry room, here is what I get to look at every time I do laundry:


Wait for it....


Open the door slowly, so not to run screaming...


AAAHHHHH, TOO LATE, TOO LATE!!


Please, I can't take it anymore!!!

Really, people. You can be honest with me. It is pretty bad huh? Did you notice the cinderblock walls? The two by fours? What about the fuse box?
But look in that picture above. See that glass jar right above the light switch? That was my little pretty that I focused on and that is where I started with my inspiration.

Once I got going, it was really simple. I found a $5 light fixture (my daughter hated it, at first) and painted the yucky brass parts ORB. The globe has a pretty cool floral pattern on it that looks nice when the light is on.

Next I sewed some VERY simple burlap curtains.
(So simple in fact that the back panel is super crooked-I just block it with that tin finial thing).
I used tension rods to hang the rods on the three walls. When I got the curtains up, I felt like something was missing, so in true "Nester" fashion I "mistreated" those curtains by hot gluing some floral fabric and ribbon to them.
Yes, I can sew, but I did not feel like dragging my sewing machine out. It was kind of freeing to do it "the wrong way." And you cannot tell one single bit. I didn't even turn the fabric under to hide the raw edge, I just covered it with the ribbon--I was living on the edge!

After adding some accessories (a tray, my glass jar, a glass container for my dryer sheets and a PLASTIC cruet for my fabric softener) Also, the glass votive holds change and random legos that I find leftover in pockets or the washing machine. VOILA!


Because my laundry space is a CLOSET, I was really lacking a folding space. One night I had the brilliant idea to remove the fold-down desk from my computer armoire and it works great:


While there is one more thing I would like to add (thanks to an amazing idea from Sausha:

(Which I hope to gets hubby on ASAP)

Here is the after:

I added "Wash" and "Dry" signs on the doors, in case I forget where the laundry closet is.






Here is a shot of the table folded down. The great thing is that I can see the TV from this angle!



To save your clicker finger, let's take one more look.
BEFORE:

AFTER:

I have redone several rooms in this house, but this one by far has provided the biggest change to date (Truvy's beauty shop is coming next, I can't wait for you to see it) so I am using this post as my fav project of March. Come visit at Beneath My Heart and see what others chose as their favs!


Come by the CSI Challenge and see some other great projects!
Visit thecsiproject.com

50 comments:

  1. I am sooo impressed! Nice work with such a small place, I would have never thought I could transform that like you have! Thank you for sharing.

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  2. It looks awesome girl! Just so organized and eye-pleasing now! I have an awkward laundry space myself...come make mine better?!

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  3. Awesome transformation! The fabric idea was great!

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  4. it looks ah.maze.ing! i have been wanting to re-do my laundry room too...thanks for the ideas!!!!

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  5. Molly -
    It looks sooo much better! I love those burlap curtains you used. What a great idea!!! Wonderful project!

    XOOX
    Jen

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  6. This is truly fantastic! This just goes to show that any space (no matter what size or shape) can be prettified! I love it!

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  7. I forgot...you're funny!!

    I read your quick profile, and we are very similar. I teach, and I finished my Master's two years ago. I remember thinking I would NEVER get through it with a family to take care of. It will get better--someday! :)

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  8. Very nice! I love the signs on the out side of the doors... Too cute... :O)

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  9. What an awesome transformation! Love that fabric with the burlap!

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  10. Clever!
    ve-errry clever.

    I like the way you utilized the space you had- and I especially like the folding table.
    Great idea.

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  11. LOL you sure had me! That's one smart idea with the material in the back. Very cool! I'm right behind you with this laundry thing.

    Thanks for linking up to SNS!
    FJ Donna

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  12. Wow! WOW!!!!

    That is amazing!

    I am adding something TODAY to my laundry room to put the little things in that I find in my boys pockets: crayons, playmobil people, screws (um, where did those come from?), rocks, etc. Great idea!

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  13. Very nice! I hate to admit it, but my laundry area looks almost exactly like your "before" shot, only it's not a closet, just a corner of the basement. Ugh. You did a great job, I'm feeling inspired!
    Smiles, Karen

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  14. Wow wonderful job. This looks awesome!

    I'm featuring a necklace tutorial and giveaway. I'd love it if you stopped by my blog!

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  15. I too have laundry room envy! I am so impressed with what you did! Talk about taking you lemons and making delicous, amazing lemonade! ;) I love it! Great job :)

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  16. You did great with such a small space. My washer and dryer are in a closet in my game room. Not much to decorate or work with but lucky for me...I have a great big folding table for the clothes called a pool table. Thanks for sharing. I love the fabric behind the washer and dryer.

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  17. That's a fantastic transformation!!

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  18. ok that is just the cutest thing evah!!! What a great idea! You go girl!!

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  19. Great job! So much better after!

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  20. Molly that is just so neat! You amaze me....Really! I think I will dismember my armoir and use my fold down table for something useful! that would make me WANT to do the laundry for 6 people! I love it!

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  21. I am so very impressed with your creativity! This closet looks a hundred times better! I have a very, very small laundry room/closet too. Your makeover probably makes doing laundry a little more enjoyable. (is that possible?)
    :)
    Thanks so much for linking up to my party!
    Blessings,
    Traci

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  22. wonderful transformation ... i really need to do something to my little laundry area and your photos are very inspiring!

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  23. well it looks alot better and i love the trim or ribbon you have on the curtains.

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  24. Molly, I wish I could shake your hand because you are a freakin' genius! Seriously, you're a mind boggling genius!!

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  25. Wow, you did a great job with that small space. Maybe you could come over and fix up my laundry room LOL.

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  26. I saw the before and thought - how in the world is she going to do this space? You totally transformed it and it looks lovely!

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  27. You surely did a great transformation! What I like about your laundry room is that it is small...you have no room for things on the floor...like I do right now! Joni

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  28. Love it! I've been using the excuse "I'm building a house" for six years now..

    What are you doing this weekend? Wanna come help me do a little fixing up?

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  29. It looks awesome! Can't believe you have containers for soap and fabric softener....Am I the only person who just uses out of the CTCI?

    Container They Come In...actually, I make my own, but still the storage containers are pretty lame.;-)

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  30. What a wonderful transformation. It makes me think...

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  31. Too much! I can't imagine expending that much energy on my laundry area. I guess I'm just too utilitarian.

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  32. What a pretty laundry room/closet! :-) My washer and dryer are in the unfinished section of my walk out basement. They are next to two big windows, so I get lots of natural light. But it's still a basement, with poured concrete walls.

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  33. OH! and I forgot to say that I love how you put the laundry soap in a glass container! Really pretty that way!

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  34. Love your ideas for Laundry detergent and softener containers!

    A great post for Alphabe-Thursday's letter "L"!

    A+

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  35. Wow! What a transformation!! You did a great job! This is my first time participating in alphabet Thursday! What fun!

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  36. Great update! Love the containers you used for your laundry soaps and softeners. My laundry area is right inside the back door. No door to shut on it. I love how you can just close it up.

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  37. Wow! Such simple changes, but they make such a HUGE difference. My laundry "room" is in the front of the garage. Finally got DH to put up a wall, but it still looks like a nasty garage. Thanks for some inspiration. Kathy

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  38. You made that closet one very chic Laundry room! Great job and very clever!!!

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  39. Great transformation! Now you can enjoy doing laundry.

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  40. what a great makeover for such a small space :D

    my dh thinks it is sick how much i covet the new spacey washers and dryers LOL :D

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  41. i love your makeover! i also love the idea of the folding table attached to the door..i just might steal that!

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  42. Ah, turns the work into a wee bit of pleasure. Great job!

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  43. Wow - what a change. You'd get an A+ for making the most of what you have - anyone would like a nice little work area like that!

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  44. Amazing! You are incredibly creative and resourceful. It looks lovely. I like the way you talked about focusing on a little pretty to inspire the project. Great job.

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  45. this is, hands down, the most beautiful, inviting laundry room I've ever seen! I'd by dying to do my laundry in there! Love it!

    PS - Love your blog name too!
    Best!

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  46. That is an incredible transformation and you definitely deserve the "top 10" rating that you got on The CSI Project! Amazing!

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  47. THis is fabulous! I love how quick and easy it was. The fold down folding table is a fantastic idea. This is SO getting bookmarked in my "laundry room" folder. Yup, I'm a little obsessed... one day I'll decorate mine! lol

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