We've lived in this home for 20 years. Like most homes built in the 50's, the laundry needs were meant to be very convenient. Not much attention on esthetics, just function. Well, our washer and dryer were CONVENIENTLY placed in the kitchen. Not just in the kitchen, but just as you entered the kitchen, which is right in the front entrance. Can you say "Embarrassing?".... especially when it's lingerie day. Bahaaa
 |
| Laundry area, in the kitchen.... but not for long. |
I always wanted to move them.... anywhere.... I begged Danny to put them in garage, on the back patio... then when we built a large storage unit, I thought. "YES! that'll be the spot." Only to have our favorite plumber tell me that it wouldn't work. No hot water.... blah, blah.... Danny told me to be patient, when he has time and money he knows exactly how to do it.
So, this January, he told me he's going to start framing my laundry room. What is it about this man that likes to surprise me, still. And the framing began... right on our small, rarely used, patio just off the back entry, behind our bedroom. Perfect! He told me that he knew the framework, but the design, color, style..... was all up to me. yay, for me. Let the creative juices flow :)
 |
The framing phase. say bye, bye to back door,
and window to master bedroom. |
 |
| The view from the previous back door. |
So, I immediately started going through my old magazine pages that I've torn out for years. We wanted this room to look like it belonged, not another add-on. So, that means matching the existing structure, colors, styles, etc. So, I found this site;
Houzz and started my idea book. What fun this will be.
When doing my idea book, I found my 'taste' which I didn't know how to do without all the visuals. Of courses, most of these homes are done by designers with higher budgets than ours, but it still gave me the photos and resources I needed to share my ideas with Danny. I have grown to love Houzz site and have created more idea books.... see the winebar, and outside patio books. they're next!
I planned on having white cabinets, like the rest of the house, and match the floor tile with our existing kitchen tile, and the wall color would also match our living room. This came together quite easily. Kyle, our son, was a big help to Danny and he will have so much handyman knowledge for his home, some day.
We did most of the work ourselves, just hiring out the plumbing and stucco work. I
insisted on moving the water heater from our small master bath to the laundry room thus freeing up a spot for more storage in our bathroom. And we hired Amaral's construction to do the finishing stucco to match our 'old' home and he also does a great finish work on the walls in my bedroom and living room. See, we had to take out 2 windows. One in our bedroom and the other from the living room. We reused the living room window in the laundry room, this also make the room look less 'new', more 'old'. My clever hubby.
 |
View from inside our bedroom.
|
In January I have my busy season at work, as a tax preparer... need I say more? So, I'm not sure if this was perfect timing on their part, to keep me a little too busy to stay out of their way. But, that didn't work out, I still helped on the weekends; mostly in the role as "assistant" or "go-for" with the many, many trips to Lowes and Home Depot. Yes, they knew us very well. We never got what we needed the first time.
We do a lot of DIY projects, but we're not pros.
 |
| Insulation.... Itchy phase |
 |
| Sheet Rock Phase |
 |
| Hubby tiling for the first time; but I'm not worried, he can do anything. |
 |
| See, I really did help... just usually was behind the camera :) |
I was quite surprised but choosing the tile and the Formica counter ended up being very easy decisions.
 |
| Kyle fixing his shoe lace on his boots. |
 |
| cabinets and counter top in! |
 |
| Carrying in countertop |
Fast forward to the interior after painting with the
Benjamin Moore, "Monroe Bisque". It has a nice yellow, cream hue.
 |
| Got to have a rod for drying clothes. |
Danny designed and built this coat/hat rack for me.... Always wanted a touch of bead board in the house.
 |
Custom coat/hat rack... Houzz inspired.
|
 |
| All-in-one sink purchase.... great big tub and nice faucet. |
 |
| Found these great lights at the Restore for $20 Each. |
 |
| Riley is not too sure about that door. |
Here's funny scene: Danny wanted the dogs to get use to the doggy door, so he placed treats outside the flap. Zinny would just stick her nose out and bring them back in the house :) Our little one, Riley, would just hit the flap with her paw, and didn't like the quick 'snap' that came back at her. Of course, by the next day, they are flying in and out of that door.... loving their new freedom. Me too! No more accidents while we're gone. yay!
 |
| Danny placed a snack to lure them thru door. |
 |
| Zinny reaching for her snack.(bate) |
 |
| Lots and lots of gallons of paint needed with new stucco. |
The entire project took all of 3 months. I love, love this space. It's all in the details, too: the clothing rod over sink to hang dry, the long counter to fold, the door going outside, the doggy door, the custom coat/hat rack..... also, the lighting from the south window or just knowing that the love and work that was put into this project by my guys.... ahh..
A small collection of some special items on the counter; framed photo of kids blowing bubbles on our front step, candle from my sister for my 50th, and a note pad from a friend.
I have not fully decorated the space, I don't want to put any holes in the walls and I'm a bit of a minimalist.... I guess this will come in time.
I haven't found the perfect area rug, either.
I am waiting on a couple things still.
We're having a custom cabinet built into this odd space by the step,
and I need to figure out the space next to the washer.
Maybe a storage for laundry baskets or just a counter | Soon to be the custom closet and the dogs will try to sleep under... we shall see.
|
|
 |
The old space in the kitchen is going to be a wine storage and glass cabinet.
Danny's already begun the construction.
Stay tuned |
Final Phase.......100% complete!
2/10/14
We like to put our ideas to work, but often times our enthusiasm fizzles and we get about 90% finished. But, this time we've gotten to 100%.... well, at least our version, for now of 100%.
Danny & Kyle constructed a linen/broom closet for the laundry room; complete with spaces for all my brooms and vacuum on 1 side and shelving on the other. the closet space is deeper than normal, so I'll be using deep storage bins that pull all the way out to get to all the extra sheets, towels etc.
My kind and talented 'carpenter'. Always finds time and the way to get our projects done.
The custom made doors from
Cabinet World took 4 weeks to come in, but worth the wait.
