One Room Challenge: Laundry Room
Kismet (\kiz-met) : fate, a power that is believed to control what happens in the future
Do you believe in kismet? I am a firm believer; in fact, ‘kismet’ is one of my all-time favorite words which I regularly employ to explain those occurrences that just seem ‘meant to be.’ So surely kismet is the force behind an email I received today from a blogging friend of mine (Jenny at Paint Yourself a Smile) asking if I was going to participate in Calling it Home’s One Room Challenge. The One Room Challenge is a biannual event in which 20 design bloggers take a room and transform it within 6 weeks. The event is also open to ‘guest bloggers’ to join in and transform a room of their own…the more the merrier. Bloggers are encouraged to document their progress each Thursday, meaning that the internet will be chock full of great renovations for the next 5 Thursdays…a decorating bonanza for sure! So here’s the kismet part…I had planned a trip to Home Depot this morning to search out paint chips, countertops, rugs, etc… to transform my sad laundry room. Unfortunately, the skies literally opened up as I neared Home Depot, so I postponed the visit until tomorrow. When I got home I checked my email and saw this message from Jenny…clearly kismet was talking. The more I thought about it, taking the One Room Challenge will keep me motivated to stay on task and get this job done. So, One Room Challenge: Laundry Room …You’re on! Challenge Accepted!
It’s one thing when you move into a home and you slowly transform someone’s room mistake to make it your own. It’s entirely a different thing when the ugly room is your own doing, which is the case for this laundry room.
I’m really a little embarrassed to put it out there for the world to see, but here it is, in all its NOT glory! I’m sure that by disclosing my decorating DON’T I’m somehow improving upon some component of my mental health…not sure what it is, but I’m buying that theory.
So, let me just explain why it’s so ugly. When we built 13 years ago, I had young kids and thought it’d be fun to have a bright, fun entry to and from the house. The floor was originally black and white tile, which was ‘kinda cute’ with the green walls and countertops. But the black and white didn’t hold up to the traffic, so the floor was switched to this very utilitarian tile several years back and I just kind of ‘stopped seeing’ the garish green against the brown floors. So now that I’ve tried to explain away why it looks so bad, let’s move on to how to make it better.
I clearly need to work with the beige/brown tile floors, so I’m basing the rest of the room off of the floor. This floor, while maybe not the prettiest, is just about perfect for the laundry room, which also doubles as the entry to and exit from our home 99% of the time. It’s also the room in which our pets are fed, where Puddles’ litter box is housed and where I wash all of my paintbrushes.
We have cubbies on one side of the wall in which we deposit our book bags, purses, etc… I plan to organize the cubbies so that they look less messy and unorganized. Galvanized containers are what I’m planning on using for this organization.
I know I’ll be painting the walls, but I may also paint the back of the cubbies…I’ll see once I paint the walls. I also want to figure out some way to disguise Puddles’ litter box…need to noodle on that.
So glad it won’t be pouring tomorrow because I need to get myself to Home Depot and continue to plot the re-do of my Laundry Room. I’m so glad Jenny suggested the One Room Challenge to me…it’s got me motivated and it’ll be fun to see what everyone else is doing.
Make sure to view the next week’s post about me refinishing the countertops in my laundry room. (Spoiler alert: I love the way they turned out!)
Thanks again for spending a few minutes of your busy day with me today.
Please know that I welcome each and every comment that comes my way.
This sounds like a great way to accomplish what you wanted to do anyways, Lynn! Plus you’ll probably get more exposure. I’m looking forward to seeing it from beginning to end. I’ve resumed work on our bathroom since returning home. About done with it except for one wall of shiplap and changing the mirror out. I haven’t even approached my husband about these last two things. I really need to find the right time and now isn’t it…LOL!
Timing is EVERYTHING Carol! Will he be doing the shiplap? Oh, I can’t wait to see that!
Without a doubt this ‘challenge’ will keep me motivated, so it’s definitely a good thing. You’ll have to do it next time…it’s right up your alley!
Thanks for swinging by today Carol.
Many Hugs, Lynn
Your laundry room is so spacious! Most of us would love to have this. And you have some great stuff in there already. I was laughing at your comment on not being able to blame mistakes on the previous owner. Oh my goodness, we have all been there. I can’t wait to see what you come up with. I am cheering you on!!! Hugs, Jenny
Thanks Jenny…I’m right in the midst of re-doing it. How’s yours coming? So far so good…so glad you gave me the kick I needed to get busy on it…but now I’ve come up with even more ideas…you know how that is. So far, Terry’s with me on it…we’ll see how long that lasts if I keep adding ideas!
Hugs, Lynn
Oh, Lynn, I wish I had your laundry room! I love all that space, but I must admit I can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with! Those cubbies are so great for storage and galvanized containers will look great in them for sure! What a fun challenge, hey? So exciting! Have a great weekend, hugs!!!
I have to admit that my laundry room is well laid out, just not well decorated. The cubbies are so very handy as I really don’t like having clutter around. I’m already full into the re-do…excited to see how it all comes together.
Hugs, Lynn
Hi Lynn,
I had a laundry room similar to this one. I’m mentally planning how I would update….lol. I’m anxious to see your progress. I’m sure it will be great.
Thanks Gail! I’m smack in the midst of figuring out paint colors…which I really find very stressful! UGH!!! But I’m persevering and will end up with something. Thank heavens Home Depot has all those small sample sizes…think I’m going to go through a bunch of them before this is done.
Hi Gail…Well, I’m right in the midst of picking out paint colors! (and having a hard time! I’m one of those who has a hard time making decisions!) I did make some progress on my counters though! I’m certainly plugging along.
I am so glad you stopped by for a visit and took the time to leave your very kind comments! I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.
Hugs, Lynn
Sounds like a fun way to get yourself motivated and get it done. You have a nice big laundry room can’t wait to see the finished version. I bet it will be beautiful. We need to get back into working on our master bath. We have redone the previous owners mistakes in 3 bedrooms, kitchen, hallways and den so far. It’s lots of work but fun making it your own.
Hi Linda…well…I’m smack in the middle of it! Tickled with how my counters turned out, but struggling with the paint now. Story of my life…making decisions is not my strong suit.
Thanks so much for swinging by today and leaving your kind comment.
Wishing you a lovely Tuesday!
Hugs, Lynn
I would love to have a laundry room big enough to have those cubbies. I am sure it is going to look great, I look forward to watching the progress.
Thanks for swinging by. I love the functionality of my laundry room…it really serves as a mudroom/entry/exit/staging/pet eating area. It really is very useful, just a little too….green. I’m having a fun time working on it.
See you next week.
Lynn
Lynn this is going to be so much fun! I love seeing people’s ORC’s!! I love the patterns and colors you have picked. I can definitely see you painting the back of the cubbies. Don’t knock yourself for the state of the room, people’s tastes change and what worked 10 years ago or even five may not work now. Look at it as an opportunity to document where you are now! Looking forward to this!!
Hi Mary…you are right…I was at a different place with young kids and my whole way of thinking was ‘fun’. But fun doesn’t need to be puce green…right? I do love the idea of painting the back of the cubbies…the only thing holding me back…it’s oil paint! UGH! We’ll see, it’s still on the table.
Thanks for coming by!
Hugs, Lynn
Your laundry room is going to be stunning.
What a generous sized space! I can’t wait to see what you do next week.
You have a beautiful design plan.
Thank you for sharing this at Thoughts of Home on Thursday.
Laura
White Spray Paint
TOHOT
Hi Laura, it really is a good size and very functional. It just needs to be less…green. It’s getting there! I’m plugging away and making progress. Thanks for swinging by and leaving your kind comments. They are much appreciated.
Hugs, Lynn
Lynn, I am so excited to see what you come up with for your one room challenge. When I saw that you and Jenny were both getting involved I was excited because I love your style. LOL at least I love your style now… Teasing, seriously. I can understand wanting to have a bright laundry room, mine is actually Sunkist Orange with white trim and appliances. How can you be sad in a bright laundry room? At least that’s what I tried to tell myself! Really excited to see what you come up with I will be heading over to your blog on Thursday to check it out.
Hello Nikki, as always, it’s so good to hear from you. So yeah…I did like the green, especially with the black and white floors, but just outgrew it. Kate actually put it best; she said it was the perfect room to come home to from kindergarten because it was bright and fun. But guess it’s time to move on. Are you still enjoying your orange room? Just spent a great girl’s weekend out of town, but now that I’m back, I need to get busy on it.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs, Lynn
It looks like you have quite the project… how fun is it to completely re-vamp a room! I can’t wait to see what your solution for the litter box is! Thanks for linking up with us at Welcome Home Wednesdays! I can’t wait to see what you link up with us tomorrow… the party will be open at 7am!
Hi Betsy…I do think I’ve got a solution for the litter box! I’ve been noodling on it and think I’ll make a curtain with an opening for her to go in and out. We’ll see. Thanks for coming by to visit and I’ll see you next Wednesday.
Hugs, Lynn