I think it would be nice to have an amazing mudroom/laundry room designed by Martha Stewart. Although she would probably not do a combo, since it doesn't really make sense. And then, I wonder, would everyone feel comfortable when they saw it? Or would they feel like they could never live up to me and my decorating? Good thing I am not put to the test 🙂
Sometimes do you feel that if you can't have something perfect, you can't have anything at all? For a long time I worked that way, assuming that if things couldn't be architect-designed, well, what was the use. I have very high standards!
I would tell myself that “someday” I would have everything “decorated”, but “for now” I wouldn't bother, since I couldn't afford what I really wanted. Ah, that “someday”! What a wasting thought!
I'm over that now. Now, I don't “decorate” — although I might occasionally use that word. I just try to make things like they are, only cleaner, prettier, and happier. I'm reconciled to a certain lack of stick-to-it-ive-ness on my part in the area of painting and rehabbing. And, let's face it, cleaning. It's all a work in progress…
I thought, since we are on the topic of laundry, that I would tell you about some of the things I have going on in my entry area and “laundry room”, and some fun “make-do” stuff I've done. You might like it. It might help you realize that if I can do it, so can you, and far better! Whereas, with a decorating magazine, I'm afraid we will never measure up…
I found this washboard in my neighbor's trash, back where we used to live (here, you can't really see your neighbor's trash; too bad!), along with a bed that I'll show you sometime. I have seen these washboards at antique shops for $25, so I was pretty happy about that. This corner is the outside of a bathroom, just for your information.
The shelf and peg board were made for me by the Chief. The pegs at the end keep falling out, not to cast any aspersions at this point, so I just leave them off. There are plenty of other ones. You can see that we haven't gotten around to painting these things…
I found everything on the shelves at yard sales. I think that tray adds a bit of drama as you come in, don't you? I tried to find a place for it in the kitchen, to no avail.
I used to keep birdseed in that wicker bag (in a plastic bag), but then I realized that it easily breeds moths. Not a good idea. On the other end of the shelf are some working flashlights. We learned our lesson after that ice storm, let me tell you!
The baskets are handy for storing things, and even if a handle is broken, you can just turn that side to the wall.
This is the other side of the mudroom/laundry area. I put clothespins, jacket hoods, and unused shin guards up there.
The Chief made me this shelf with brackets we just found in the garage, I think, when we moved here.
I don't know if you remember this picture:
When you come in, your mail can be found here. If you live here, that is. Well, even if you don't!
These cabinets were in the pantry, very inconveniently. So when we pulled everything out of there, I slapped any old paint on them and put them in here.
I just got that amazingly beautiful flowerpot at a thrift store for a couple of dollars. Also, note the candle. Handy in a power failure…
As you know, I love enamelware of any kind. This old refrigerator bin makes a good basin for soaking things. It's above this:
Which is a heavy-duty potteryworks utility sink that the amazing Brian stripped of old paint and made a base for. Someone should clean under there. And take a sharper picture.
There, now you can feel pretty good about what you've got, right? I'm happy with what I've got. It could use some sprucing up, but it works for me.
Tomorrow, let's get that laundry room working for you!
Sara says
I just discovered your blog—loving it!I think your laundry room is beautiful. My smart mom always said to buy and use things you love and it will be beautiful. And so it is. It doesn't have to be all matchy-matchy and decorated!
Kris says
I don't decorate. I put my pretty things around, but I don't decorate. —I love that!
Margo says
this is a great post! So liberating and true. . . except that I am married to an architect. sighhhhhh He is terribly picky and involved with all decorating decisions. I'm not a very planned decorator, but with him I have to be. Things move sloooooowly around here in this arena. Our marriage gets tested here.I adore enamelware too! My scrub bucket is actually enamel. It's fab and I got it free.I have never seen such a laundry sink – it's fascinating. It reminds me a little of a concrete sink my parents had in their basement. Very heavy.