Making it Lovely

Tag: laundry

  • The Laundry Room, As it Usually Looks

    The Laundry Room, As it Usually Looks

    I’ve shown you my laundry room before, all clean and new and shiny. Oh, you cute little joke of a drying rack! How adorable you were, yet how ineffective! We replaced it with these folding racks, and while the function was greatly improved, it looks messier. Especially since we usually have clothes draped all over the place. This is what the laundry room usually looks like.

    Is it weird that most of my clothes seem to color-coordinate with the washer and dryer? Let’s pretend it isn’t. Even the umbrella that’s in the room for some reason works with the room. (And that umbrella, by the way, is from when I first discovered the work of Salvador Dali, as a teenager. Because apparently I was an umbrella-obsessed youth.)

    Brandon washes the clothes, and I put them away. I actually like putting things away when I know that they have a specific place to be, all neat and orderly, and folding laundry relaxes me. It’s part of my personality that I can leave clutter out in plain view, but the things behind doors, in cupboards, drawers, and closets, all need to be neat. Are you like that?

    So yes, Brandon does 99% of our laundry; he always has. We’ve also always liked and used Method’s detergent. I like it a whole lot more now too, after learning about the company. One interesting thing they talked about was the ripple effect their laundry detergent had across the industry. They were able to super-concentrate it to previously unheard of levels, in order to package less water and be more eco-friendly. A competitor then used the technique for their own version , and the big box stores loved it — not because it was more green, but because they could fit more product on the shelves in less space. So the giant stores put pressure on the industry, and soon everyone started offering smaller versions with less water. It wasn’t done with the green conscience that Method had, but the end result was still good for the environment.

    Oh, and remember when I said you were going to want to see the Method guy sing? Yeah. It’s time.

    Awesome. I’m going to sing it while putting away our clothes now.

    US readers can print a $2 coupon from Method’s Facebook page on Thursdays in May, and CA readers can use the discount code “WASHME” here. They also have a photo contest you can enter for a chance at a year’s supply of Method detergent.

  • Laundry Room Design Plan

    Laundry Room Design Plan

    Our red washer and dryer are the only things left in the basement from before our remodel. Everything else, including the existence of a laundry room, is new.

    The floor in the room slopes toward a drain (required by code because our tankless hot water heater is there). We needed a small-scale tile that could handle the dip, so I chose octagon & dot with charcoal gray grout. The exterior door opens out to the backyard, and it has been painted in Benjamin Moore paint that was color-matched to Martha Stewart’s “Sparkling Brook.” The wall color was also a Martha color (“Cumulus Cloud”), matched to B. Moore’s “Whirlpool.”

    The giant utility sink is amazing. And I feel like I should say that I like the built-in soap dish on each faucet because it’s functional, but I really just picked them because they looked good. (Thanks again, Vintage Tub & Bath, for providing the plumbing fixtures.) I bought a red hook to go above the sink, and I’ll hang a striped hand towel on it. The window above the sink will get a few accessories, like this blue pitcher/vase that picks up on the color of the door.

    I loved the look of the Samson stool, but had wished it was counter-height. So I got to talking with a friendly fellow over at Industry West about providing seating for the basement (they’re in!), and it turns out they’re in the process of manufacturing a taller version. They’ll be sending one over as soon as they’re available. It will sit next to a black sideboard that will serve as storage in the room. Above, I’ll hang this Droplets Screenprint, framed in black.

    We already had a folding drying rack and garment hanger that we’ll probably reuse for now. They’re both pretty flimsy though, so I would like to replace them with something more sturdy in the future. As the laundry room comes together, I’ve been thinking of it as a version 1.0. As we use the room more, I think it will be easier to see what needs to be improved upon.

  • Planning the Laundry Room

    Planning the Laundry Room

    The laundry room floor is getting the same white Octagon & Dot tile with charcoal grout as the half-bath. I had Martha Stewart’s “Cumulus Cloud” matched to Benjamin Moore paint for the walls, and it’s spot-on with their “Whirlpool” color. And hello there, sink of my dreams! I chose two faucets with built-in soap holders to go with it, and I cannot wait to see the whole thing in place. Old-fashioned sinks completely charm me.

    I think a striped towel hanging from a red hook (this one or this one) near the sink will look nice, and the color will go with the red of our LG washer and dryer. We purchased those when we moved in four years ago, and they were the nicest things in our basement for a long time. Now we’ll finally have a laundry room worthy of such splashy appliances!

    The wall color is a very subtle gray/blue, so in addition to the red I’m also thinking of bringing in a brighter blue as an accent. Maybe painting the back door? Or a piece of furniture? Or both? Here’s a little peek at some of the details…

    I’m still planning the rest of the space. I figure we’ll need a little storage, a good surface for folding clothes on, a clothing rail for hanging items, and a drying rack. And maybe a stool to sit on. Oh, and probably some sort of laundry sorting system. Anything I’m missing here? We’ve never had a dedicated laundry room before and while I’m excited about making it lovely, I’m also dedicated to making it functional.

    Thank you, Vintage Tub & Bath, for providing the sink and faucets.

  • Laundry Room Paint Color

    Laundry Room Paint Color

    And the winner is… pale blue! As I had mentioned, I’m not normally a fan of blue. I like certain shades though, so I’m willing to give it a shot. This laundry room may have tipped things in the color’s favor.

    Plus, I do love blue with red, so I think the color will look beautiful with our red washer and dryer. I’m having Martha Stewart’s “Cumulus Cloud” color-matched to Benjamin Moore, but if you’re looking for an existing B. Moore color, it’s close to “Fanfare.” A nice grayish blue.

    I’m also painting the storage/tool room in this color. It will look great with the olive painted floor! The only room I have left now is the half-bathroom — I have no idea what color I’m putting in there.

    *Update*
    Benjamin Moore’s “Whirlpool” is an even better match than “Fanfare.”