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The Makerista

I'm Gwen, a modern traditionalist who isn't afraid of color. Kansas City.

The Laundry Room: Reveal

This project is sponsored by Lowe’s, but all thoughts, opinions, and selections are my own.

It’s reveal day, and I’m so excited to share this room with you!  To have a space that enables me to be the best housekeeper I can be in a room that makes me happy – it’s a wonderful and motivating feeling.  The space feels bigger, much more functional, and beautiful.  From the graphic floors to the sleek cabinets, the sweet and classic wallpaper to the workhorse appliances and fixtures….it’s full of details I love.

We continued the floors in from the kitchen and hall bath, and the contrasting diamonds are wonderful with the moody, blue cabinetry by KraftMaid.  You can read all about the cabinet color and style in this post.  I went with matte black hardware to keep the inky blue cabinets feeling clean.  Plus, I just love navy and black together.  So chic and always classic.  To juxtapose the more masculine and glamorous elements already in place I went with the toile wallpaper.  Instead of simply putting it on the walls, we wrapped some unlikely surfaces in it too.  Papering the inside of the glass cabinets makes the space feel a bit bigger.  When you have that many cabinets going up to 10′ ceilings, it’s nice to have some breathing room.   We also papered the shelves above the sink to keep things looking clean yet interesting, and I think the result leaves you feeling like the wallpaper is almost a neutral.  Not wanting to stop there, we also papered the pendent shade.  We took a simple drum shade, and Micah rigged together some parts to create a pendant that is clean and simple.

Speaking of lighting, some last minute additions ended up being a really fun and easy DIY project that required no electrical work at all.  I decided to add some sconces to the window bump out at the eleventh hour.  Instead of having Micah run electrical after the drywall guy had already been here I picked up a simple puck light set at Lowe’s.  I had hoped to use these sconces, but when they were a bit too big I found the petite, brass pair secondhand.  Some double-sided tape holds the puck light to the socket, and with the push of a button on a remote I can turn the sconces on and off, set a timer, dim the lights, or even change the color!  It’s such an easy and affordable project.  The pack comes with three pucks, so we even added one to a thrifted lamp in the corner.  We just cut the wire to the lamp and nestled the puck into the lampshade harp.  It gives the prettiest glow at night, no electricity required!

As soon as the lines for the Samsung washer and dryer were hooked up we moved these new beauties in.  I’ve been using them for over a month, and they are a dream.  They are quiet, efficient, and stacking them hasn’t been an issue at all.  I love the little door to add last minute additions to the wash too!  While I put almost everything in the dryer, it was recommended to me during the planning stages that we might add a clothing rod for drying things.  It’s not something I really even considered, but the back corner was the perfect spot, and I think I’ll be hang drying a lot more especially my blouses now that I have the functionality in place.  I just had a piece of brass cut and then used some inexpensive rod cups, painted the same color as the cabinets, to support the rod.  The unlacquered brass really speaks well to the window sconces and brings warmth and something special to the back corner.

The counters are Calypso by Silestone thanks to Premier Surfaces, and they are the most beautiful, warm charcoal color.  They almost read like a soapstone, but being quartz they are virtually maintenance free.  Using the area underneath the sink for Hank to eat and drink from gave me the idea to do a dog water spigot.  I scoured eBay to find the perfect one that ended up having a leak, but I was lucky enough to find an even better option at a local, secondhand plumbing supply house for a very reasonable price.

Lowe’s has so many great options for window treatments.  I swear by these bamboo shades for a quick and budget-friendly addition to any room go with the Tatami or Natural Bamboo for something classic.  For this space I wanted something light and bright.  I had this shade custom ordered in Levelor’s Light Filtering Whisper.  The fabric has just the perfect amount of texture, and the functionality of no strings means I’ll actually use it.  I wanted to make it feel a bit more custom so I used some grosgrain ribbon and fabric glue to add a trim detail that speaks to the floors.  It brings pretty interest to that wall and balance to the room.

While this is a utilitarian space, I think it’s still very important to add in some items that are meaningful, quirky, and fun.  The hat is really special to me.  Our neighbor lost his wife to ALS last year, and he recently allowed me and the girls to come look at some of her things.  I knew Wanda as a kind, sweet-spirited neighbor, but I realized that day I didn’t really know Wanda in the way I could and should have.  She had the most incredible style and taste!  She collected all sorts of things, from vintage hats and purses to Asian art and blue and white pottery.  I felt very connected to this women I had only talked with a time or two, and when George let us take some purses and hats home, I knew I needed this hat.  As I contemplated where it should live, this felt like the right space and even though I had envisioned another direction for the styling in here, it became clean that it was the inspiration.  My initial pops of bright orange gave way to more subtle rusts, browns, and shades of burgundy.  I pulled the ceiling color, Honest Blue cut 50%, from the hat too!  The delft shoes above the door are something my Thrift With The Makerista community helped me to find.  I wanted something a bit unusual to go above the door.  My mom has always collected delft and one day it popped into my head that they would be the perfect little, slightly odd, collection to grace the doorway.

I couldn’t be more pleased with how this room has come together.  Like any renovation, you only see the hiccups and missed steps in the middle, but you come out the other side so grateful and pleased to have a space that you had only previously dreamed about.  From the kitchen to the kids’ baths and now the laundry room – Lowe’s allows me to create spaces that are both beautiful and on budget.   I’ve been enjoying the room fully finished for about a week now, and I find myself washing a few things here and there instead of waiting to do it all in one day, getting out the cleaning supplies more often, any little excuse just to go in there.  It’s filled with things I love, and that will always make a room that one will be drawn to.  I’d love to know your favorite part of the space.  Are there any elements that took you by surprise?

Explore other laundry room posts here.

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Comments

  1. Maggie says

    Wow, Gwen. Obviously, this space as a whole is stunning but it is 100% the little details that take it to the next level. There is so much warmth and personality in this room. You have done an incredible job.

  2. Elizabeth Reynoso says

    I would be doing laundry everyday in this gorgeous space! J love the contrast of the dark cabinetry and the feminine wall paper. And the quirky thrifted decor just takes this space to the next level! You always surprise with something different no one else has, in a good way!!

  6. Jodi says

    You have such a unique and beautiful perspective in your designs! Such a delight to follow along. Thanks for taking us on your journey!

  8. W. Scott says

    your talent is AMAZING!!!! This is so beautiful. I wish i could find such unique antiques where i live. I love the match holder on the wall.

  9. stacie harper says

    So gorgeous! You’re so talented at bringing in all the little details that really make a space feel special. Well done.

  10. Anne says

    The dark moodiness contrasted with lighthearted toile, modern sleek appliances juxtaposed with elegantly detailed, functioning antique pieces; then the subtle intimacy of navy and black next to the crispness of black and white…good thing you kept it simple otherwise, it’s an immersive experience! I bet it smells great too!

  11. Mary E says

    What a great space to do laundry. And it screams “Gwen”. I hope your use of the toile wallpaper makes it cool again. I never see it used anymore & I’ve always loved it.
    But my favorite thing is your neighbor’s hat. As I get older sometimes I wonder if anyone will remember me after I’m gone. Your homage to her touched my heart.

  13. ReaderRita says

    Beautiful! I love this transformation- it is truly elegant. You outdid yourself!
    But-O-o! The link that is listed for the sink goes to a different sink (black composite granite), and the link for the counter tops goes nowhere…

  14. Herb Caldwell says

    Wow! Gwen anyone that includes an easy place to feed the pet is brilliant. The colors are neat, blend into each other from different views, and are easy on the eyes. The cabinets are smart and provide a lot of work space. While you have proven yourself a beautiful decorator, the hat proves you are a softy too! Micah did a great job too! Good show!

  15. Lauren says

    Bravo! My favorite transformation yet! This is a chic Downton Abbey room. I love the brass matchstick holder, so elegant and clever. With the dark finish on the cabinets your room has this ominous elegance to it, strange description I know but it commands attention. The styling and details set you apart from others and that’s something I love about your style.
    This renovation really spoke to me about making all the details special. I know that’s your mantra and it really resonated this time.

  16. Sheila says

    Gwen,
    This room transformation is Architectural Digest worthy. I love how you create a living space that is beautiful, functional and mixes the old with the new! You are becoming my design hero!

  17. Peggi says

    Bravo!!! The color palette is smashing. I love the way you used the toile- especially wrapping the shelves. The hits of brass and amber really sing. The puck light hack certainly earned you a hall of fame nomination, and the Hank water spigot sealed the deal! (Dogs across America will now be requesting their own water faucets.🤣) Your use of bold color and thrifted/vintage truly speaks to me. Thanks for sharing and inspiring! I really appreciate you.💖

  18. Danna says

    Your laundry room turned out so beautifully. We spend so much time cleaning clothes that we should have a room like this. Love all the personal items and touches. There’s so many favorites: lamp, hat, dog spigot, dog bowls, ceramic shoes, colors. I am enjoying your use of reusing finds, clothing, furniture and making it your own. Great job!

  19. Leigh says

    Soooo good! So different and so beautiful! I love the little shoes! Such a fun addition above the doorway. Thank you for sharing. Ans I love the idea of using the puck lights for the sconces! Brilliant!

  20. ReaderRita says

    Oh, and I forgot my absolute favorite bit of brilliance in this gorgeous laundry room- the little water spigot for filling the pet bowls!!! SO ingenious.

    (Humourously, one of my former cats would have had that sorted pretty quickly and we’d have been knee deep in water straight away. She’s gone now, bless her, so it wouldn’t be a problem, but amusing none the less…)

  22. Abby says

    How did you manage to make the pet door disappear? Also, where do you stash the laundry soap, etc.?

  23. Mary says

    Absolutely brilliant! Love every last detail. The collection of Delft shoes above the door knocked it out of the park for me, especially the placement. Question: How did you create the inspiration board for the room. I’ve always wanted to know how to do that. 🖤💙.

  24. Danielle S. says

    What an amazing transformation! You really maximized the space and made a room that’s often overlooked stylish and dramatic. I am so jealous that you get to do laundry in it!

  25. Pamela says

    what an amazing place to do laundry! very well thought out also. I was over the moon in love with the delft shoe wall art!! I have 4 because my husband’s grandparents were dutch. I see them occasionally but never would have thought of the way you displayed them. next time I’m buying them! how are they affixed? also adore the feather hat & wedgewood plate.

  26. Martha says

    Wow! I love every single choice you made – the color scheme, continuing the marble checkerboard floor, the arrangement, lighting, and cabinetry. But its all the amazing details that make it truly special! The vintage spigot over the perfect pet bowls, the surprise of the dutch shoes over the door, and the beautiful thrifted finds on the shelves and in the glass front cabinets. It’s really stunning!

  27. Trish Callison says

    Blue and white FOREVER! Love this so very much. Every single detail is outstanding. Thanks so very much for sharing. I do have one question. The Lowe’s puck light. Which one did you use for the lamp. Oh my gosh, wonderful to be able to put a lamp anywhere one’s heart desires. Many thanks!

  29. mimzy says

    your laundry room is spectacular! It gives me hope for my long narrow laundry room, this layout might work for me too! My side by side washer and dryer hog so much space!