Thursday, October 3, 2013

One Room Challenge with Calling it Home: Week One

 
For the next several weeks, I am a participating in the One Room Challenged hosted by Linda on her great blog Calling It Home. Be sure to stop by each Thursday to see how my room progresses.
 
We moved into are smallish (great charm, great location) 1920's house almost 2 years ago. In the rush to get everyone settled in, I just put things into rooms where they would fit. Now that we have lived in the house for awhile, and I have a better feel for how we are using the space, I am slowly organizing and decorating one room at a time. For this One Room Challenge, I wanted to work on the room that currently bothers me the most. I figure this would keep me accountable, and I would get the job done without letting that little thing called life get in the way.
 
I chose the Laundry Room.
 
I HATE doing laundry. And yes, if you really think about it, washing clothes in this modern day and age is not really that hard. But it is just so tedious to me, and there are so many other things I would rather be doing. I decided if I had a pretty room. It might inspire me to not dread it so much.
 
I also wanted a really bold space. Our laundry room is in our basement, so for the most part only the family I see it. I thought this would be the perfect spot to step out of my normal decorating style and really have fun with it. Plus, I live in a boy filled world...2 sons and a husband...even the dog is a boy. I needed at least one room in the house to have a touch of pink!
 
So it was off to find inspiration....
 
Growing up, we would visit the Greenbrier Resort, and I was inspired there by the decorating style of Dorothy Draper (I talk more about her here.) I decided the laundry room would greatly benefit from her bold style.
 



Here is another room by her protégé Carleton Varney. I love the pattern and color combination in this room.




These stripes are the best! This room was designed by Mary McDonald. I always admire her use of color in any room she decorates.

 
 
 

I am in love with this trellis wallpaper. I have to have it for my room.
 
 
 
Are you seeing a theme yet?
 
So I put together an inspiration board of my ideas for what the room will look like.
 
And I wrote out a list to plan my room redo...
 
-Tile floor
-Decorate walls (wallpaper or stencil?)
-Get great fabric to make curtains.
-Organize cleaning supplies.
-Add decoration.
 
Here is the before. The room can only go up from here!
 
 
Be sure to click here to check out the other linking participants.




16 comments:

  1. Your laundry room is going to be amazing!! I love the trellis paper too. I'm linking up to the ORC as well, so i't nice to "meet" you!

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  2. I'm so excited to see this! Our laundry room is just off a little hallway connecting our kitchen and family room and powder room and the door is always open so everyone who comes over sees it. Can't wait to get some inspiration from your plan!

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    1. Glad I can help. I also plan on following your room. I am sure it will turn into a great playroom.

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  3. What an inspiration board, and inspirational images. This will be an epic transformation. Thanks for joining in.

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  4. I love that trellis paper, too. I also hate laundry/my laundry room, so I'm excited to see what you do--the Dorothy Draper-esque inspiration is great!

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  5. Can't believe your combining all the goodness from these designers into your Laundry room! Fantastic! Excited to follow you along Frances!

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    1. Thanks. Now the fun part is turning my inspiration into reality.

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  6. Great design board! You are fortunate to have windows in your laundry room. I wish I had! I love combining colors and patterns. Your room is going to be such fun to do up and to do laundry in going forward :)

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    1. Love that you found a good element in the "before" room. I hope you are right...with a pretty space laundry should be more fun.

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  7. Oh a laundry room challenge - very nice. I love the green colors you are thinking about - lovely. I found your blog through ORC and I am now your newest follower on bloglovin. I am also participating in the challenge - #47 - The Porch - would love for you to stop by.
    Patty at Home and Lifestyle Design

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    1. I look forward to seeing how your porch turns out. I am sure it will be lovely.

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  8. I'm so excited to follow your ORC! I just mentioned you today on my blog, check it out! :)

    XOXO,
    The Glam Pad

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  9. Your laundry room is going to be sensational!!!! Love your taste...I too love DD and CV and look forward to following your progress!

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