it's about life.. down here in ...

letter F Cast Iron Capital Letter R (North Scituate, RI) alphabet series - e letter N C letter H L metal verdigris letter I typewriter key letter Q U white paint on blue - rusting chocolate letter E

Friday, January 20, 2012

Move Over Sarah Richardson... a new Blue and Yellow Laundry Room Redo!

Okay... please don't move over Sarah... Keep inspiring me!  You are amazing!!

 Here's my inspiration... from Sarah's House... the basement laundry room Sarah created when she renovated a 1970's backsplit.  I forget what Sarah's cost was... a little under $20,000... but let's face it... Sarah has more money than me.. .and mine was an update and not a reno... so my cost... about $300... but the bones were good when I started...
 I couldn't find a store that had the tile I wanted to match the pretty glass tiles that Sarah used (and they were essential!)... but a wonderful seller on eBay did... I only needed 8 square feet... about $130 including shipping.
Joan J asks: "Did you do the tiling of the backsplash yourself? It's gorgeous".  Dixie answers... "Yes, I sure did... I did all the updates myself!"
 my yellow paint color (after sampling about 3 different colors)... from Lowe's National Trust for Historic Preservation line... 3004-4B Homestead Resort Tea Room Yellow... this paint is super thick and went on with ease... I love it!

 I found accessories at Glory B's in Geronimo (the fan, once rusty green, now sunny yellow... baskets at MJ Designs after Easter basket sale... and some things I already had owned for years... the yellow pitcher from Martha Stewart at KMart about 10-years ago...
 The washer and dryer... also about 10-years old and still keeping the Maytag man at bay... glass containers for Borax and Oxy Clean from Target... cabinets were already white, I just replaced the handles from ugly white plastic to trendy brushed chrome.. another eBay find for only $3 per handle.
 A fabric redo of my message board (you'll see the before photos at the end of this post), where I hang my sunglasses collection and extra reading glasses... this idea came from another blogger, whose name I forget... but thank you to her whoever she is!
faux flowers (Sarah's were live plants!), vintage Ball canning jars that my sweet Ricky purchased for me on eBay when I told him they were just too expensive... and 3-monkeys... hear-no, see-no, speak-no... purchased at Tuesday Morning a few months ago for $9.99...
There are still a few things to finish... curtains over the window... a skirt to hide the hot water heater... installation of the vintage tole chandy to replace the industrial lighting... touch-up painting in a few places... but that will be done soon...

and here as promised... the before...
cluttered... disorganized... and absolutely no personality...
Thank you Sarah Richardson... keep decorating, sharing and inspiring... and if I ever win the Lottery... I'll call you...
Joining in
I love my new laundry room... down here in French Lique...

9 comments:

c. Joy said...

Sarah Richardson is wonderful. She has me looking at fabrics and color that I used to never give a thought to and my world is a better place because I am learning from her. That said, I move to the real world. Your laundry room redo/update is wonderful. Looks good and cheery and its price makes it do-able for lots of people. Great tip on finding backsplash tiles (I would still be walking around looking for them at the store). I'll keep watching Sarah. I'll also keep following blogs that make the world a better (prettier, more liveable - more affordable) place. Well done, Dixie.

SmilingSally said...

Wow, Dixie, what a great transformation!

I have always loved that shade of blue.

Happy Blue Monday.

Loui♥ said...

Hi Dixie!
I'm loving your Laundry room transformation..
totally awesome!
OBTW..I'n ow your newest follower..
come visit!
now I'm off to discover your muse of inspiration..Sarah Richardson..
have a glorious day!
hugs,,
Loui♥

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Dixie, this is just so cute! I love what you did, and I got an amazing idea from you about that message board for glasses. That is so clever! So are YOU!

XO,

Sheila

Chubskulit Rose said...

Adorable blues you've got!

Family Fun in Bowling Center for BLUE, have a great week!

LV said...

I wish I had a wash room like that. My house is so old, it is in the garage.

Candy said...

WOW you put me to shame ;-( but soooo happy for you ;-) looks like you have a pair of shades for every mood and the faux flowers must make you feel like being back at Oma's!
Great job girlie, you deserve a Ricky Original...are you thinking wire baskets, lamp shades, or jars?
Release the beast Ricky! and go for it.
Blessings ;-)

Attic Rat said...

I love your blog and am now your newest follower.

I enjoyed meeting you and look forward to seeing you again in the Spring

Smiles,
Teresa

Joan J said...

Your new laundry room is absolutely gorgeous! Love the colors - so bright and cheerful it must make laundry more fun. OK, maybe not but you know what I mean! Did you do the tiling of the backsplash yourself? It's gorgeous - adds a great pop of color. Nice job!