Laundry Room Sneak Peak

The last few weeks we have been working on the laundry room. This area is not large but is wide open to the basement level family room. We would like bead board ceiling and some open shelving. The hubby is making a wall mounted drying rack to sit above the sink. I haven't decided on a counter top yet but I would like it to extend across the washer and dryer, wall to wall.  This will give us a good work space for projects.

I saw a great little vanity at home depot, so after lurking about with my camera and taking a few shots I had a pic to show the hubby. If he has a picture he can build it!!

This is where we are at.....   getting closer. Sink area still being built!!

grey and white

I love grey and white, maybe because we live in the north and see a lot of white in winter!! My other love is the sea. I find it soothing, and although the sea is miles away, it is always a treat when we go there.

As a reminder of our coastal times, I like to decorate with a beachy, relaxed cottagey feel. The stripes, lots of chippy white, glass, tin, and faded florals are family friendly.  Unfortunately I don't have any pics of our house when we moved in a few years ago. It came complete with thirty year old avocado green shag rug in the living room, dining room, hallways and stairs!!! It wasn't that cosy cottage look we wanted.

Now don't get me wrong, carpet is great, I just didn't like this one!!   I wanted a vintage looking floor that resembled an old schoolhouse, well worn and wide planks.  Our search brought nothing, except one offer from many miles away, and we would have to sell a major organ to pay for it!!

Instead we chose a mid tone oak, 4 inch wide plank, prefinished, with an almost flat sheen. I love it!!  The floor feels warm and solid, yet has a bit of a vintage look to it.  We have had many family gatherings here complete with children, dogs, toys, carseats and baby bouncers and the floor is still looking remarkable.

I am gradually painting our furniture white and adding slipcovers.  (that is a whole other post and adventure). With simple changes I am hoping to get that beachy Nantucket look, with room to throw in some faded florals and aqua.

This is a corner of our living room, the light isn't great, and neither are my photo taking capabilities!!  Stay tuned, back to my painting.......

Backdoor Guests are Best

Our main door that we use daily comes in from the carport. Handy, but a narrow entrance way.  We had been wanting to make some changes to give us more space but couldn't agree on a plan!!  I wanted to take out an existing wall to the spare room and make a huge mudroom-laundry room combo.

But, I got voted off the island!!! The hubby thought you should never eliminate a bedroom!!  boo!!!

Sooooo..... the compromise was removing the existing closet in the hallway, and the adjacent closet in said bedroom. The result was 3 ft wider, and much more space when you came in the door. We love it, and the only regret is that we didn't do it sooner.

Here are some inspiration pics that we used. We wanted it to be mostly white, and bright, some storage, some hanging space, and a lot of cuteness, with a nod to the vintage  we so like.

We installed a bead board ceiling, grey slate floors, crown moulding, deep baseboards, panelled wainscotting, all in a fresh coat of white.  I wanted lots of hooks, and a bench with underneath storage. The baskets hold our shoes, sandals etc,

The space feels much bigger, and we notice a difference when the family is coming and going, carseats and diaper bags, and little ones needing help with shoes.

Trim and baseboards are all done, a white linen  roman shade is now on the door, and it feels complete. I'm very pleased with how it all turned out, and am looking forward to the next project.

Taking the Plunge

After much encouragement, and even a little pushing, I am finally starting to blog!!!  To be honest, it has been great lurking around all the wonderful inspiring blogs out there.  Everyone is so creative, and each offer something different to the decor scene.

My hope is that I can offer something as well, and at the same time get to know all the bloggy folks, and join in with the same shared interests.

I'm especially thankful to my sil for helping me with some technical applications. This is my weak spot, and I'm sure I will be learning as I go here!!!  Without her help, I would still be sitting here enjoying all your post, pics and comments!!

Small beginnings.....