Month: May 2015

Spring + Summer Front Porch

Written by Jenna on May 28, 2015. Posted in Gardening, Outdoor, Outdoor Ideas, Spring.

I can not be more excited that the warm weather is here! Over the last few weeks, it’s been hot. Spring skipped right over us this year, but after that brutal winter, who cares. As I’ve mentioned once or twice, we’ve been working hard on vamping up the outdoors for the warmer days ahead.

A lot of work has gone into the front of our home this year… curb appeal at it’s finest. The porch got quite a few updates. Here is this years Spring-right-into-Summer Front Porch…

I feel lucky to have so many spots around our homestead to chill + put our feet up (the patio / the deck), but the one spot (which is by far the smallest of all) our clan of 5 always seems to choose to relax is the front porch. Maybe it’s because the kids are often riding their bikes on the road or playing basketball in the driveway, but even when we’re playing a game of Uno, all of us pretty much always choose the front porch.

It certainly is quaint + cozy…

…with lots of color + texture.

Pillows on the porch: Blue Multi / White Medallion / Bird

Carpet @ chairs: $5 polypropylene mats from Five Below

Mat @ front door: Target – similar to this

Pouf: Lowe’s

Front Door color: Valspar Crushed Oregano in semi-gloss

A few upgrades from when we first moved in – enlarging the columns, adding the vertical pallet, installing the new front door – have all made a big impact to the entry of our home. psst, another fairly easy DIY project with a big impact look coming your way next week.

EASY DO-IT-YOURSELF PROJECT

Dress up your house numbers…

Using a board from an old pallet, I brushed on a light coat of white paint. I installed the house numbers (that used to be attached to the house) on the board about 3/4 up from the bottom. Then I took jute cord and wrapped it around to create an interesting design. Simple & not a penny spent!

[The stone edging at the garden beds are a new addition this year. Check out the tutorial on creating the perfect border for your beds]

And pretty flowers do make a BIG difference. This porch looked far from how it does now only a few short weeks ago…

All of my flowers for this years porch came from Lowe’s. They always have such a great variety of flowers + plants!

Not much is new; most of the furniture and layers on this years Spring + Summer front porch we’ve had for years. With some little updates, it’s amazing how old can look new in a snap.

The side chairs are inexpensive teak bought about 8 years ago from the Christmas Tree store. I thought about getting rid of them many times, but last year I added new cushions + a few vibrant pillows from Lowe’s and all of a sudden, they looked great again.

The lutchens bench used to be stained, but then I got my hands on a can of turquoise spray paint and it took on a new life!

The vertical garden pallet is a DIY creation from a few years back and it’s still a show-stopper on the porch.

It is such a wonderful way to add height to a vertical space (and height = drama!). From herbs to succulents to vines, I’ve hung many different types of plants on this vertical pallet over the years! For this Spring season, I chose to plant Variegated Vinca Vines in the smaller pots and Fuchsia in the larger pots – they are both shade annuals.

Fuchsia is also what I chose for the hanging plant over the porch since this side of the house gets no sun.

Ferns are another great shade choice and I have that hanging from a tall hook next to the porch. It’s such a beautiful, hardy Summer staple.

Can you see why this spot is our favorite to spend those long dog days of Summer? Do you blame us?!

Lastly, I love seeing + sharing how our front facade has evolved over the years…

Crazy, right? All this TLC has been tackled with our own hands!

Thanks for taking the tour of our favorite Summer Space! And by the way, did you catch anything different about this years porch from years past – if you’ve been following along with me for over the years, you might have noticed. Well if not, I’ll give you a hint… we jazzed up the ugly foundation with new stone veneer. More on that + a tutorial on how we installed it coming up next week.

Cheers to a fantastic summer!

So tell me, are you more of a front porch sitter or a back deck lounger?

DISCLOSURE: I am part of the Loweâ€™s Creative Team and was provided with a Loweâ€™s gift card to purchase items for my project. I was also compensated for my time to use the products. No one told me what to create, what to buy, how to use the product, or what to write. All opinions are 100% mine!

The Perfect Border for your Beds

Written by Jenna on May 26, 2015. Posted in Gardening, Outdoor Ideas. 12 Comments on The Perfect Border for your Beds

As I mentioned last week while sharing ideas on creating an outdoor oasis, we’ve been fast + furious over the past few weeks on sprucing up the outdoors of our humble abode.

It’s what’s happening around our little ole’ homestead in the North Country and I am excited to share the updates we’ve been making! First up, the garden beds in the front yard…

Granted the front beds have received a whole lotta TLC over the 5 years we’ve lived here, but I still felt like there needed to be more definition between the grass and the gardens. After cleaning out the beds and before laying the mulch, I installed a stone garden edge that not only defines the line between the grass & garden, but gives character and texture…

This is the garden bed that is against the front of our home and it looks much different than when we moved in a few years ago. It’s had quite the transformation…

Without giving too much away (the full ‘tour’ of this years Spring porch coming later this week), this is how the front of the house looks now…

One of the many reasons I love having a blog is documenting the evolution of our home. It’s wonderful to look back and see how much we’ve done!

So back to…

CREATING A GARDEN EDGE USING STONE

I found these edging stones at Lowe’s for $1.28 each.

These stones are a trapezoid shape – about 7″ long on one side, about 5″ long on the other side. Because of the stones shape, they can be layed in a straight line (by changing the direction with each one) OR on a curve (tight curve or gradual curve) to border a garden. One row high is just enough (that’s what I did) or these inexpensive stones can be stacked (staggering the joint) to create a taller garden border or retaining wall. They can also be used to create a firepit.

The best part about these stones aside from the price is that there is truly no installation! You simply set it & forget it (I sound like an infomercial, but it’s really that easy).

The garden beds bordering the front of the house & in the yard had a natural trench at the edge, so I followed the line and layed the stones in place. A few tweaks needed to be in some spots to create a nicer curve but in all it took minutes to lay them all.

BEFORE & AFTER

Just a few weeks ago before the flowers started coming to life & before the mulch was added, I snapped the before picture. Now look how the new stones define the garden…

Once the stone edge was set, I planted a few annuals amongst the growing perennials and filled in the garden with mulch.

And it was complete…

It’s far from an award-winning garden, but it’s ours that we created.

Each day the flowers show more of their beauty.

I’ll admit, because I am a bit Type A & love instant gratification, gardening isn’t top on my list of favorite things to do. I often get frustrated & annoyed each Spring season not knowing what will bloom again. Thankfully looking back on old pictures, I am able to truly appreciate all the hard work we’ve put into creating a home we love. What an incredible lesson of patience, right?!

This stone edge was truly a simple + high impact DIY project to jazz up the front of our home. I am thrilled that it was inexpensive + easy to do – how much better does it get?!

The front facade of our home also got another big upgrade. More on that coming soon… In the meantime, if you have garden beds that merge into the grass, adding a stone edge will surely create the definition needed to add character & texture to your landscaping beds!

Creating an Outdoor Living Space

Written by Jenna on May 21, 2015. Posted in Decorating, Outdoor, Seasonal, Spring.

I don’t know about you, but around our homestead, it takes a solid 3 weeks to get the outdoors prepped + spruced to enjoy for the coming warmer months ahead.

As the final piles of snow melted only a little over a month ago, work began on Summerizing the exterior. FINALLY after many trips to the garden center, the last flowers & plants were purchased yesterday, so our exterior living spaces are almost complete and I can’t wait to share them with you… coming soon.

In the meantime, I’ll inspire you with fresh ways + ideas to bring the indoors out with budget-friendly ideas for creating an outdoor living space…

Whether a deck, porch, or patio there are ways to bring the indoors out to create a beautiful, serene, and inviting outdoor oasis. With comfortable seating, stylish layers, and lots of flowers and greenery, your outdoor space will become the most used â€œroomâ€ in, and outside, of the home for the Summer months.

BRING THE INDOORS OUT
Surround yourself with what you love by bringing the indoors out. Creating an outdoor living room that is truly an outdoor oasis is similar to designing an interior haven. Surround yourself with things that are most meaningful to you and elements that bring you happiness. Make an outdoor space fun and unexpected by introducing a pretty patterned table cloth, wind chimes that blow in the breeze, and pops of color through pillows.

Similar to a room inside your home, once you have your basics, add in layers – lanterns, candles, flowers, and plants.

Our Summer Deck 2014

COMFORTABLE SEATING
An outdoor oasis isn’t complete without lots of comfortable seating. Once the summer months arrive, almost every waking moment will be spent outdoors soaking up the sun. Be the house where everyone gathers on weekend evenings.

Our Patio Paradise 2014

Either individual oversized Adirondack chairs or an outdoor sofa fit for two (or more) is a necessity for outdoor living. Load up on comfy pillows and you may never head back indoors.

Put your feet up by adding a few outdoor ottomans that are waterproof to truly create an outdoor living room.

There are many local furniture stores and online shops that have a wide selection of outdoor sofas and chairs that are similar to the comforts of your living room. Or make your own, like I did with shipping pallets.

Tutorial for DIY Pallet Sofa

STORAGE
Similar to the indoors, space for storage is a must. No matter if you’re an empty nester or a family of 5, itâ€™s essential to have a spot to store the outdoor pillows, BBQ necessities, and sand toys.

Many outdoor furniture pieces have built-in storage compartments or a stylish storage box that compliments the setting. Alternatively, try an outdoor ottoman flip top that duals as storage.

left to right: resin wicker box / wicker storage chest / wood storage bench

LAYERS
An outdoor setting isnâ€™t complete without a stylish rug. Adding a rug to a porch or patio isn’t just needed to make a space pretty, but it also provides a comfy spot to kick off the flip flops without the fear of a stubbed toe or unwanted splinter. Kids can walk around barefoot (which most love to do in the summer months) while having a barrier between their toes and the hard surface.

Outdoor rugs are a favorite because they can live outdoors for the summer and be brought indoors during the winter. Rugs made for the elements, are also ideal for foyers, mudrooms, and even under dining room tables (especially with youngsters in the home).

I am loving the outdoor rugs made of polypropylene because they are super easy to clean, fold up tight for storage, and are fairly inexpensive!

A sneak at this years front porch with a new 3′ x 6′ rug (upper left) that I found at Five Below for $5…

FLOWERS
Last, but certainly not least, an outdoor oasis isnâ€™t complete without surrounding it with greenery. Whether your favorite spot is in the sun or the shade, surround your exterior setting with lush plants and colorful flowers in varying sized pots.

Potted herbs are a great alternative to flowers. Or try perennials in a pot, then transfer them into the ground at the end of the Summer season so they can be enjoyed again next year.

And there you have it… 5 ways to extend the beauty on the inside to the outdoors. I’m off to finish up the last potted plants, lay mulch in the side garden, and finally snap some pictures so I can share what I’ve been working on for the last weeks.

Have a wonderful memorial day weekend!

5 Ways to Revamp a Laundry Room on a Budget

Written by Jenna on May 14, 2015. Posted in Decorating. 3 Comments on 5 Ways to Revamp a Laundry Room on a Budget

It’s been a week since I shared my revamped laundry room and load #7 was just finished & folded.

The new space that took me a weekend + $200 to complete has been a gamechanger for how I feel about doing laundry. Laundry has always been my nemesis. I can’t say I love it now, but for the last week, it hasn’t been so bad… and it’s all due to the changes that were made to make the space more organized & aesthetically pleasing.

As a clan of 5, we have a lot of laundry and our laundry “closet” couldn’t go another day without a makeover. Not only was it ugly + drear, it wasn’t functioning to it’s utmost potential, and that’s how the space was failing us!

With some outside-of-the-box thinking + a plan-of-action in place, I revamped & created a laundry space that is organized + functionable + pretty on the eyes.

Let’s break it down… Here are 5 ways + tips to revamp a laundry room on a budget…

Yes, the type of washer + dryer is important to a laundry space (obviously, that’s why it has its name), but the way a laundry space looks & functions really has nothing to do with the model # you have. With my revamp, the W & D stayed and the space around it got jazzed up. My machines are plain ole’ run-of-the-mill white side by side style – Nothing fancy. They were fine, but the space around it wasn’t. I chose to work with what I had and that meant using every square inch of the surrounding walls to make this space better.

If you have a stackable W & D in your laundry area, use the space to the side for storage + organization. The takeaway… use what you have and be happy with it; accept it and work with it! Yes, a lavish laundry room would be a delight, but it’s not the reality for most.

Instead of sorting + washing + drying + folding in a room / closet you dislike, here are 5 ways to revamp that laundry space that’s not quite so pretty…

1/ PAINT. Adding a splash of color to a laundry space will give it new life. Whether there is a window or not, a new coat of paint will make it feel fresh & bright. Paint is truly the easiest + least expensive way to freshen up any space, especially the laundry. For my laundry closet revamp, I used a quart of paint which provided 2 coats and the can was $15.

2/ STORAGE. Storage in a laundry is a huge need. No matter what size the space, no matter what you have to store, storage is important. Wiring shelves, which is what I used, are the easiest + fastest + least inexpensive type of storage you can add to a laundry space to keep the items organized + tidy. I chose to add a 1 x 12 piece of wood on top of the wire shelves to make a steadier shelf so items wouldn’t fall between the spaces of the wire. It’s also important to use as much of the vertical wall space as possible – go as high as you can with the shelving and store non-everyday essentials on the highest shelf & use a stepstool to access.

If you have additional space + a larger budget, wood shelves are a great alternative (but they cost more + take longer to install + aren’t as flexible to move in the future), as is closed cabinetry which can hide away those not-to-be-seen items.

There are many options for storage in a laundry… don’t just stick with the one wire builder-grade shelf above the washer & dryer. That’s a waste of precious wall space.

3/ BASKETS + BINS. On those shelves or in those cabinets, organize your items using baskets & bins. Since revamping my laundry space, having a place for everything has made my life so much easier. It takes the guesswork out of what goes where. Use smaller bins for smaller items (dishtowels, sponges, light bulbs, batteries, etc) and larger bins/baskets for larger items (papertowels, napkins, toilet paper, paper goods, etc).

Organizing the bins with labels (i heart my label maker) indicating what is inside has also made my day-to-day more efficient + simpler. Knowing where items go has taken away the wonderment for the Mister & the kids as well – no more asking “mom, where does this go?” or “hon, do we have rags?”

4/ OTHER STORAGE. In a laundry space, there is a need to store items on a shelf, but there is also the slew of other items to stow away like the broom(s), mop, iron, ironing board, etc… In the “before” laundry, I often would just lean them against the wall and they were ALWAYS in the way. But with the revamped laundry, I simply added a few hooks to the wall and all of a sudden those cumbersome items have a home. By using the side walls, that other storage now has a designated ‘spot’ to live.

There are literally gadgets for everything, so find something (or make it) to hang what you need so that something that doesn’t have a place, finally gets one (like the iron that had been sitting on top of my washer for years). Hooks, screws, holders, etc. are the perfect inexpensive items that will make your life easier and more organized!

5/ LAYERS. Layers are the best. Layers are everything. Layers make ANY space, room, closet COMPLETE… even the laundry area! From pictures to accessories to colorful hangers, adding meaningful + bright + unexpected layers gives the interest and depth to make a room feel whole.

This post wouldn’t be complete without sharing some more laundry love.

Check out these…

INSPIRATIONAL LAUNDRY SPACES.

Filled with blues & yellows, Brittany of Pretty Handy Girl created a beautiful laundry room using a wall system that keeps everything organized and in it’s place.

You don’t have to love laundry to love your laundry room! And I heart Jen’s laundry room. Even though there is no natural light in this space, it feels airy & bright. I’ll take this space anyday! Check out more of Jen’s laundry room at I Heart Organizing.

A laundry “closet” similar to mine, but with a stackable washer + dryer. Melinda of Love Melinda created a laundry space that’s packed with shelving + storage! She also added a pretty stencil design which brings a fun, unexpected layer to the space.

Another laundry “closet” but with side-by-side front loaders. How gorgeous is this “closet”?! Decked out with a solid surface countertop, upper cabinets for storage, and an awesome tiled backsplash, this laundry area is swoon-worthy.

When there is a need to hide the clutter, a little curtain will certainly do the trick! Love this idea by using a tension rod and a simple drapery valance. via Babble

And for those who are blessed with more space than just a teeny closet to call their laundry room, this is beautiful. From the wood countertop to the blue W & D, to the gorgeous built-ins above, I would never again complain about doing laundry! via BHG

Kim of Sand & Sisal hit it out of the park with her laundry revamp. How soothing is that blue hue on the walls paired with elements + layers that remind you of the water. Pretty + Functional all tied into one great laundry room!

Love this idea by My Sweet Savannah of using an over-the-door wire rack to organize all the laundry items. What a great idea when there is limited space.

How incredible is this before and after by Kelly of View Along the Way?! Like my laundry revamp, it’s hard to believe that this is the same space. As I said before, ditch the one wire shelf above the W & D and instead use the vertical space of the surrounding walls! By stenciling the back wall, painting wide stripes on the floor, and adding an upper cabinet + shelves, this laundry room is completely different.

How fun is this?! Bling out your washer + dryer with some funk by adding decals like these stripes & dots by A Beautiful Mess.

I hope you’ve gathered inspiration to make some updates or totally overhaul your laundry room. As you can see from my revamp or the other inspirational spaces, you don’t need a huge budget or tons of time. It’s amazing what can be created with a little effort and outside-of-the-box thinking!

Laundry Room “Closet” {Reveal}

Written by Jenna on May 7, 2015. Posted in DIY. 5 Comments on Laundry Room “Closet” {Reveal}

If you didn’t see yesterday’s post, you have to read that first. This is one of those makeovers where… you have to see the ‘before’ to truly appreciate the ‘after’.

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, last weekend was a busy one around the ole’ homestead. In between activities for the kids + prepping the outdoor gardens for new flowers, we also tackled a revamp to the laundry room (aka the laundry closet because it is just that… a 4′-6″ wide x 2′ deep space).

Our home isn’t huge and the laundry isn’t lavish, but it’s a space that is used A LOT & needs to be as functional as possible. Sadly over the weeks, months (and probably even years), it’s become a dropping zone for everything from clothes (obviously), tools, paper goods, cleaning supplies, etc. You name it and it was probably piled high on top of the dryer or on one of the above shelves. Honestly Embarrassing how messy it was! The space was REALLY in need of love + attention.

No more chit-chat, here is the result of our weekend DIY Laundry Revamp…

What a change!

Light. Airy. Functional. Pretty. Organized.

Our laundry area gets a lot of use and with it being right off the foyer, it’s a space that holds more than a typical laundry area. Not only do we wash + dry + hang clothes in this “closet”, but it’s also a storage spot for dishtowels, cleaning supplies, rags, napkins + paper towels, tablecloths, paper goods (paper plates, cups, plastic ware), and more.

A view from the foyer…

[tutorial for how I created a Kids Art Display on our garage entry door]

When revamping this space, I started off by making a list of what was working and what wasn’t (guess which list was longer…).

Then I removed all the existing shelving.

Followed by cleaning the walls (we had a dryer issue a few months ago that left our walls full of lint – it’s since been fixed), spackling the holes, and sanding them.

Once the walls were clean, I was ready to paint (the Mister helped too – gotta give him props for helping me out 😉

After the two coats of paint were applied to the walls, I installed the top rail of the closet system that I got at Lowe’s. I love these types of closet systems because the installation takes little time (the top rail took about 15 minutes total to install). Once the top rail was in, I hung the uprights off of it (no install needed) and then attached the shelves.

Once the shelves were on, I added a piece of wood on top that runs the same length as the wire shelf. With wire shelving there is a gap / small space that sometimes smaller things fall through or don’t stand right straight. This always frustrated me with this closet, so the wood provides a solid surface for anything I want to store.

Yes wood shelves could have been installed instead of the wire shelving, but a lot more labor + time would have been needed & there would be no way the shelves could be adjusted in the future (the flexibility to move the wire shelves is another huge bonus).

Once the shelves were in, I filled them right away. The boxes, bins, and baskets are a mix of new & old.

Items like dishtowels, light bulbs, batteries, sponges, etc. are now stored in the smaller fabric bins on the bottom shelf. They are easy to grab at any time and I love that everything has a place! This shelf only goes half way across (above the dryer) so there is space for hanging clothes below the middle shelf, above the washer.

Adding labels to the bins has taken the guess work out of wondering, what goes where…

On the middle shelf are the cleaning supplies, a basket filled with extra paper towels & napkins, and the laundry detergents.

On the highest shelf (items I don’t need to access every day) are new wire bins from Lowe’s that are filled with extra paper goods (plates, cups, napkins, etc) & tablecloths / linens.

Using every inch of this closet was important, so no wall was left untouched. On the right wall, I have a new folding ironing board hanging from a hook and above I have the iron in a holder. This is SO MUCH MORE CONVENIENT than where it was before (both were in the basement – don’t ask me why).

On the back wall, I added another hook for the Bona mop (1 of 6 ways I make my home feel instantly clean!) and the space between the washer and dryer, sits the clothing rack. Lastly, on the right wall is another hook for the broom. (there is still space above that I am sure will be filled soon).

The “pretty” for this space was added in the Float art print (love the colors & the whimsy of the woman floating in the water) that I added to the back wall which kind of hides the ugly plumbing cords, as well as the colorful hangers I snagged from Target. I love how the citrine color looks with the mint hues.

In all, this Laundry Room / Closet revamp was about $200 total. $30 for the paint (I used a quart) / $80 for the closet components / $20 for the wood / $25 for the wire storage bins / $10 ironing board / $8 iron holder / $5 for the hooks (broom & mop I had).

One bit of information that I forgot to add is that since this space looks so good, I decided to take the doors off. Honestly, they were open almost all day, every day and ALWAYS getting in the way. I took the doors off when I painted the trim and the hallway felt so much larger. Now that the laundry closet is so much more organized, I actually enjoy looking at it (where before, no way!). Plus keeping the space open for all to see will keep me more accountable to keep the space looking snazzy clean + organized! FYI, the hardware is still in place if we ever want to put the doors back.

It’s really amazing that this space went from this, to this, in just a few hours…

DETAILS.

> PAINT: HGTV Sherwin Williams Mint To Be (Lowe’s)

> SHELVING: Rubbermaid closet system – hanging rail, uprights, brackets, 12″ white wire shelves / Wood – 1″ x 12″ x 4′ length

> WIRE BIN (top shelf): Antique Grey Iron Basket (Lowe’s)

> FABRIC BIN WITH LABEL: Closetmaid Fabric Bin (Target)

> IRONING BOARD: Countertop Ironing Board (Target)

> IRON HOLDER: Plastic Iron & Board Holder (Amazon)

> ART: Float art print (Minted)

> HANGERS: Room Essentials 18 pack hangers, yellow (Target)

And there you have it. It’s amazing what a bit of paint + a little TLC can do. Small changes + Little Money can really make a BIG IMPACT!

I’m off to do some more laundry…

THIS IS A SPONSORED POST BY LOWE’S. I REACHED OUT TO THEM ABOUT THIS PROJECT AND THEY CHOSE TO WORK WITH ME ON THIS LAUNDRY REVAMP. I HAVE BEEN PROVIDED WITH PRODUCT FOR THIS PROJECT, BUT AS ALWAYS I WAS NOT TOLD WHAT TO BUY OR WHAT TO WRITE.

A Not-So-Lavish Laundry Room

Written by Jenna on May 6, 2015. Posted in DIY.

This past weekend was a busy one at the ole’ homestead! From exterior work on the garden to shuffling kids to various sports activities, it was non-stop. And when we did have a few minutes of “down time”, we started a new project inside…

It’s a horrid-looking space that has been a catch-all for stuff for way too long. Well I should say, was a catch-all because in just a few hours this space I am referring to got a complete new revamp and I am over-the-hill happy! What space am I referring to?

THE LAUNDRY!

Honestly, I use the word ‘space’ because it’s not at all a room… I wish! Our laundry area is essentially a closet. A small closet. A small closet that holds a lot and until now was completely disorganized + a complete MESS.

I dread sharing this, but here WAS (that’s an important word, WAS) the before…

Gutsy, huh?! Yup, no holding back here. My goodness, I can’t believe I just shared that picture. And you thought all the spaces in my home were beautiful at all times… NOT!

This laundry closet (it’s literally a closet that is 4′-6″ wide) is just off the foyer. Across from it is the coat closet / pantry and the hallway leads to the garage. It’s a tight space that is used a lot, and needed a revamp to be as efficient as possible. It’s something that has been on my radar for a while and I knew with some TLC, it would shine up like a pretty penny (and it sure did – more on that in a moment).

WHAT THIS LAUNDRY SPACE NEEDED.

> More Storage (big & small) for dishtowels, cleaning supplies, rags, napkins + paper towels, tablecloths, paper goods (paper plates, cups, plastic ware)

> Wall Storage for holding the iron, ironing board, broom, mop

> New Shelving

> New Paint on the walls + trim

> Layers: Pops of color + pictures (to make it pretty)

THE PLAN OF ACTION.

Before tackling this space, I made some quick notes on what was working (not much) + what wasn’t (a lot) + what I needed to store on the new shelves that I planned on installing.

After that, I created a quick creative vision board to help me stay on track for how to best tackle the aesthetics for this laundry revamp…

More specifically, this is what each element in the new space will be used for…

And here’s how it played out in a brief timeline…

FRIDAY AFTERNOON: Removed the existing shelving that was falling apart / Cleaned walls of dust build-up / Patched the 92 holes in the wall

EARLY SATURDAY MORNING: Sanded the walls (the orbital sander took a lot less time than hand sanding – there were a lot of holes!) / Applied the first coat of new paint (love the color!)

SATURDAY AFTERNOON: Applied coat #2 of the paint (and done – YAY)

EARLY SUNDAY MORNING: Installed the top rail for the shelving unit / Installed the shelves (one shelf was wrong so the Mister headed back to Lowe’s for trip #2) / Started organizing

SUNDAY NIGHT: Finished organizing the shelves with some old + some new baskets & bins

* this makeover certainly could have been tackled in one day, but with our hectic lives, nothing ever gets accomplished that quickly.

A few sneak peek progress pictures…

For a gal that dreads laundry day (which seems like every day of the week with my clan of 5), I have to admit that for the last 2 days, it hasn’t been so bad. I am LOVING my newly revamped laundry ‘closet’ and even though it still isn’t so lavish it certainly is 1,000,000 times better than it was.

The AFTER coming tomorrow. Brace Yourself!