It’s hard to believe, but today is the reveal for the second project in our “A Year of Change” challenge {you can see last month’s project here}. You may remember, this month’s challenge was to update a piece of furniture. We {Commona My House, Suburban Bitches and Rosa Beltran Design} added a guest blogger into the mix this month as well – the beautiful and talented Amanda from Recycled Consign & Design!
I have to admit – I cheated a little bit this month. I interpreted “furniture” somewhat loosely and decided to attack a project I had been avoiding for some time – our laundry room cabinets. I figured they could be considered permanent furniture and therefore qualified. The space had been pretty much completed for a month or so, but I knew I didn’t want to do a reveal with the cabinets the original dingy, off-white color. Therefore, the cabinets became my “furniture” so that I could really embrace the Year of Change theme and makeover something that could make a big impact in my home at the end of the year.
When we first moved in, the room had a flat, flesh-toned paint and the room seemed orange and bland. The original flat paint seemed to suck all the life {and the light} out of the room. Definitely not the most ideal condition for doing laundry.
I started working on my plans for the laundry room makeover clear back in May{yes, of 2013}, with the official design board updated in August. For reals. I move a little slowly at times. I was finally able to place the finishing touches on it last weekend. The inspiration for the room came once I won some free wall decals from Urban Walls and the amazing Freckles Chic. She’s like my best friend that I have never met and my sarcasm and awesomeness idol all rolled into one, and she gets full credit for this room finally being completed.
From there, I used spraypaint {yes, spray-paint!!} to change the Formica countertops from brown to a deep gray. And for those of you that have asked – it has held up remarkably well! I then painted all the walls with Behr Swiss Coffee before applying the wall decals. The white paint alone made a huge difference in the small space.
Here is the room now. Such a brighter and happier place to do laundry! Please note: all sources are conveniently listed at the end of this post!
One of the stars of the the new laundry room {in addition to the literal star decals on the walls} are the cabinets. I used the same process I followed for the bathroom cabinets {they were the same dingy “white” laminate cabinets} and used two coats of Country Chic Paint’s Elegance. I then applied a coat of Country Chic Paint Natural Wax to the doors and the frame. The result is beautiful and helps to add some personality to the otherwise white laundry room. I also found new knobs at Target – they came in a four-pack for $19.99 and the “bubble” look works perfectly in this space.
The cabinet color is the perfect accent to the artwork and rug. The striped rug also helps to camouflage the very yellowish/creamish linoleum and that artwork from Michelle Armas is still one of my all-time favorites.
My husband thought I was insane adding a chandelier to the laundry room, but the room wouldn’t be the same without it. Â Here’s a shot where the light isn’t blown out as much so you can see more of the details and shape. Lots of chrome and crystals – I love it! It definitely adds some glam to an otherwise boring laundry room.
The space is so inviting that I almost want to do laundry more frequently. I still have a few things to wrap up like painting the baseboards, door trim and doors the same Swiss Coffee and add a few more stars around the shelving unit {they require some cuts}, as well as do a little more styling on the shelf, etc., but already, I feel like the room has become an entirely more appealing space.Â
Shirt hiding the missing stars – J. Crew
Erin @ Suburban Bitches says
Looks great Sarah! Makes me think I need to paint my laundry room cabinets. It’s certainly a room that doesn’t get enough attention in most houses!
Heather says
I love it so much! I am totally digging on the chandy. I may have to find something similar for my dining room
Jen Migonis says
What a difference!!!! GREAT JOB!!!!
Selene @ Restoration Beauty says
It turned out lovely! Love the cabinets and accent wall!
Vel Criste says
Perfect as always! Love your subtle classic taste Sarah! Enjoy!
the cape on the corner says
happiest little laundry room, like ever.
HB says
Love how it turned out Sarah! So light and bright!
marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says
OH I love it, what a transformation. So light and bright now.
Tricia says
What a beautiful room to do laundry in! I think cabinets definitely count as furniture – good move!
Tricia // Suburban Bitches
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
Your laundry room looks great, Sarah! That chandelier is gorgeous and goes a long way to making it look lighter in here, too.
I’d love to change out our light fixture to a chandelier {well, I would change out ALL of our light fixtures to chandeliers if I had
my way!}.
Zelle B. says
It looks wonderful! Perfect job!
xo
Freckles Chick says
Hi favorite gal pal I have yet to meet!! I’m just trying to live up to your effortless awesomeness daily so I should really thank you 😉
Thanks so much for the link love, I’m stoked you got those decals!! Absolutely love the details you put into every design. You’re like freaking Midas, every room you touch turns to gold & my Pinning finger goes crazy.
Freckles Chick says
PS. I’m bringing over my laundry. So worth it.
Krista thehappyhousie says
LOVE it Sarah! The chandelier is amazing and I love the artwork and knobs…. the color scheme is so bright and fresh. Great job!!
Rosa says
Sarah I’m so inspired by those star decals! I’ve seen them before but you have totally inspired me to use them in a project soon. I also love the overstock striped runner … thanks for sharing your sources!
Pippi21 says
What a beautiful transformation and look how much brighter the room looks! Did I miss details on the walls with the stars? Wallpaper or rubber stamped, or free handed? I would have never thought about putting that type of light fixture but I love it. Mine is nothing but a naked light bulb with pull string..Never ordered anything from overstock, how are they for ordering from and is there any problem returning an item if you’re not satisfied or if it is broken upon receipt? I’ve seen chandeliers in laundry rooms but those laundry rooms were very large, our area is merely like a closet. I hope to replace the washer and dryer by end of year so I’ll have time to rethink how to decorate that area.
Shauna@Satori Design for Living says
Gorgeous makeover. Love the colors!
Selene @ Restoration Beauty says
Awesome makeover! The space looks so much bigger and brighter!
Tamyra Positively Southern says
Absolutely amazing change! I bet it is a pleasure to do laundry now!
Alexis Middleton says
Wow! Your laundry room turned out beautifully. So fresh and bright! And those wall decals – LOVE. If you had a second to come by and share it with us at The Makers link party, I would be so happy! 🙂
Sarah S says
Thanks Alexis! Linking up!
Katie Nathey says
I love all of the updates you made, it makes this a room that actually looks fun to do laundry! Thanks for sharing at The Makers!
Chelsea @ Making Home Base says
Wow Sarah – the updates are incredible! I love the new light fixture and that feature wall is solo lovely!! Well done my friend!
Megan Chamberlin says
Beautiful!! Men don’t get chandeliers, lol, but I think it makes a huge impact on your pretty clean space!! Visiting from C’mon Get Crafty, found you over at the Savvy Southern Style linky! 🙂
Shelia Dowd says
This is a beautiful laundry room! I love the accent wall! It’s a great focal point!
Shelia
http://www.houseofhighland.com
Amy W says
Well, this is just lovely!! I’d love to do my laundry in such a happy and fun room. I love those decals you used and so tasteful to just use them on one wall. I’d love for you to share at our link it or lump it party going on now, if you’ve not yet. http://www.delineateyourdwelling.com/2014/05/link-it-or-lump-it-party-number-38.html
Ashley Mayes says
Thanks for linking up to the DIY’ers. You were featured this week!
Wild Oak Designs says
What an amazing difference! The white on the walls, and the blue on counter make such a huge difference! I like your chandy too…Is your ceiling high? It sure makes it seem taller. My laundry room is much too small for a chandy …
Love your work.
Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com
Krista thehappyhousie says
I love this transformation so much that I am featuring it tomorrow – I am hankering after that same Michelle Armas painting… want to use it in our master bedroom revamp!!
Kristy says
Your laundry room turned out BEAUTIFUL! I love your cabinet color and hardware. So gorgeous!
Kristy @ 3 Peppers Recipes – Crafts, Cooking & Color
Lindsey says
Awesome job! Love the chandelier! I just redid my laundry room as well, but still have a bit of work to do. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂 Here is how mine is coming along http://homeiswherethehoytis.blogspot.com/2015/01/laundry-room-makeover.html