DIY Laundry Room Makeover

warning: extra long post, get a snack before reading-

The time has come for a face lift... 

of the laundry room variety-

No structural changes-

No major appliance swapping-

No new shelves-

No major renovations using power tools-

Just a little paint, 
organizing and wrapping paper!

Way back when, I changed the broom closet 
in this small space into a pantry-
 some shelves, a couple big tubs
 for the puppy chow-

And some wrapping paper-

I have the 24 hour bug with a teeny budget-

Wallpaper would have cost too much moo la
 and the time would have 

been over my 24 hr limit!

I also had the wrapping paper,
 so it was a win win for me!
You can see the pantry here

The laundry room is off the kitchen-

It is basically a mini hallway that includes 4 doors-

one into the garage, one into the kitchen,

one to the backyard, and the last door is the pantry-

A little space with more doors than walls!

A few years ago, I brightened it up
 with a gallon of "oops"

paint from Home Depot- you know that kind-

An incorrect mix that no one wanted-

Well, there 's a sucker born everyday- 
and you're looking at her!

Bright and cheery- a bright shiny salmon-eeks

What was I thinking!  lol

Because it was basically a tiny hall,
 I didn't pay much attention to  

the horrid color 
until..

I painted the kitchen-

Now, the laundry room clashed so badly that 

I knew it couldn't stay- 

I picked a neutral color palette
but before I began beautifying the space,
I needed to Kilz the whole room
 including all the doors-

I was thrilled to finally be rid of that color!

The four cabinets above the washer and dryer
 have removable panels-

I had spray mounted fabric that 
coordinated with my old kitchen curtains-

I picked Martha Stewart's "Cement"
 color paint in a satin finish-
no more high gloss for me!

I painted all the doors a semi gloss white
 and then got busy with the gray walls-
LOVE!

Next up, the door inserts-

I checked Jo Ann fabrics for a gray pattern
that would be perfect,  but I left empty handed-
which is rare for me, when it comes to fabric-

Then, I remembered a roll of wrapping paper I
had picked up at Marshall's after the holidays-

It was a perfect match with the paint!

My trusty spray mount 
would come in handy again!


I used the inserts as a pattern,
 cut the wrapping paper to size and
spray mounted it to the wood-

before

after

I used the same hardware
and dipped it into the can-

I love the change-
the dark room looks clean and bright

The carpet runner also got a face lift-

Ballard Design came to the rescue again-
found the runner and door mat on sale for $40

Love the change it makes-
the gray indoor/outdoor
runner will mainly be used by paws
and since it will get dirty
 they are easy to bring outside to hose down.

What a change a little paint
and
wrapping paper
can make!

Here's a little teaser
for the room

Bet you're happy this post is over- 
now go take a nap!

Take care, gotta fly-

How to add excitement to a bookcase

I love bookcases-

decorating them is an added bonus

but not all bookcases are gorgeous to start out-

Many of us have the standard dorm room or 1st apartment

bookcases, the one you add to your children's rooms

to collect their childhood books and

as they grow, the bookcase changes-

many things are added and many removed-

but

unless they are filled to the brim-

they are plain and a bit boring-

As I was perusing Pinterest-

a daily task-lol

I have seen many of those plain, dull bookcases come to life-

Wallpaper, wrapping paper, paint, scrapbook paper,
vinyl, stencils, and tin ceiling tiles

are some ways to bring them to life-

Here are a few I loved...

(click on the picture to go to the source)



















Great ideas for ordinary bookcases-
now it's time to give your shelves new life!

Take care, gotta fly-

Pantry Clean up

I love to see all of your organizing tips-

although my word for the year is "organize"

I have yet to achieve that in my home

until today...

This is my horrid pantry-
a big 'ole mess
it hurts to show this mess off-
really!
I even had a shoe holder filled with paints
hanging off the door-YUCK!

no beautiful french door will appear-

no wooden shelves

just a plain old shelf organizing
First step was to empty this out
and take out all the shelves.

Okay-now I wanted to brighten it up
 but only use what I have-
I had bought some pretty wrapping paper last year
but kept forgetting to use it-crazy, I know!

boring-no

White birch trees on a crystal blue background with
cardinals scattered among the branches-

Mattie's checking it out-sorry no treats!

Love the birdies, don't you?

the shelves are now in order

it's certainly not the most beautiful
 I've seen online 

but it's clean, fresh and tidy- lol

This may not excite you
but I'm doing the happy dance!!

Take care, gotta fly-