Wednesday, November 19, 2008

my laundry/foodstorage/craft/april's room

So we actually started this project in May.

About a year ago I snagged free kitchen cabinets and counter tops off of KSL (website here in Utah- similar to Craig's list) The funny thing is- is that I kept saying "hmmm I need to get free cabinets somehow and paint them white for my laundry room." Chay would say, "good luck with that one" well what do you know? I was the lucky first caller when a nice family posted their kitchen cabinets and counter tops for free on KSL. The cabinets were semi-old but I knew they would look great with new hardware and painted white- (my dream kitchen is a white kitchen...white cabinets...big windows...big island...someday.) anyway the funny part about getting these cabinets was the sticky note left on the face of one of the cabinet doors. I left the sticky note on there for awhile- just to giggle when I saw it. We can all mostly relate can't we?

...and then the annoying big space taker cabinets sat in our basement for a good while and then...Mom...oh Mom called one day and said, "I'm coming down for 2 weeks- let's finish your laundry room" and so this room actually has bittersweet feelings when I walk into it. Bitter because there is usually laundry all over the floor and also sweet because Mom helped with so much of it...and she was even moving slow but with her help we accomplished so much- ok so here are some before pictures of the room. This room was disgusting. It was just cement floor and had these homemade poorly done type work benches randomly placed- there were 3 different types of cupboards that were all broken and nasty...we seriously threw everything extra in there and it was like war trying to do a load of laundry. So...got to love "this old house"- oh and please don't mind the mess- this is really bad messy bad- but they are GREAT before pictures wouldn't you say?



ok and here are some pictures of the work in progress

There are a lot of pictures of Chay...but I seriously worked as hard or maybe even harder on this project than he did. In fact Mom and I did a lot when he was at work. I was the one who always wanted to take pictures...ok I just had to say that- I need to take some credit- just because my husband is Mr. Hot Home Handy Improvement Man...ok so he is making silly faces in these pictures- but you all know he is hot.

and here is is a really funny video- and yes we were doing this project during American Idol season...so obviously only during commercial breaks would there be any sanding of the cabinets-



and some more pictures- here is a shot of some of the counter tops- these were practically brand new- I know they are dark which was more the reason to paint the cabinets white...







Here is Mom- she loved to do home improvement projects- she loved to work!...she is making a silly face too- can't you tell how excited we were to do this? It actually got old really fast...



and here we are laying the floor- which is just linoleum- but so many people asked us if we tiled the floor- this was so easy just stick and lay- and it was only $.52 a square yard- CHEAP!



ok and here are the after shots...just so you know this project actually isn't done yet- there are touch ups to make, cracks to fill, trim around window, curtain to make, more shelves to build, holes to patch, barstools to buy- but it will all be done with time- I LOVE this room. It is so functional...it is big and spacious, it has tons of storage and working space for crafty things (I actually haven't done anything crafty in it yet but I have space now if I want to)- all my wheat, rice, milk and beans fit under the stairs- there is storage space for my food- and we even put in a little chest freezer which comes in handy...anyway so enjoy enjoy







8 comments:

The Pyper Fam said...

April! That is amazing! Will you come to my house and build me a room??? :) You have inspired me to do something with the black hole of a laundry room I also have in my basement! Thats awesome. I am also very impressed with your food storage! I need to get going on mine!

The Wright Stuff said...

You guys did such a great job!!! It looks sooo awesome! Is this in your basement? How cooL! I bet you're so excited to have a little space just for yourself... and Chay's, Kenzie's, Julia's and your stinky clothes, and dirty towels, and oh boy! Laundry is LOADS OF FUN! You guys deserve some sort of award or something. I'm calling Norm Abrams...
Can you come and help me on my food storage?

Heather said...

HOLY SMOKES!!!! That room actually makes me want to do laundry! What a beautiful area you have created! You have your mom’s ability to see potential in everything. I use to love playing down in her sewing room. Do you remember sitting under the cabinets for hours talking and playing?

How luckily for you that you found free cabinets with such a darling child in them??? I would have gotten a troll or something LOL

And just for the record the American Idol with Dolly was my least fav episodes!!

Heather said...

PS I left you a comment on your last blog too!! XOXO

Heather said...

PPS Jaynee and I posted at the same exact time. Weird!!!!

Calie said...

Wow April and Chay your wonderful! Look at the work you have done. How fun and exciting it must be to walk into that room and know that you did that. Your before pictures are great. They really show the contrast. It was like I was watching an HGTV show. Love you guys.

Marne said...

I am so happy you finally posted your room! When I saw it back in June I love it immediately. The cabinets didn't even look painted to me, I thought they were originally white!

What a fun room to do laundry in. Someday I will have a room like yours April! I am so excited for you to have that space!

Stephani said...

Wow......wow. That is crazy the difference. I'm sure that really was a lot of work, but your outcome is awesome. I love to watch projects on This Old House, keyword here is watch...but I hate to actually do them myself. Every now and then when I do get a wild hair for a project though I love that feeling afterward of accomplishment and of beautifying something. Nice work. Do you just go sit in there sometimes and stare at all you've done? I would...