Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Laundry How-To’s

Yesterday I shared with you our updated laundry room…

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Today I’ll share with you how we completed some of these easy tasks and what we learned along the way.

First up….the closet curtain…

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I had originally planned to use an old shower curtain rod but the rod was too wide for the closet.  Instead Nate hung two L brackets and one hole straps on the inside of the closet (which is only primed…don’t judge)… 

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We hung the curtain (which I made out of 3 yards of fabric) on a dowel rod and placed in the one hole straps…done!  If I can sew this, you can.  It’s a large rectangle with a 1 inch seam allowance on 3 sides and a 3 inch seam for the dowel rod.  You don’t even have to sew that straight if you have a closet like ours.

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Next, the shelves..

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We purchased two shelving boards and cut them to size.  I primed and painted them.  I used a sample of Valspar’s Radiant Red.  The sample was just enough for two coats on both boards.  Nate hung four L-brackets and screwed the boards into them.  I then painted the white brackets the same color as the wall (Smoky Blue by Sherwin Williams) to help them blend…

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I keep trying to go “natural” with cleaners…and then I get lazy.  Bring on the Lysol and Scrubbing Bubbles.  I inhale amoxicillin dust all day.  Pretty sure that will kill me before my toilet bowl cleaner. 

And lastly, the faux roman shade…

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I decided to go with the faux shade because privacy really isn’t an issue in our laundry room..except when I walk in half naked in the morning looking for clothes that I failed to put away…but these upgrades are surely going to make we want to finish my laundry as soon as that dryer beeps….for like a week…maybe. And if someone is looking in my second floor laundry room window at 6:30am, I have bigger problems than a faux roman shade.

I followed this tutorial.  It was super easy to follow so I won’t bother with the step-by-step here.  Darby explains it better than I can. (And she remembered to take pictures…which I failed to do.) She used black out fabric but I just left up the blind that was originally in the window to block any light behind the faux shade.  I did have to use some stitch witchery (love the name…it’s basically iron-on tape) on the folds (front and back) because the window is wide and the whole shade was floppy. 

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There you have it.  The how-to’s on our inexpensive upgrades!! Any questions? 

Who’s coming over to paint the inside of that closet for me?  On a side note, Nate hated hanging ALL of these projects and wanted the title of the laundry room post to include a swear word. Good thing I’m in charge of the writing and he’s in charge of the power tools!  We have a clean blog and straight shelves.  Team work!

Linking up to: Simple Home Life, Remodelaholic,

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19 comments:

  1. Cindy @The Flipping CoupleAugust 16, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    Totally impressed you sewed those curtains. I am severely lacking in the sewing department. Straight lines, whaaaaa? That and I don't have a sewing machine. And that would take FOREVER by hand. (great excuse, right??)

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  2. AnonymousAugust 16, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    I love your blog!! I love how you decorate--nice, clean lines. Laundry would definitely not be a chore for me in a room that looked like yours. Beautiful. Really love the smoky blue paint.You guys rock. And, love the dog.

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  3. spiffykermsAugust 16, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    I actually love every little detail about your laundry room.

    Love the Sherwin blue paint color and how you paired the red shelves. I love both curtains, and I admire your sewing skills.

    I haven't used my sewing machine since High School and now when I try, the bobbin does something wonky and the needles break off. I'm afraid of getting it in my eye! lol

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  4. MikalahAugust 16, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    Very cute laundry room! I found your blog through Cindy from the flipping couple's recommendation, and I've been enjoying reading it! Also, I love the faux roman shade. That fabric is gorgeous!

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  5. EmilyAugust 16, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    Your laundry room turned out SO cute! Mine isn't even painted :/ I keep thinking I want to paint it a fun, darker blue (similar to your blue) but then I'm never motivated since I always just shut the door anyway!

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  6. Rebecca @ the lil house that couldAugust 16, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    Looks great! I love the fabrics you chose and that the shelves are red! I wish our laundry room wasn't litter box land...

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  7. Kelly @ View along the wayAugust 16, 2011 at 12:56 PM

    That's what I keep telling myself about sewing drapes - it's just a large rectangle of fabric, right? How hard can it be? (Swear words are forthcoming, I'm sure.)

    I love your upgrades! Not sure I can read your blog anymore though... what with the primed closet and all... *shameful!*

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  8. Kelly @ View along the wayAugust 16, 2011 at 12:56 PM

    That's what I keep telling myself about sewing drapes - it's just a large rectangle of fabric, right? How hard can it be? (Swear words are forthcoming, I'm sure.)

    I love your upgrades! Not sure I can read your blog anymore though... what with the primed closet and all... *shameful!*

    ReplyDelete
  9. Diane Marie HallAugust 16, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    The colors in your laundry room are beautiful. I started reading your blog because of your dog. I also have a wire fox terrier. He is only 16 weeks old.
    Great pictures and adorable dog!

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  10. JamieAugust 16, 2011 at 6:17 PM

    I am completely in love with your shade, makes me wish like mad I could sew

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  11. Kim @ NewlyWoodwardsAugust 16, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    Wow! This looks SOOO good. (I've totally been MIA so I'm just catching up.) I love the fabric you chose for the faux roman shade. It looks so awesome. What a cheery laundry it is, now. Do you want me to drop off our laundry, too? You know, now that it's so fun!?

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  12. Carrie @ Hazardous DesignAugust 16, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    Awesome! The shade was easy, right? I've got a couple of windows that could use some love.

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  13. MindyAugust 17, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    I've been out of town for a few days and I missed all this great stuff!!! I am in looooove with your laundry room! I love the idea of cheerful red shelves against the dark grey wall, it goes perfectly with the new curtain (I have a new appreciation for anything hand-sewn lately).
    Great job!
    xo
    Mindy

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  14. NicoleAugust 19, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    I like the splash of color on the shelves and curtains! I have a small window in my LR that I want to put up a faux roman shade too but I need a pull down shade or blinds or something for the times I walk in there half naked too ;)

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  15. SommerAugust 19, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    Oh la la I love that paint color on the walls! The pattern on the curtain really pops again the wall color. Nicely done. I would love to have you share this at my VIP party today... http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/08/vip-party-24.html

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  16. Holly LefevreAugust 24, 2011 at 1:03 AM

    It all came together so nicely! LOVE that fabric for the shade. Great laundry room!

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  17. RoeshelAugust 24, 2011 at 9:36 AM

    Beautiful color scheme! Great job! :)

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  18. LindsayJuly 5, 2012 at 1:24 PM

    Love your laundry room. Where did you get the fabric for your roman shade? That would work perfect in my kitchen. Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousMay 9, 2013 at 2:58 PM

    I love the roman shade fabric as well, where did you get it?
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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