Tuesday, December 29, 2009

2010 Design Project


I am not one to make New Year's Resolutions, but instead I love to plan and execute a design project for my home. Ever since attending the Washington DC Design House last spring, I have been unable to forget the tiniest space in the house, a laundry nook shown above. Brilliantly designed by Draza Stamenich, the walls were done in Gracie wallpaper and the cabinets in aviary wire. The chandelier is Neirmann Weeks. The designer noted that in these economic times, it's wonderful to upgrade life's everyday doings. "Today the luxury is going to be the things we do at home." I also like that he dismisses using a colored washer and dryer as tacky, preferring white or stainless steel. A high end touch I will definitely borrow is getting a scoop and two glass jars at the Container Store and filling one with powdered detergent and the other with dryer sheets.

In my home, we usually enter from the garage through the laundry room. The garage I have already redone. The ceiling is wood stained in mahogany, the walls are Farrow & Ball Elephant's Breath, and there are four crystal chandeliers and french doors. Quite nice. I would like to turn the laundry room which is quite large into a multi functional space that is a mud room/laundry room/craft room/flower arranging room/ironing room/storage room. I also want a more inviting look as this is the main way the family enters the house. I have already decided on a blue and white color scheme and have found on eBay incredible Brunshwig & Fils wallpaper. The room, as part of its flower arranging function, will house my collection of blue and white Chinoiserie vases as well. Stay tuned for this developing project.

20 comments:

  1. Oh my! It sounds too wonderful! I can't wait to see BEFORE and AFTER shots! Good luck and God speed!

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  2. Great idea, will be interested to see what you do!

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  3. Sounds divine. I am so with you about upgrading the quotidian! It is a very French way to honor the tools we use. The feel (and look) of what we use in our lives on a daily basis is important. I so look forward to this new year's renovation. Don't forget the burglar alarms!

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  4. This sounds amazing...can't wait to see what you do!

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  5. You mentioned this earlier in the year!! Good luck. I love that photograph too!

    My NYR this year is to paint my room finally! A dark navy!

    xx,
    Samantha @PrettyLovely

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  6. Can we see your garage?
    It sounds wonderful. I love to see your projects unfold.
    Any suggestions on how to decide what to do? There seem to be too many choices.How do you go about it, if you don't mind sharing.I think you are the best and I wish you the best 2010!
    Mary

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  7. What a fun project! I would love to have a general "project" room with a big table in the middle an enough space for any project I'm working on.

    Can't wait to see it!

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  8. OOOHHHH....sounds good! Can't wait to see the progression!

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  9. What a fabulous project, cannot wait to see the photos :-)

    I too have a project for 2010, a new kitchen so many an hour will be spent collating ideas, well that will be my excuse for flicking through hundreds of interior type magazines.

    Leeann x

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  10. How exciting! Can't wait to see the results. I'd love to upgrade my laundry room (which, alas, isn't big enough to be much more than a laundry room), but I figure I'll wait until I've done a bit more on the other rooms first.

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  11. Vickie-Thanks. It will be a fun project. Happy New Year to you.

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  12. Kit-Will keep you posted. Happy New Year.

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  13. Home Before Dark-Quite so. Things can be functional and beautiful.

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  14. Aesthetic Oiseau-I think you'll like it. Happy New Year.

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  15. Samantha-Are you using Benjamin Moore Soot? That's a great dark blue.

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  16. Mary-Thanks for your lovely comment. I will definitely do posts as I proceed and will show my garage as well.
    I more often than not start with fabric or wallpaper. Here I found a wonderful Brunschwig & Fils wallpaper as my jumping off point. Please stay tuned and Happy New Year.

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  17. Abby-Exactly-I'm deciding between a big antique farm table and a big kitchen type island from Ikea. Happy New Year.

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  18. Theresa-Thanks so much and Happy New Year to you.

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  19. Leann-How fun. It is so much harder to find laundry room inspiration, but I have in my mind's eye what I am doing.

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  20. Averill-This is the last room is my house to be done, so it will be fun. It is a large room, so I have the space to do what I want too.

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