The Elegant Boot Tray

CCC

 

I love when function and form combine in something for the home that is functional and beautiful. This was my copper boot tray at CCC in my laundry room in Alexandria, Virginia that was "lost" in the move. I have finally found a replacement for CCC Florida.

The Copper Boot Tray

CCC

 

I think a copper boot tray is such an elegant and functional choice for corralling rain boots, gardening boots, work boots, and such for a dirt-free home. Perfect for the mud room or side entry. One also works well for pet food and water bowls. If you live at the beach like me, they are great for your water shoes.

The Chinoiserie Mud Room

Caitlin Wilson Design

A beautiful mud room painted in Benjamin Moore New Hope Gray with a pair of blue and white Chinese porcelain boxwood topiaries.

Eclectic Chinoiserie

Design Sponge

This is such a cool example of the versatility of Chinoiserie - an entryway/mudroom with a Chinese Chippendale mirror paired with a faux marble DIY bench. Details on this fun bench here.

The Chinoiserie Mud Room

Anne Hepfer Designs

As part of my One Room Challenge Laundry Room Makeover, I'd love to incorporate a mud room area, as this is the way the family enters the home from the garage.

These mud rooms all have wallpaper, as will mine. The one above even has a blue and white porcelain piece - I wonder why they don't show it with umbrellas in it? I'd also like a place to stylishly store boots, raincoats, and umbrellas. These are great inspiration. Make sure to come back tomorrow to see my progress in the laundry room.

a Nantucket cottage

Palmer Weiss

CWB Architects

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.