At the top of the steps, and beyond the blue door, there’s a 3′ x 11′ hallway…
Our laundry area and walk-in closet are on the left side of it, and our master bedroom sits at the end of it:
The folks from Dutch Boy paint are flying down to document the whole makeover for a new campaign they’ve invited me to be a part of, so I’ve been busy pulling together a design plan over the past couple of weeks. (Design plans I can wrap my head around, but how we’re going to fit a crew of 8 or 9 in that hallway- I have no idea- LOL!) 😀
I’ve always wanted to install a countertop above our washer and dryer, and I thought it would be fun to use an old door vs. a traditional countertop there. We made a trip up to Southern Accents in Cullman last week to see if they had anything that might work. We looked through door after door after door, and then boom! At the end of the aisle, I spotted this:
Exactly what I didn’t even know I was looking for! 😀
We brought it back home, and then sanded it and cut it to size. The smaller section will sit up along the back edge as a “back splash”:
There was a lot of inconsistency color-wise, so I wiped on some wood conditioner today. I love that it’ll help even things out, but I don’t love that it turned the wood red-orange. Here it is wet:
And here it is dry:
I wasn’t quite sure what direction I wanted to go in from there (I just knew that tone wasn’t what I was looking for), so I tried out a couple of stains I had around the house. They both ended up looking too dark and too burgundy because of the red-orange tone underneath…
…so I sanded them back, and re-applied more wood conditioner to that plank.
Enter: the scrumptious wood we’re going to use as shelves above the washing machine:
That was the tone I didn’t even know I was looking for! 😀
I thought I’d try to mimic it by mixing one part Imperial Gray paint (I had a sample pot of it in our storage closet) with four parts water. I painted the mixture on to a sample piece, and then coated it with Miss Mustard Seed’s Antique Wax and here’s how it turned out:
I *think* it might work, so I’m going to mix up a larger batch tomorrow morning and give it a whirl before it gets too hot to work outside.
That’s one coat of Dutch Boy’s “Water Slide” on the other planks next to my sample plank. That’s the color we’re using on the walls in the hallway. It’s sort of hard to tell in that photo, but it’s a pale pistachio color, and I’m going to pair it with navy, white, and grass green. Here’s a color inspiration board that’ll give you an idea of what I’m thinking:
Hopefully I’ll be back next week with a post about how great the Imperial Gray/Antique Wax concoction turned out! 😀 #FingersCrossed
Happy Weekend!
Alli
Looking forward to seeing how the concoction and the entire design plan comes together. How exciting!!!
Layla
Thank you, Alli! I’m about to go wash that wood- here’s hoping it turns out okay! 😀
Angela
I love the plan! You’re a trooper to let them come film your makeover. Can’t wait to see your space come together.
Layla
Thanks, Angela! Hoping I still feel like a trooper next Wednesday and Thursday, LOL! 😀
Mary | Lemon Grove Blog
Can’t wait to see what you come up with! Loving your idea of the reused wood – I’ve always loved how great you are at reusing old pieces, and turning them into something completely new and different!
Marianne in Mo.
What a great find! Here’s hoping the mix turns out well. Can’t wait to see!
Diane
I have the exact same set up and I have been trying to figure out what I will do with it. I was thinking of a shelf and then something to hang line dry items as I find I always need a place for them. So I cannot wait to see what you come up with!
Cindy Barganier
I rally like that Layla. I would never have thought to pair the mint green with the navy and white But I am loving it. AND I think you are going to be really happy with your mad chemist concoction for he stain color. You have been a busy beaver!!!
Rosemary
Our floors in our 1920’s house are that same yellow pine and now you are making me want to stain them. I can’t wait to see how the imperial gray works out because it is lovely!
Karen
I had no idea that was how your upstairs was laid out. I always thought that was an office behind that infamous blue door. Love the layout. I love the idea of using a door above the washer and dryer. I HATE the shelf’s over my w&d and I also happen to have an old door available…thanks for the inspiration. Can I also say I LOVE your shutters, are they working/functional shutters or just for looks? Either way they look awesome.
kristin
Oh, I can’t wait! When you said what you were going to pair the Water Slide paint color with I got so excited. Brilliant! I would easily think navy and white but not grass green! That is such an unexpected addition of color, but perfect! I wanted to share that if your W/D are not on stands they will become a pain–especally when you have more laundry to do. 🙂 (I am sure you have been told this before.) It would make the shelf higher but it will save your back! And if the shelf is more for looks and not true folding I would consider building a stand to hold the weight. I love how you chose to keep the lock area on the back of the shelf. It will all be stunning–can’t wait!
Layla
Hi Kristin!
We’ve actually had our washer and dryer sitting on the floor like that for the past 8 or 9 years (and we do use the tops of them for folding and “needs to be washed”), so I’m used to it! 😀
Leah
Oh, no…I’m hoping to remove the stands from our front load w/d to be able to add a folding table on top, but have been a little bit worried about exactly what Kristin mentioned. The loading and unloading will be much lower – any regrets here with not having stands??
Leah: )
kristin
Leah,
I had a feeling Layla had them that way for awhile but I had to mention. I had them without stands when I had two little ones and we made a shelf for the top. I managed fine–I was young then! We purchased them years ago and I am much happier with the height and still remember the pain/awkward level. I had also recently read an article on Houzz that talked about the height and play on one’s back. When we do our laundry addition I plan to leave them on stands and have a shelf above perhaps. However, I will also have a seperate folding area. It is definately a personal preference and also determined by how much you may like/need/want the shelf above!
Jennifer
What a fun project! I can’t wait to see how it turns out
Chrissy
Hooray! I’m looking forward to seeing your makeover! Have fun with it. I’m currently painting my masterbath a light gray/green (pistachio?) color and painting all my cream trim to white. I’ve been thinking of accenting the paint colors with a green the color of a plant in my bathroom, but I’ve been stumped. Love the idea of navy. Can’t wait to get inspiration from you!
Ranell Morris
Layla, where did you find the spool table on your inspiration board? Also love the wall paper! You are fabulous! I wish you could come do my house! Loved the door you put in your hallway too!
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh
Oh man, I think you hit the jackpot on the last wash. LOVE the color!
Dawn
I love the inspiration board! I can’t wait to see what you come up with!
Lisa
Hooray!!!! I’ve been searching for years for a way to tone done orangey toned wood! You’re a genius! It looks like the dreamy Restoration Hardware finish. PLEASE tell me what BRAND/ Paint line the “Imperial Gray” comes from. Thank you!!!!!!!!!
Kay
Most inspirational, as always!
Your attention to detail boggles the mind — I love it!
Meanwhile, I must get a pair of mint green skinnies!
Carry on.
Jill Cooper
Love it! Those colors are beautiful and I can’t wait to see pictures of it finished!
Laura S
That door turned out to be beautiful, under the years of wear, can’t wait to see it finished.
When I read the color combination, before seeing the picture, I was wondering about your sanity using the green but it works beautifully, sorry to have doubted you, I know better. (I’ve thought more than once I’d love to hire you to do my house, now if I could just win the lottery, lol.) Any idea where that lovely side table can be found? Thank you for being a constant inspiration, Laura
Bobbi
I absolutely love your decorating style.
Ann
What a fun project Lalya & Kevin! Quick question for y’all. After you sanded and applied the wood conditioner the second time, it didn’t seem like it turned out as orange-red as the first time and I’m wondering how/why?? or is it just an illusion I’m seeing on the photo-ha!
Leah
Just curious when you say you’re going to “wash” the wood – do you mean soap and water, or bleach, or ???
Thanks!!!
Leah: )
Looking forward to this – I have a laundry room I’ve been avoiding,haha!:/
Angela-Rose
I don’t know if someone already mentioned it but Minwax Classic Gray is awesome for giving wood that aged silvered appearance if that’s closer to what you want? Good luck!
Miss Mustard Seed
My dining room table is made out of an identical door to that one! 🙂 I love how it turned out for me and it’ll make a great counter for you.
hello haha narf
smart of dutch boy to partner with your talented self!
looking forward to seeing what you all accomplish…
Mindy
Eeeee, I can’t wait to see it!!!!!
Jodi
For an old barn wood patina look, we use Valspar’s Antiquing Glaze (Lowe’s)…it is AWESOME! We also like to add a touch of grey for a driftwood look. Good luck…love your website! 🙂
Julie B.[Holland]
Love all your ideas!