I started working on a couple of laundry area-related projects last week. The space leads to and from our master bedroom (which still has mustard walls, by the way), so we pass through it several times every day.
This first project isn’t as much fun as the one I’m going to blog about next week, but I’ve had it on my to-do list forever, and I’m so glad to finally check it off. I thought I’d share it here today in case you were in the market for something similar. It started with an old wire hamper I picked up for $10 at Red Top Market last year. It’s been sitting in the corner of our master bedroom for months, and although I do love that Kit-Cat enjoys napping in it…
…I did not like seeing our dirty clothes bulging out the sides. 😀
First, my seamstress friend, Jana, sewed together a liner from a couple of yards of muslin fabric:
I didn’t want there to be any ties on the outside of the hamper, so she sewed in some hidden ones underneath the top hem:
Next, to make it easier to move around, we secured the hamper to a round of wood with some EZ Cable Clips, and then added four small casters to the bottom so it could roll:
Here’s a look at the before and after:
I’m also putting together a small wall grouping in this hallway right now, inspired by this crackled old painting:
Suzanne and I found it draped over the top of a piece of old furniture the last time we went flea marketing, and the colors couldn’t be more perfect. Navy, white, mint, grass green, warm brown- they’re all in there! On the way home, I remembered that I had seen it in that same booth at least a year ago (maybe two?), so I guess it was meant to be all along. I love it when that happens!
Such a fun project! It’s the little things that really make the space… I bet Kit-Cat will enjoy sleeping in the “new” basket just as much!
I like that crinkly picture! Are you going to frame it?
What a genius idea! I just have to find myself one of those wire baskets. And, and that Kit-Cat. Adorable.
You are one smart cookie! Great idea and execution.
Love the hamper! I’m hoping you can tell me where you found the curve-topped mirror in your bedroom photo. I’ve been searching online for weeks for that shape for our bathroom renovation.
Thanks!!
Becky
Wow I am surprised you haven’t painted your bedroom. Cute hamper you invented by the way. 🙂 Much better after photo.
Beautiful area and beautiful cat. But I am curious about your floor: wood? Laminate? Vinyl? It is exactly what I am looking for, thank you!
You are able to master functional and pretty all together. You are gifted. My house is waiting for you. 🙂
What a clever idea for that basket! Love it! The simple things are sometimes the best. Also love the dogwood painting ( such character)! What is the color of paint in your upstairs landing before you go down the bedroom hall? Thanks Layla!
I was wondering…did you ever consider moving the door to your bedroom to the end of that narrow hall? So the upstairs foyer would include that laundry hallway and your bedroom door would start after the laundry closet. Just a thought I had when I saw your floor plan and meant to ask! It might make the entry to your bedroom a little more intentional (not that its bad as is, like I said, just something I thought of!)
I could be mistaken, but I think there’s a second door to the bedroom at the end of the hall (maybe not?). I’m wondering if the first door was no longer there, if the noise from the laundry machines would be a lot louder in the house. I’m guessing being able to close that door helps muffle it a bit. 🙂
No second door at the end of that hall, Jenny. We don’t really hear our (super quiet) machines, but we have to keep the blue door there to keep Kit-Cat from waking us up throughout the night. #PartyAnimal
Hi Em!
We haven’t considered moving it because of a little fella named Kit-Cat. He is quite the “party animal” at night and we need to keep that door as far away from our bed as possible so that we can actually get some sleep. 😀
Ah, makes sense – cats are nocturnal after all!
love it .my laundry basket is the same .and love the crackle print.awesome. keep up the good work .your house is so cute
Love how crisp everything always looks….wish I could achieve that! I don’t know if you mentioned it before but where did you get that rug runner? I am looking for something like that. My cat Bella looks JUST like yours…..they are fun!
Love how the laundry hamper turned out! Can’t wait to see what you do with the “crinkly” painting!
Blessings,
Lanita
So pretty! Your home looks so light, bright, and inviting! I’m wondering if you might share some info about how and when you get projects done. Maybe like how you organize your project list, how you go about deciding what to do first, and then maybe what your daily routine is like and how much time you spend on home projects? I know it might be different than what most of us do since it’s part of your job, but I’m sure I could learn a thing or two! 🙂
Thank you, Jenny!
You’re going to laugh, but as for how and when I get my projects done, there’s really no rhyme or reason to it. I’m not a list person, and my plans and ideas seem to change constantly. My daily routine works that way too- I never know what I’m going to feel inspired to do from one day to the next, so I don’t really schedule anything. (Scheduling = anxiety, for me) I just kind of go with the flow and hope for the best! 😀 (I’m sure that wasn’t the answer you were looking for- I’m sorry!)
Love that first picture of Kit-Cat and Max.
The picture actually looks as if it accidentally went through the washer by mistake. How appropriate. It makes me want to go throw my paintings through the wash cycle. Hmmm. I thinking of one in particular right now. Dare I?
I didn’t get past that beautiful light blue door!!!!
Your Kit Cat looks almost identical to our Ticky. Just love Tuxedo cats – they are the smartest! Great looking laundry room too!
If I didn’t know any better I would think you are maybe ‘nesting’!!
Great hamper! I don’t know why it never occurred to me to add a base with wheels…duh. 🙂
I don’t know why, but it made me smile to see you rescued that painting. Must be the artist in me. Sweet!
Love the hamper, what a transformation. I had wanted to add castors to a wooden crate, but my husband had concerns about our laminate flooring and the possibilities of it scratching. Is there a certain type of castor/wheel material that is kinder than others?
Also love the print, looking forward to seeing how you incorporate it…
Hi Layla!
I want Kit-Kat! I love that picture where he’s in the hallway messing with your dog!
On another note, your house always looks so clean! The wood floors are spotless, as well as everything else. Won’t you consider doing a post on how you keep your house so clean (do you & Kevin share in the chores?) and still manage to get everything else done?
Thx!
Love the hamper! I’m into pretty AND functional. 🙂 I also enjoy looking at your clean house, but I am hoping you get to experience a joyful mess with your little one SOON! 🙂
Clever redo on the wire hamper. So are we to assume that the mustard walls are being changed? By the way, do you have the information for the blue. Love it. It is time to redo the Master bedroom but too many possibilities. I know that God will eventually show me a picture or bedspread that will be my jumping off point. Until then, still spinning wheels and waiting.
Thanks, Vicky! And, yes, the mustard walls will definitely go next year.
Are you wondering about the blue color on the door? If so, that’s Dutch Tile Blue by Sherwin Williams! 😀
My favorite thing from this post: looking forward to what you’re going to do with that beautiful, terribly crunched up painting!
thanks, Peggy
Love the re-do on the wire basket! I have to ask where your wonderful blue stripe rug came from!?! I have been searching everywhere for one like it for my laundry room. Is it by chance an actual runner?
Hi Layla, Where did you find the brackets for your laundry room shelves? How did you distress the wood for the shelves? Love your blog and decorating style!
Sandra
Hi Sandra!
They came from Home Depot. Here’s a link to the post about the shelves:
https://theletteredcottage.net/laundry-room-countertop-and-reclaimed-wood-shelves/
😀