One of my favorite projects things in the “new” hallway/laundry area is the old door we turned into a countertop, and the reclaimed wood we used as shelves.
You may remember that we found the old door at our favorite architectural salvage shop, Southern Accents. Here’s what it looked like the day we spotted it:
It was the perfect width, because we wanted to create a backsplash to hide the faucets and outlet on the wall behind the washer and dryer:
Brian the Carpenter came up with the *genius* idea to use 1-inch dowels and little metal straps so that the backsplash could be removed if we ever had to get behind there in a hurry.
You can also see the 1×2 wood “cleats” Brian mounted to the walls on each side of the laundry area in that photo. The countertop rest on those and can also be easily lifted up and out of the way if need be.
I ended up staining the door with several coats of Farmhouse Paint tea stain antiquing gel. I was originally going to go with a lighter finish, but I ended up wanting it to look a little darker, like the floor. I had never used that kind of antiquing gel before, but man do I love that stuff! It goes on so easily with a rag, and I think I ended up applying 4 coats total. One day, I’ll get around to sealing it with a couple of layers of Miss Mustard Seed’s clear furniture wax.
The board across the front of the countertop is just an old piece of beadboard, flipped over and stained to match the door:
I love the saw marks on it! 😀 The little curtain rod came from Home Depot, and my friend Jana made the (reversible) curtains for us. I got the fabric and trim at Joann’s Fabric.
As for the shelves, you may remember how they started out too:
All we really did was brush the dust off and cut them to size. The brackets they’re sitting on top of came from Home Depot. They were around $8 a piece and we made sure they were screwed into the studs behind the drywall there so they’d be nice and secure.
The green handle sticking out of the front of the shelves is from an old meat tenderizer I picked up at a flea market a while back. I thought it would make a neat “hook” for clothes that needed to air dry on hangers.
Brian made sure to position it far enough over from the wall so that my hangers wouldn’t bump into it, and I’ve already put it to use several times! 🙂
I’m looking forward to working with some more “old stuff” from Southern Accents next week. Here’s a sneak peek:
Aren’t they just delicious? 😀
I’m excited to show you how/where I’m going to use them!
And speaking of Southern Accents, they are constantly updating their site with new inventory, but if you’re like me, and you want to see every-little-thing they’re up to each week, you may want to sign up to receive their newsletter. Just enter your email address in the box below if you’d like to get their fun updates, too!
Salvage just makes me smile…how about you? 😀
Serious genius and I just LOOOOOVE the look. How I wish I had a spot for something like that. That salvage place is my idea of heaven. I’d go broke! 🙂
Love! Simply love! I so wish I’d seen the brackets at HD! I paid $9 + S&H for mine…and we’d have got our military discount if I’d found them at HD
Ok…love how you put the rod in front, the cup hooks, black rod, and little clips. Really amazing details. And the DOUBLE sided curtain–get out! I have done this curtain gig and have one up in my laundry room. I tuck the white metal rod behind and would have never thought to bring it out and jazz it up. LOVE it Layla! I used to live in Roanoke, VA and frequented Black Dog Salvage for fun. It has made quite a name for itself in the years since moving. I can’t wait to see where you would possible put those doors. The word “Possibilitarian” comes to mind. 😉 OH! I have plans to redo our laundry down the road…I can incorporate these ideas later perhaps!!
This looks fabulous! I love the curtain especially. Our laundry room is open to the kitchen and the appliances are visible through an arched door. I designed it this way on purpose because with 6 kids, laundry never ends. I needed to get to it quickly. But sometimes I regret that when we have company the washer and dryer is right there. A curtain would make it better….thanks for the idea 🙂
Such a cute “room” Layla!! I especially love the way you hid the water mechanics with the board. That is such a big thing to me. I created a skirt which I hung from a shelf to hide mine. I hope to be moving soon…we’ll see what the new laundry room looks like. Maybe I’ll just ‘use’ your fab idea!!!
Best wishes for An Extraordinary Day!!
p.s. with that little spot in the hallway…how do you handle your ‘drip dries’??
I love that counter/backsplash! Such a great idea to cover the ugly behind it! I might have to do something like this in our space! Happy Friday!!
Looks magical!!!!
Hi Layla, I have been reading your blog for a few years now and love staying in touch with what you do. I saw recently that people were commenting about pop ups when they are reading your posts. It is happening to me now and I can’t remember what to do. I would appreciate any advice ….thank you. Regards, Jane, from Perth, Western Australia.
I’m having them too! Thanks for info! Love your blog!
This looks so light and airy…yet completely functional. I’m getting ready to redo some furniture for my daughters room, thanks for the inspiration 🙂
So…I found the top of a picnic table on the side of the road and I’m thinking it may could be a countertop on top of our W/D after looking at yours! I love what you did with the door. I can’t decide if my favorite part is the little hook or the adorable curtain and rod! 🙂
Hmmmmmm….pantry doors???
Can’t wait to see!!
Have a wonderful weekend, Layla.: )
Leah: )
Thank you Layla for the shout out. We absolutely LOVE what you did with our salvaged door!! We can’t wait to see how you repurpose your latest finds.
Southern Accents
Love 🙂
Hi! I love this, it’s absolutely beautiful! I think the wall color may be one of my favorites of all time – what color is it? Thanks!
that’s it. i am moving in…
What a great idea to use this old door for a shelf and backsplash. I love it. Looks great!!!!
Love it! My favorite thing is the nifty dowel rod backsplash solution. And I really like the meat tenderizer handle turned hanging rack. When I first saw it, I thought maybe it was a clothespin. Not knowing the scale of it, it looked like one of those old-school clothespins with the round head and the stationary clip slot, if that makes sense. 🙂
Love this! What a great use of salvaged material, I wish my laundry room looked that nice 🙂
I’ve been on a salvage kick ever since I went there last year on our detour to Chapel Market from TX. I’m going room by room and adding salvage into each one. You should come check it out. We have finished 3 rooms and added a little salvage love to the kitchen.
http://bohemianjunktion.com/2014/09/19/crap-room-to-craft-room-reveal/
http://bohemianjunktion.com/2014/09/12/vintage-coastal-bedroom/
http://bohemianjunktion.com/2014/09/02/vintage-screen-door-antique-signs-and-tide-oxi-challenge/
http://bohemianjunktion.com/2014/04/13/revyns-room-done/
I hope you pop over and see, because you have inspired my Day Dream!
Shannon ~ bohemianjunktion.com
Can’t seem to get your website to come up properly lately. I have logged on at two different computers. No title header and the last post that comes up is the one about your salvaged laundry room shelves. What’s up?
Hmmmm, I’m not sure Sharon. I’ve never seen that on my end. I’ll check with my blog tech and she if she has any ideas.