Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Laundry Room Blues

My laundry room is a 'work in progress'. It's not yet what it will be. I enjoy seeing the laundry rooms of blog friends. Some have been thoughtfully decorated. Some are creative. Some are full of laundry-themed decor. And some display vintage treasures of all kinds.

My dear little mother's laundry room is like no other in her neighborhood, I'm sure. It's not unusual for a first-time visitor to enter her laundry room with a gasp of surprise. It is like walking into a lovely antique shop filled with all kinds of wonderful things. Her home is decorated with blue. Blues in all shapes and sizes. Her laundry room echoes the same hues. Pictures can't really do it justice. Words can't describe each carefully-placed thing that she has gathered and collected through the years. She has a special way of putting it all together. Many things are garage sale finds. Some were found in the recesses of little shops many years ago. Others were gifts from family and friends. Whatever you see, it was probably a bargain. And there is a story behind each wonderful piece.

Blue granite ware and utensils with blue handles are hung throughout the tiny room. My mother's great-grandmother crocheted the lace on the shelf near the ceiling.Corners are filled with treasures.
There are more around the corner. An old, wooden ironing board holds many things to see. And across the room, there's more above a little white dresser that held my baby clothes!No one notices the hot water heater that is nearly hidden. Reminders of laundry rooms in years past share the space. Don't be in a hurry. You need time to see things up close. Old coffee pots, a coffee grinder and a tiny metal teapot. Another shelf hold special teapots. And old, wooden pop box holds pretty little things. Look at this sweet old potholder. A lovely, old cookbook that belonged to my grandmother is tucked in between special treasures. An old blue dustpan and little broom stand nearby.Is there room to do the laundry? Yes. It's amazing how many things are in such a tiny, little room. Yet it feels open and spacious. My dear mother often tells me that this is part of my inheritance. She reminds me that when she is gone I can sell it all. I always say, "No, I'm going to put up a sign and open a museum!" Maybe we should do that now so she can be the tour guide. She knows the history and the stories about each of her special treasures. It would have to be an all-day event! This is just one room of her sweet little cottage home. We would have to serve lunch on the grounds so you would have a chance to see it all. Let us know when you plan to arrive. Lunch will be ready!

22 comments:

  1. Thank you Adrienne for visiting my blog and for your sweet words!! I hope you will come back and visit often!!
    Isabel

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  2. Wow! If the Cracker Barrel restaurant execs see this, they'll hunt your mother down with a job offer! She definitely has a flair for vintage decorating.

    I had a blue speckled enamel bowl my grandmother used to mix up biscuits in, but one of my brothers wanted it so badly, I traded for a wooden bowl she used to mix up cakes in.

    I lived in a 3 generation household until I was 14 years old. I enjoyed the pictures you posted so much, reminded me of things my grandmother had in and around our house.

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  3. I agree with MrsA, Cracker Barrel execs needs to see your mother's laundry room. :oD

    The thing that caught my eye the most is the broom and dust-pan. I would be a happy camper indeed to find such a find and use it in my vintage trailer.

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  4. What a great idea! Everything looks so organized, and everything in its proper place.... It almost like a show room.... I'm impressed!

    Pd: The house in the roses is having a dessert carnival… come and participate. It promises to be FANTASTIC!!!

    Cielo

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  5. Wow is all I can say! There's so much to see - what a wonderful room! My washer and dryer in the garage so there's not much I can do with it.

    Manuela

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  6. I am utterly speechless! That room is absolutely breathtaking! If it were only possible, I would be honored to come for lunch and would be delighted to provide the dessert!

    Please thank your mama for allowing me to participate in this mini tour. With her permission, I'd like to add pictures of her laundry room to my notebook of inspiration for my "adopted" house renovation project.

    Blessings!

    Liz

    P.S. Thank you so much for "singing" your birthday song to me!

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  7. Your moms laundry room is so pretty! I do my laundry in the dungeoun, I mean basement, and it is very, very ugly! Maybe some day...

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  8. WOW...this is the most amazing personal collection I believe I've ever seen.....just lovely. Your mom is very good at what she does!
    give her a hug...then hug yourself for me,
    bj

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  9. oh how I would love to sit with her and hear the story of each item...what a delightful little lady she must be...
    you are blessed to still have your mother...

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  10. Hi Adrienne!
    I will be arriving tomorrow for a tour of the laundry room, and the rest of the house...I can imagine since the LR is soooo amazing, that the rest of the house must be 2die4! My poor laundry room is a sad, sad thing compared to your mothers!
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  11. Oh, isn't that just the cutest! I would love to come tour her home!! I think my favorite item is the wooden ironing board! I once had a glass washboard! The rub board part was glass framed with wood. I gave it to a friend, wish I had it back now :-(

    I'm working on a Treasure Album (photo album) It has a picture (or pictures) on each page with a paragraph under each picture telling the story and value of the item. I'm leaving this for my children, hopefully it will keep them from selling these things for a quarter in a garage sale!! Maybe you should do one of these for your mother to write her stories under the photos! That way the stories won't be lost.

    Katherine

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  12. I'm another dungeon laundry dweller.

    You are so lucky to have a lovely place like that!

    Happy weekend, Adrienne!

    xo
    Melissa

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  13. What a clever way to disguise the hot water heater! I didn't even quite now what it was until you mentioned it.

    My laundry room is my favarite room in my house.

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  14. I love it! I was really surprised to see the shelf high above the window. I saw an old house several years ago and they had one like that, so I decided that was what was missing from my old house kitchen window. I told my husband what I wanted, and now it looks much like your moms!

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  15. Hi Adrienne.
    Wow, your mother's laundry room is so wonderful. I love all the treasures she has in my favorite color!
    I'd love to come for lunch and see EVERYTHING in her home. I hope you'll show us some more.
    Hope you have a great weekend.
    Hugs Rhondi

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  16. Wow! What a room! Your post was awesome...so many great pics.
    Kathy@ Mimi's Garden

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  17. Adrienne,
    WOW - mom's laundry is a picture in a magazine for sure! What a wonderful place!
    Hugs,
    Rose

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  18. Wow, how do you manage all those things?? They are lovely, that's just how I would want mine, but not here, too much dusting to do, no maybe in Heaven!

    You have a lovely blog and I'll be back soon!!

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  19. oh I love this color!! I have a few pieces. Quite lovely!

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  20. Hi Adrienne , just found your blog,you seem so sweet , glad I found ya . I really like your blue laundry room .I like blue too. I have it in my kitchen. Come & visit me sometime , I have just started my blog about 2 weeks ago.

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  21. Hi Adrienne!

    What a perfectly adorable laundry room - what a feast for the eyes!! I love every detail - thanks so much for sharing it!! I'll happily make the trek there to hear all the stories about each piece...that's what makes them such treasures - they have a history!

    Love your inspiring site sweetie!

    Hugs and blessings,
    Becky S.

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  22. I just sent a link to your page for my daughters to see it. Lovely laundry room, but also such wonderful relaxing web pages to browse and be entertained with your wonderful playlist of music. Keep up the good work... both on and off the web. And do have your mother showcase her home. Some of the country decorating idea magazines should pick up on this one. My best to you... and your mother.

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I am grateful that you stopped by to visit me. Your kind and gracious comments are appreciated and treasured.