The laundry room is one of the most commonly used rooms in most households; one that requires function. As an added bonus, we were able to add elements of style that were hand selected by the customer to bring this space together as a place where one can maybe even enjoy the mundane tasks that take place here.
Demo and preparation included removing the existing flooring and cabinetry in order to install updated styles in their place. Prior to the installation of tile, the floor needed to be leveled in order to ensure that the tile and grout stand up to the test of time and do not crack. We see this step being skipped or done incorrectly in many projects, which reduces the life of what should be a long-term flooring solution.
For flooring, the customer selected an Italian slate tile which was installed in a herringbone pattern to elevate the appearance. Slate provides increased durability, compared to other materials, and its texture adds a rustic charm aesthetic to the area where it is installed. It was an excellent choice for this high-traffic area and would also work well in kitchens and entryways. Other notable tile work in this space is the porcelain mosaic tile backsplash, behind the washer and dryer. Backsplashes aren’t limited to kitchens and bathrooms! When wall tile is added anywhere in the house, it instantly elevates the room.
The next feature that we would like to highlight is the custom shelving. The customer needed shelving that was practical yet matched the overall look and feel of the space. It is not always easy to find the exact color or size that is needed, but that is no problem when you have a skilled carpenter like Matt on your team. When it came to material selection for the shelving, we shopped at a local gem, Dad’s Sawmill and Woodshop. We love that Dad’s sources their hardwood slabs locally. Specifically, these slabs are two-inch thick, live oak slabs that were obtained from the Gilmer Park area of South Bend. The shelves were then finished.
Built-in ironing boards are often-times removed from laundry rooms, either because of lack of use or customers thinking that the feature “dates” the space, but we appreciate that the built-in ironing board stayed and received a facelift to match the modern design. We updated the exterior appearance so that it could remain in the space and not take away from the surrounding aesthetic.
Other notable installations in this space include the addition of solid wood cabinets with soft-close hinges, brushed brass cabinet hardware, a fresh coat of paint, wallpaper accent wall and new light fixture.
Material Details:
Paint-Shoji White, Sherwin Williams
Slate Tile- Tiles Direct
Backsplash Tile- Home Depot
Wallpaper- Rifle Paper Co.
Live Oak Slab- Dad’s Sawmill and Workshop
Overhead Lighting- Wayfair