Monday, February 8, 2010

Monkeys, palm trees and dirty laundry ... oh my !!

Welcome to our mudroom, where you'll find yourselves surrounded by a bunch of monkeys !!  Nooo, not John, Jax and me, silly, but our walls !!  Okay, so YES, I do have one other room decked out in wallpaper.  When I first spotted the fun paper in my hairstylist's studio, I LOVED it ... had to have it ... didn't know where I was going to put it, mind you, but I HAD to have it !!  We decided on the mudroom because I thought this was someplace unexpected for a fun paper such as this.

BEFORE: I took this picture of our mudroom the day after we moved in ... basic white ... wire shelf ... no storage, etc.  It was politely screaming for us to give it a little personality.  So, that's what we did (or attempted to do, anyway).  As always, feel free to click on pics to enlarge them.


AFTER:  Welcome to the jungle !!  Are your eyes going crazy from all of the monkeys and palms?  Well, not only did we add the paper, but we added crown molding, maple upper cabinets and a double base cabinet.  I painted the ceiling SW Blonde, and we replaced the light fixture (oops, sorry you can't see it).  I can't tell you how much I love having the extra storage !!


I recently scored this fun wall clock from Kirkland's:


We found this great mirror w/ hooks at Lowe's.  And, the storage bench's former home was, once again, Kirkland's.  I'm sure it appreciates us throwing our stinky "go to" shoes in there !!


Finally, I recently turned this little area into our "command center." (I'll give you one guess where the precious monkey lamp came from!).  Thankfully, we saved the countertop that used to be on our kitchen island ... our contractors were able to cut it down and use it here !!  I love that the wide drawer below (seen in other picture) serves as our "neat" junk drawer, filled with pads, pens, small "fix it" items, etc.  And, Jax loves calling one of the base cabinets "his," by storing his coloring books, crayons, stickers, etc. there.  Um, did I already mention how much I LOVE the extra storage !! 


So, there ya' have it.  Now, I'd love your honest opinions here ... it's been 3 years since we added this wallpaper.  And, well, you can imagine that I'm getting the itch to redo the walls.  When I look back at the "before" pic, I somewhat miss the light color ... how the washer and dryer blend into the wall, instead of popping out and screaming at you against the red walls.  So ... my wonderful blogging friends ... what do you think?  Paint it back to a lighter color or keep it as is?

Thanks for stopping by,





I'm joining:

Metamorphosis Monday at BTOTP

Make Your Monday @ Twice Remembered

Made it Monday at Persimmon Perch

Make it for Monday @ Cottage Instincts

Making the World Cuter

Toot Your Horn Tuesday at A Silly Little Sparrow

Make It Yours Day at My Backyard Eden

Transformation Thursday at the Shabby Chic Cottage

Strut Your Stuff Thursday at Somewhat Simple

Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special

36 comments:

  1. Becca! Oh my goodness girl I was just drooling over how warm, fun and just plain unexpected this is for a laundry room. Then you asked if you should *change* it??? It's gorgeous!!!!

    Obviously my vote is that I LOVE it as is!
    It'so pretty and welcoming! I adore the lamp and the monkey wallpaper. LOVE this entire room and every detail! The new clock is so cool.

    ~Blessings my friend. ~Melissa :)

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  2. Becca, honey, I LOVE the red laundry room!!! It's fantastic. Keep it.

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  3. I love the whimsy to it! How can you not smile when you go in there to do laundry with that wallpaper? I love all the things you added here from the cabinets to the clock. I think it's great!

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  4. Hi Becca, glad you came by again, I became a follower of you a week or so ago. I am sorry I do not recall you on RMS...but I met so many awesome people sometimes it is hard to keep track of all!!~I will be back again...I love your use of wallpaper...I have always loved wallpaper if it is a nice timeless pattern....you do good!!~:)

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  5. BECCA! Do you know? Did you HEAR? There was a blogging convention last weekend and all of the legends were there. I didn't know and I'm beside myself. How could I not know? How can I call myself a blogger! Waaaaa! Next year we are going! You and me! We HAVE to go! It was even at the Opryland Hotel. I've only been dying to stay there my whole entire life! Oh pity me, please pity me. Get out your violin. In honor of my pathetic self, I am going to host a "Feeling Sorry For Myself Giveaway". Stay tuned...........

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  6. I love your red laundry room! My laundry room is red also ~ the only room my husband would let me paint red! Yours is beautiful! ~Marcy

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  7. I love the monkies but I know what you mean, I start itching to change things after about 3-5 years too !

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  8. I have always, always decorated the laundry area! As much time we we women spend there, it needs to make us feel good!!! And I love love love the wallpaper!! Becca, do email me and let me know the maker! BTW, have I told you today how much I love coming here :) I do!!
    jandnhood@yahoo.com

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  9. The first thing I said when I moved to Germany the FIRST time was, "There is no Kirklands here!!!". I currently live BACK in Germany but am moving back soon...and I hope it's near a Kirklands AND a place that sells that wonderfully fun wallpaper. I love it. Fun and warm and welcoming! :)

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  10. Love your room.....every part of it....You did GOOD

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  11. Wow, girl you are a great decorator. I don't think I've ever seen such a nice laundry room!!

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  12. THANK you, everyone, for taking the time to leave such kind notes !! The monkeys also thank you for convincing me to leave them alone for now !! Kristy, I would be lost w/o Kirklands ... hope you move close to one, again. And, Nancy, I'll check my remnant and see if I can find the manufacturer ... when I bought it, they told me that they were retiring the print, but lemme check.

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  13. To die for!!!! What an enchanting, divine, great use of space room!!!!!!!! I have a sneaking suspicion you will change it in the near future (hee hee hee), but I think you should leave it a bit longer. The monkeys would miss you!!!!!!

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  14. Hey Becca -- Just found your blog through Kami at My Domestic Bliss. Love, love it! I have a feature every Wednesday for "newbie" bloggers (blogging for less than 6 mo or fewer than 50 followers) I would LOVE to feature your blog this Wednesday! My blog is Finesse Your Nest. You can check out some of the other features I've done so you get a better idea of what they are. If you are interested, please email me at finesseyournest@yahoo.com

    Thanks!
    Kendall

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  15. Sorry Becca, I totally trashed that shoutout. I meant to say KIM at Domestic Bliss, not KAMI. I'm blaming it on the morning! Sorry!!

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  16. Hey Becca! Saw your post on my blog this morning. When you get a sec, send me an email because I need to get just few little things from you for the feature. It won't take long, promise!

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  17. Becca, This is one fabulous laundry room! I love the color. It is so upscale and your attention to detail is right on! Yes, you do have ADD -attention decorating disorder! Just beautiful!
    Yvonne

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  18. I love the red (I have a lot in my house) and I like the monkeys. I have had a few scattered in my house. Some I put away and some are still out. When we first added the sunroom I had some pillows with the monkey fabric, but since then everything in that room has changed. I am always changing things...Kim

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  19. Wow Becca,

    I LOVE your laundry room....its GORGEOUS! You are so talented. I love all the accessorizing you did, too! Oh, and that clock-love it! I would not change one thing, its perfect!

    Huge and Love,

    Liz

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  20. Leave it! Just paint the washer and dryer! :)
    Thanks for sharing Becca-your stuff is always so adorable!
    -Tiff

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  21. Hi Becca, How did I miss this post?? I love your laundry room! (of course) It's so colorful and I love the monkeys. You know my vote is to keep it! I understand that you are itching to do something different...BELIEVE ME!lol...We have lived here 5 years and I haven't done anything to our walls. I hate painting and I would be the one to do it...that's why I'm going to paint my island. That shouldn't take long and it will give me a little bit of a change. Anyway, I love the monkeys and hope you will keep them, but whatever you decide I'm sure it will look beautiful too. Thanks for your nice comments on my tables! Oh...love your new header! Kristen

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  22. Becca,
    What a incredible makeover...you have inspired me to finish my laundry room makeover...thanks soooo much! I just luv those monkeys and palms:)

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  24. Oops, let me try this again. I found you via Kendall @ Finesse Your Nest and had to pop in and tell you how much I love that wallpaper! Then I looked back and saw those palm tree towels from Steinmart, love them too!

    I'm moving soon to Georgia and I'm looking for all the help I can get. Your style and Trixie's budget should help tremendously on my way.

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  25. Oh my goodness I agree with the first first I think that room is wonderful and you want to change it?! It is such a happy room! Maybe if you changed up a few of the accessories you would feel like it was new. Personally I wouldn't change much!

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  26. I loooove it!!! So fun and dramatic!

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  27. I like the monkeys! It's sort of an unexpected thing for a laundry room!

    I'm hosting a party and would love to have you come over and link this up!

    http://mybackyardeden.blogspot.com/2010/02/make-it-yours-day_09.html

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  28. Becca, you turned a blah laundry room into Fabulous! Wonderful re-do! Love the red..use many shades of this delightful color in my color palette. It's known to stimulate the mind, and we all could use a bit of that come laundry day.

    I just became one of your Follower's. I've only been blogging for a short while, but it's quickly becoming the highlight of my day.

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  29. There is something timeless about Monkies!!~ I too have had them in my home, I once even had a monkey mural in my dining room in Florida...I love them, so I say keep them for now, it looks great! I am hosting a Meme party Friday, fun foto friday it is....anything that makes us smile will work!!~ Hope you join in, details to follow on my page...I do have mr. linky up and ready:)

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  30. I LOVE this room!! It's so fun and welcoming. Great job on all the details. I can't say enough about crown molding. My husband and I added some in our half bath. It makes the room look very finished and classy. The "command station" is fantastic too!!

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  31. I really like your wallpaper - I had to check where you live - 'cause I thought it would like nice here (FL). This is so nice, the clock is the perfect accent piece.

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  32. I like your new additions- the wallpaper, storage and mini-office. The colors and textures seem to mix well with the rest of the decor in your home. I see why you went for the changes. It now has a more well-decorated and finished look and especially seems to mix well with the kitchen. Yes!!

    I also see the dilemna you have with the bold white. I'll tell you something I made note of once in a model home bath. (I think this is a comman color issue with baths, too.) The room had all white fixtures and a lovely deep rust wallpaper. The designer choose assessories against the paper that had whites in them. I remember the towels had some whites in them and the rich colored prints had textured, white antique-looking frames. So white was spread around the room. The white fixtures had display items with the rich colors in them,like the deep bronze soap dispenser. To me, the room had a well balanced first color empression. Hope that helps!

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  33. I love all the things you added here from the cabinets to the clock. I think it's great!

    work at home in india

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I appreciate your comments!