Laundry Room

      Before.   The clients just recently bought an 1892 Queen Anne Victorian in the historic district of an 18th century river town in the south.  The home's exterior is very elaborate with fish scale siding, walk-out balconies from the upstairs bedrooms, wonderfully playful roof lines and stained glass windows. The interior is just as intricate with alternating light and dark parquet oak flooring, elaborate fireplaces, high ceilings with period lighting, a graceful foyer with paneling and an elegant stairway leading past a brilliantly patterned triple glass window.  

     Unfortunately, over the years the house had been divided into three apartments over the home's three floors. The previous owner had reclaimed the first two back to their main residence, but left the top floor as a rental.  Once our clients took possession they made the whole house theirs.

     After. Like many old homes, it lacked certain modern conveniences that most people want today.  The clients wanted a proper laundry room.  The washer and dryer were located off of the kitchen in the first floor powder room.  It was very inconvenient since all the bedrooms are located on the second and third floors. The location for the new laundry was to be placed in what was once the kitchen of the second floor apartment.  What its original function was is unknown.  The position of the room allowed for bright morning sun.  

     In keeping with the period, cabinets were designed to blend with late Victorian taste with recessed paneled doors.  Since the ceilings are tall, it allowed for cabinets all the way to the top for increased storage.  This also allowed for the ironing board to be hidden until in use.  The clients wanted paint instead of stain, so a tropical yellow was selected to add to the overall lightness of the room.  The old linoleum was removed to reveal the original pine flooring which was sanded and sealed.  Bead board wainscot was added to give the room a more period feeling.  Since one of the clients is an avid gardener, they use the new glass and wood shelves to care for and display their many indoor varieties.  They also wanted a bench to take full advantage of the light and it adds a cozy place to read in the mornings.  The granite counter tops and white porcelain sink continue the feeling of vintage, but allows for low maintenance clean up when using the room as the laundry or as the planting room.