Week three of the One Room Challenge really took a hit to my already non-existent motivation. It started with a design pivot that I honestly should have seen coming. Initially, I wanted the washer and dryer cabinet to look as built-in as possible, so I designed it to have a platform the baseboard could run under. Then I added drawers at the bottom to take advantage of the remaining vertical height, but in a way that was useable for shorter folks. In the back of my mind, I was worried about elevating a washer, I mean they are known to move when you get an off-balance load, they can leak, and the weight alone makes it not the greatest idea, but I quieted those thoughts with the promise of a pretty laundry room. It wasn’t until I was checking measurements for something completely unrelated that I noticed the Wash Tower specifies: never install on a platform. I quickly messaged my cabinet builder and asked him to remove the platform on the Wash Tower side, and luckily, he hadn’t started (which already pushed the delivery date a week out), so it wasn’t a big change.
This laundry room has been a work in progress for over two years, when we originally created the space from an old bathroom, hallway, and coat closet, I had a design in mind that included an old cast iron mop sink. I found one at a salvage shop in Seattle, my mom graciously picked it up and it sat outside under a tarp for about 18 months before we got it inside and stuck it in the basement. We had our handyman add blocking behind the wall, but when he installed the plumbing it was shifted to the left about 12” of its specified location, we had him come back and move the plumbing before we had it mudded. Still, I couldn’t remember if he installed blocking on both sides of the studs to accommodate the new placement and the only video I had of the open walls only had blocking in the old sink location. After he (our handyman) removed the prepped drywall (I couldn’t watch), it was confirmed that there is in fact blocking in both bays, but one of the boards was loose. He tightened it and put the drywall piece back. The cut piece will be covered by the paneling, so no harm, no foul, but it was hard to watch.
I sold the washer and dryer on Facebook Marketplace! I’m an avid marketplace shopper and sometimes seller. Anyone that has ever sold anything knows the hardest part is lining up a reliable buyer. I scheduled the Wash Tower to arrive the same day as the cabinetry and so I listed our old washer and dryer a week prior to that. I wanted to keep it as long as possible, but I was uncertain how long it would take to sell. After answering “is it available” 15 times, I finally found a buyer that was the mother of a coworker. She agreed to come Saturday and when Saturday came, she showed up! We did have to remove the door to get the washer and dryer out, but that is was easy. This is a feat in itself. However, Lowes delayed the new Wash Tower and it wasn’t expected until the following Monday. I never received any delay notification, just an updated tracking status, so we will have to wait.
The paneling that has been sitting in my basement for over two years finally saw some love today. I’m trying to be thorough with my design and DIY, so I made sure to consult the sellers website on install instructions. I typically work with PDF and I want to make sure I am doing this wood trim right, so I am following all their instructions. Priming all sides of the boards was up first, good thing I checked because I’m more of a “couple coats of paint after install” kind of gal. Prep work makes the dream work. Now, once we get cabinets I can start installing the paneling. I don’t want the piece closest to the cabinets, which is the most visible, to be a cut piece. This means I need to run the paneling from the cabinetry to the door wall.
To-do (in no particular order):
Over the next 8 weeks I must complete the following:
- Order the wash tower (done)
- Prime raw drywall (done)
- Order hinges (done)
- Clear out the clutter (done)
- Sell old washer and dryer (done)
- Prime paneling (done)
- Order light (done)
- Build cabinets (outsourced)
- Install paneling
- Add Wallpaper primer
- Install base
- Re-install door
- Install door trim
- Install pegs
- Hang wallpaper
- Specify and purchase paint
- Paint cabinets, trim, door, paneling
- Paint sink
- Install sink
- Order hanger for sink
- Order faucet
- Order new trap (is that what it is called?)
- Order drain
- Install light
Weekly, I will post room challenges and progress. Subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss out on a post, Also, follow along on insta, I’ll share behind-the-scenes content in stories!
Don’t forget to check out the featured designers and guest designers to support them and see the awesome things they are doing in their rooms too!
Carol A. Allen
Delays are expected. YOU GOT THIS!
Shalonne Luke
Yes, I just hope I can finish on time.