Our last home had an indoor laundry room that we had recently remodeled before the house went up for sale. I wish I had pictures of it to share with you, because it DID turn out really cute and somehow laundry didn't seem as much of a chore once the room was given new life with fresh cabinets, flooring, and, of course, some whimsical touches.
Daisy Cottage does NOT have a laundry room. The washer and dryer are on the back porch, behind closet doors. When we bought THIS house, I thought for sure that I was going to be unhappy with the layout and I told my husband about my grand plans for enclosing the porch and creating a REAL laundry room - you know, the kind with walls, windows, and AIR CONDITIONING!
BUT I soon realized that I was able to do this....
I could hang clothes from a pretty chandelier.. I could hear birds sing while sorting whites from darks... I could listen to the wind whisper around the corner... I could breathe.
Walls? Windows? Air conditioning?
Silly, silly me.
Our laundry "room" is perfect.
The way it is.
The way it was meant to be.
Dear Kim,
I think you have found the "perfect" laundry room too. With your lovely weather, I wouldn't mind doing laundry on the back porch. Love your chany/pearls/sundress and musn't forget that cute hanger.
Hope to see you this winter?
Hugs,
Connie
Posted by: Connie | July 08, 2008 at 08:25 AM
Morning, Kim!
Isn't life Grand? I LOVE your laundry room!
And your way of thinking. You are such a nice lady. Have a great day at Daisy Cottage.
xo mary
Posted by: mary | July 08, 2008 at 08:30 AM
That would be wonderful Connie!
(((hugs)))
Kim
Posted by: daisy cottage | July 08, 2008 at 08:30 AM
For 20+ years I hauled laundry down stairs to the W/D, then back upstairs to put away. When we built our home 3yrs ago, at the top of my list was a laundry room close to the bedrooms. Well, I have that now, but I must say it does not have the "charm" of your little facility! However, I DO, on occasion, hang the jeans and rugs on our "back veranda" and I have a drying rack to use as often as I can. While still not "charming", at least I am not heating up the house or wasting energy! I LOVE your photos---they ARE "charming".
Posted by: Dana | July 08, 2008 at 08:36 AM
Love this post! BellaDella farm also has a back porch that doubles as a laundry room. Well, I should say the porch houses my dryer. The washing machine is in the kitchen- right between the stove and fridge. Charming, huh? :) And much to my husband's dismay, I often have laundry hanging from anything and everything in the house. Hope you are having a good week!
Posted by: Kim V. | July 08, 2008 at 08:48 AM
I love the laundry room and I want THOSE HANGERS!!!
tina
Posted by: tinam61 | July 08, 2008 at 09:01 AM
Lovin' that laundry room! As we were moving recently a young guy helping us picked up a box labeled "laundry room decor." He laughed. Can you believe that?! Said the only thing his laundry room was decorated with was dirty socks. I don't have much of a laundry room in this house, but I spent yesterday trying to make it look nice instead of just functional. It just "feels" better when I do the laundry.
Posted by: Vanessa | July 08, 2008 at 09:20 AM
What a pretty dress!
I don't have a chandelier in my laundry room (my W&D are actually in the kitchen), but I do have a chandelier in the bathroom. I love those whimsical touches in unexpected places! :-)
Posted by: Carrie | July 08, 2008 at 09:32 AM
If it looks perfect and sounds perfect (and it does), then it is perfect.
I would love listening to the birds and breathing the fresh air.
Posted by: Beverly | July 08, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Hi Kim! I love how you are using the chandelier to hang clothes from! I love the smell of clothes dried outdoors, especially sheets. Your laundry room is darling. Thanks for sharing such a cute post!! ~ xo ~ Joy
Posted by: Joy at Cupids Charm | July 08, 2008 at 09:48 AM
what a lovely laundry room it is..What can be better than folding towels and hearing the wind blowing, the leaves walking through the yard, the lovely singing of the birds..Yes, a lovely laundry room it is...
Posted by: lulu | July 08, 2008 at 09:51 AM
I love your laundry room...to be able to hear the singing birds and the wind would be heaven!!!
Posted by: Michele | July 08, 2008 at 09:52 AM
Hi, Kim~
How lovely to do your laundry on a porch! Am I allowed to be jealous? :)
Our "laundry room" is a washer and dryer in our garage, and since we have about 50 billion projects going on, any ambiance is sadly lacking! There is light at the end of the tunnel, however...my husband is planning to frame in a laundry room eventually. Oh, can't you see the cute bright walls and the sweet curtain in the window?
Posted by: Jenni- nest to keep | July 08, 2008 at 09:57 AM
I wish my laundry room was anywhere but where mine is- in the basement. Oh well, I am thankful that I don't have to go to the laundramat. There is always something good in every situation, I guess. At least you have the sound of nature to accompany doing your laundry. Have a wonderful day,
Jean in Virginia
Posted by: Jean Eakin | July 08, 2008 at 10:10 AM
You make everything beautiful, Kim. Your laundry room sounds wonderful being outside!
Hugs,
Donna
Posted by: Donna | July 08, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Good Morning Kim!
What a lovely way to do laundry! Your pictures are so pretty...
My laundry "room" is the walkway between our garage door and kitchen. Not alot of space to decorate, but I have been thinking about maybe painting the cabinets above the w/d red.....:-)
xo
Penny
Posted by: Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio | July 08, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Kim, you beat all, you know it? You make everyday life a work of art. I love your blog.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | July 08, 2008 at 11:06 AM
Oh Kim,
You are just so elegant and classy with all that you do. I had a dream about you two nights ago. I dreamt that I was lucky enough to come to Daisy Cottage and get a tour from you. A few things in my dream were a little quirky but it was mostly...what's word..."dreamy" :o) Have a blessed day sweet Kim!
God bless,
Anna
Posted by: Anna @ Rusty Cottage | July 08, 2008 at 11:18 AM
I love that way you've taken a negative and turned it into a positive. Sometimes it's all about our perspective/attitude, isn't it? Lovely blog, by the way.
Posted by: Karen B | July 08, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Ahhh, I could certainly do laundry there! Our laundry room used to be a small back porch.
Great pics!
Nikki
Posted by: Nikki | July 08, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Lovely post.
You have a way of taking the simple things in LIFE & making them so elegant and cozy at the same time.
The small touches add so much....
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Your laundry room sounds wonderful. There is nothing like the fresh breeze and the beautiful outdoors. I love that yellow dress. So cute hanging there.
Jeanne
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Love you laundry room, Kim. I would be happy to stand along side you sorting clothes there. Jen
Posted by: Jen @ The Cottage Nest | July 08, 2008 at 12:45 PM
My laundry room is in the dungeon, I mean, basement. Fortunately, I do have a clothes line so I hang things out in the summer. Nothing makes your clothes smell better than fresh air! You laundry room looks wonderful to me:>)
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Oh isn't it a delight to smell clothes dried with fresh air and sunshine? Kim you are a dear. xorachel
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 02:02 PM
ahhh Florida living! Now that is how to do laundry!!
Posted by: jerusalem | July 08, 2008 at 04:35 PM
My sister moved her washer and dryer outside after years of it being in her kitchen. She loves it that way. Its under a patio and she said she'd never go back to the inside. She said it liberating to be outside.
I have a laundry room it's small and that's fine. I only do laundry in there not living.
Ciao
Glenda
Posted by: Glenda | July 08, 2008 at 04:46 PM
Hi Kim :)
I'm sorry Miss Maggie has to listen to all that horrible lightning and thunder! Poor baby. Please give her a big hug from me :)
I love your dress. I'll just bet it's vintage and I won't be able to get it anywhere ;) You have a wonderful way of looking at things and that's why everyone loves you including me.
Thank you for the complement too (blushing).
love,
rue
Posted by: rue | July 08, 2008 at 05:23 PM
I must say, I have never heard of hanging one's laundry from a chandelier, but why not?! Nothing like clothes dried in fresh air and sun!
Best to you today,
Deborah
Posted by: | July 08, 2008 at 05:30 PM
Hi Kim,
You're right, who needs a laundry room? Ours is in the little house/potting shed out back now and it didn't take long to get used to (except in the rain once in a while ;)
I love your dress there on your chandelier and Dear Daisy Cottage is perfect just the way she is - true to her circa!
xoxo~Tracie
Posted by: Tracie | July 08, 2008 at 06:27 PM
Oh Kim, I just love your laundry room, the yellow dress and chandalier set if off so perfectly. When I lived in Ohio, the laundry room was in the Basement aka DUNGEON! Now it is 1 step from the patio...Oh I just love it.
Everyday at work I hear the birds singing and I have to take a moment to "breathe" and "listen" then I merrily go about my tasks! Love your blog!
Jackie
Posted by: jackie | July 08, 2008 at 07:51 PM
How do you make everything look and sound so charming? I am so impressed with your prose and your photography!
Posted by: Rosie's Whimsy | July 08, 2008 at 08:09 PM
Hi Kim! Another lovely post of your "no laundry room" laundry room. Such a pretty yellow dress, on a pretty padded hanger and haning on a beautiful chandy! This reminds me when I was a little girl, mother had the washing machine (we didn't have a dryer) on our little back porch. My daddy screened it in and we did laundry out there, kept the dog out there at night and I even helped her skin the tomatoes in a big ole tub of hot water for her to can! Thank you for the memories. I would really love you to come to my tea party today! Many of us are having virtual tea parties today and it has been so much fun. Hope to see you there!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Posted by: Shelia | July 08, 2008 at 08:53 PM
This post made my day - your laundry rm. is wonderful - I'm going down to my basement (where my laundry is) and sprucing it up a little tomorrow. We are blessed to have a washer and dryer, aren't we? Love fr. ILLinois - Kathy C
Posted by: Kathy Charniak | July 08, 2008 at 08:55 PM
I love your laundry room, wow what a wonderful way to do laundry. I wish I could move mine out, but I don't have a back screened in porch,so that would not do. Glad you had a change of heart about walls. Have a great time doing laundry.....
Hugs;
Alaura
Posted by: Alauar Parrish | July 08, 2008 at 09:53 PM
The unexpected can always turn out to be a blessing.
Posted by: Adla | July 08, 2008 at 10:51 PM
It sounds charming and I'm jealous!
Hugs,
Cathie
Posted by: Catherine | July 08, 2008 at 11:18 PM
You are just too cute Kim!!
I love where your laundry is done. I have to go outside open the garage door, go through the back of the garage into a small basement where the washer and dryer are along with an ugly oil burner and a bunch of "stuff" and then pull out a big hose into the back, and do laundry. Go back into the house and go back and forth to get the laundry!! I like yours much better! I have been busy at work and haven't written much on your blog, but have checked regularly. Love you and your blog and will hope to write in more this summer! Thanks for always being there and so darn cute! Hugs, Rosemary~
Posted by: Rosemary~ | July 08, 2008 at 11:26 PM
An open-air laundry room. Kim, I do think you may be on to something.
Great post and pictures.
Posted by: Lisa | July 08, 2008 at 11:41 PM
Sounds like the perfect laundry room to me
Alison
Posted by: Alison Gibbs | July 09, 2008 at 12:45 AM
ohhhh..never has laundry seemed so beautiful! so glad i found your blog..anything with daisies suits me just fine! miss maggie is too adorable...i will be sure to check back often!
~Angie
Posted by: Angie | July 09, 2008 at 01:05 AM
I would have loved to see how you fitted out the "old" laundry room. But your new one is perfect too! Now you have inspired me to perk up my own.
I always enjoy your blog.
Posted by: | July 09, 2008 at 01:29 AM
You're right, who needs a laundry room!?
Posted by: Ana. | July 09, 2008 at 06:18 AM
Your laundry room is adorable. I love the chandelier with the pearls.
I have a basement laundry room, that means up and down and up and down the stairs all day long. Yuck! We finished our basement a year ago and last week, I finally decided to decorate the laundry room. I used to hate going down there and now with a few nic-nacs and some pictures hung on the wall... I love it. I will have to do a post on it.
Posted by: Dana Moore | July 09, 2008 at 08:32 AM
Kim, What a wonderful place to do the laundry. Our laundry is in the dungeon...I mean basement. Its okay, I have made friends with the spiders...sometimes we just have to make the best of a situation. You always find the sunny side. Susan
Posted by: Susan@ black eyed susan's kitchen | July 09, 2008 at 09:35 AM
My Laundry Room is the smallest stacked combo they make in a closet. Seriously. it's my excuse for putting the laundry chore off. it is so small there isn't even enough room for the detergent. You gotta love 100 year old houses!
Posted by: Christy | July 09, 2008 at 09:56 AM
What beautiful captures of your laundry porch in your photos. You could almost....almost make me like doing laundry with this post. I have a laundry room that has become a catch all and needs some serious cleaning up. This is a nice inspiration to get me going.
Hugs,
Lallee
Posted by: Lallee | July 09, 2008 at 10:17 AM
I think an outdoor laundry room sounds like heaven. Ours is in our basement and while I've tried to decorate it and make it a bit more cheerful, it's still in the dark basement. I dread doing laundry because of this. I'm looking forward to our next house with a laundry room on the same floor as the bedrooms.
Posted by: Selena | July 09, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Hi Kim, I have to agree with Karen B. on how you have taken what some may see as a negative and turned it into a positive. It sounds delightful! Our climate wouldn't make for an outdoor laundry room but it must be so peaceful and relaxing to breathe in fresh air and listen to the birds singing while doing laundry. I do have a nice laundry room but I KNOW I would enjoy being outside with nature much more. Your attitude is truly amazing and one to be admired. Becky
Posted by: Becky from Tennessee | July 09, 2008 at 01:06 PM
Love your way of thinking. Your home is sooo beautiful! Sometimes what we don't have (laundry room,etc) turns out to be the best thing of all.
Posted by: Ksarra | July 09, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Beautiful! Much more appealing than laundry out in the GARAGE...though it is nice when the kids are playing outside, I can watch them and get some work done.
Posted by: Kim Hancock | July 09, 2008 at 05:44 PM
Ah, hanging laundry outside is so nice! We've got great hanging weather here--so I've been using my clothesline (something I wanted desperately in our old house, before our move in April) like a crazy woman...
There's something about clothes dried outside. Our laundry area is in our mudroom, right off the side of the house, with a nice big sunny doorway...so I can hear the birds and see the clouds scuttle past, while I am loading and unloading (I think I've used my dryer a half dozen times since we mmoved, lol) into the washbucket.
I get to hang my clothes near a Mimosa tree-not my favorite tree (I love a good dogwood), but nothing beats being able to take care of my family's laundry in the outdoors...
Posted by: Rachel | July 09, 2008 at 09:25 PM
Hey honey bunch! You have the best laundry room of all! I have always wanted to know what it feels like to have my machines outside and a clothesline right nearby! lucky duck! xoxoxox!
Loved the sunday drive photos too such charming porches around you..don't you love porches?
Posted by: Amy | July 09, 2008 at 10:11 PM
Kim
What a nice way to do the wash!
Posted by: Tara | July 09, 2008 at 10:16 PM
I'm kind of jealous that you don't have a laundry room. I've always wanted some outdoor room, wrap-around porch, or any kind of covered patio. I love that photo of your pretty yellow dress hanging from your outdoor chandelier.
Posted by: Melissa Lewis - Off The Wall | July 10, 2008 at 12:17 AM
Oh you lucky girl! When we finally get to a place of acceptance, we discover how wonderfully perfect some things actually are. Smart girl! And cute, cute dress!
Posted by: Rose | July 10, 2008 at 01:26 AM
Thank you for sharing your lovely laundry room! I've been wanting to hang a line outside for the summer. There's nothing like clothes dried out in the fresh air!
Posted by: susan | July 10, 2008 at 08:17 AM
Dear Kim
I am sure that you get a lot of awards, but as I was deciding who to give this one to I really wanted to choose you because yours was one of the first blogs I read and you inspired me to start my own blog. Please visit me to pick up your award.
Love the laundry room!!
Hugs, Rhondi
Posted by: rhondi mullins | July 10, 2008 at 09:16 AM
Who needs a laundry room when you have a gorgeous porch like that? Sure beats my laundry closet!!!! Gorgeous as always......
~Des
Posted by: Deserae | July 10, 2008 at 10:43 AM
What a nice discovery!
Posted by: Rachel | July 10, 2008 at 04:03 PM
Oh my!! what a cute story and I LOVE how you love the laundry room now, I would too! I love the yellow dress too! :) and the hanger looks beautiful! you have such an eye for detail Kim!!
Posted by: Cynthia | July 10, 2008 at 10:03 PM
I love your laundry room!!!
xoxo
Becky
Posted by: Sweet Cottage Dreams | July 11, 2008 at 12:26 AM
I LOVE it! Makes me jealous, even. I don't really have a laundry "room"... our W/D are behind a set of closet doors in our kitchen. No room to do any thing. I usually take the clothes and fold them either on the kitchen table, or take them to the bedroom to do so on the bed. Nothing whimsical (or charming) in that. :(
Thanks for your post. Maybe I can talk my husband into building an addition. ;)
Posted by: Lois | July 11, 2008 at 09:58 AM
Kim, I laughed so hard when I read this post. No, not at your words, but your pictures. Here in the north, especially in the colder months. I hang my clothes everywhere. I have a railing that crosses my living room up high, and on any given day, there are hangers with tops spread all across the area.
It's my "focal point" and practical, too, as it gives the house a bit of humidity that we need at those times.
Thanks for the laugh ............ connie
Posted by: Connie Lenden | July 12, 2008 at 03:46 PM
Oh, you're such a positive inspiration!
Posted by: Irene | July 15, 2008 at 07:09 AM
it's funny...as much as i hate my laundry room...i love that part that you like. it's a small little room that was added on in the 70's probably. no heat or air conditioning. big florescent light. no room at all.
but i go in and then close the door to the kitchen and then i open the door to outside. so even it's 100 degrees i can hear the birds and the world outside. and it makes the endless chore of laundry a little better.
i actually think an outdoor laundry room would be better than what i have. but it wouldn't be too good in our blizzard weather all winter.
Posted by: meg duerksen | July 16, 2008 at 06:20 PM