Confession time, I’ve been sprucing up my laundry room this past week.  It struck me on Monday afternoon that I’d been avoiding that space for a good reason – it was outdated and not functioning as well as it could.  Plus I dread laundry. 

So I had a compulsive moment and started painting the cabinets which led to installing shelves which led to making window treatments.  I’ve convinced myself a spruced up washroom will fundamentally alter my aversion to laundry, and reverse my embarrassing habit of letting the clean piles of clothing get so high my children disappear under them.  

It’s almost done, but while I finish it off, how about a few gorgeous washrooms to inspire? 

What’s not to love about this beauty ?  I love the wainscoting and the picture frames on the white cabinetry, plus the oh so functional drying rack for delicates.  How soothing is this color on the walls ? I think I might like doing laundry in here.  But I think the floor needs a soft and playful patterned rug. 

 Rabaut Design via House of Turquoise

Oh, don’t you love that pop of apple green on the middle upper cabinet ?  I adore the blues and greens with crisp white cabinetry, and the contrast with the rustic wood folding table.  How incredible that shell fixture ?

 My Home Ideas

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I am a huge fan of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, and I’m always amazed how the team and the hardworking volunteers build a home for a deserving family from scratch in one week ! And the homes are always gorgeous from top to bottom, both inside and out.  Don’t you just love that show?

One of the interior designers on the show, as you may know, is the beautiful and talented Tracy Hutson !

Tracy has spent her design career helping others beautify their homes, both on and off the TV screen. 

She was selected to be a style consultant and designer for ABC’s Extreme Makeover in 2003. 

No doubt you’ve seen the show and witnessed all of her incredible designs, especially the amazing kid spaces.

Tracy took a few minutes to talk with me last week over the phone. 

Q:  How did you happen to partner with the team from Extreme Makeover ?

I started my own design business in L.A. 11 years ago.  It was a stroke of luck that I was chosen to be part of the team by ABC, I’ve loved every minute with the show.  There’s nothing like witnessing the positive impact the show has on deserving families.  I’m really very blessed. 

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Greetings friends, I’m delighted to be guest posting over my friend Camila’s blog High Heeled Foot in the Door today.  Click on over right here to read my contribution !

Also, please be so kind as to welcome as a new sponsor  Style Your Life !   Jennifer is a professional stylist and personal shopper bringing you a new budget friendly yet stylish outfit every day ! 

And now my wardrobe has an inferiority complex.

No seriously, please pop on by to visit Jennifer and she will will style your life !  Follow Style Your Life on Twitter like me for all her new updates ! 

Speaking of sponsors, if you’re looking to advertise your blog or small business . . .

there are special discount rates in effect for summer!

 Click here for details ! 

To anyone who has sent me an email with a question in the last 30 days, I’m officially apologizing. 

I’m a total failure at returning emails this month between kids tugging on my cargos and a few compulsive painting projects. 

I’m trying to get back to you, please oh please oh please be patient with me – I will catch up !

Don’t forget to pop on over to High Heeled Foot in the Door for my guest post and a kind comment ! 

Have a lovely Wednesday

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We have some great friends named Tony and Mia, and our girls go to kindergarten together.  Mia is a busy mother of three who runs her own salon four days a week.   By the time she gets home from work, the last thing she wants to do is start a home improvement project.

What I love about Tony and Mia’s home is that every time you visit, you feel the warmth within, from the spice colors on the walls, to the rich and rustic wood pieces, to their doggie wagging her tail to greet you.  Their house definitely feels like a ‘Home Sweet Home’ and that’s why we love to visit.

So when I was in her family room the other day, Mia asked me what to do with her oak fireplace surround.  She wasn’t sure if she wanted to replace it or stain it, but she knew she didn’t care for the natural oak finish.  The wood’s tone clashed with her dark wood floors and furniture, but overall it had really classic lines and was in great shape.

As I leaned in, I could swear I heard the mantel whisper, “Paint me, I beg you.”  So I recommended we paint it white to coordinate with the trim and lighten up the wall.  Plus, a white fireplace mantel is simply timeless.  So in less than four hours, I gave her fireplace wall a fresh new look with just some primer, paint, and accessories.

Here’s Mia’s Before:

Here’s Mia’s After:

Splendid, right ?

The difference is all in the details ! Read the rest of this entry »