Monday, March 15, 2010

Clean & Serene



This homeownerdoesn’t mind doing laundry chores. But she didn’t look forward to the dark, disorganized basement that houses her washer and dryer. When she decided to remodel this space, the avid gardener and nature lover was committed to making her laundry eco-friendly as well as stylish and functional. She also wanted to carve out a space for a desk and organization area, where she plans to work on garden designs.

Now, a mix of energy-efficient lighting, which includes recessed, flush-mounted, and under-cabinet fixtures, brightens the room. The homeowner was willing to splurge on the washer and dryer, cabinetry, and ceiling planks—products that are eco-friendly and sustainable. Reused items, such as two metal tubs turned into sinks, underscore the green theme. Gardening supplies are housed on a custom-built shelf above the sinks.

The revamped laundry—complete with a fresh, outdoorsy palette of pale greens, blues, and whites— suits the homeowner’s taste and needs, as well as her environment-conscious outlook. “I truly feel good about this room,” she says. “It fits me inside and out.”

Savvy Storage
» The smart desk-and-organization nook transforms this space from a simple laundry to a multiuse room. The Corian countertop provides a durable, hardworking surface, and under-mounted cabinet lights add sufficient task lighting. Above the desk, open cubbies allow items to be easily accessible. On the adjacent wall, peg-board keeps tools organized.



CABINETRY AND COUNTERTOPS
cabinetry (Shenandoah, McKinley, Maple, Cream glaze, special order)
countertop (Corian, Oyster, special order)

APPLIANCES
washer (Samsung, Stratus Grey, Model WF337AAG, #255995)
gas dryer (Samsung, Stratus Grey, Model DV337AGG, #256006)
stacking kit (Samsung, Model SK-4A, #260236)

PLUMBING
faucets (American Standard, wall-mounted, Model 7292.152, special order)

LIGHTING
recessed lights (Halo, compact fluorescent, #119430)
recessed lighting trim (Halo, Model 470SC, special order)
flush-mounted ceiling fixtures (Good Earth Lighting, fluorescent, Neptune White, #51017)
under-cabinet lights (Portfolio, low-voltage halogen, 2-light, #42585)

PAINT
wall primer (Kilz Premium, latex, white, #45548)
wall paint (Olympic Premium, Morning Breeze D62-1, eggshell)
floor epoxy (Seal-Krete Epoxy-Seal, Blue Ridge, #16205)
chair paint (Olympic Premium, white, satin, #33250)
paint for tubs (Rust-Oleum, Cold Galvanizing Compound, #26719)

HOME ORGANIZATION
closet rod mounting brackets (#179929)
laundry sorter (chrome and canvas, #115926)

MILLWORK
ceiling planks (Armstrong, WoodHaven Series, white, special order)
1 (48- x 96-inch) peg-board panel (white, #15484)
closet rod (#3586)

SHELF PROJECT
1 (8-foot-long) 1 x 6†
1 (8-foot-long) 1 x 10†
1 (4-foot-long) 1 x 12†
1 box (15/8-inch) screws
wood glue (Titebond II, #41217)
wood filler
primer (Kilz Premium, latex,
white, #45548)

* Does not include labor costs or applicable taxes, which vary by market.
**Does not include lead time for special-order materials.
† Availability varies by market.