February 01, 2009

Finding Focus in an ADD World

This past year I tried hard to focus on one room at a time and did a pretty good job of it. For me. It was actually satisfying. So you'd think I would keep down that path, right? Nope. This year there seems to be a new sheriff in town. And that sheriff can't seem to finish a project. As of this moment I am in the middle of trying to finish my studio, planning a redo for the girls' bathroom based on a new shower curtain I just got, scheming a new look for my study which includes a chair that is being slipcovered right now and as of last night I'm planning on finally doing something about my tiny laundry/mudroom prompted by the purchase of this newly ordered piece of furniture.
Our room is tiny and we had originally intended to do built ins, but the truth is we are considering a move when Maddie graduates and I like having the option of taking this with us.

I want a room with character that is a little unfitted. Something that feels like it has history and age.


Something that makes you happy you walked in the door and feels fresh, cozy and organized all at the same time. So before I get back to the business of focusing on the studio I thought I'd share my mudroom inspiration with you.


I'd love to hear what things you think no mudroom should be without and if you like the idea of a pale cheery color or a pale neutral color in my tiny windowless closet of a room.

32 comments:

  1. Definitely pale and cheery. I worked all day yesterday organizing my laundry room. I would like it to be a mud room as well but it's barely big enough to turn around. Love all the inspiration, and that storage piece is wonderful. Can't wait to see what you do. Pam

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  2. Just found your lovely blog!!! Going to go have a good look around...Chrissy

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  3. Those mudrooms are an absolute dream. Really...don't wake me. I'm all for the cheery version. :)

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  4. Gorgeous rooms..I love beadboard and vintage school house lights:::sigh:::...I say go with Pale and cheery! The storage piece you ordered will look fabulous in your mudroom, excited to see what you create!

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  5. I love the direction you are going! All of the pictures you have posted are delightful. Soft colors, bright, clean, organized and pretty, you can't go wrong! I think the Sheriff can handle all of the tasks at hand. :-)

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  6. Lucky me to have found your lovely blog ...can't remember how I got here LOL...maybe from Raised in Cotton.

    ..love the look of your blog, peaceful and serene .

    I adore the colours and look of the laundry room with the little girl on the bench. I would love to do laundry in there!

    Cheers,
    Bre

    http://chantillygrace.blogspot.com/

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  7. Walls should be pale...but floors should be mud-colored! haha...Be sure you take a before and after. If your ADD is as bad as mine, you will charge into this project and forget to take the before picture.

    I love the muted khakis and blue/grays....of that pillow in the one picture.

    And Container Store has the 4 foot long peg boards that you can paint. You could put those all down one wall.....a mudroom should have lots of pegs for hanging jackets and hats.

    I say this like I have a mudroom. In Texas, our back porch is our mudroom. ha

    xoxo, Julia

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  8. Definitely cheery. Why pale? If it were *my* mudroom, I would take the colors from my Mary Engelbreit "Snap Out of It" poster, which would have pride of place. But I'm an Unsinkable Molly Brown (the more red the better) kind of gal.

    I enjoy your blog, because it is restful yet *far* from boring. I also enjoy Kim's house at "Dear Daisy Cottage" over on typepad. My own sensibilities lie somewhere in between. Yay for the internet, so I can draw inspiration from both of you!

    Looking forward to seeing what you decide upon.

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  9. Those mud rooms are SO cheery. I like the light, bright colors! It sure helps to have a room like that to stash stuff and be an entry where you can leave muddy shoes, umbrellas, etc! Enjoyed your blog!

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  10. i love the mudrooms you showed. i especially like the schoolroom light. i've always wanted one of those somewhere. maybe someday i'll sneak one into the house.
    chasity

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  11. I'd definitely go for pale cheery. It's a cottage, and cottages are happy! Maybe a little stencil border somewhere too? Like your blog, enjoyed browsing here!

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  12. I really love all of your inspirational mud room photos. Good luck with yours! p.s. I always have many projects on the go, it's just how some people's brains work.

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  13. If it helps, I'm MADLY in love with that first picture. If yours looks anything like it, you've succeeded! :)

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  14. are those pics of your house? I LOVE it!!!!!

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  15. I am the wrong person to ask now. With a kitchen remodel that is taking way to long...I am spent. But I like the concept of movable furniture in case you move. Cheery & pale is what I would pick though.
    XO~Hope

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  16. Jen, we have recently discovered your blog and love it. We have an award for you on ours. Thanks for the creativity you share.
    marcie

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  17. I love the piece of furniture that you ordered! Can't wait to see when you finish.

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  18. I am for pale and interesting, and duck egg blue is my colour of the moment!! Can't wait to see what you do!

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  19. I love my hooks for backpacks. The door to the garage is in my laundry room so I painted it with chalkboard paint..love it!
    Sarah
    Vintage Lily
    www.vintagelily.typepad.com

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  20. New piece of furniture ordered?? Do Tell!!!

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  21. Beautiful rooms!!! I have so much fixing and decorating to do that I don't know where to start. I like your idea of just doing one room at a time.

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  22. Would love to know where you ordered the bench w/cubbies?
    I could sure use that at my back porch for the pile of shoes that accumulate back there!

    Donna in New Mexico

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  23. i love the space where the little girl is sitting...does my memory serve me correctly-wasn't that a grandmom's space...simplylovely!
    love all teh shots too though.
    you're awesome, i'm sure all the projects will come together just perfectly.
    hugs my friend

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  24. Gorgeous!! I'm for the pale and cheery!!! Love your blog! Connie
    at www.constantlyvintage.blogspot.com

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  25. I absolutely love those first two rooms-now I am dreaming of a space like these. The mirror in the first picture is fabulous and the second room very peaceful.

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  26. I'd go for light and cheery and happy. Maybe an auqa color??

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  27. just adorable! I couldnt pick just one~
    We are in the middle of a mudroom laundry redo right at the moment! Youve given me inspiration to post some before photos, Im such a copycat..meow..
    First Imust rid the room of all of the clothes, and sweatshirts that hang on every single place we have an extra nail. its so shabby, not chic..
    Nice to see the post, its great!
    Lisa

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  28. I love the pictures you have shown for inspiration. I think you are on the right track. I would love to have a built in bench with cubby like spaces for each persons items. Oh, to dream!

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  29. oh, to have a mudroom....or even an actual front entrance.

    I have a bath towel inside our front door to soak up all the snow that my pathetic excuse for a rug does not soak up. Once a week or so, I swap out the towel for a dry one, so as not to destroy my flooring.

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  30. We're doing a mudroom now and going BRIGHT! I think every mudroom needs 1) hooks for coats, 2) separate storage for each person, 3) a place to put gunky shoes, 4) lots of towels, and 5) a place to sit down. Ours will have a paw cleaner (qvc) for our dog. I'm also considering a mirror for that last check before going out the door and a place to recharge cell phones. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

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  31. i love, love your blog! just found you tonight. Off to read more.

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