encaustic tiles in, laundry room on its way

13 years ago

Okay don't be jealous! This was our laundry room / diaper changing area:

I have been working working working away on it. I'm not yet done but I really want to share it with you. I appreciated so much all your kind, encouraging words when I shared the photo of the tile laid out in the garage!

The tiles were laid a few weeks ago:

and they look great! Before they were laid I'd sealed them twice with that Miracle 511; after they were laid but before grouting I sealed them again. Then it was a lot of waxing (paste wax and a buffer), trying to figure it out.

As they're cement they had to be soaked in water first before being affixed (so they didn't suck the moisture right out). El Guapo really, really wanted to "help," so excited about our beautiful tile man (who is truly beautiful inside and out) and so excited about being someplace off-limits (which he doesn't understand). So Nate the tiler and I used the big cooler to soak the tiles and block the entrance to the laundry, and the small cooler was for El Guapo to use.

But after the tile was in I wasn't as delighted as I'd thought I'd be, and it was that seriously sad builder's grade oak cabs which were bringing me down.

See what I mean?

So I lightly sanded them, primed and painted. And painted. And painted -- three coats! I was ticked -- I mean, three coats for a laundry room? But I did it. They're in BM's Calming Cream, high gloss, which is the color and finish used on trim throughout (most of) the house.

The walls and ceiling had been smoothcoated by our awesome drywallers. If it'd been up to me that process would seriously have taken close to a year and no, I am not joking. When I did our powder room it took me a few months and even then a) it is imperfect and b) I gave myself radial tunnel and an arthritic middle finger (which I do love, admittedly). It took the drywallers three+ days. It was the best $400 I have ever spent. Ever.

My partner had taken out the ginormous fluorescent fixture -- it did a great job lighting but wasn't the look I was after. I painted the ceiling a beautiful and happy golden tangerine (BM Oxford Gold in semi-gloss), and the walls in the same Calming Cream but in an eggshell finish. I'd primed and painted the beefy crown but the guys who installed it inexplicably chose an unprimed piece to put over the hardest section to reach (over the w&d). They felt bad but still laughed when I pouted. Whatever. My partner hung up this old tole floral chandelier we've had -- it was in the nursery in our California house.

Years and years ago -- I think pre-children? -- anyway, I watched BBC America's "Changing Rooms" (the Carol Smilie years) and have saved on our kitchen TiVo one episode. It's the Peckham episode where Linda Barker did a nursery and painted a huge gingham effect on the wall. I LOVED it. So that's what I wanted to do in the laundry.

Do you know how much work that is? I didn't! Going around, measuring every five inches horizontally and vertically, and then using that farchadat chalk line. Hate it! That's what Linda used so I thought "okay." It's messy and you have to really, really wipe it up before painting. If you look closely as the first section I did it doesn't look great but live and learn.

So I'm not even close to being done but this wall is mostly done and I think it looks pretty great!

Which was this:

I found lime green knobs at Anthropologie which I like but I am not paying $8 per knob (x 13) for laundry room knobs! So I went to Lowe's and got plain wood knobs which I shall paint BM's Citron (bought a little sample of it for $4). But otherwise, it's just painting squares for me and then the baseboard. It's a v. chipper room!

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Comments (31)

cooperbailey
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Simply awesome! I hope your laundry room makes you smile each time you walk in. ( after its done I mean) and ROFLMAO about your arthritic finger.
allison0704
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Looks great! Love the flooring. Awesome ceiling color, and OMG you went an extra mile with the wall paint treatment! I remember that episode - she did the best rooms. No glued hay on her walls!

You are all going to enjoy the room so much!
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[swoon] How emotional was I just to read igloochic's name? Bless you Sweet Woman for your words. Even though I don't even know your real name I have thought of you so freaking often on this journey. We were at Johns Hopkins and you know I thought of you there! And no, no one there thought to do this kind of testing and knew about Penelope. GW hasn't let me log on for the past few days, and I've tried on a few dif't computers. But tonight = paydirt! The floor is down and will be grouted Thursday a.m. -- no pics on this computer. I like it a lot! I really miss being able to do laundry, though. I was planning on smoothcoating the walls / ceiling in there (as I did in our powder room) but on a whim called the plaster men who did the rest of our house. It'll cost less than $400 to do the laundry room so I nearly knocked them down, afraid they might leave. "DO IT!" I practically screamed at them. After the powder room project it cost me at least that much in hand therapy due to the radial tunnel that project induced, plus, and this is not a joke, I also developed arthritis in my Middle Finger. I mean, how perfect is that?!? Of course I love showing everyone my arthritic middle finger .... I am one classy lady! flyleft -- I was so happy to see your name! I know you are our mosaicist / tile expert, so thank you so much for taking a peek! So the story is this: I was clueless as to what was happening in our son, wondering if maybe a brain tumor or could this be a transition to Autism? Not a tumor and all the "experts" agreed (along with my gut) that it wasn't Autism. A volunteer who works with my son (he does hippotherapy, therapy on horseback, 2x a week and requires three volunteers and one therapist to make this possible) talked to her neurologist about my son (bless her), and her MD said "sounds like Landau Kleffner." So she and I got busy researching LK and by golly, it sounded like a great fit! I became obsessed with it and luckily the lead neurologist with whom we were then working (at the Children's Hospital in Denver) agreed. He said the only way to definitively dx LK is with a specialized EEG, so that's what he did. Well I'll tell you: lightning struck twice. Once for this to happen to my son and then once again because the week before my son's procedure the lead neurologist was at a conference with the lead researcher from Bologna who "discovered" and named Penelope. Our MD came back, did the operation, studied the results and knew immediately "it's not LK but it absolutely is Penelope." I'm telling you it's a miracle. I have since contacted every single medical, therapeutic, educational professional who has ever crossed my son's path and not a single one, not a single one has ever heard of ESES Penelope. Not even the super-duper pediatric neurological / developmental specialists. That is incredibly telling, and not about Penelope but how much we really need to be advocates for our children / our family members / ourselves. I told my support group I'm tired of being the smartest person in the room, and by that I mean that I'm tired of steering this ship. But of course that's what we have to do, because lightning doesn't always strike, and no one has a more vested interest than we. So it's either take to my bed with a bar of chocolate and suck my thumb, or tackle home projects and sally forth. I'm still on the fence which I'll choose ... but since our bedroom / bath are now the only unrenovated rooms in the house it's not as salutary hanging out in there. But when I can afford to do them I am looking forward to a long nap and bout with depression! Ha ha on me. Oh! And about ordering the tiles: the way I did it was with Lundy at Villa Lagoon, requesting all patterns (no solids) and bright colors. I think it's now possible to order the designs you want from her, so you can be assured of the patterns you'll get. When we received our initial shipment I liked them but I noticed there was no black and not as bright as I'd hoped. Lundy agreed: these tiles had been picked and packed down in Cuba, she'd not had a hand in it, so it wasn't her fault. She then sent me a bunch more tiles with lots of black and bright colors, so it turned out really well. And I believe now she has tile in stock in Alabama, as opposed to having to come from Cuba. That would make it easier to choose the colors / patterns, plus the wait time will be greatly reduced.
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I have laundry closets, one on the bottom floor and one on the top. The top is a stackable so there's no room for decor. I wish I'd have made that room just a tad bigger so I didn't have to keep laundry soap in the adjoining bathroom (it's in a huge glass container though and everyone thinks I dropped a fortune on bath salts to fill it heh heh). If I ever have a real room dedicated to laundry I'd do antique butlers pantry as my look. Painted cabinets, marble counters, laundry machines hidden behind cabinets, beautiful lighting, a huge fold and storge area....heaven in the laundry....and I'd like a full time maid to stand there and deal with the laundry as well...as long as we're dreaming! My lower closet is in our family room. I painted the walls in a soft cream and the cabinets in a color called patince (a very soft yellow). It has my giraffe door handles for access, and the doors are painted in metalic chalkboard.
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User
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
WOW! You've been a busy lady. Looks awesome.
Please don't hit me or throw anything, but are you going to paint the heat register to match the floor tiles?

Ducking and running......
grlwprls
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
That is so incredibly awesome! Makes me wonder what I was thinking with my poop brown/mud colored floor tiles in the laundry room...
Stacey Collins
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Yay! That is SUCH a happy room now. You are just going to love doing laundry and changing diapers now. great job :)
Boopadaboo
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I am speechless. What a bar you have set for my laundry walk through area redo. I just knew from the before you would end up painting the cabinets before I scrolled down. :)
deeinohio
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I love everything about it. We are also doing a laundry room re-do, but don't know if I could tolerate errant kitty litter on such a beautiful floor. But, then again, maybe the pattern would hide the litter...hmmmmmm
Dee
timber.j
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wonderful changes to go with your awesome floor! My three year old said she wants a room like that, but she especially liked the pictures of your kiddo in the cooler. :)
kitchendetective
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
OOOOOOOOOOOOh, my, those encaustic tiles are gorgeous. There is so much labor in this laundry room; I definitely understand that. Mine is going in that direction, too, but over years, not weeks or months. How do you find the time/energy? I sense there is more to come, too.
And yes, he is muy guapo!
(Not familiar with the "Changing Rooms" episode, but I would definitely have the supplies for gluing hay to walls around here. Also clay, gumbo, yaupon, um, etc. ;) )
franksmom_2010
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Very, very nice!!

El Guapo looks like quite the little helper!
User
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
That is just so pretty! I also knew when looking at the 1st picture that you were going to paint the cabinets. Can you come to my house and paint my builder grade oak kitchen cabinets? Please :-)

And, that wall treatment is amazing. I would never have the patience for that. I am very impressed.
pricklypearcactus
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow! It's beautiful. I am very jealous right now. I am in the middle of a DIY laundry room remodel and I'm still setting the floor tile. It must feel amazing to have a new beautiful space for doing laundry.
barb5
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow.....just Wow! Speechless....

Love your style!

And your little one, very guapo!
laxsupermom
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
WOW! Unbelievably Gorgeous! Huge motivator for keeping up with the laundry just so the room could remain that pretty all the time. Great job!
PRO
Diane Smith at Walter E. Smithe Furniture
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
The tiles are so beautiful and energetic! A perfect compliment to your little El Guapo.
Valerie Noronha
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Simply lovely, all of it, including El Guapo. Almost makes it enjoyable to do laundry. I'm in awe of your creativity and energy.
rmkitchen
Original Author
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Wow wow wow. Everyone is so kind. Thank you for this Tuesday treat! I don't know (in real life) a single one of you but I feel as if I do. You all are an absolute warm fuzzy. Thank you times infinity. xo

So that Guapo is my son who has the Encephalopathy with Status Epilepticus during Sleep (ESES), the Penelope Syndrome. He was mostly toilet-trained and then fifteen months ago lost that, lost the ability to speak, to remember, to understand danger, etc. So the laundry room re-do is really due to him, because we (I) are in that room so many times a day changing his diaper. I wanted something peppy and fun for us both. He is also one of the world's messiest eaters (lots of Special kiddos are -- Sensory and fine / gross motor issues) so we do lots and lots o' laundry. I ♥ high efficiency machines for not making me feel wasteful and guilty.

cooperbailey - thank you for finding my middle finger funny! I think it's hilarious and just l-o-v-e showing everyone my arthritic finger. (except it really does hurt so I can't use it for anger reasons, just for joking ones)

justgotabeme -- I know what you mean about the vent! I was fretting about it but then remembered Guapo's changing table sits atop of it so for the next ??? years it won't be visible anyway. But I have no clue how to help it blend in. What do you think? It took me more times than I care to count to do the vent in the powder room (where we put in marble mini hex tiles), and even still it's not exactly right. But on that one with the umpteenth grey I just gave up. Could not face it again. Plus the changing table is now on top of it! Win-win for me. Woo hoo!

We also just had built-ins built in (ha ha) and a mantel, too, around the family room fireplace. I am painting all that as well and man, I have seen my future and it is paint-y. I am dividing and conquering, with the laundry room squares painted during the day and the family room priming at night (when Guapo is in bed because he cannot control himself from "helping" me prime).

And that's my older son. He loves being in photos. Loves it.

Thank you everyone for all your sweet words. You are **SO** appreciated by me! xo
busybee3
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
WOW!!!! what a beautiful job you've done!!!!! really nice!
mahatmacat1
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
That is the luckiest laundry room on the planet : ) I can actually imagine the wall being a perverse blast to do. I tell ya, you have a mosaicist in you somewhere, I probably shouldn't say that. Like you need another art medium...

And I love both your little ones, bigger and smaller...

And did you show us that last pic as another tease?! A crystal chandelier and a school clock?
punamytsike
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
rmkitchen, I did not even notice the vent before you pointed it out. If you really want it to blend, just continue each tile pattern with paint on it and seal with clear sealant to protect the paint. You will have the fanciest and funnest laundry I have seen. Great job.

and Fly is right, you have two gorgeous boys to boot :)
User
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Well that certainly helps. I was thinking of painting it to match the tiles it covered up/took the place of, but you could also put in one of those decorative scrolled black ones you can get at Home Depot. They look similar to the black on white tile to the right of the register a bit.

I can't wait to see this next project finished. I've designed but we've not started on our fireplace surround and built-ins yet. Hubby's training for another marathon (during in lunch hour) so he's too tired when he gets home to do anything but eat and fall asleep in front of the TV.
bestyears
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Really fantastic! And you sound like a fantastic mom as well....
sundownr
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I am so IN LOVE with your laundry room! It turned out so beautiful and I'm totally jealous. :D Painting the cabinetry definitely took it to a new level.
amysrq
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
OMG!! That is just amazing. You have outdone yourself....I am speechless. (Me? I am never speechless!) :-)
Bethpen
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Beautiful, beautiful space! I love the floors and your paint treatment is just gorgeous.

Your children are gorgeous too. I think it is great that you'll have a nice space for you and Guapo. I hope it helps make it a little easier.

Beth P.
cat_mom
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
What can I say old friend, except--ya done real good!!!! What a cheery space you have created! Both your little guys are just beautiful (inside, as well as out I am sure).

I can't wait to see the family room, having seen your gorgeous kitchen, powder room, LR.... You have great vision, and great follow-through on your vision. Very impressive!

OOO!
lizbeth-gardener
13 years ago
Where do I start?? I love your colorful, cheerful, fun laundry!! I could never have envisioned those tiles laid. and painting the cabinets just made a night and day difference. Then you went above and beyond with the wall treatment--love it!!

Beautiful house, beautiful boys!

Must also comment on your finger. Was it diagnosed as arthritis or is that just an assumption? I ask because it sounds like my middle finger. I developed a "trigger finger" after a project that required much repetitive motion. If so, it is treatable.

Thinking of you and your little one and will be watching for more pics of your projects!

Liz
User
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Oh, how did I miss this thread until now? I am drooling all over my laptop right now ... those tiles are just beyond incredible and I am in a glazed-eyed state of envy at the moment.

Beautiful. Just beautiful!
rmkitchen
Original Author
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Everybody has been so nice, so generous. From the bottom of my heart, Thank You for *everything*. Thank you. xo
User
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You're welcome rmkitchen.
mahatmacat1
13 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Lizbeth, if I may piggy-back, how did you treat your trigger finger? I have rather ingrained trigger thumb after a big tile project and I'd love to hear how you treated it successfully. Attempts thus far with hand physical therapy have been unsuccessful. (maybe could you reply to the conversations board? I'll cross-post this over there too. TIA!

encaustic tiles in, laundry room on its way

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encaustic tiles in, laundry room on its way

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