Inside Houzz
A Bright New Laundry Room for Lowe’s-Houzz Sweepstakes Winners
See how a designer and a contractor transform an awkward utility room into a beautiful, well-organized space
Dawn Locke is still in a little bit of shock over winning the $50,000 Dream Bathroom and Dream Laundry Room Sweepstakes Presented by Lowe’s® and Houzz®. As part of the prize, interior designer Brooke Eversoll and contractor Norm Walters helped Dawn and her husband, David, transform their awkwardly laid out laundry room into a bright, crisp room that makes fluffing and folding a pleasure. In addition, the designer made sure that the room would fit in with the more extensive whole-house renovation the couple plans to complete sometime in the future.
AFTER: Happy turquoise walls, crisp white trim, beadboard wainscoting, new appliances, beautiful plank tiles and ample storage have transformed the space.
Wall paint: Lyndhurst Duchess Blue, Valspar
Wall paint: Lyndhurst Duchess Blue, Valspar
The designer brought in floral accents via artwork, the runner and the orchid, all of which she found at Lowe’s. “The homeowners came up with the idea to add the beadboard, and it looks great,” she says.
Dawn landed on the beadboard idea after looking through many photos on Houzz. “I’ve been on the Houzz site a million times getting ideas. We live in the country and our home is traditional, so we thought of beadboard,” she says.
19.4-inch white powder-coated round steel plant stand: Garden Treasures, Lowe’s
Dawn landed on the beadboard idea after looking through many photos on Houzz. “I’ve been on the Houzz site a million times getting ideas. We live in the country and our home is traditional, so we thought of beadboard,” she says.
19.4-inch white powder-coated round steel plant stand: Garden Treasures, Lowe’s
BEFORE: The biggest hindrance in the room was the pull-down attic stairs. The couple couldn’t add the cabinets they wanted over the washer and dryer, because they would have blocked the stairs. Instead, wire shelves became cluttered and disorganized.
Contractor Norm Walters warns that you cannot always relocate the hatch just anywhere. “At first they wanted to place it somewhere else, but the electric meter and lots of cables were located in that spot,” he says.
Contractor Norm Walters warns that you cannot always relocate the hatch just anywhere. “At first they wanted to place it somewhere else, but the electric meter and lots of cables were located in that spot,” he says.
AFTER: Dawn and David do not need to access the attic often, and they have a second access off their patio. They decided attic access would be easy enough with a smaller opening and a portable ladder. This opened up the possibility of placing cabinets directly over the machines and out of the way.
Wildflower cream and multicolor rectangular indoor tufted runner: Mohawk Home, Lowe’s
Wildflower cream and multicolor rectangular indoor tufted runner: Mohawk Home, Lowe’s
Now they have the nice new cabinets they wanted. “She really wanted some open shelves for soaps and baskets, and they worked out well in the center,” Eversoll, a certified kitchen and bath designer, says. Pretty glass knobs finish off the look.
Cabinets: Montclair Roman door style, maple painted in Dove White, KraftMaid; Satin Nickel and Clear round cabinet knob: Brainerd, Lowe’s
Cabinets: Montclair Roman door style, maple painted in Dove White, KraftMaid; Satin Nickel and Clear round cabinet knob: Brainerd, Lowe’s
When choosing the flooring, the couple considered the whole house. They wanted flooring that would go with what they have in mind for the rest of the home, which they plan to renovate in the future. Eversoll helped them land on beautiful long porcelain tiles with a wood pattern. The couple also chose these for the master bathroom renovation that was part of their prize, and picked up extra tile on their own tab for the future guest bath renovation.
Brazilian pecan white-glazed porcelain indoor-outdoor floor tile: Style Selections, Lowe’s
Brazilian pecan white-glazed porcelain indoor-outdoor floor tile: Style Selections, Lowe’s
The new appliances are Dawn’s favorite feature. “I’ve never had a washer and dryer that matched before. The dryer was older than the house,” Dawn says. “These are huge and have great features.” The couple prefer steam appliances, and found a dryer with a convenient door. It opens straight down or from the right side. A new utility sink is handy for treating stains.
All from Lowe’s: 5-cubic-foot high-efficiency top-load washer steam cycle: LG; EasyLoad 7.3-cubic-foot hamper/reversible side electric dryer with steam cycles: LG; 24-inch-by-20-inch white free-standing polypropylene utility sink with drain and faucet: Mustsee
All from Lowe’s: 5-cubic-foot high-efficiency top-load washer steam cycle: LG; EasyLoad 7.3-cubic-foot hamper/reversible side electric dryer with steam cycles: LG; 24-inch-by-20-inch white free-standing polypropylene utility sink with drain and faucet: Mustsee
BEFORE: This view looking back toward the hallway provides a glimpse of the original doors and vinyl floors.
AFTER: In addition to choosing flooring that would work with the future whole-house renovation, the couple chose a door style they knew they’d eventually use to replace all of the doors in the home. But for now they are taking a little breather from renovations and enjoying their new laundry room and master bath.
“Now it’s a pleasure to go in and do laundry — the room is light and bright and so pretty now,” Dawn says. “I’m so grateful.”
Designer: Brooke Eversoll, Bee Studios Design Build Group
Contractor: Norm Walters Construction
Photographer: Rickie Agapito, AOFOTOS
More: See the spa-like bathroom that was also part of the sweepstakes prize
Designer: Brooke Eversoll, Bee Studios Design Build Group
Contractor: Norm Walters Construction
Photographer: Rickie Agapito, AOFOTOS
More: See the spa-like bathroom that was also part of the sweepstakes prize
Who lives here: Dawn and David Locke
Location: Inverness, Florida
Size: 89 square feet (8.2 square meters)
BEFORE: “This laundry room was like a bowling alley before, and you had to be careful to avoid the cabinets on the left side,” Dawn says. “We wanted to make it a fun room that would make us want to go in and do laundry.”
The room was strictly utilitarian, the linoleum floors were tired and the couple were not able to store everything they needed in an attractive way way. Also, the pull-down attic staircase presented a problem.