You are wrangling kids all by yourself, cleaning, cooking, and taking care of all the odds and ends by yourself. But, the glorious feeling of finishing harvest every Fall also brings a glorious feeling of “Woooohoooo, time to get some projects done around the house!” Last Fall my husband had a list with about 5 mini-construction projects around the house. The most important one being this redo in our laundry room. You see we had all that dead space right there under the window. The small bench is now in our daughter’s room- remember my surprise a few years ago, a closet organizer for the baby’s room? I wanted a bench, one you could sit on and take off your shoes. We mainly use our garage door and that leads into a narrow hallway. So, I wanted a bench, but not under the window. So…that means we get to move that fancy cupboard where I fold all my clothes over under the windows. And we get to build a bench where the cupboard used to be. On a side note- isn’t my laundry room glorious!? I LOVE IT! Anyway, back to the bench. Moving the cupboard over was a piece of cake. Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of the process. The hardest part was trying to convince our daughter she did not need to be right in the middle of everything! She likes to be a part of all the action, what can I say, she is her mother’s daughter Once we moved the cupboard we ran in to this: An unfinished side, which we anticipated. And also this:
That nice mess behind my husband where we ripped that counter off. And that was where the hard stuff really began. Because then I had to change what I was initially thinking, because I was now going to have to do some refinishing. One night we were contemplating this and I suggested we swap the tall cupboards with the freezer. He was willing to try it so we swapped.
That took care of the side of those cupboards. The hardest part of all this was her. Little Miss Helpful! ๐
That and it seemed all my inspiration on Pinterest was becoming more and more depressing with my husband shaking his head a lot. And well, I just couldn’t decide if I wanted simple or extravagant. Or in between? This project was supposed to be simple…needless to say it turned into changing my mind 10 times. Finally deciding what I wanted then my husband mentioned that he had some wood in the shed he could run through the planes to make this all happen. AFTER we had already purchased everything we needed. Geesh.
So, this is what my woodworking husband created. This bench and matching board up top with hooks for things like my girl’s tiny little winter coveralls. I pretty much love it.
I was thinking about putting some baskets under neath for shoes as Elliette gets older. But, I am the type of person that prefers shoes stay in the bedroom except for the few that get worn most often.
This became a race against time as we wanted it finished for Elliette’s birthday back in April. Needless to say we got it doneโฆand we also got those AWESOME benches my Dad pounded out for us while he was here. I feel so blessed to have such crafty men in my life that make what I am seeing in my head a reality!
Happy Monday!
Lana Wallpe says
LOVE this! I am kind of hoping my farmer hubby will get around to making me some locker-type storage for coats, shoes, and bookbags this winter, OR let me find someone who has the time to make them. He loves to work with wood, but there just doesn’t seem to be any time to start and finish a project around here these days…..Just wait until your little one is mobile and agile in school stuff. That plus the cows eats up a lot of time. AND we are in the middle of adding 24′ x 30′ feet of living space to the east of our house AND remodeling the 10′ x 12′ office that is now attached to the new space by a 6 foot opening…… stay tuned for the big reveal sometime in early Jan.! The drywallers are here today. Woo! All this kept me out of the combine this year. CRAZY TIMES, but the results will be sooooo worth it….hint hint 8 x 18 foot new closet! I might faint! ๐
SDFarmWife says
I cannot wait to see the reveal! And I really was thinking about the locker system…but there was already so much height in the laundry room I thought it would take away from the rest of the room! Can’t wait to see all the improvements around your house! ๐
Hoosier Farm Babe says
Your laundry room is AMAZING. I mean that space is incredible! Love the bench, too!
SDFarmWife says
Thank you! I often say I could easily cut our 5200 square foot home into thirds and only take a third but I will keep my laundry room, our master closet, and my kitchen! ๐