Spring Cleaning ~ Inspirational Laundry Rooms

Photo from Domino
Though it's been raining hard here in San Francisco,
it's hard to imagine that Spring is already coming! I
can't believe it's already March. With spring comes
spring cleaning so I thought I would do a lineup on
laundry rooms and spaces. When I was young, I used
to adore jumping into a fresh laundry pile that had
just come out of the dryer because it was so warm
and because it smelled like laundry detergent.

I love the color of the laundry space above. Although
it's small, there are racks and hooks that utilize the
space well.

Photo from Domino

The laundry room above is bright an airy with
a ton of storage space. Don't we all wish we had
such a spacious laundry room.

Photo from Martha Stewart
The above laundry space is a very practical
one that many of us would have. I love that
the owner put beadboard to the walls and
a curtain to draw over the open shelves.

House to Home

Designer washer and dryer anyone?

This laundry room looks to be ultra modern and
state of the art with front loading machines, stainless
steel surfaces and a metal back splash treatment.
Very cool indeed.

Ever thought about wallpapering your laundry
room? Why not indeed. Here's a great example.

Bella Design Team Blog

One of the owners of Bella Design Team installed
this super cozy laundry area in her garage. I can't
even tell it's in the garage! Great isn't it?

Found this super chic laundry room on Flickr (Saucy Dragonfly).
This laundry room is on a landing but it didn't stop the owner
from installing a glam chandelier with wallpaper and beadboard.

House to Home

For organization, all you need are hooks, shelves
and a rack with laundry bins is super useful.
In fact, you can find racks just like it below.

Basic Elements Ultra Laundry
Station for $59.99 from Amazon.

Laundry Station: Organize It All

I actually like this square one as it's a bit different.
It includes a flat table on top for folding.

Here's a super bright and cheery laundry room.

Laundry: The Spirit of Keeping Home

There's a whole art to laundry and keeping our
clothes clean and preserved. I'm a sucker for
books with beautiful photos and tips/instructions
for everything.

Anywho, hope you were inspired for any of you
who were thinking of a laundry space makeover.

James Swan for Ballard Designs

Ballard Designs recently joined forces with Beverly Hills interior designer, James Swan. Their collaboration is a brilliant idea! They decided to work with a well-known designer in order to style their product line in a slightly different way. The concept is similar to what they did when they had Domino Magazine style the fabulous dining room that has appeared in their recent catalogs.

It is certainly inspiring to see the way that a talented designer would use the furnishings a Ballard Designs client might decide to purchase. I love Ballard for their fantastic and attainable array of furniture and accessories and am very excited about some of their newest products. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with James about the inspiration behind his work with Ballard.

LDV: What can we expect to see in your collaboration with Ballard Designs?

JS: The first incarnation of our relationship will be in the March/ April catalog. I was asked to take new and old products combined with my aesthetic to show clients what looks can be achieved. The overall look is traditionally based with a modern twist… fresh patterns, fresh perspective, fresh look

LDV: Do you have a favorite Ballard piece?

JS: The Eastern Writing desk in the living room (as shown in the first picture) has a beautiful scale. It works beautifully in bedrooms, small studies, and in multiple other applications.

LDV: Where did you draw your inspiration for the Ballard project?

JS: The bulk of inspiration came from the home in Atlanta that we were working in. I try to listen closely to space I am working in to see how it wants to be designed.





LDV: How would you describe your style?

JS: It is definitely rooted in the classics. I am a classicist by birth, tempered with an ongoing understanding of what modern day life requires. A room is not complete until something antique is in place, something with a sense of history.

LDV: Which room is your favorite to design?

JS: My all time favorite room to work in is the dining room. I am a big proponent of sitting at the table and lingering over a great meal and conversation with family and friends. By nature a dining room has huge functional and stylistic challenges. When you get it right, and people are encouraged to sit, linger, and enjoy conversation, I get a huge sense of satisfaction.



LDV: Who are your style icons?

JS: Alberto Pinto, Albert Hadley, and Juan Pablo Molyneux

This room was designed by one of Swan's favorite designers, Alberto Pinto

LDV: What is your idea of living La Dolce Vita?

JS: It would be centered around a manageable space, friends and family, and an environment that I am passionate about. I love winter snow skiing. My happiest moments have been at my home in the snow.

Swedish Style Country Homes

Designer Sasha Waddell from England is famous for pioneering the now highly recognizable and very popular Swedish Style. Below are two homes with her trademark style.The first is a wonderful country home in the UK that she decorated in muted blues and greens, although the room has color and pattern it is very subdued. Notice the different scaled Swedish checked fabric on the chairs, ottoman and pillows.

Here is a lovely bedroom! Notice the wall of closets along one side of the room. I love the bed linen and the classic blue and white striped chairs. Wood is painted white or natural stain. Curtains are sheer white.

The guest room has a sweet desk and chair for correspondence. I love the addition of the blue Swedish cupboard and the interesting mirror above the desk. Again wood is painted and floors are light. Again curtains are sheer white.

Here is another Country Home in London by Waddell - This one is designed all in white
Notice the wide planked painted floors and classic blues and white rag rug. Again her trademark white sheer curtains.
Here you see a classic Swedish style chair. Looking to the kitchen you can see white cabinets and natural wood counters.

The bedroom, adorned with white linens accented in raspberry also has the white sheer curtains. The addition of the antique Swedish bench is lovely.

Sasha also has a wonderful line of Swedish inspired furniture. For more details about Sasha Waddell visit her website at www. sashawaddelldesign.com.

Study Style

We have yet to do our study so I'm always looking for ideas. I just love the details in these rooms - lots of bookshelves, tables for reading, comfy couches and chairs. Perfect for a quiet winter afternoon!

Image 1 - O Magazine Image 2 - Unknown Image 3 - Perfect English (Ros Byam Shaw) Image 4 - Country Homes and Interiors Image 5 -Homes and Gardens Magazine Image 6 - Martha Stewart Living

Love .... Paul Bangay

Images - Paul Bangay

And the Winner is...

Congratulations to Sheri of Ma Vie En Rose! She is the winner of the first Decorum Design Forum Giveaway and will receive this beautiful crystal lamp by Thomas O'Brien for Circa Lighting. Stay tuned for our next giveaway which will be announced in the next few days!

Go Modern Storage

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