Saved! We received a free early-1900’s wall mounted cast-iron sink, and I couldn’t wait to design my laundry room refresh around it!
Big picture, Big plan,
I started with the sink. The entire refresh was to be focused on the “awesome” sink, which would set the tone for the entire room.
Here’s what actually happened…
My Big Picture and Big Plan quickly went to a different picture and on to Plan B after speaking to our plumber and the carpenter.
Mr. Plumber said he could install the sink, though it would need a new countertop because of “how” it’s plumbed. The pipes were okay in their position, and the drainpipe was fine in its current location, however, the back of the sink needed to be adhered to the wall, and our countertop had a backsplash, which we had to remove, and the current hole in our countertop was too small and not centered, so again, a new countertop would give us the opportunity to center the sink, NOT have a backsplash so we could push it back to the wall, and all would be well.
Mr. Carpenter assessed the current countertop, and agreed with Mr. Plumber.
“You need a new countertop.”, is all he said. Then he added, “AND a 45-degree Right- angled-cut-top 36″ wide.”
At a local cabinet shop, I found a “top” similar to the above photo. The countertop I chose was a white quartz with beige veining, much like a natural marble.
Forgetting about the “45 degree right angled cut that was 36″ wide”, I had to go back, find it again, and measure properly for an estimate closer to the actual sale price. Well, let’s just say, that WITHOUT HARDWARE, as in a new drain and faucet with handles for the FREE sink , it was beyond what I could afford, and would probably give my husband a heart attack, if I had even considered purchasing it.
Let’s pause for a brief moment, to say “farewell” to my awesome sink. I had to scrap that idea, but not the sink, I’ll use it somewhere, when it’s a show piece, not a problem to work around.
Would I buy that quartz-but-looks-like-marble counter if money was NO object?
Yes ma’am! For my kitchen renovation, as in the “heart of the home” kitchen, not for a laundry room, no matter how cute it was going to be.
So, back to the drawing board.
My counter in the laundry room was an off -white, thankfully, a little outdated but still neutral. I decided to drop in a new utility sink, white porcelain, and still get the high arched faucet with a spray nozzle. A fancy finish on the faucet might be nice, like an antiqued gold or even copper, which would increase the price, but very little compared to a quartz countertop.
I have yet to call Mr. Plumber back, a second time, to install the drop-in sink and new faucet, at that point the Laundry Room will be officially “finished” AND officially “gorgeous”!
Money well spent.
Done! Or at least this little corner is finished, styled, and oh so warm with the light on and the wallpaper. I just love this now!
I happen to know we won’t be staying in this home “forever”, in many ways it’s just right, but I’m lacking enough room for my expanding family. It’s very important to me to let each little family have a place to stay without overcrowding, I’d like a larger kitchen and family room for TV movies and sports, games, and for gathering.
My family is everything to me.
Do you feel that way too?
All of my decisions and choices are centered around “family” though my children now have children of their own.
I personally claim ALL of them as my “own.”
When I purchase a home, I always look for the worst house in the best neighborhood, or the most marketable area, I can afford. For example, the home we’re in currently was in an established subdivision with a good reputation. The seller knew it was outdated, and sold it fairly, as is, which sounded great to me. With all real estate, your location is more valuable than the actual home you’re buying. When those updates or renovations are complete, your location will raise the price of your home, as well as the work you’ve done.
But not all updates add “value” to your home or cash in your pocket at closing.
I know that updating my laundry room, and the other rooms to follow, is a good start, bringing this home into the 2000’s and not leaving it behind in the 1970’s .
What I did to the laundry room brought it to a “current” look, a finished look, certainly not a 1970’s themed look.
The room looks cared for, a clean new sink and faucet, new lighting, new flooring, which is waterproof, slip resistant and easy to clean, and new appliances that will most likely be sold with the home, so that’s a bonus as well.
Adding an expensive countertop to the laundry room, when it had one that was in good shape and neutral in color, would not have added a single cent to the listing price of our home when we sell it.
Updated kitchens, bathrooms and flooring really help “sell” a home, which is why I was still disappointed with not using my old sink, but couldn’t justify “overspending” for a short time period, when I knew that our money would not be returned or gained at closing.
How about you?
Are you a “fixer-upper, or a Joanna Gaines”?
If so, I’d love to hear about some of your adventures, because there are always unexpected “happenings”, which make great stories!
Drop a story in the comments, we can see which one of us survived the worst of the worst in home reno!
Enjoy this day!
xx,
