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Goodwill Junk to French Laundry Sign

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I’ve been dreaming about redecorating my laundry room for quite awhile now and it is probably going to be quite awhile before I can do anything about changing what I have.  You see, my long narrow laundry room is also where I store my cleaning supplies, craft and sewing supplies, furniture refinishing supplies, games, seasonal decor, wrapping paper, and all sorts of other junk! Oh, and it is also where we kennel our three dogs when we are away from home. One big dog kennel sits under what should be a sewing counter and a large dog bed takes up the entire end of the room. It sits in front of the washing machine so when I do laundry I have to lean sideways to throw clothes into the washer, unless I want to walk around with dog fur on my socks.
There are so many beautiful laundry room remodels that I’ve seen in Blogland. Every time I see a new one I drool and I dream and I think to myself that when I don’t have to use my laundry room as a kennel anymore . . . THEN . . . I will create a beautiful space in which to do my laundry (by the way, don’t even think of telling me I should just get rid of the dogs). 

 One amazing remodel I came across recently was from Tricia at Little Cottage on The Pond, which you can view right

Tricia had a french laundry sign in her room (La Buanderie) that caught my eye and gave me the inspiration to make a sign from an old junk piece I’d picked up at Goodwill (hey, if I can’t have the whole room I can start with one small thing).
This is the piece I had sitting around (on the counter in my cluttered laundry room). It had been attached to something, maybe a mirror or a frame, at one time.
When I picked it up I didn’t know what I was going to do with it but COME ON, it was $1.99!
I barely finished reading Little Cottage’s post before I started painting with ASCP Old White chalk paint.
I wanted this sign to look old so I used my hair dryer after each coat to ruff it up a bit. The hair dryer method can also be used to get a crackle finish but I just wanted to give it a ruff texture for later sanding.
You can see in this picture that it looks thick and awful . . . just the look I was going for!
Next was the lettering. I used Tricia’s La Buanderie sign as a reference and practiced drawing it out on a piece of paper (several times) until I had the look I wanted.
Then I used a pencil and drew it on my painted wood.  There are several typography transfer methods that can be used if you aren’t comfortable drawing freehand, but I wasn’t going for perfection here.
Here it is after a little distressing with my sandpaper block,
 . . . and here are a few shots after applying dark wax.
Tada! It is finished.
So now to hang it in my laundry room. I won’t scare you by giving you a picture of the entire room. I CAN’T! I will give you a picture of the one wall that has begun accumulating some inspiration pieces. Here is my La Buanderie sign hung over a cross stitched picture that I found at a garage sale.
Here is an ironing board that I bought at one of our lovely local shops and blogged about in A Chalk Painted What???  In that post I shared several uses for vintage ironing boards. If you click HERE you’ll see it as a buffet, an entry hall table and a plant stand! Note: I’ll be sharing the typography method used here in a soon upcoming post.
I found this funny little clothes pin bag at a church garage sale.
I think my laundry room is beginning to take shape . . .
Ackkkk!  As long as you have tunnel vision!!!

I know, I said I wasn’t gonna scare you but I’m trying to be as authentic as I can! 

“Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.” Proverbs 4:27
Maybe a little out of context but I’m takin’ it!

So here is my inspiration wall. If I look past everything on the left, and everything on the right, and everything on the floor below, I can see a beautiful and peaceful laundry room beginning to reveal itself to me.
Dreaming of great things to come . . .

   Blessings,

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Comments

  2. Your laundry room is certainly taking shape! Mine is an absolute tip and I really must sort it out before summer really kicks in as this is the room that everyone comes through during that season. Oh the embarrassment! I look forward to reading more of your ideas. Take care. Chel x

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  6. Thanks for finding me and for your encouraging words. Love the laundry room. I’ve sold a few of the old ironing boards. I wish I still had one:) Yours is great! Great distressing and making the old new again:)

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  7. I can tell it’s going to be an awesome laundry room! Love the sign and that ironing board is so cool! I have a couple of wood ironing boards. I’m saving one for myself for when I remodel my laundry room. Don’t feel bad about yours, you should see mine! It doubles as a coat closet and shoe storage too! Have a great week!

    Hugs,
    Deborah

    Reply

  9. Hey Patti! Just popped over after replying to your thoughtful message regarding my orbs!! Love your blog…..why can’t I find cool stuff like that at my Goodwill??!! You have a new follower!!~~Angela

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  10. Oh Patti,
    I actually said out loud…$1.99! Now that was a fabulous price. You did a fantastic job, it looks beautiful!
    I too, wish that I could redo our laundry room but the time is not right, not yet anyway.
    You know, I picked up an old ironing board about a month ago at an Antique store, posted a picture of it on my blog. Still haven’t done anything with it yet but love what you did with yours. Gives me inspiration!

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  15. What a great find at Goodwill! You have a good treasure hunting eye.
    Love your verse inspiration for your passion to find hope in all things.
    Deb@LakeGirlPaints

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  19. ooo that turned out so pretty! Thanks so much for taking the time to link up to the Tasteful Tuesday party @Nap-TimeCreations.com. Make sure to follow my blog via bloglovin, GFC or facebook so you don’t miss out on my features posts… it could be YOU :o)
    Emily

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  23. Patti I love your sign and they clothes pin hanger. I’m beginning to see your vision. Thanks so much for sharing at Transformed Tuesday. So glad to have you.

    Hugs,
    Peggy~PJH Designs

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  26. haha, I love it! And I think you are off to a great start. Actually, I think you could somehow incorporate the dog kennels into your design. 🙂
    I’m actually in the process of figuring out my laundry redo…it’s a process, isn’t it?
    I am now following you!

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  27. Patti, I remember the post about the ironing board! I love seeing where you placed it along with your other treasures! The piece you found at Goodwil? I have a similar one just waiting for the right moment in time to bring it out of hiding! You have a fabulous start in that laundry room of yours. And NO! don’t let anyone suggest the doggies have to go!!! Love the four-legged babies!!

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  31. Hey cutie, just look forward because the sign, laundry bag, and ironing board is fabulous! I have an old ironing board on my porch right now as a plant stand. Love how versatile they are! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    Reply

  32. Wow, your laundry room is quite the all-purpose room – I wish I had enough space in mine – it is sooo very small – this sign adds such a touch of elegance to this room – beautifully done! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

    Reply

  34. You are so creative, and amaze me each week! I love your sign. It looks great, and what a deal, too! Thanks so much for sharing with us at A Bouquet of Talent.
    XOXO
    Kathy

    Reply

  35. I love your laundry room sign. It’s great that you found that little piece at the Goodwill store. The way you antiqued it looks beautiful. You give me inspiration. I’m trying to turn my laundry room into a “French Laundry Lol Wish me luck!

    Reply

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