Laundry Rooms Can Be Beautiful ~ Before & After

Laundry room ~ frequently the forgotten room.  Just because it is "the Laundry Room", doesn't mean it can't be a beautiful space in your home.  More often than not when people think about interior design the laundry room is not the first room that comes to mind.  In fact it is usually the room when I am in people's homes I often find to be given the least amount of importance.  Laundry rooms are not only overlook, but there is usually not much thought given to how it functions.

If you stop and consider the amount of time you spend doing laundry, ironing clothes, getting cleaning supplies and equipment (frequently stored in what I like to call the laundry dumping ground) you would realize that this is a space that deserves some interior design and space planning attention.  It is a utilitarian room in your house that is used, often daily, and it should function and look beautiful.  

I recently had an opportunity to participate in the 17th Annual Jewels on the Bay Showhouse and my room was the Laundry Room in David and Ilene Denton's home.  Their laundry room was in fact a perfect example of a space that was forgotten.  As you can see from the pictures below there wasn't a lot going on in their laundry room when the transformation began.  This was for them a room to do laundry, iron, storage and a dining space for their dog Lenny.  It lacked color, they didn't have any counter space for folding, very limited storage space and it was merely a place for the washer and dryer.  It was to me a place that was not being utilized to its full potential and was with great delight that I was able to provide them with a laundry room that is multi-functional now and created a spectacular new dining area for their dog Lenny. click here for a close up of Lenny's dining space...

Bed with Storage and Style

Great upholstered headboard, wood side rails - and the bonus is extra storage.  Something you don't normally have with a typical bed. This Stanley Avalon Heights Collection is spot on to give you style and storage.

Fix This Kitchen / Consulting Designer

image credit .ikea-usa.com/fixthiskitchen

I was asked to be the consulting designer for a, first time ever, Webisode for the A&E show Fix This Kitchen.  Thru months of preparation the week finally arrived this past December and the 5 day kitchen remodel transformation took place.

Fix this Kitchen receives hundreds of nominations and entries to participate to have their kitchen totally remodeled.  Anthony Russo (accomplice) with his mom Susan Brewer (homeowner) created their audition tape, sent it in and out of the hundreds of audition tapes they were selected to receive a brand new kitchen.

I have often wondered if the TV shows we all love and enjoy on HGTV, DIY and Bravo, really take place in what seems an impossible amount of time and unrealistic timeframes.  I am here to confirm, that yes a Kitchen can be torn apart and put back together in just under 5 days.  It is not without chaos and confusion, nor stress ~ but at the end of the 5 days the epic moment when the homeowner arrives to see the finished project is the best reward!

For me the experience was one filled with emotions. I had the pleasure to select and recommend David Koukl owner/contractor of Custom Homes Inc. ~ his company was responsible for the construction and installation of the job.  It was my honor to have been selected to be a part of making this amazing kitchen a reality for Susan Brewer.  Meeting Susan's son Anthony and spending time with him during the crazy five day process, of tearing out the old kitchen and remodeling his mom's kitchen, gave me an opportunity to truly get to know him and his family.   They are a really close nit family with an amazing faith and a true commitment to each other.  I was truly touched by what a wonderful gesture it was of Anthony to nominate his mom and seeing their family interact was testimate to their family bond. 

Just After the reveal! Rachael Russo, Eric Greenspan,
Susan Brewer, Anthony Russo, Carmen Christensen

For me the hightlight was meeting Tracy Hutson ~Host  and Eric Greenspan ~ co-host.

Tracy Hutson is interior designer, style consultant, actress and author.  Most notable she has been part of ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition since 2003, is the founder of Tracy Hutson Designs, mother of two adorable sons and author of Feathering the Nest ~ Tracy Hutson's Eco-friendly Guide to Decorating Your Baby's Room.

I had a great time hanging out with her and truly enjoyed our "Design Time" together.  Thanks Trace ~ you rock!

Eric Greenspan - "Chef" is known for his love of food on Food Networks's "The Next Iron Chef Season 2" / "Iron Chef America Challenge" / Executive Chef - Owner of The Foundry / Executive Chef  - Owner of The Roof on Wilshire / And soon to be opened Greenspan's Grilled Cheese Restaurant.

Greenspan has skyrocketed to success and has been named runner–up for Los Angeles magazine’s "Best New Restaurant." Eric's amazing sense of humor kept everyone on set and the job-site in good spirits as we plowed thru the amazing kitchen transformation of Susan Brewer's kitchen remodel.

Brewer Residence / Before Picture 

Brewer Residence / After Picture

production before picture

production after picture

I'd like to add an extra special thank you to Cutting Edge Granite for providing, fabricating and installing the Brewer's new Cambria Countertop.  Thank you for working around the hectic schedule, you delivered  and installed as promised with great professionalism.  I look forward to working with you on future projects!

A Stylish Laundry Room and a Special place for the Dog!

Above is a sneak peak at the Laundry Room designed and installed by Time2Design at the Denton Residence as part of the Jewels on the Bay Showhouse.  The custom cabinetry, provided by Time2Design, is outfitted with a special polished chrome dog bone drawer pull, that adds a bit of whimsy to this amazing Laundry Room.  

The Laundry Room space is a multi-purpose space and an important element in this room the Denton's dog, Lenny.  This is Lenny's special place! {and the visiting grand-dog Violet}  

Read More about this beautiful laundry room here.

 

Lenny and Violet {painting for Denton's / by Carmen}

ABC7 TV Debut / Carmen Christensen

As a new participant in the Jewels on The Bay ~ Boys & Girls Club Showhouse, I was honored to be asked to be interviewed on camera by Linda Carson, a legend in her own right.  She is so lovely in person and I was touched to have been part of the segment that aired last on WWSB abc7.  It was so fun and I look forward to many more on camera opportunities in the future...who knows, with practice maybe there could be a new design show on HGTV called "Time2Design with Carmen Christensen.  {a girl can dream ~ just puttin it out there}

My Home, My Time2Design ~Guest Bathroom Towels

I have never been a fan of wall hung towel bars, you know the ones I mean. Everyone has the towel bar in their bathrooms that have the "just to look pretty" towels. You know who you are, and I have to admit I have been guilty of this myself in the past.

In my guest bathroom, in an effort to end this nonsense and to create a place for towels to hang when I have guests, I found this great towel rack that hangs from the hinges of the door. Space for four towels and gets them out of sight.