Come on in.
I mentioned in my last post that I would be participating in Mary’s Design Carnival. So here I am, posting on the weekend. Which stresses me out, I might say. Posting on weekends, that is. Because I have a hard enough time coming up with things to say five days a week, let alone on two extra days. Only for Mary though, because she is just about the sweetest thing ever.
So here we go. Let’s talk design.
Or let’s just look at some pictures I took. I don’t know a whole lot about design, but I do know what I like and what I can copy out of my favorite catalogs.
I love to get ideas for window treatments from Smith and Noble. It is my favorite place to “shop” for window coverings. I have used some of their shades in my house and I love them, but when I was looking for window treatments for my family room, I could not find the right color of woven shade that I was looking for in their catalog.
This is the look I was trying to copy. (Sorry it’s so small. Technical difficulties.)
And this is what I ended up with on the 5 windows in my family room. I also used the same curtain in the adjoining kitchen to cover the sliding glass door with. Because it flows. And apparently, flow is good in design.
(And please excuse the un-accessorized end table. The ever growing Koko, the locomotion, has a tail that knocks over anything it comes in contact with. So the tables must remain empty, or things start breaking.)
((Like a beautiful marble turtle symbolizing life and longevity that was purchased in the Caymans. Broken. Gone. Whacked to its death by the whip like tail of a yellow lab. Ironic.))
(((Not that I’m upset about that or anything. No. Not at all.)))
I found these woven shades at JCPenney and the curtains are all from Penney’s too. Did you know they custom make draperies at Penney’s? They do. They have thousands of gorgeous fabrics to pick from and they will just measure and make them right up for you.
Be careful though. The lady that came out to measure was really pushing this on me.
I managed to resist.
But it was close.
I also have jumped on the animal print bandwagon this past year. In small doses. Because sooner or later, like teddy bears and blue country curtains, animal prints will go out. And I don’t want to be stuck with a zebra print sofa.
So an animal print pillow gives me the animal print look I want, without sticking me with Tarzan’s sofa forever.
And lastly, while we’re speaking about pillows, they don’t always have to be in the corner of the sofa. They can live happily in the middle of the sofa.
Just a little tip the Pottery Barn taught me.
(Pottery Barn, I heart you.)
I coveted this from the PB for years. And I had absolutely no place to put it. I also had no place to put our coats, shoes and bags, so they ended up all over the kitchen chairs. It was not good for my OCD. And clutter issues.
I knew if I could somehow find a place for a set up like this, my clutter issues with the outerwear and all of the kids stuff would be more manageable.
So an idea was born.
We added on a mudroom. And it has been a lifesaver. Sometimes it’s messy, sometimes the floor is wet and dirty and full of muddy shoes, but that is what it is for. None of the stuff ever makes it into my kitchen anymore. And that makes me happy.
And the inspiration for the mudroom? Well of course it was the picture above. I took that idea and ran with it.
This is the entrance from the garage, or the door we use 99% of the time.
(And no, the walls are not really taxi cab/French’s Mustard yellow. It’s the flash. Please believe me.)
So you come in the door from the garage and you are inside. Where are you going to put your stuff?
In your cubby, of course.
I love our cubbies. The red baskets hold baseball and soccer uniforms, gymnastics leotards and K’s baseball hats. There’s even outlets behind the bins so we can charge our cell phones. It is really nice to have a spot for keys and all the stuff you need to leave the house with, and yet none of it has to come into my kitchen, thereby eliminating all the counter clutter.
There’s always a place for your coat and backpack.
There’s a bench to sit down on and plenty of extra bins for shoes.
(And look! There’s my cute polka dot purse I bought in South Carolina. And a pair of my eccos! Can you tell the corner cubbie is mine?)
((You know me so much better now that you’ve seen where I put my shoes and throw my purse, right?)
So basically, the mudroom has saved my sanity. Even if you don’t have the space for a dedicated mudroom, a couple of hooks and some baskets could serve the same purpose.
I have a couple more things in the mudroom to show you, but for now, I’ll have to end the tour here of my inspiration room. Because apparently, Flickr is like Cinderella and turns into a pumpkin at midnight. Sorry to be so abrupt, I’ll try to add the rest of the pics as soon as Flickr decides it can resize for the blog again. Maybe I’ll call my Fairy Godmother and see if she can get right on it.
Or maybe I’ll just go to bed.
The flickr appears to be working again, so let’s finish touring the finer points of the old mudroom, okay? Okay.
In the mudroom we also added a good old broom closet.
It holds my vacuums, broom, mop, cleaning supplies, and things like our out of season outerwear, sleeping bags, dog food, and just a ton of other miscellaneous stuff that we need, but that was taking up space in other closets. The best thing about this closet is that it has outlets in it, for things like the rechargeable vacuum, the kids R/C batteries that need to be charged, and my paper shredder.
(Yes I shred paper. I’m identity theft consious. And it is kind of fun.)
Speaking of paper, I bought this bin for papers for my kids from Ballard Designs. It is one of my favorite catalogs. Each of my kids has their own bin for school and sports papers, projects or handouts that we need for the future, class lists, or any type of fundraising activity they are doing. More than anything else, having a place for each child to put their own papers that need to be saved, has really helped with the paper clutter in our kitchen.
When the mudroom was designed, I made sure to include a space for the dog bowls. I was tired of the water drips on the kitchen floor, and moving them to the mudroom has worked really well.
The mudroom is one of my favorite rooms in the house. It is functional, and it helps to lower my stress level because everybody has their own space for everything.
Thanks for visiting!
And remember, the walls aren’t the color of French’s mustard. They are the color of wheat. Never paint your walls the color of mustard. Or a taxi cab.
Thank you.
Posted: May 2nd, 2008 under Home.
Comments: 46
Comments
Comment from Mary@notbefore7
Time: May 3, 2008, 5:14 am
Girl, you rock for stepping out and posting on the weekend. I can tell it was a bit tramatizing for ya, but you did it! (big ole hug from me)
YOu and I share a love for PB! Oh yes, that place is kicking it!
The cubby idea is so cool. I am totally going to try to work in some of this. Though I don’t know where….YET!
Love that you showed the pillows. Good stuff. Accesorizing is quite important 
(great sofa BTW)
I get all my curtains at JC Penny too! I knew we were meant to be blogging friends…cause similar shopping habits certainly make for blogging friends, right?
Anyway, it is TOO EARLY Sat AM, but I feel inspired.
Off to yard sale. Thanks for participating!
Comment from Thea @ I’m a Drama Mama
Time: May 3, 2008, 6:26 am
I absolutely love those cubbies!! I don’t have any place to put them in my house, though, which makes me very, VERY sad. Were the custom builds?
Comment from Jennifer @ Doing the Next Thing
Time: May 3, 2008, 8:16 am
AWESOME mudroom! Ours is a work in progress and I’ve definitely been “inspired” by you!!! Thanks.
Comment from Martha
Time: May 3, 2008, 8:21 am
I’m SO JEALOUS of you right now.
SO JEALOUS.
SO JEALOUS.
I can say it enough. That mudroom is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I have tears in my eyes and jealousy in my heart because unless we add on to our sweet little cottage I won’t ever have anything like that. And that makes me sad.
And jealous.
Jealous starts to look funny when you write it so much. Who ever came up with that word, anyway?
xoxox,
martha
Comment from Queen B
Time: May 3, 2008, 10:38 am
Great Room!!!! LOVE IT.
I am so thankful that you held your ground against the Penneys Pariah…
Comment from Heidi
Time: May 3, 2008, 11:34 am
Oh.My.Gawd. I totally love your mudroom. I COVET your mudroom. Can you come to Canada and design one for me??
Heidi
Comment from Kelly @ Love Well
Time: May 3, 2008, 12:38 pm
A mudroom is a NECESSITY in the Midwest. Yours is inspiring and GORGEOUS. Pottery Barn has nothing on you, girl.
Fun post. I love design. Just look at my magazine holder.
Comment from sheila
Time: May 3, 2008, 3:19 pm
how i love being invited into your beautiful home.
the mud room is the bomb- i love the color even if it isn’t showing it’s true form- i like all yellows all shades and love the functionality of the room- did i just make up a word?
Comment from Robyn
Time: May 3, 2008, 4:03 pm
Oh, my jealousy of your mudroom overfloweth. My favorite part (besides the polka dotted purse that is FABULOUS) is the cell phone charging outlet. Genius.
Love it.
If I can get my house picked up (ha) I’ll post some, too.
Comment from Wendi
Time: May 3, 2008, 5:26 pm
Seething with jealousy in NC!!! I am completely in love with your mudroom and cubbies. I too have a love affair with PB! I enjoyed visiting your home this afternoon. It is lovely. The window treatments, pillows and mudroom. Of course your wit and charm was an added bonus to the tour as well! Thanks for sharing!
Comment from Monica
Time: May 3, 2008, 7:00 pm
Amazing is all that I can say!! AMAZING.
Comment from Jen on the Edge
Time: May 3, 2008, 7:19 pm
I have mudroom envy.
Comment from the roost
Time: May 3, 2008, 8:27 pm
Love the mud room with everyone having there on little space! Great idea….
Comment from Leslie (snaphappyinkymomma)
Time: May 3, 2008, 9:40 pm
OMG. I’m literally drooling over here . . .
Comment from Lynn
Time: May 3, 2008, 10:50 pm
I hopped over here from Mary’s carnival. Love your designs, and ESPECIALLY the mud room! When we finally settle into a house for more than a few years (we’re military for 3 more) this is on my hope for list.
Comment from Org Junkie
Time: May 4, 2008, 10:28 am
OH MY WORD!! I’m speechless, just speechless. I could look at these pictures forever, so beautiful. How happy you must be to walk in and see that each and every day. Are the cubbie shelves custom built? Where or where did you get them? The white baskets on the bottom are some of my favorites. Love it!
Do not be spooked by my enthusiasm, stuff like this is what dreams are made of!!!
Did I mention I love it?
Comment from Sarah
Time: May 4, 2008, 1:10 pm
I love the mudroom! I would really like one of those too, but for now will have to settle on the closet space we have in our basement (which is connected to the garage). It’s kind of like a mudroom, but the kids can’t reach the hangers, so I have to do it.
Anyway, thanks for visiting my site and commenting too. I grew up in DuPage County and my parents still live their (in fact going there this week!). So, I’m fond of the burbs. We also have 2 girls 18 months apart. Fun times. Have a great week.
Comment from Tyler
Time: May 4, 2008, 2:39 pm
I most definitely love your window treatments! Gorgeous.
And do you mind if I steal your mud room cubbies? Or at least the idea? That is so great! I just made my husband come and look so he can create it for me. 
Comment from Melissa Lester
Time: May 4, 2008, 3:33 pm
I love your mud room! I have drooled over the same PB picture, trying to figure out how I could incorporate such a stylish storage area into our home. Great job, and thanks for the inspiration!
Comment from Jill
Time: May 4, 2008, 5:50 pm
Oh, I love your mudroom! Glorious.
Comment from Carolyn
Time: May 4, 2008, 6:38 pm
I HEART your PB. I love that cubby hole thing and wish I had one. A mudroom is a grand idea! Maybe I need to build me one of those too! Thanks for the idea(s)!
Comment from Kristin
Time: May 4, 2008, 6:47 pm
I painted my laundry room Frenchs mustard yellow (in a previous home) and I really really loved it. However, I think I was the only one. LOL You gave a beautiful tour - Thanks so much.
Kristin
Comment from Kris
Time: May 4, 2008, 8:17 pm
Wow, I love your mudroom. It’s so nice to have a place for everything. We have the bench/baskets and the matching shelf with hooks and we love it, too!
Comment from Saralyn
Time: May 4, 2008, 9:05 pm
Ok, so I’ve never been so coveteous of someone’s garage door entrance in my life! WOW! I love it!
Comment from Chrissy
Time: May 4, 2008, 9:42 pm
Love your mudroom, so totally functional even with the dogs dishes, and the outlets to charge whatever! Even mom and dad have a cubbie!!!!
Comment from Becky
Time: May 4, 2008, 11:27 pm
I absolutely love the mudroom. I hope that when I eventually have a house that I can use this idea. What a great idea and great use of space. You are my decorating hero.!!!!!!!
Comment from Carrie
Time: May 5, 2008, 9:38 am
I LOVE YOUR MUDROOM! It is EXACTLY what I have been wanting to do in ours. Unfortunately, ours will not have that great of a set-up. We come in through the garage STRAIGHT into the kitchen (no room for anything there!) and then would have to walk though the kitchen to get back to our “mudroom” which is a 6×6 room separating our laundry area and kitchen.
Did you buy the “cubbies” or can you just put up the wood and “build” it yourself? My hubby is supposed to get on that room sometime soon. Thanks for the fantastic ideas. I love the idea of “wheat” walls too, but yellow is tricky. What color did you use and from where? Thanks!
Comment from Dem Mom
Time: May 5, 2008, 11:13 am
I want your mudroom! My husband told me once that he thought I was making up that word, that no such thing existed. Until we started looking at houses and saw some mudrooms! I.Want.That.
Comment from Christie
Time: May 5, 2008, 2:10 pm
Oh, I love me some cubbies. I had my hubs build some this year, too. Yours look FANTASTIC!
Comment from Lynette
Time: May 5, 2008, 7:40 pm
I am completely and utterly jealous - you are the organizing queen and I am bowing down! I thought I was organized, but lady you’re putting me to shame! Excellent ideas! Thanks for sharing.
Comment from weavermom
Time: May 5, 2008, 8:51 pm
Wow! I love the mudroom - and it does look just like Pottery Barn (which I heart as well). It’s lovely!
Comment from Drama Mama
Time: May 5, 2008, 9:08 pm
That is awesome- I wish I had more space for cubbies like that- I just have a small one with coat hooks- Bummer!
Oh, I luv the clocks!
Comment from Deb - Mom of 3 Girls
Time: May 6, 2008, 10:25 am
I am drooling over your mudroom. No really - I am. Literally. That is so the exact space that I wish we had… Sigh. You did an amazing job, no matter what color the walls are!
Comment from Amy
Time: May 6, 2008, 10:10 pm
Hey what’s wrong with mustard…I love that color!
Thanks for the mudroom tour. We are soon to be under construction at our house and I got some good ideas…like the spot to charge the phone…my kids don’t need that yet but it is good to plan ahead. Also love the bins from Ballard.
Now I have to check out the rest of the design carnival!
Comment from Darcy
Time: May 8, 2008, 7:36 am
If we ever build a house again I am going to have a mudroom just like this! I love it! I wish there was a way that I could remodel my current house to have a room just like it but there isn’t and besides I am sick of remodeling and the mess that goes with it after our basement project this winter!
Pingback from I’m an Organizing Junkie » Storage Star ~ Organizing the mudroom
Time: May 29, 2008, 11:38 pm
[...] I saw Lisa’s pictures I found some great inspiration! Take a look at this picture and see why Lisa’s mudroom is Storage Star [...]
Pingback from Busy Little Bee » Blog Archive » 43 more days
Time: May 30, 2008, 5:24 am
[...] I ran into this site and fell in love with this mud room. Since the nesting has kicked in 150% you can imagine the wild thoughts running through my head. A [...]
Comment from FishMama
Time: May 30, 2008, 6:35 am
Beautiful - all of it. (And I think it would be okay if the walls were yellow- really.)
Comment from Misty
Time: May 30, 2008, 7:08 am
WOW! I love it! I came here through OJ. I have a tiny little closet under the stairs that I’m turning into a mudroom. Great ideas. Did you have it built custom or did you buy it somewhere? Love it! Love it! Love it!
Comment from laura
Time: May 30, 2008, 8:27 am
OMG, this is the first time i have been to your blog, and i think i am in love. can i move into your mudroom? it is sooo glorious!!!!! i LOVE it!!!!
Comment from sonja
Time: June 1, 2008, 10:27 pm
this is awesome, I want one!!! hehe…when i buy my own house i will be doing this - love it so much… thanks for sharing!!
Pingback from Inspirasjon til gangen : InspirasjonOnline
Time: July 3, 2008, 6:40 pm
[...] For flere bilder, fler detaljer og beskrivelse av hva som er gjort, besøk eieren av entreen selv. [...]
Pingback from I’m an Organizing Junkie » Let’s bust a move on our entryways….
Time: August 7, 2008, 12:50 am
[...] of course many of you will remember my absolute favorite mudroom found over at Lisa’s of Take 90 West. Love, love, love [...]
Comment from Noel
Time: August 7, 2008, 10:37 am
Did you pay someone to deisgn it for you– just wondering on cost, what type of wood, how you got outlets in behind the cubbies?
We have a laundry room/mud room when you walk in the garage that I would like to see become more organized….
Comment from Sarah
Time: August 9, 2008, 7:00 am
I found this post from a link on Laura/OrgJunkie’s page. I think I love you.
My only disappointment is that I was so excited to see the pic of your broom closet from the outside, thinking, “Oh goody! I’ll get to see how she organized inside the broom closet!” (I’m getting prepared to tackle a similar project.) …Then you left me hanging.
I will NOT covet your mud room. I will NOT covet your mud room. I will NOT covet your mud room.
Comment from Donna
Time: November 18, 2008, 11:21 am
Your mudroom is fab-u-lous!!! I have been looking and looking for ideas for our breezeway and this room is pretty much what I had in my imagination. I would love to get more detail from you on how you accomplished this!?! Did you build or buy the bench and cubbies, what materials were used, etc. My husband doesn’t know it yet but he’s got a project coming up!
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