Monday, March 28, 2011

Loving Laundry

We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, even if it's picking grapes or sorting laundry. - E.B. White

I've never thought house chores to be pleasurable until I read a great post by my friend Dayle over at A Collection of This and That.  Dayle is a noted author with an uncanny ability to put things in perspective which challenges one's thinking.  Her writings always inspire me.  


I don't like housework.  No secret here.  But I do enjoy the process of folding laundry, especially my children's clothing. 

When each of them were babies, I made sure to use the most gentle laundry soap.  ummm...I can still smell it. 
Via


I'll never forget the first time I washed infant clothes in anticipation of my newborn's arrival. It started a love affair with baby laundry. I'd lovingly fold the little arms and legs of fuzzy sleepers, kiss tiny socks and caress warm baby blankets.  
Via


Thankful for disposable diapers. (I have fond memories of helping my mom hang clothes on a clothesline.) 
Via



There's no softness like that of fresh laundered baby clothes.
Via



A real turning point is the day we would graduate to "normal" laundry soap.  Call me crazy, but it always made me sad to put the baby soap away. Albeit, I was relieved to throw all the clothes in the same basket.

The things we moms find in pockets!
Via


Surely I'm not the only one who forgot to empty pockets and washed a valuable electronic game or a wad of play dough. 

The little tears at the knees make me thankful my children are healthy enough to run and play.
Via


Then come the teen years when laundry quadruples. 

This is also the time you realize they need to do their own.
Via


Finally, the day will come when there will be no more chocolate, ink or blood stains.  And I'll wonder if they are remembering to separate the towels from the jeans. 
Less laundry.  
That's what I always say I want. 
But maybe not.  
I kind of like laundry.


I've never had a large pretty laundry room.  I dream of it.

Via
Via
Via


Via


Via

Posting to All Things Inspired
Nice! I'd love one of these but it would probably be just for looks (except for that sweet pull out ironing board.) Truth be told, I really like to spread my laundry out on the sofa so I can sit and reflect.  
So, do you really use your laundry room for more than just washing and drying clothes? 
Loads of hugs,

44 comments:

Julie Harward said...

Mine is half laundry and half pantry..and I use the big counters for grooming my little dogs. I have the dogs little kennel in there and a special cabinet built just for the kitty and her litter box. I do love that room! ;D

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

I know what you mean about the laundry getting less and less. Some days I'd give anything for all those piles back. Loved this post. You are on a roll of great ideas. Keep them coming. Also...thanks for the note. I treasure our friendship. ~Ann

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

I wish I loved to do laundry and I love these laundry rooms. Mine is getting painted soon. It is sooooo bad. My room keeps the cat box and the very old cat right now plus some stuff is stored in there, but that stuff is moving out. You can come do my laundry. I really don't mind.

Karen said...

I only like doing towels, I only buy white towels and I love how crisp and clean they look all folded and stacked. My laundry room is a horror...nothing like these beauties. I'd love the second one or the last one.

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

Mine is just for laundry....it's too small for anything else....No, wait, I have my collection of McCoy planters on top of the upper cabinets!!! They make me smile while I fold underwear!!!

Trisha said...

I always say that if I had a beautiful laundry room, I would love doing laundry. Probably not, but I like to think I would! I do like the thought of doing tiny little baby laundry...hopefully someday soon!

~Trisha

Something Nice and Pretty said...

I so remember the baby clothes, in the 70's we used Dreft for babies, thanks for the memories so bittersweet♥

Rondell

Debbiedoos said...

I really do not mind house work at all. I do not like to fold the laundry..that is my only complaint:) Great laundry rooms, and a really nice thought provoking post.

Cindy said...

Hello my sweet friend,
I have a hole in the basement with my washer and dryer in it, so I usually fold my laundry on my bed. I don't mind it, I work hard to keep it up. I make ironing special by putting on a favorite dvd and watching it while I iron. It makes the time go faster and it is a happy chore, because I know how much my husband treasures his laundry being fresh and pressed.
I remember the baby clothes, I loved folding them too, so sweet and precious!
Great post and wonderful memories.
Big hugs, Cindy

Anonymous said...

Call me nuts, but I don't mind do laundry at all. Love hanging clothes out. But then again, I love being outdoors, it just give me another excuse. As far as laundering our daughters clothing, especially the newborn clothing...sweet!

I showed my husband the picture of the ironing board incorporated into the cabinetry, and asked him if he could do that for mine. Crossing fingers.

Diane said...

Wonderful post. I remember the first time I washed my brand new baby cloths, still pregnant with my first, I put them on the line outside and couldn't believe how tiny they were! Laundry goes have its good points and memories!! Diane

quakerhillfarm said...

You have struck a chord! I just re-painted my very small laundry area this past week-end. Laundry can certainly be a source of joy or frustration. I appreciate your post! Blessings to you, Lynn

Janet said...

The photos are lovely! This post makes the laundry look like an event, rather than a chore!
Blessings,
Janet

RicKaren said...

Beautiful laundry rooms! I bet they do not make the laundry smell any better though and that is the best part! I also like to pray for the people in my house as I fold their things. Laundry really is not a chore for me.

michelle said...

Hi Tammy, I love this post! I was just talking to my friend, who is expecting, about the little clothes and socks that she will washing soon. I loved doing the laundry when my kids were babies and even now, I have a teen and a 5 year old, looking at their clothes and reflecting on everything. Maybe not so much their wash but I love looking at them. Time goes so fast, too fast. I wish I had a beautiful room like the ones you pictured but it is my couch or bed that the laundry is folded on.
Thank you for visiting and your sweet comments. I am following you as well, your blog is beautiful! :)

Martha said...

Loved the pictures of those rooms. Ours is in dire need of a redo! And I really like to do laundry. Love that fresh clean smell...

Southwest Cottage Designs said...

This makes a mundane household chore seem possibly enjoyable! LOL! These fancy laundry rooms look enticing and make me eager to the day my fixer upper will be a "normal" house. Just this past weekend I washed clothes in a bucket and dried them in the dryer outside. Sounds like our grandmother's days, doesn't it? One would have to know my fixer upper history to understand. It's a fun challenge! Happy Monday to you, my sweet cousin and blogging friend.

laxsupermom said...

If my laundry room was as pretty as those, I'd use it for more than just washing, and drying, but as it stands I fold clothes on my bed. Thanks for sharing those gorgeous pics!

podso said...

I think I would love laundry day(s) a lot more in these laundry rooms, especially the top one! I appreciated your thoughts on laundry--such a good perspective, especially about the babies!!

Unknown said...

I dream of having a laundry room like the one's you have shown..it's not going to happen so I'm just happy I have a wonderful set of laundry machine's and an iron that works really well.
Life is good!
~Shirley

Ann-Marie ~ Brambly said...

Oh, my laundry room needs an intervention. I loved your post-everything you said about children's laundry is so true. I'm at the frustrating teen laundry stage now, but sometimes I wonder if I'll be sad when it's gone.

Ann-Marie

Brenda Pruitt said...

Um, I use it to get to the garage. It is a thruway laundry with the washer and dryer on one side, a door in front of it and a space big enough to walk! But I like to dream...
Brenda

D.B. said...

Yes, yes, yes and yes! Am I crazy to find laundry therapeutic? Baby laundry..........Dreft.....wee clothes.......paradise. Love this post!

PAINTORDIG.blogspot.com said...

What a trip down memory lane-so sweet. I love doing laundry-it never bores me. Weird huh?

Amy@HomeRemediesRX said...

You are so right; chores, like so many things in life, can be enjoyable if you look at it from the right perspective! I actually don't mind folding the laundry (though it would be much nicer in one of the lovely laundry rooms you featured). I usually end up using my bed or the couch for my folding space...

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

Tammy, how sweet and generous of you to give me such an impressive shout-out. :) I love my friends! And I loved this post!! Very nice photos, and words to go with them. Like you, I take my laundry to the sofa where I can relax and fold.

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

How awesome that you shared these great laundry rooms with us for inspiration! That is the next room I need to tackle and your post will certainly help me!

Big TX Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents

whimages said...

Tammy,I never thought a post about laundry could make me teary-eyed! GREAT post and LOVELY laundry rooms! I have an itty bitty teensy weensy one...ugh!

Shanon at Vintage Sparkle Chic said...

Oh how I remember those days of washing your first baby's clothes in the special baby laundry detergent. How I loved the smell, she's ten now and I can still remember how it smelled. I love the first two laundry rooms. I can't imagine having a full room for laundry only! I still do not like doing laundry.

~Shanon

Pamela said...

Hi Tammy!!

I love love to do laundry! Yep I'm crazy...I love the sorting, hanging to dry, folding and even ironing. Even as a little girl I loved to be in the laundry room.
One day I hope to have a laundry room like the beautiful ones you posted here!!

Heather said...

Boy, these are some pretty laundry rooms. My laundry used to be outside, but now I have a little laundry room inside the house. Having the washer/dryer inside is a wonderful luxury that I am thankful for everyday!

Laura at Ms. Smartie Pants said...

I dream of a better laundry room too! But I just realized when or if I finally get it, it will be when all my kids are gone, just the hub and I. How much laundry can we create??? Maybe I need a new dream!

Natasha in Oz said...

These rooms would inspire me to do the laundry more often for sure. I love them all.

Great post!

Best wishes and happy week,
Natasha.

Anne said...

I love doing the laundry! When I was a little girl, my Mom would set out an old washtub full of sudsy water for my sister and I to wash our doll clothes. It was so wonderful to feel the warmth of the sun as we washed our doll clothes on the washboard. My Mom had a kid sized clothes line right next to her big clothesline, and we would hang up our clothes together....What fun memories!!!!! What a wise Mom!

Sylvia N. said...

I detest laundry, folding and sorting, and I don't iron, but I love putting on a fresh smelling pair of sheets! My laundry room is also my pottery studio.....not so pretty, but very lived in!

Mary Ann Pickett said...

Even though ours is new and I did a post on it...I try to spend as little time in our laundry room as possible....that folding is so tedious to me. Lovely images above.

Anonymous said...

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Melissa said...

Thank you for putting a new spin on doing laundry (I think I just made a pun).

Melissa
Sunbonnet Cottage

Donna said...

If you have to do it....your way is best....organized and in beautiful laundry rooms!!!

Travel With Lulu said...

In Europe, the washer/dryer are often in the kitchen. So you REALLY never leave the kitchen :)

I absolutely LOVE those laundry rooms - just gorgeous :) XOL

Crystal said...

What a wonderful thought! So inspiring! The thought of washing baby clothes really does sound nice when you think of it in this perspective... hmm... maybe someday... soon... :) I am a new follower via All Things Heart and Home.
Crysta
HomemakerinHeels.com

Marianne said...

Oh how I would love one of those laundry rooms. And all of that beautiful orange....just making me crave spring even more. Such beautiful pictures!
Marianne :)

Crystal @ Ordinary Days said...

What lovely inspirational pictures!! I love your taste!!! Thank you for stopping by my blog!

Unknown said...

I absolutely love what you said about being happy your kids were healthy enough to get their clothes dirty. What a great way to view the dirty laundry.
Traci