With its view from front to back and old to new, Scott’s hallway sums up his eclectic home, with roots in the past but every modern option.
Past the custom-made “Tools down” welcome mat and restored Playola player in a sunlit alcove down then the stunning Anna Blatman wallpapered powder room, the porta-timber-accented hall with Heraz mushroom runner, is a veritable art gallery, featuring memorabilia rescued from the original build alongside new works from artists including Lizzy Stageman, Angue Summa, Michael Wolfe and more.
Crossing the unique LED floor, wall and ceiling strip separating the existing house from the new addition, the hall is a reminder Scotty has embraced the past with a build that has led his house into the future.
Unfortunately the laundry can be under-appreciated, overlooked and filled with clutter, making it the unsung hero of the home. However, with a few simple design changes, you may even enjoy doing the laundry (you never know!).
Gaston pulldown sink mixer
Andry Grigor, head of design and innovation at Methven, shares his advice for a laundry makeover.
Storage is key
Making use of small spaces has been a hot topic in recent years, particularly as Australians are increasingly living in smaller homes and apartments. Storage solutions are central to a functional laundry space and are key to ensuring an efficient laundry system. Incorporate as much cabinetry as possible for extra storage space. Add a utility cart to provide additional storage and movability, or a range of baskets and hampers, for an organised and practical laundry system, or try mounting the iron on the wall for added floor space. A sink mixer with a longer neck allows for more room in the sink area, for improved cleaning and washing.
Think about fittings and tapware
By simply replacing your tapware you can drastically improve the look of a space. In modern homes, laundries are an extension of the bathroom and kitchen. To create a seamless flow throughout the home, add fixtures and fittings with the same range of colours and styles to help create a sense of unison. Consider how you want your finished space to look and feel. How will it fit in with the rest of your home?
Urban pullout sink mixer
Tiles can make a big difference
A change of tiles can transform the overall style and feel of your laundry. For a timeless and simple design, stick to the ever-popular white tile in either a square shape for a classic look, or try something new such as the slender finger-like kitkat tiles which look gorgeous as a splashback. If you’re after a unique feel, try adding block-coloured tiles or experimenting with patterns. If updating to new tiles is not attainable due to budget restraints, try giving them a refresh by regrouting. This will brighten the space up, as discolouration can show a room’s age.
Kiri sink mixer
Layout matters
Often, when undertaking renovations, we tend to reconfigure the entire layout of a room. Whilst changing the location of certain features can transform a room, others can be unnecessary and not cost-effective. If possible, try to work with the current plumbing layout. Changing the location of the faucet will result in more work and a higher cost. Also, consider the placement of the washing machine chosen suits the layout of the room. For example, avoid placing a front loader near a door or a top loader near desired bench space. To complete your laundry space, add design accents that soften the space and add a personal touch, such as plants or a mirror. These will enhance the room and make it feel lighter and more spacious.
More often than not, laundries are grouped into the ‘functional’ rather than ‘aesthetic’ category – languishing neglected when it comes to design elements. But when you think about it, the laundry is a space we need to use weekly, maybe even daily, so why not make the experience more enjoyable?
Anna-Carin McNamara
Sydney-based Swedish interior designer Anna-Carin McNamara has partnered with Electrolux to share her top laundry design tips – with any budget or size in mind.
Create a vision My first and perhaps most vital step to designing the laundry is to have a clear vision, measure up and then have it drawn up accurately. Don’t be afraid to try as many variations as you can think of on paper! This accuracy will be critical when it comes to functional layouts and ventilation.
Choose your washing machine wisely The quintessential addition to every laundry is the washing machine. When choosing your star appliance, consider household size and habits. When I chose my washing machine, I knew I wanted to optimise efficiency considering I have three grown kids who live at home and do their own washing on allocated days. I use the Electrolux 7.5kg/4.5kg Washer Dryer Combo as it ticks all the boxes.
Plan every square millimetre When planning a laundry you have to be realistic and maximise every millimetre. I describe my newly renovated laundry as tiny, functional and bright. The washing machine is just under 600mm which in a tiny space is super important. To further optimise space you can also add mirrors.
Follow the rules for functionality There are five design rules I recommend following when designing your laundry – consider bench space for washing baskets, shelves for washing products, a swivel tap so that a soaking bucket can be used and a hanging rack to dry shirts. If your space allows it, I also advise elevating your washing machine and dryer for easy load and unload.
Experiment with the design After considering functionality, it’s important to also consider how aesthetics play a role in elevating the laundry from the plain, simple room it was once known as. Add something beautiful – a plant, a wall light, an artwork, that gives the space some personality. Although it can quickly become overwhelming so stick to three – one for the floor, one for the walls and one for the joinery.
Itemise your budget I recommend a minimum of $8,000 for a laundry redesign, while a bigger budget of $25,000 will allow for higher quality materials and fixtures, with more custom joinery. My personal laundry redesign took six weeks with a budget of $15,000. Keep in mind the costliest aspect is always the labour. Even though materials in terms of design may cost a bit more, I always tend to choose ones that I find beautiful because you actually don’t need that much.
My new navy and gold laundry revealed: before and after
Our kitchen was the very first room we renovated in this house, almost four years ago. It was a case of “I’m not buying the house unless we can afford…
Budget renos: Amazing bathroom and laundry updates for $700 each
With the cost of renovating wet rooms ranging anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000, it’s little wonder that people often delay the process or avoid it altogether. And while some people…
Small space design solution: A laundry under the stairs!
Part of a wider Sydney family home renovation, that involved both layout and material changes, this clever laundry relocation piqued our interest recently because it’s not something we’ve seen before.…
The home cleaning scene has rapidly expanded of late with a range of cleaning products that are not only eco-conscious but look fabulous too. From ranges designed to eliminate single-use plastic to plant-based cleaning solutions made from Australian native oils, these are our top picks.
Compagnie de Provence Fig of Provence liquid soap: Made from vegetables oils from Provence, this liquid soap comes in a chic glass pump bottle that can be refilled with the corresponding refill bottle. There’s a variety of scents to choose including fig, black tea, cotton flower and patchouli. We love the bold typography on the front. $39.95.
Zero-Co: Designed to make it easy for you to cut out single-use plastic, this range not only looks great (such fun colours!) but it’s soft on the environment too. Each starter kit comes with a a set of dispensers (made from ocean waste plastic), a set of refill pouches (made from recycled plastic) and a reply-paid postage satchel. When you’ve emptied the refill pouches into their dispensers just pop them in the post and Zero-Co will refill them and return them to you. Genius!
Tangent GC Clover sportswear detergent: Made in Sweden this product is specially made for synthetics or blended fabrics making it ideal for for the sports-enthusiasts among us (activewear anyone?). It’s also organic, cruelty and fossil fuel free. $35.
Koala Eco: Packaged in 100 percent post-consumer-recycled plastic bottles, this product line-up is free of synthetic fragrance and colouring, allergens and irritants and draws on the medicinal and therapeutic properties of Australian native plants. “Species such as eucalyptus, lemon myrtle and peppermint have natural antiseptic and astringent qualities and have been harvested for millennia by Australia’s Indigenous people,” says The Koala Eco co-founder Jess Bragdon. Available in many supermarkets across Australia we love the smell of this range.
The Dirt Company complete Laundry starter kit: Another eco-friendly, refillable option this company produces laundry cleaning products that good for your clothes, skin and planet – all while remaining affordable too. This kit comes with reusable and dose specific dispenser bottles (all full) and refill packs (made from a minimum of 30 per cent post industrial recycled waste) that can be returned (for free!) to be refilled. The brand will also throw in a 30 pack of their rust-proof stainless steel pegs. $91.25.
Wash Wild: The sister company of Bondi Wash, this range is made from Australian native oils which are recognised for their anti-bacterial properties. Designed to be accessible to as many households as possible, while being free of nasty chemicals, this affordable starter pack is $35 and you can purchase refills too.
Quartz Clean: Designed to sanitise quartz surfaces while looking after them, this duo is perfect for the kitchen bench top. The Everyday Surface Cleaner is designed for everyday use (but of course!) and the Deep Clean Surface Cream for stubborn stains. The products contain nine pure and organic essential oils and fragrances include citrus, mint and eucalyptus. $34.50
Single Use Ain’t Sexy hand soap starter pack: Combining Australia’s first dissolvable hand soap tablet with a simple reusable glass bottle, we love this hand washing concept. All you do is fill the reusable bottle with water, add a tablet, pump the foam and wash your hands. Tablet refill packs are available when you run out. $29.70.
Plant-based cleaning brand Koala Eco breaks into the US
“We were constantly on the hunt for safe, affordable, toxic-free cleaning products that would not only make our home smell naturally fabulous but would actually work. We felt our sons, and…
Laundry sinks have always had a mammoth task to uphold. From handwashing, pre-soaking to spot cleaning and rinsing, the humble trough is usually high in practical use, but does it have trendsetting qualities to transform your laundry from ordinary to extraordinary? It certainly does!
Vicki Gillingham, design manager for Henley Design, shares her top tips and tricks to help you achieve a laundry sink that’s beautiful, functional, and practical.
Size me up!
If you’re going for a single bowl sink in the laundry, ideally a sink that measures approximately 500mm x 400mm, and holds approximately 40 litres minimum, is a great size to go with, as this enables it to be practical without taking over too much of the benchtop space. We know how important benchtop space is after all!
Sinking into different materials
While stainless steel is commonly thought of as the go-to choice for laundry sinks, there are other options to select from that can completely change the look and feel of your space.
“Ceramic farmhouse or apron style sinks are perfect choices for those that are wanting more of a traditional country or Hamptons style look for their home,” says Vicky. “However, due to their oversized nature, it is important to consider if you have the space to make such a statement and also the room in the budget as they can be quite costly.”
Vicky also suggests Fragranite sinks as another alternative to the traditional stainless steel sink. Franke Fragranite Sinks are constructed from 80% quartz sand and 20% very hard acrylic resin, making them an ideal choice for active families. Available in moody Onyx or fresh Polar White, these sinks can be used seamlessly with a variety of different colour schemes and styles.
Trending tapware
According to Vicki, pull-out sink mixers are the best option for laundry as they make cleaning up so much easier.
“They are perfect if you use the laundry sink to bath your pets as you can keep one hand on your furry friend while the other controls the water and tap,” Vicki says, “the other thing to consider is high profiled taps that allow you to easily fit buckets, pots etc. under the spout to fill them up rather than having to manoeuvre them at awkward angels.”
One tub or two?
While one tub is sufficient for most, if you have enough space and room in the budget for two, just think of the possibilities!
“You can have stubborn stained clothes soaking in one while the other is still able to be utilised,” says Vicki. “Wash off dirty gardening tools in sink one while they dry off in sink two, fill them both up with your plant babies for their weekly water, or why not pour in a bag or two of ice when you are entertaining and chill alcoholic beverages in one side and pop the non-alcoholic or mixers into the other.”
Vicki’s fan favourite
Vicki’s fan favourite is the Kubus Fragranite Polar White Single Bowl Sink KBG 110-50 PW by Franke that offers a seamless fresh look while not compromising on the size of style.
“This sink looks gorgeous in a fresh Scandi or Australian coastal styled interior with light timbers, fresh whites and subtle hints of greenery,” says Vicki.
Small space design solution: A laundry under the stairs!
Part of a wider Sydney family home renovation, that involved both layout and material changes, this clever laundry relocation piqued our interest recently because it’s not something we’ve seen before.…
Built in the 1980’s this large Sydney family home, located in Bellevue Hill, was in serious need of a facelift before interior designer Hilary Ryan was engaged to overhaul its layout and dated aesthetic. “It was badly built in the ‘80’s and was ugly, ugly, ugly!” says Hilary of the original home that, while palatial in size, was in desperate need of a modern update.
The kitchen looks onto the outdoor entertaining area
“The owners wanted a ‘Parisian apartment’ style aesthetic to bring the right blend of tradition to suit a modern lifestyle and create a character filled home. They wanted the home to feel luxurious yet welcoming,” says Hilary who clearly did many things right given the project has just been named as a finalist in several categories in this year’s KBDi (Kitchen Bathrooms Designers Institute) awards. The home’s kitchen, laundry and wine cellar were all recognised in the competition.
Lounge roomThe stairs house a unique wine cellarBathroom
A standout space in the home, the new kitchen replaces one that had no appliance storage, little preparation room and was squashed into a corner making it difficult for more than one cook to work at the same time. “In contrast, the renovated space is large, filled with storage and has enough workspace to accommodate the home’s busy family of five,” says Hilary.
The spacious new kitchen
French Oak timber floors, a butler’s sink, a custom traditional style rangehood, integrated fridge and freezer, shaker doors with inner detailed moulding, and polished nickel taps and lighting all feature in the large space. The kitchen island is painted with Dulux Grid, a statement shade. “The indigo island bench adds drama to a timeless classic kitchen and exudes a refreshing style that complements the wider aesthetic of the renovated home,” says Hilary.
The large butler’s pantry
Adjacent to the space, the butler’s pantry houses appliances, a zip tap and a second integrated dishwasher. “This allows the butler’s pantry to function as a scullery when entertaining to keep the main kitchen looking pristine,” says Hilary.
Previously cut off from the home, the outdoor space is now connected to the kitchen to create a fabulous entertaining area. “The new footprint offers open plan living with luxurious fittings and features yet is robust enough to cater to a bustling domestic life but stretch effortlessly to large scale entertaining,” says Hilary.
With the cost of renovating wet rooms ranging anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000, it’s little wonder that people often delay the process or avoid it altogether. And while some people are handy on the tools, most of us must look to a professional when it comes to laying tiles, grout and replacing outdated cabinetry.
But one budget option worth considering is the always-evolving world of renovation paint, as demonstrated by the fabulous bathroom and laundry makeovers we’re bringing to you today. Incredibly, both of them were carried out for just $700 each.
BEFORE bathroomAFTER This gorgeous bathroom was transformed using Dulux Renovation paint in Rainford and Italian Clay
Created with the Dulux Renovation range, these wet rooms were updated for a fraction of the cost of engaging a professional. With a simple paint brush, paint roller or a spray gun application, the product can be used to refresh everything from tiled flooring and walls, plastic and vinyl cabinet doors, through to stone or laminate benchtops. There’s even a nifty grout pen that will whiten stained and painted grout, meaning you can avoid re-grouting altogether.
As for this particular bathroom makeover, an all-white space was completely transformed with pastel paint colours and pops of timber for a gorgeous nature-inspired look. And it’s a look endorsed by Dulux colour and communications manager Andrea Lucena-Orr. “Those looking for a little nod to decades past can try peach tone colours or pink neutrals like Dulux Vintage Beige on cabinetry and cupboards to draw the eye up and away,” says Andrea.
BEFORE bathroomAFTER bathroom
Unsurprisingly, when it comes to bathroom renovations, white is an enduring favourite, particularly on the walls and vanity tiles. “White is flattering on the skin under both natural and artificial light – important where mirrors are frequently used – and can make a space appear bigger than it actually is,” says Andrea.
BEFORE laundry
AFTER This laundry was transformed using Dulux Renovation paint in Vintage Beige and Ticking
As for the laundry makeover, the soothing grey-toned Dulux Ticking made all the difference to the dated beige bench tops. “Adding a bold accent colour, like a deep blue or light grey, to your bench tops can help delineate the space and give the room a contemporary and fresh appeal. Finish the look with a woven laundry basket and wooden hangers to tie in with your natural timber windows,” says Andrea.
Styling: Heather Nette King | Photography: GOS4 MEDIA and David Mitchener
The 2020 Dulux Colour Awards winners have been announced! The winner of the single residential interior category was Perfect Storm (NSW) by Green Anvil Co, Killing Matt Woods and Set…
Part of a wider Sydney family home renovation, that involved both layout and material changes, this clever laundry relocation piqued our interest recently because it’s not something we’ve seen before. Keen to gain more space for a combined home office/rumpus room, the home’s original laundry was relocated to a small spot, concealed behind stylish doors, under the stairs. Genius!
Before: The space under the stairs housed a random assortment of toys
After: A much more clever use of space! Fish scale mosaics from Kaizen Tiles, Polytec Ravine Natural Oak veneer and brushed bronze Castella handles complete the look.
“The first stage of a project is nearly always space planning, but in the case of the under-stair laundry, my clients had already worked it out. It may have seemed like crazy thinking at the start, but it turned out to be a masterstroke!” says interior designer Joanne Yeomans of Issy and H Creative who presided over the renovation.
Originally housing some impractical toy storage, the laundry relocation has resulted in a far more sensible use of space. And while the area under the stairs is smaller than the old laundry, clever joinery means the family still has everything it needs. “It’s neat and compact, with a stacked washer/dryer, overhead storage, sink and pull-out laundry drawer. What more do you really need?” says Joanne who also included more storage under the foot of the stairs to house towels and linen.
And the best part about the design is that you can close the laundry off completely when it’s not in use, and you wouldn’t even know it was there. “The doors were designed to look as if they were part of the wall,” says Joanne.
But while the family had fairly solid layout ideas, Joanne’s expertise was sought when it came to the material selections. “They wanted to go with a real Hamptons feel but weren’t confident they could do it themselves,” says Joanne. The original harsh black and white palette didn’t sit well with the family who wanted a much lighter feel for their home that is located on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
“They always wanted splashes of blue and I suggested the limed oak floor. The overall result is that the home feels a lot lighter and airier.”
My new navy and gold laundry revealed: before and after
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From a matte black toilet to fully assembled laundry units delivered Australia wide, there’s plenty of interesting news on the kitchen, bathroom and laundry front this month.
Reece: The bathroom brand’s latest Australian bathroom report was delivered recently offering key insights into Aussie bathroom trends. ‘Hotel inspired’ style is still the favoured bathroom design trend (30%) followed by day spa (16%) and traditional (15%).
A gorgeous hotel inspired bathroom
And while chrome is still the most popular tap finish, matte black is hot on its tail (42% vs 16%). Hitting the market in March are a couple of new additions to the Reece matte black family including the matte black Alape Scopio washbasin and the AXA Uno rimless toilet in a sleek matte black edition.
The Alape Scopio washbasin in matte black
The AXA Uno rimless toilet in matte black
From kitchens to bathrooms and laundries, metallics are still a solid trend too. And as of February the lovely Memo Zenna sink will shine in two new metallic finishes – bronze and gunmetal.
Memo Zenna sink in gold
Beaumont Tiles Wave vanity: As the name suggests, the Wave vanity has a fluted timber front that takes design cues from the ocean. Available in five cabinet finishes, you can choose from three bench top options also. And when it comes to sizes there’s 12 in the collection (ranging from 600mm to 1800mm wide), making it a great choice for powder rooms, ensuites and main bathrooms alike.
Utilising the latest thermolaminating technologies, the Wave vanity is made from moisture resistant medium-density fibreboard coated in a fluted timber gain.
Drawer detail
Caesarstone: The latest finish from Caesarstone, Calacatta Maximus is the brand’s latest interpretation of Calacatta marble. It blends oversized soft grey and copper veining atop a pure white base.
Caesarstone Calacatta Maximus
The brand has also just released its brightest, most pure white in the form of Vivid White. It’s a great choice for small spaces and for those seeking a feeling of light and space.
Caesarstone Vivid White
ADP modular laundries: This stylish range of mix and match laundry cabinets is made in Wollongong and delivered Australia-wide in fully assembled form, making for an easy installation process. Simply select from a range of sizes and configurations to suit your space, then have the design delivered to your door. Talk about convenient!
ADP ‘Pure Silk’ laundry
ADP ‘Decor’ laundry
ADP ‘Vogue’ laundry
What’s new in bathrooms: August 2020
Let’s take a look at what’s new in bathrooms this month, from coloured concrete freestanding sinks on cylinders to a deep bath tub perfect for relaxing, to navy vanities and…
Beauty influencer Leigh Campbell, as you might expect, has a lot of skincare! So the original seventies bathroom and ensuite that came with her apartment weren’t cutting it. The overflow had to be kept in baby Alexander’s room! But her new bathrooms are storage heaven and a lot more stylish!
Managing to combine husband Rich’s industrial taste with her love of Moroccan/Turkish vibes, they’re serene but small spaces, where every inch has been maximised. Leigh splurged on handmade Moroccan feature tiles and saved on Bunnings tapware to achieve the reno, which wasn’t really in the budget.
“The original bathrooms were typical of 50 years ago: cream mosaic tiles (not in the good way), thick frosted glass shower and tiny vanities. Storage was dire,” says, Leigh who is executive editor at Mamamia, where she presents the very popular You Beauty podcast. When Leigh reviews makeup and skincare, whether it’s budget or luxury, people sit up and listen! But buying a home when you’re 37 weeks pregnant and then moving in with a newborn, isn’t something she recommends!
“We renovated the kitchen right away because it was unliveable but hadn’t planned on doing the bathrooms so soon after. Then we were heading overseas for a wedding so figured it made sense to do them (and the laundry) while we were already going to be out of the home and the cats would be in boarding. Two birds with one stone and all that.”
“I really needed a lot of face-level storage. I kept asking for it to be bigger! Before we renovated I had secondary storage in my son’s room. He’s one now and accumulating ‘stuff’ of his own so I really needed a proper solution in the bathroom.”
They moved the toilet in the main bathroom so they could accommodate a bigger vanity and also changed the separate bath and shower to a shower over bath. “Not the chicest option but good for resale and the spot for the bath before was simply too small.” Leigh couldn’t handle the thought of cleaning behind a freestanding tub, but getting rid of it altogether was never an option as she enjoys a relaxing soak.
Beauty cupboard goals!
While Rich definitely had a say in the reno of the three-bedroom apartment in Sydney’s Randwick, he left most of the decisions to Leigh. “He stopped me when I wanted a teal concrete sink though, so I knew my limits!”
If the reno newbies had their time again, they’d have done the kitchen, bathrooms and laundry all in one go, before moving in, for cost and consistency. “Renovating when the apartment has your things in it is not ideal. I am still cleaning dust off surfaces, mostly inside my wardrobe, every single day,” Leigh, 38, says.
The improved storage has been the best improvement to the functionality of the bathrooms, and a bigger bath to bathe Alexander too. And while those handmade feature tiles were $200 per sqm, Leigh says they make her heart sing and you can’t put a price on that! “All our matte black tap ware is Mondella from Bunnings; really good prices but still with a 10-year warranty, which was important.”
The Concrete Cloudburst Ceasarstone vanity tops with their textured finish, are another favourite element. Leigh no longer cringes every time she takes a shower, and her evening bath has become much more enjoyable and spa-like.
When it came to the laundry, she had the ingenious idea to incorporate a built-in kitty litter for her two much-loved cats. “Before, we had a huge plastic dome in the laundry for their kitty litter. Not chic. When I was designing the space, I opted for a shallow basin so I could fit their toilet underneath. A doggy door was cut into the cupboard door and there you have it: a built-in kitty toilet.”
While the multitude of decisions can make bathrooms one of the most stressful rooms to renovate, Leigh’s a woman who knows what she wants, and the hardest thing for her was actually wait times. “That’s a lesson learned for next time.”
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Designed by Dominique, this kitchen features a laundry in an adjacent area
Known as a ‘European laundry,’ tucking away a washing machine inside a kitchen cupboard isn’t exactly a new idea but it’s a trend with legs in Australia. With the quarter acre block a thing of the past in most capital cities, homeowners are always looking for ways to maximise space within an increasingly smaller footprint. To this end, we caught up with Dominique McAdam, founder of Provincial Kitchens Home, who talked us through the best ways to hide a laundry within the kitchen.
“A combined laundry and kitchen is a great option if you’re in a small terrace where the laundry might have been in an outhouse. It’s also a great option for apartments where there wasn’t a laundry originally,” says Dominique, who specialises in designing functional, multi-purpose spaces with unique storage solutions.
Conceal, conceal, conceal! Dominique calls on an array of design techniques when designing a laundry to sit within a kitchen. “Firstly, you want to conceal the laundry so it’s not obvious. This can be done under the bench within a kitchen island, behind bifold doors, or at the end of a kitchen run with stacked washer and dryer behind bifold or sliding doors,” says Dominique.
Think laterally When combining the two ‘rooms,’ Dominique says that you should consider adjacent spaces too. “If the room permits, we have located the washer and dryer under a separate bar area adjoining the kitchen,” says Dominique.
Designed by Dominique, this kitchen features an adjacent laundry concealed by bifold doors
Practical considerations From dirty laundry to ironing and hanging your clothes, locating a laundry in the kitchen brings with it a range of unique practical considerations. “I like to create somewhere for dirty laundry to go such as a twin pull-out laundry basket located within the cupboard,” says Dominique. Placing a pull-out ironing board inside a kitchen drawer is another one of the designer’s favourite techniques. “Where possible I put a hanging rod above a butlers’ sink and make it part of the design of the kitchen too.”
A pull-out ironing board is a great, practical, space-saving technique
Given its utilitarian status, the laundry can often feel like a forgotten space inside a home – it’s frequently cluttered and tired. So, when we heard that Aussie reno royalty Naomi Findlay had overhauled her own laundry recently, naturally we were rather curious to see the results.
“In this laundry, there was over a decade of wear and tear with the old, noisy washer and dryer, rust marks on the benchtop and a huge sink inside a small cupboard that really limited the storage,” says Naomi who overhauled the space with a ‘fresh, functional and fabulous’ brief. We think she nailed it!
BEFORE
AFTER
Increased storage Increased storage was a key reno consideration for Naomi. “With this in mind, I put in a smaller sink and clever tapware. I also paid special attention to detail by installing an amazing fit-out inside the cupboards, to maximise the functionality of every bit of storage that I have in this room,” says Naomi.
BEFORE linen cupboard
AFTER The linen cupboard is so much more organised!
Luxe details In an effort to make the laundry feel a lot more luxurious, Naomi chose a deep, porcelain sink and paired it with a natural stone benchtop and splashback.
BEFORE sink
AFTER sink & splashback
“To make this space feel more bespoke, I made my very own hanging laundry baskets, installed DIY panelling on the walls and painted some stainless-steel drying racks a deep navy,” says Naomi who paired these details with a statement wallpaper to bring wow factor plus character and texture to the room.
AFTER Wallpaper, hanging baskets and a drying rack were all personalised, welcome additions to the space
Appliances “I do a lot of laundry, but I also know the impact running a washer and dryer can have on the environment and on my water and power bill,” says Naomi. To this end, Naomi chose efficient, quiet and eco-friendly appliances that stack to further optimise space.
Practical considerations “The air in a laundry can be damp, stale and dusty so I opted for a smart vent that stops the flow of air from building up and actually extracts it from the room. This sleek design proves exhaust fans don’t need to be an eye sore,” says Naomi.
AFTER A new streamlined vent
“Ultimately, I am so happy with how this laundry turned out. There is optimal storage space and it feels so good to be in here – even when doing the washing!”
BEFORE One last look!
AFTER
Want to see more of the details? Watch the latest episode of The Reno Show below.
No matter the size of your laundry, no matter your reno budget, here are the hard and fast rules for a successful laundry refurb. From where to locate the laundry if you’re starting from scratch, to cabinetry, fixtures and appliances, Electrolux has teamed up with Three Birds Renovations to share 10 rules for laundry design.
Three Birds Renovations say: “The funny thing about laundries is that we’re in them almost daily, yet people often approach these spaces as an afterthought. Expectation versus reality is another key challenge. Our biggest tip for laundry success is to create a solid vision board before you even start the process. Then, once you have a cohesive vision for the entire project, you’ll have something to aim towards and it always comes in handy to refer back to along the way to make sure you’re on track.”
Here, Bonnie, Lana and Erin from Three Birds Renovations share the do’s and don’ts of laundry design:
Do:
Remember that your laundry deserves to look beautiful too! Those loads of washing might just seem like less of a chore when you’re doing it in a beautiful space
Invest in quality appliances that will do the job and last the distance. In our latest renovation (House 10), this family of four with two young kids spent half their time in the laundry, so they needed quality appliances. We opted for the Electrolux 10kg UltimateCare System (EWF14013) and 9kg Heat Pump Condenser Dryer (EDH3896GDW) because of their superior washing and drying capabilities. Plus, they looked amazing under bench in this Mediterranean Villa-style family home.
Consider your laundry a wet room and choose your materials accordingly. Tiles are a great choice for flooring and we often do a tile skirting board, so the walls don’t get wet when you’re mopping the floor.
Plan the layout to maximise storage and bench space. Try to locate your laundry with easy external access to the washing line.
Don’t:
Forget to choose your appliances early in the planning process. You’ll need to design the cabinetry to fit around the size of your appliances and your decision of a top or front loader machine will dictate where your bench goes.
Position your laundry close to a bedroom where the spinning washing machine is likely to be disruptive to sleeping kids.
Forget the lighting. You’ll need task lighting to make sure you can see what you’re doing, and we also love accent lighting, like a pendant, just because it looks hot.
Forget about ventilation. Laundries without an extractor fan are just asking for mould. A window that opens is a bonus for added airflow.
Forget to style your laundry. A lush green plant on a laundry shelf is always a good idea in a laundry. The room exists to make things look, feel and smell fresh, so bringing in some real plants just makes sense.
Kitchen aside, there’s no denying the laundry is one of the most integral parts of any home. And with space increasingly at a premium (apartment and townhouse living is becoming the norm in many cities), it really pays to make the laundry as smartly designed as possible.Not only will clever design and the right set of appliances make the space more efficient and enjoyable to use, but it will also reduce the time you spend doing laundry which sounds like a win in our books!
From making the best use of vertical space to integrating appliances, here Victorian appliance retailer e&s shares its top five solutions for making the most out of a petite sized laundry.
Consider washer & dryer placement
Side by side washer and dryers are more accessible and generally larger, while stacking your appliances has great space saving capabilities. If you aren’t certain on your layout, opt for front loaders over top loaders, as they can be stacked or installed under an existing bench, making more room for a folding station.
Maximise vertical space and use open shelving Include overhead storage and a wall mounted ironing board so it’s out of the way when you don’t need it. A suspended drying rack utilises ceiling space that would otherwise go unused. Open shelving along with storage boxes and baskets make for an open, airy aesthetic. Cane or wicker baskets are durable, have great storage capacity, and can hide away cleaning products or dirty clothing from sight.
Use the back of the laundry door for storage An over-the-door ironing board is an effective and practical solution when your laundry is lacking storage and floor space. Lighter and less fiddly than traditional ironing boards, over-the-door ironing boards are affordable, space-saving, and always conveniently hidden out of view when you aren’t using them. Mops and brooms can also be hung in over-the-door holders when space is tight.
Integrated cabinetry for appliances and storage
If you don’t have a dedicated laundry room at all, integrated cabinetry ensures appliances and products are all tucked out of the way and out of sight when you have people over.
Save space with a washer-dryer combo If you don’t have room for a standalone dryer, consider a washer-dryer combo. It’s perfect for homes without a dedicated laundry room, doing the job of two appliances, while taking up the footprint of one.
It’s not often that the floor is a renovation highlight but it’s certainly the case with this Melbourne project, notwithstanding its many other stylish features. A thin, porcelain tile with cobalt blue aggregate throughout, it’s a statement and a welcome reprieve from the ubiquitous polished concrete that was originally in the room. “The floor turned out to be the feature of the project, but it was certainly not our favourite part given all the trials and tribulations that came with it!” says interior designer Lena Bruno of By Bruno.
BEFORE ensuite
AFTER ensuite
“The floor initially was an industrial looking concrete finish floor slab, without the correct falls for appropriate drainage and was virtually impossible to keep clean. 25mm terrazzo tiles were our first choice however grinding down the slab to allow for these was going to be too costly and could potentially affect the integrity of the foundation,” says Lena who spent countless days hunting for the cobalt smattered tile that emulates terrazzo but was much more affordable and easier to clean.
A close up of the gorgeous terrazzo-look porcelain floor tile
Located in the Melbourne suburb of Northcote, together with the ensuite, Lena was tasked with upgrading the home’s bathroom/laundry and walk-in-robe too. The house is owned by a husband and wife duo that spend a lot of time travelling and were looking for a warm, welcoming feel at home. “The focus was to create an inviting, calm, retreat-like feel to the spaces, differing from that of a hotel,” says Lena.
AFTER ensuite
While plain white, rectified tiles make the ensuite and bathroom spaces look and feel larger it’s the timber accents that prevent the spaces from feeling too clinical. “Blackbutt timber veneer was used for the vanities to inject warmth and continue the flow of timber furniture throughout the home,” says Lena.
BEFORE laundry/bathroom
AFTER laundry/bathroom
The ensuite is accessed through the couple’s walk-in-robe which had a fabulous makeover too – the large oval mirror echoing the curves found in the vanity basins and bath in the adjoining room. “One of the clients is well over 6-foot-tall, so the oval mirror was custom made by us. It was drawn up based on the client’s height, moulded out of steel, sand blasted and then powder coated in matt white. Given the weight of this mirror once finished, we then had to install a stud in the wall behind so that it could be secured properly,” says Lena.
BEFORE walk-in-robe
AFTER walk-in-robe
The clients’ globetrotting lifestyle played into the design choices in the walk-in-robe. “Being constantly on the go and travelling the globe, there were many design considerations incorporated for this lifestyle, such as the lower storage robe drawers which also double as an area to place luggage and pack for the next morning’s flight,” says Lena.
AFTER A custom oval mirror echoes the curves found in the nearby bathroom
Husband and wife lifestyle and travel bloggers, Meghan and Dominic Loneragan of Citizens of the World overhauled their tiny laundry on a budget recently, turning it into a much more functional and beautiful space. The renovation was driven by the arrival of the couple’s first child Lachie and all the laundry he creates. “The laundry was designed around the AEG washer and dryer, which was an upgrade in size from our pre-child days. I feel like we do laundry 24/7 now!” says Meghan of the room that measures just 1.7 metres by 1.9 metres.
BEFORE laundry
AFTER laundry – quite the transformation!
Designed by Dominic and built by him and his father, the laundry went from purely utilitarian (and even that could be debated given the previous lack of storage) to a lovely monochrome and clutter-free zone that is now the user-friendly workhorse of the home. “We wanted it to be clean, easy, tidy and have plenty of storage. We’re very big on having clear benches. You know what they say, ‘a clear bench is a clear mind’, or something like that!” says Meghan.
And with cost-cutting high on the agenda, the family undertook most of the work themselves and sourced thrifty but chic wares with which to do it. “The laundry is so easily forgotten when it comes to renovating but we feel like it’s the most satisfying when completed. But cost cutting was high on the agenda for us as our washer and dryer are on the premium side. The tiles were left over from our kitchen and the matte black door handles were $1.50 each from Bunnings but to the untrained eye, who’s going to know?!”
The laundry is now a much more functional space for the young family
“At roughly $2000, our laundry renovation was extremely cheap although that figure doesn’t include the washer and dryer,” says Meghan who explains that plumbing comprised half the cost. “The major expense was the plumbing which was $1000 but we built and sourced everything else. We could have easily tripled the overall cost by outsourcing the work to someone else,” says Meghan.
Citizens of the World’s Dominic, Lachie and Meghan Loneragan
With a new baby and a grubby three-year-old, it’s fair to say I’ve never had so much laundry. And when I say I, I should really be honest in that my husband does most of the laundry in our house. I know! He’s a keeper!
I’m sure we’re not the only parents who feel like we can never keep on top of the washing. And when baby’s clothes, and hubby’s shirts, for example, need a different detergent/wash cycle, it means you can’t, sadly, just fling it all in together (you may be starting to see why I don’t do the laundry). Only you can with the LG TWINwash, which has a second, separate 2kg MiniWasher, so you can do a smaller wash at the same time as the big (9kg) wash. This is currently getting a workout with the baby’s onesies, which need sensitive detergent. The timing of this new washing machine could not have been better!
The obvious ability to do two washes at the same time (or separately, say, if you only needed to do a small shirt wash) aside, this is a high end laundry machine full of awesome features. It also looks pretty sleek (which, rightly or wrongly, will always be important to me) and it’s compact enough to fit in our teeny tiny laundry behind the sliding barn door in our kitchen. You’d expect this to be a much wider or deeper appliance but it isn’t (60cm wide by 70cm deep by 120cm high).
So what else do I want from a washing machine in an ideal world?
Due to those aforementioned little boys, I need magical stain removal powers (hello poo explosions, grass stains and spaghetti bolognese)! This machine has TrueSteam® technology, with a natural ability to fluff up fabric fibres. This allows for the steam particles to clean on a microscopic level. Instead of saturating the stain with one drop of water, 1,600 individual steam particles penetrate the stain for a superior clean. I’ve not yet had to re-wash something because a food stain hasn’t come out, and this was a regular occurrence with our old washer.
Another previous bugbear with laundry was how long it can take. Three hours plus? Seriously?! With the LG Twinwash, TurboClean™ minimises the number of rinse cycles required, so the overall washing time can be reduced. There’s even a super speedy 14-minute Quick cycle.
And of course the fact you can do two different loads at the same time drastically cuts down on laundry time!
It’s also quiet, due to the inverter direct drive motor. Although during this sleep-deprived newborn phase pretty much nothing could wake me other than the hungry baby, I’m usually a light sleeper and we do most of our laundry at night to take advantage of off peak energy prices.
I’d definitely like it to cost less to run (and in turn be kinder to the environment due to smaller energy and water consumption). It ticks the box there too with a 4-star energy rating and a 4.5-star WELS water rating. Impressive! And it’s also going to save my back, I swear, because the main washer is higher up and hence you don’t have to bend down for regular washes. It’s the little things!
It gets cleverer too, because you can even control and monitor the machine from your phone. I’ll admit we haven’t tried the Smart THINQ technology via WiFi yet (because newborn land!) but Damian, who loves all things tech, can’t wait to give it a go. You can even download new wash cycles. Which kind of blows my mind. I’ll leave that to the husband. That and the laundry…
I’ll level with you, I didn’t watch last night’s Block room reveals so I’m not privy to what went down last week. But I wanted to get you the pictures, scores and products as soon as possible, so here they are! I’ll be playing catchup by watching today!
1st: KERRIE AND SPENCE
29/30
Kerrie and Spence are on a roll! Fresh off the back of their perfect score for last week’s kitchen, they produced a sensational hallway and powder room to take out the win. As soon as the judges entered their grand entrance space, they were blown away, especially with the way the couple had managed to display their artwork.
Bianca and Carla not only wowed with their gorgeous hallway space, but they also impressed all three judges with their laundry space, complete with timber benchtops, sky-high cabinetry, mirrors and those enormously high ceilings. They also thought the girls produced a “perfect” powder room, with statement sink, and simple, stylish styling.
Right from stepping inside Norm and Jess’s grand entrance area, all three judges were in love with the space. Darren, in particular, loved the use of marble, which also flowed through into their beautiful laundry and powder room spaces.
Hans and Courtney went all out with their artwork and accessories in their hallway this week – and they certainly impressed the judges, who all agreed they had nailed the “quirky museum” feel to produce a space with plenty of “glamorous eccentricity”.
Hayden and Sara had a tough week and were not able to properly finish their rooms. But regardless, they still managed to produce three glamorous spaces. For their hallway, the dramatic, warm lighting paired with those two statement backlit pieces of art, impressed the judges, and their laundry and powder room showed great promise.
