Inexpensive Window Hardware

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Today I did some simple curtains for the laundry room and hung them.

However, when I was shopping for curtain rods and hardware I was a bit shocked at the prices.  For a small window like this one, it was going to cost anywhere from $50 on up for simple hardware  ($20 for brackets and $30 for the rod). 

As I was trying to play off the industrial metal backsplash, silver cabinet handles and the metal accents I put down the curtain hardware and decided to check out the plumbing section of the hardware store.

Until I found this...

It looks like curtain hardware to me.  Here are the product packages for anyone who is interested.  The flange and split ring hanger are in the plumbing section, the threaded rod is in the screws and bolts section. 

Then add your favorite conduit or spray painted wood dowel.

They even have pipe end pieces to add for finials, but I wanted this simple look.

Here is my new $10 curtain rod, including the hardware. 

The little clips were another $5.

What do you think?  Would you use plumbing for your window hardware?

I like it so much I may use it in my upstairs hallway (spray painted oil rubbed bronze).

Karen :)

Productive Day in the Laundry Room

Pin It Here is a little sneak peek into the laundry room.

Today I spent an entire day working to complete most of the tasks so I could spend tomorrow prepping and painting all the walls, ceiling and trim.

The metal backsplash is complete, the base cabinets are installed, the cabinet hardware is installed, the trim and batten board is complete.

I only got about halfway finished with the ceiling and that trim...but I'm too tired to finish tonight. Working over your head is exhausting, but I love the plank look on the ceiling.

I'll be posting more details for each project in case you have questions.

Stay tuned over the next few days as I finish up and show everything.

Thanks for stopping by The Quaint Cottage.

Pantry and Laundry Room Make Over

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Ever since we ripped out our pantry in our kitchen during the renovation in order to add more cabinet and counter space, we have used tall cabinets in the laundry room to store our snacks and dry goods.

However, the cabinets were only about six feet tall and the ceilings were nine feet tall.  It left a large spot to pile containers to the ceiling (where you can never get to anything without learning how to juggle first).

I was going to build my own cabinets to make sure I had exactly what I wanted, but I changed my mind at the last minute and bought the stock white cabinets at the hardware store instead.  Not the best choice for customizing, but it was instant install.  The stock cabinets were about three times more expensive than building my own, but I figure I saved about a month of my weekends.  Bonus for me! 

Here is the beginning of the renovation:

Here was the starting point (see all the wasted space?):

Now I just need to figure out if I'm going to leave off the doors and buy baskets and trays to store the pantry items or put the doors back on to hide everything.  I'm kind of liking the idea of having the doors off so I know where everything is located.  

Thanks for stopping by to check out the latest project. 

Karen :)

Laundry Room Design Plan

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When we built our cookie cutter house, I didn't really put much thought into the laundry room layout and space.  At the time we only had two small children, so the amount of dirty clothes in the laundry room wasn't too bad.

I should probably point out, our laundry room has to serve double duty - laundry room and pantry.  When we remodeled our kitchen a few years ago there was this wasted mini cabinet and counter next to the refrigerator (see floor plan below).  I wanted to rip out the pantry (move it into the laundry room) and make a Baking Center.

Here is an idea of how I want the room to look.  Storage from floor to the top of the 9' ceilings, build a can good caddy, build tons of roll out shelves and most importantly...build three bays at the bottom for the laundry baskets to keep them from the middle of the floor.

See how the laundry room is long and narrow?  Kind of hard to work in that room, especially with front load machines.  It is kind of like a yoga workout when I do laundry.  Oh, and we removed the door to the laundry room from the kitchen.  I really don't know why there was a door there since you have to walk through that room to go to your car many times a day.  It isn't like you can just close that door and ignore the laundry.  Trust me, I tried.

I started a folder on Pinterest for the many ideas I have, but my space is very limited.

Can you think of anything else I should add to the laundry/pantry area?  I still think I'm missing something important.  I can't raise the washer and dryer up off the floor or it will block the window.  I really wanted to do that, but when it was built I added the window to put light in the little room.

I would love to hear your feedback and ideas. 

Thanks Karen :)