WW(Joanna)D? Renovating 112-yr-old 'Spring House' to cute Laundry Room

4 years ago

Please help?!?! We've been trying to figure this out for 12 years and have become 'blind' to it...but I am now determined to make this butt-ugly crap collector of a room the cutest room in the house. This room is the old 'Spring House' (an area with a free flowing spring used for an early form of refrigeration for canned items) in a 112 year-old farmhouse. The spring is dried up - but worked up until 11 years ago and could possibly be fixed so that water flows again. We currently have rocks in there and thought it could be a potting area...it turned into a junk storage area because I suck at plants and just don't enjoy them.

We use this room for bulky laundry (such as horse blankets), cleaning supply storage, and dog kennel/pet food storage/feeding area. Obviously, we need to repair the ship lap in the ceiling, replace the window next to the door (yes that is a cotton ball and tape covering a hole lol) and replace the old (almost rotten) door leading to the outside.

Please help me turn this from and eye sore into eye candy!!

But, here are my specific questions:

1.) How to cover up the water heater?

2.) What to do with the floor so that it blends in with the stone on the spring house? The floor is concrete that possibly did not cure correctly. We tried to stain it - but it just brushed/chipped off. When I sweep the floor - concrete dust comes up.

3.) How to incorporate the grey washer/dryer to fit into the desired Joanna Gaines style?

4.) The chicken 'art' window was done by my mom and we would love to keep it somewhere...but if it has to go I'll live.

5.) Not married to the cabinets but do need at least some

storage. FIRST TWO PHOTOS ARE AFTER INITIAL REDO. LAST 4 ARE HONEST REVEAL OF WHAT IT TYPICALLY LOOKS LIKE. photos are left to right around the 10x13 room

When we bought the farm the spring house worked and looked like this...

Featured Answer

Jilly

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

What an awesome room!

No way would I rip out that stone. If not intending to get the water running again, I’d put a counter on top. Soapstone, formica, wood, stainless steel, whatever you like. It’d make a great work surface.

I’d paint the room green and get a cool light fixture:

I’d call in a flooring pro for ideas to tile. They used slate here:

And here:

If it can’t be tiled, have a pro prepare and seal the concrete.

On the left here, get a cool old cabinet or build shelves. You need the storage:

A pine one would look great:

Cafe curtains would be very charming:

Or vintage shutters. I recently bought some from Facebook Marketplace … my DD has them in her c. 1940’s apt bathroom window. Example:

Replace sink with a vintage style:

I’d find a place for a charming chair and lamp (maybe where bench was before?) —

Or wicker:

For any cabinets you’re keeping, get nice knobs or pulls:

Although you aren’t going to use it as a potting shed, you might still get inspiration searching those. Many are similar rooms as yours. Or, vintage style laundry rooms.

Not sure about the washer/dryer. White ones would look better, but yours look newish and pricey, so I doubt you want to replace. Again, search laundry room inspiration for ideas on that. Lots here:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/laundry-room-ideas-and-designs-phbr0-bp~t_753

Maybe build around them?

For the water heater, there are lots of ways to screen one. Example:

https://www.younghouselove.com/tackling-the-basement-chapter-eight/

Do a search for others, keeping safety in mind of course.

Hope you update us. Such a unique room. :)

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Comments (10)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
4 years ago
I guess first decide if you want the spring anymore. Then if not rip out that part and do the space properly. BTW forget Joanna and do what works for you . It seems to be an unheated space so thta needs to be addressed and as for the mess that is on you so no matter how pretty you make the space stuff needs to have a home and be used .
placga thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
apple_pie_order
4 years ago
Three questions:

1- are you willing to remove (and divert the spring's water) the spring structure (possibly re-use rocks outside)?

2- can you move the windows or are they embedded in rock walls?

3- what is your budget range? DIY or professional?
placga thanked apple_pie_order
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er612
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
What a cool space! If you don't restore the spring, just install a wood top so it can be used as a bench. Area to the left can still be dedicated to the dogs. Then hang the chicken art on the wall above the dog space. Can you move the sink to the other side of the washer and dryer? I would frame in the washer and dryer with cabinets directly above.

I woudn't worry about hiding the water heater or pipes. I would start with a flooring solution.
placga thanked er612
stiley
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
So cool! I grew up in an old farmhouse with out-buildings, and I can feel and smell the cool air of that space just looking at it. :) I love Jinx's ideas above. I think a coat of paint (including painting that pipe along the ceiling), getting the floor in good shape, and some additional lighting will make a huge difference. I'd definitely keep the rock spring and put a countertop on top of it; that will give you space to fold. Maybe a butcherblock from IKEA? And add shelves. Joanna would decant her detergent into pretty bottles and line them up on the shelves. Ha! Can you store yours in the closed cabinets? And maybe add track lighting that will span a longer distance in the room.

I like the idea of skirting things to hide non-decanted items that are stored on shelves. Here's an etsy shop that sells them.
placga thanked stiley
JP L
4 years ago
Only rip out 100+ year old cool features like springs if you really hate your property and want to make it generic. Listen to Jinx - her ideas are spot on.
placga thanked JP L
ShadyWillowFarm
4 years ago
Wow I love that room!!! Can’t wait to see how it turns out! Would be fabulous if you replaced some of the cabinet doors with chicken wire.
placga thanked ShadyWillowFarm
placga
Original Author
4 years ago
You guys!!!! This is the first time I have ever posted here. I never in a million years dreamed that I would get so much awesomelly detailed advice. Can you believe we never thought to cover the spring with a counter? We could never tear it out - it's way too historic and important to the home. I also never thought of a storage 'armoire' style cabinet. Wow! ...and have always dreamed of a dutch door...I think that comes from watching old b/w shows where the neighbor comes over for coffee and they meet at the back dutch door. I'm humbled and honored that you spent so much time and thought in this...I won't let you down. @apple_pie_order the windows are embedded in stone and the spring is too important to rip out and we are definitely DIY as budget is a big concern. @Patricia Colwell Consulting I love that you called me out on the mess - it was tough posting those pics, but it is honestly what happens. So practical storage is going to be important. And you are right...I do need to do me and be true to what I love, not what Joanna loves - thank you for empowering me. @er612 I am definitely looking into moving the sink to the middle now - love the example you shared. We actually have the original sink with washboard and would like to use that but didn't want to stick it into the corner - thank you! And you are right about the flooring - it is number one. @stiley I love to sew and the skirting idea never occured to me either. Yes please - that is happening for sure. Maybe under the newly moved farmhouse sink? Butcher block is a fantastic idea - I think Lowe's has them too. And pretty containers are in my future! Thank you! @JP L 💯percent!!!! @ShadyWillowFarm It is such a cool room I think I have been nervous to do it the wrong way and just have not done anything. What about chicken wire on the doors of an old armoire or pie cabinet in that left corner? @Jilly Wow. Like seriously WOW!!! I love everything you suggested and am so inspired by your thoughtful ideas. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Because of our low budget I didn't know where to turn and honestly didn't think anyone would respond. I can't thank you enough. I bet your home is stunning. Thank you - I hope I do you proud 🤞🏼🤞🏼😀
Jilly
4 years ago
You are so sweet!

I’m so excited for you, such a fun project. Please keep us updated! :)
Jilly
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Placga, I just saw this room on IG and had to share it here.

Although the lay-out is different, it has the vibe I was thinking of for your room.

If you’re on IG, check out the homeowner’s account. It’s a wonderful old house:

https://instagram.com/oldhouseourhome?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=