So, you lucky lucky readers are about to see a previously UNSEEN part of Baylyn House….try not to get too excited though as it’s just the utility room (with a new makeover as of yesterday), downstairs WC & my lovely husbands gym.
This part of the house is to the right hand side of the hallway (dining room on the left & kitchen/lounge on the back), here’s a downstairs floor plan to give you an idea.
It has a small corridor with 3 doors to each room. We store all our coats/bags on hooks as well as shoes in a large pretty wicker basket which keeps everything out of the way.
We’ll start with the utility room which before yesterday looked completely different, however i’m a bit of an idiot & forgot to take a ‘before’ picture. I’ve never shown this room on Instagram before as it wasn’t the most attractive with pipes, the boiler, water cylinder, wires hanging down and so on along the back wall….a couple of days ago I said to Joe how this week was the utility room on the home tour & he suggested making a curtain to block out the ugly view (& so we can hide all our bits behind it!). Very occasionally he comes up with good ideas.
Here’s what the curtains hiding (eeeek!) We also store our carpet cleaner, steam mop, dyson & all sorts behind here.
So, I bought a tension set shower rail so I didn’t have to drill into the walls along with 6m of fabric & about 30 minutes later the ugliness was hidden!
I also decided to paint the 3x cupboard doors the same colour as our kitchen & bathroom units (see blog on my DIY makeover here) which gave it a bit more character.
We decided to pop signs on the door as anybody that comes round always tends to go into the utility when searching for the toilet. The laundry one is from £4.50 from Garden Trading Co available here.
Floral ironing board £25.00 from Wilkinsons available here
Housekeepers box & peg basket originally from Home Bargains (both no longer sold as far as i’m aware)
Laundry powder tin £8.00 available here & laundry basket £10.00 available here both from Matalan. They also sell matching versions of housekeepers box £12.00 here & peg £6.00 here
Now on to the downstairs toilet which originally looked like this
We had panelling fitted which was from Homebase available here & painted in Farrow & Ball ‘Vert de Terre’
The manifesto quote print is available here & currently on sale for £7.99 – the frame was originally black but I painted it white using Annie Sloan chalk paint
The mirror was £22.99 from The Range available here
The slate toilet rules sign is also from The Range which was about £2.50
Now on to Joe’s gym – I actually decorated this former ‘nothing’ room for Joe as a Fathers Day present & he had absolutely no idea. He had wanted to turn the room into a gym for a while but it was full of furniture from my parents downsize that they wanted me to sell. I had to clear it out, paint it, pick up the cross trainer and so on all whilst Joe was at work whilst looking after two kids.
On the morning of Fathers Day, Elsa gave Joe his card in bed then handed him his first ‘clue’ poem – I had hidden little ‘worlds best dad’ tacky generic fathers day crap in places around the house with clues to the next one. We went on a hunting mission around the house which then ended up in our pan drawer of the kitchen which was the last present…the ‘Joe’s Gym’ door plaque with a letter thanking him for being such an incredible father & saying how we had another surprise in store for him. I wish I could upload the video but I think he’d murder me as he got a bit emotional!
The ‘Archers Road’ sign was the Road Joe lived on whilst at Uni…he ended up stealing the sign & I always said how i’d never have it in my house (as it’s probably highly illegal let alone ugly) BUT I know how much he loves it.
Hooks on the wall to slot his Ipad in as well as speakers for music or watching a film
Joe’s favourite quote & skydiving pictures
The rugby shirt hides our rather ugly electric box
Hope you all enjoyed this week’s tour 🙂
Love, Charlotte x
Yet again more fab rooms I'm totally hooked! I'm gonna send you pics soon you can inspire me I've lost all vision at the mo xxx {ps totally love the fathers day gift…top wifey points}
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Love the panelling! Just asked the hubby if he fancies giving it a go to which I got a negative response 🙁 your home is my inspiration!
Paula ♥ | http://www.la-vida-fresa.com xo
Ahh i'd love to help 🙂 hopefully he doesnt expect anything quite so special next year, apart from the tacky 'worlds best dad' socks/mug etc x
You can't beat a bit of panelling – i'm blogging the hallway next week which is also panelled & it's made SUCH a difference. Sure you can get hubby on your side eventually 🙂 x
Bit of an odd question but did you use to have two dogs or was one not yours x
Love what you have done with these rooms, making them personal to you. Another inspirations post x
That is very random! We did have another dog called Narlah, however she now lives with two of our best friends. She's a very high energy dog & with our second baby on the way we felt it was the right thing to do to give her to somebody who could give her the stimulation she needed. We still see her often & love her but it was 100% the right thing to do for all parties & she's so happy now x
Thank you lovely lady x
Hi. Could you please tell me where you got you wicker basket from that holds your shoes. Thanks in advance x
Hi, can you tell us how expensive or cheap the panelling was? My bathroom is very similar size and would love to do it but a rough price would be fab 🙂 xx
Hi Amy, I'm so sorry but I have no idea as it was quite a while ago. If you look on the Homebase website you'll see the panels & should be able to work it out by measuring x
Lovely way to use your talent!