I hated my washer and dryer. They were old and certainly not energy efficient. But in this house, we don’t replace appliances just because. I have secretly dreamt of a time when the dryer would die and I could pass the washer onto to Jen and get a new set for ME. I almost googled “how to kill a dryer’ but then something else always seemed more important. So I struggled each laundry day with my old mismatched pair. And then the most amazing thing happened! Both the washer and dryer died the same week?? Now what are the odds of THAT happening! (without me pouring acid on the motors or trying to wash stones and bolts or any other such measures) They weren’t even the same age!! After I realized I would have to spend one morning hand wringing a load of laundry and line drying it, it suddenly dawned on me that for the first time in 35 years of marriage, I was going to have a matching set. WOOHO! Now that was exciting!! In our old house, the laundry area was in the basement so I didn’t care. But here, they are in the bathroom/laundry room next to our family room and guests have been known to use that bathroom. A few brave ones that is. It has always been ‘the men’s room’. Mr. Red Door has always showered down there and when Jay lived at home, he did as well so any guest who chose to use it, was pretty brave ~ if you ask me. I am just sayin…
Over the years I have attempted to prim up the room a bit. Gone are the aqua sink and toilet. A few years ago I painted the walls a warm rich Benjamin Moore color called Brunswick beige and put up a prim wallpaper border to brighten up the space (yes, I actually have a border in there). We hung a great red cabinet and I added some antique laundry pieces and prim decor.
But two of the walls still had 70’s paneling 2/3 of the way up the walls (remember, Mr Red Door likes his wood) and the plumbing and faucets showed behind the washer and dryer. I did my best to hide and camouflage them, but it just didn’t meet my criteria.
So when both appliances decided to bite the dust, I was excited to take the opportunity to do a little sprucing up in there. I convinced Mr. Red Door that 70’s paneling needed to be removed or at the least, painted. Of course he chose painted knowing I would tackle that, and indeed I did just that. This past weekend he moved the old appliances out of the room and I worked my magic. I painted the paneling and tweaked the decor all in preparation for the delivery of these 2 babies. Oh yes, after a lot of research and comparisons, I choose these front loaders with pedestal drawers with lots of buttons and whistles in the perfect prim color, BLACK!!
Today was delivery day and it started out VERY wet. But luckily we had a very short break in the deluge, and the delivery men were able to install the pedestals out in the driveway where there was plenty of light and room.
And before long, they were in place and ready to be put to good use! Here’s a little tour of our modest laundry room/ bathroom.
Yes, there are still several things I’d like to paint and prim up a bit, but this is not MY bathroom, so I have to let Mr. Red Door have some things his way…
I did manage to sneak this prim heart in here. A gift from my friend Bonnie and made by my blogging friend Karen from My Colonial Home!
Whoa these babies are big- like many updated home goods, they really weren’t designed to fit in a 70’s home I guess. I’ll make them work though because they hide the pipes and plugs and all that ugly stuff.
OOPS! I got all the pictures taken and realized I forgot my laundry basket.

I know, I have a bit of a star theme going on in here. What can I say – this is my room to be a little cute!
Looking out towards the hall…

So do you think this will make me want to actually DO the laundry now??~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~
That’s all I have for you tonight folks,
EXCEPT
for one other thing. Come back here Friday evening, say around 8:05 PM, for a
VERY EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!
or join the APP Forum and find out at 8:00 PM!
That’s all I am saying!
WOOHOO!!!!!
~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~
As always, thank you to each fan, friend, and follower for stopping by and making Behind My Red Door part of your day!
Until next time – hugs, Grammy Linda
60 sweet friends left a comment here!:
Oh Linda they are so nice and so is your laundry room. I have had a mismatched washer and dryer for years too. My husband just keeps fixing them when they break down!!!! There's no getting rid of them!!!!! Someday, someday for sure, I will be like you and get a new set!
You've got me wondering about your announcement??? A marriage? Another baby? You are buying the house of your dreams? (though I couldn't imagine one nicer then yours now)
By the way...My mom and dad are planning a trip over your way in the fall! They want to see all the wonderful fall folige and other things on that side of the states they haven't seen! I'm so excited for them!
Robin~♥
Congrats on the new machines!....I'd love to know if they work well, are easy to use, and most of all, QUIET! I despise my current washer and cannot wait until it dies!!
Janet
I think your new laundry room/bathroom turned out great! Love all the stars too!
Our old w/dryer set lasted for 22 yrs. so we got new ones last yr. I'm sure you're gonna love your new set!
Tanya~www.friendshipcrossing.blogspot.com
Too funny, Linda. I have no idea if yours will make you 'want' to do the laundry or not..mine didn't! I finally got a matching set myself late last year. My dryer wouldn't (and didn't) die either. It was almost 20 years old. When I got the frontloader washer, the poor dryer couldn't dry the size load it could wash. I either had to wash smaller loads or dry one load in two dryer loads- a bit counterproductive I thought. We finally got the matching dryer and passed the oldie (and still goodie) on to a friend!
Your "men's room" is looking good. Enjoy!
Lynne
dlynne172@yahoo.com
Linda~
Your new washer and dryer are wonderful! I love the color. I have the same washer and dryer, except mine are white. I wanted red, but decided white would be fine. I love everything that you have done in the bathroom/laundry room. You did a fantastic job!
I can't wait to find out what the big announcement is! I sure hope I can make it until Friday.
Do me a favor, if the washer and dryer police show up at your house, don't answer the door. I would hate for your to be arrested. Of course a jury would determine it a justifiable homicide...lol!
I hope you have a wonderful week!
~Dan~
Linda, I love your laundry room! You are gonna love your front loads...they were actually my first matching set after 20 yrs. and I love them :) The only thing that I wish I would have done was go with the black, I went with the traditional white, but I still love them, now if my laundry room only looked like yours I would be in there more!!
Have a great week
Wanda
What a beautiful washer and dryer! The bathroom looks fantastic and the new pair just set it off. Hope everything is going great behind your red door! We'll have to compare notes one day on our two little grandgirls. Have a great day, Dawn
Well, I don't think the new washer & dryer will make you WANT to do the laundry, but I'm certain it will make doing laundry more fun. hee hee. I think the bathroom looks great!! I'm lovin the red cabinets in there! :0)
Prim Hugs,
Jody
I think that your wash room looks like a FUN room and you did a great job fitting the new appliances in! Like you said maybe laundry will be fun now...ENJOY!
Blessings~
Leslie
Your new "laundry/bathroom" looks great!!!! I am going to have to take the plunge as well on a washer and dryer when we return to the US, so I have been anxiously awaiting what you were going to do! I am sure Mr. Red Door loves it. Thanks for sharing it with us. I am a curious girl....I can't wait to find out APP's exciting news! :-)
Linda, to be sure you wouldn't have unplugged those dated appliances convincing Mr. Red Door that they both died at the same time!! LOL Is there more to this story?? I really do like your new appliances and the face-lift you gave the room. It is definitely a "necessary room"...Enjoy!
Prim friend, Sherrie
Wow! Those are pretty impressive appliances. Please excuse my ignorance but what are the drawers for in the bottom? I have never seen those here in Australia.
Your laundry is beautiful, like the rest of your home. I would be ashamed to post pictures of my laundry. I'm inspired by yours and think I may have to do some tweeking of my own.
Dear Grammy Linda,
What a beautiful washer and dryer set you got. I think that your little bathroom laundry room is charming. My washer and dryer match but they are 18 years old. However, I hope that they keep on working. I only wash about 2 loads a week...one lights and one darks...unless we have company and I have to change all the beds. Our laundry room is off of our kitchen and the cabinets were custom built around the washer and dryer. The new appliances are much bigger these days. I am afraid that we will have to redo the cabinets when I have to replace my old set. That is more effort than I want to put out.
However, I love your new set. They look beautiful as does the rest of your prim perfect home.
Hugs, Grammy Lura
love your laundry room and love the "set"..
Wow, so happy for you! I love how you decorated that room and of course I am coveting your new washer and dyer. Enjoy them!
What a great laundry room you have, Linda! Love the new washer and dryer...very nice :)
I have been wishing for the death of my W & D also and then quickly slapping myself knowing there are so many other areas to spend on. But oh I do envy you.....I love that set! You are a Laundry Goddess!!!! Beth
I love your "new" laundry room! I just got anew set myself - like yu I was waiting but hubby i ssuper fix it man so he would just put in a new motor or make repairs BUT this time the washer was gone-gone so I got a new set of front loaders-I chose the stacking ones to save on space and since I took the floor model I bought one and got one free! Love your new space!!!
LOVE your new washer and dryer~~~~ VERY nice laundry/bathroom~~~ Always enjoy seeing your updates. Very inspiring for me~~ Faye
Love the new washer and dryer!! I bought front loaders when we bought this old house 4 years ago and I adore them. It makes things alot easier....especially for a short person like me who couldnt reach the bottom of the washer. Enjoy your laundry...hehe!
"Cute" or not, Linda, everything in your laundry/bathroom looks super fine to me. If a washer and dryer can look good, those two babies sure do.
Keep working on Mr. Red Door about his aversion to painting wood. I think it must be a man thing.
Something that might be considered is that paneling,unpainted louvered doors and kitchen cupboards do affect the resale value because they date the home. And his answer to you would probably be something along the lines of that it doesn't matter because we're not moving any time soon...right? *wink*
Enjoy the rest of your week. Is it Friday night yet?
This is so funny about the post since I have a post up with my 'laundry room'..lol.
Mine is definitely not as beautiful as yours. Our previous home, the laundry room was SO beutiful..sigh..Now we begin again,,lol. So now it is a place where I am learning to be 'content' NOW..NOT when I get that vision of what I want my laundry room to be. Until we can afford to remodel our laundry room I am learning to fix it up with what I have and try to make the surroundings pleasing to the eye so I can enjoy..hmmmmmm,,ENJOY doing laundry? lol
The room looks so beautiful. The only thing different I would have in my laundry room would be RED washer and dryer,,lol. Other than that, I would take it all.I adore your room.
Thanks Grammy Linda for sharing. Loved the pictures and gained some wonderful ideas...
Your bathroom is lovely! I love the laundry basket and the red cabinet above the washer and dryer. As always, your decorating style is just wonderful. TFS.
Very nice Linda! I am not sure you will want to do the laundry, but at least it will make the job alittle easier, Maybe? LOL
Wow, those are beauties for sure. Love the laundry/bathroom.
Enjoy, Janie
Thank you Linda for just being "real"!! I really admire you for saying what you did about not re-placing appliances and things....just because....
We would love to have alot of new things, but you just don't throw out what you have, just cause one gets tired or bored with it...I don't think that's being a good steward with what the Lord gives you either...but that's my opinion....
Our first washer was about 6 or 7 years old and the dryer was about 20!! They did not match either, but I was grateful to have them none the less....just about 3 years ago, I was passing by the radio in the kitchen when a "For Sale" segment aired on our local AM station...it was for a Maytag Neptune front load matching washer and dryer....I called my husband and begged him to please let us go look right away....well we did and they were perfectly brand new! Well, less than a year old...I asked the man what he wanted for the pair and he said $250.00!!!
I about freaked!!I asked the lil' old fellow what was wrong with them...and he said "Nothin'" "The people lived in a great big house and just wanted something new & better than everyone else"... lol...I just shook my head and laughed and told him they were SOLD!! We use them everyday, had to have my teen daughter to show me how to use it...no manual and all push button digital...I think we were like kid's with a new toy! LOL! We kept looking around for stuff to wash!! I had just done the laundry up earlier that day!!
Anyhow...sorry for the book! Your new washer and dryer is beautiful as well as your laundry area!
I'm very happy for ya! :)
Backwoodsprim
Jealous! Yep, would love a matching set. Congratulations on your old set dying at the same time! LOL Enjoy your laundry!
Linda, Thanks for sharing photos of your bathroom. I'm in the midst of an overhaul of our kids bathroom and any inspiration is welcome! I too have a 1970's home and our 2nd full bath screams 1970, even though we completely redid it in 2001! We have the long counter with 2 sinks and a LARGE mirror! Hope you enjoy doing laundry now - I'll be sure to send some over to you I'm never caught up! ~Ann
Oh, Linda I sure envy you your laundry room...my w/d is in the garage which is great it used to be located down in the basement, you had to walk across the garage, down the steps and across a huge basement to get to them, both were so old. Mr. Fix It fixed them so many times it was rediculous, I kept telling him they weren't energy effecient but being Polish he doesn't throw anything out until it's dead.LOL Two years ago Chris won, at Best Buy, a washer & dryer, I wash his clothes, so for Christmas that year he gave them to me. Now they are a matching set but nothing like yours but do work so well plus save me alot of steps:) I was and am still thrilled just wish I could somehow build a room around them to decorate:0
I'm so happy for you love the black!!!
Rondell
Grammie LInda! I love this. Love how you incorporated the black into your guest bath. I adore that bathroom. How is it you can make it so cute? I just love what you do to roomS1 It looks wonderful and I'm so happy for you. A new washer and dryer are wonderful...and very appreciated I'm sure! Yippppeee for you the old ones died! AND IT'S ONLY APPROPRIATE THAT YOU WOULD HAVE US ALL BE AT THEIR MEMORIAL! Hahahahaha....good for you.
Love the pictures!
Blessings,
Debbie
Leave it to you Linda to have a beautifully decorated and bright bathroom/laundryroom. This room is pretty enough to even make me want to do laundry and that is one job I hate.
You are so lucky to have such a nice washer and dryer. Hopefully when mine "die", I will get front loaders as well.
Thanks for another great post.
Hugs,
AMY
Hi Linda!
Your bathroom looks so warm, and it is decorated like other people would decorate their living rooms!Warm lovely details and lighting. Nice cabinet on the wall!
Man, I need to work on my house. Your house looks so BIG!
I bought some cheapo washer and dryers when the kids were little, and we didn't have alot of money. THEY WON'T DIE EITHER!
Enjoyed your funny post! Take Care!
Dale
Hi Linda!
Your bathroom looks so warm, and it is decorated like other people would decorate their living rooms!Warm lovely details and lighting. Nice cabinet on the wall!
Man, I need to work on my house. Your house looks so BIG!
I bought some cheapo washer and dryers when the kids were little, and we didn't have alot of money. THEY WON'T DIE EITHER!
Enjoyed your funny post! Take Care!
Dale
Hi Linda!
Your new washer and dryer are awesome! Thank you for sharing pics of your laundry/bathroom with us. Perhaps someday you'll share pics of your family room too? ;)
Can't wait until Friday's exciting announcement!
Linda you could have written this post for me as well! Having read your blog for sometime now we have the same methods to our madness. We don't buy "stuff" just to buy; save till we get enough, pay for things when we need it and so on.
If it "ain't broke don't fix it" motto. But congrats on the new shiney black monsters of a washer and dryer! Don't think they'd fit in my 70's home either! Your home is absolutely beautiful~everywhere!
Love it when you take time to share and inspire!
Blessings from one Grammy to another. How is that little cutie these days?
Oh, poo.....I will be out of town Friday and Saturday with no computer access. I suppose that I will have to wait for the big announcement.
As always, your pics of your home are an inspiration. I, too, have a newer, matching, front-loading washer/dryer but the shorter version. I was hoping for a counter top to go over them and to make a cute skirt to go in the front........still waiting....sigh
Hi LInda, I luv your new machines. Your room looks great. I have front loaders and the only complaint I have is that the washer is very noisy.Other than that I luv them.TFS and cant wait to see the APP announcement.
Your laundry room looks amazing...love all the little touches that you do to make it so prim...You can never go wrong with black appliances...they'll be in style for ever...
Prim hugs,
Trena
I definitely think it would help with the laundry or at least til I got worn out with the same thing (lol). Your laundry room looks great!!
Hope you are doing well.
Hugs,
Lisa
Hi Linda, I'm so happy you got your NEW MATCHING SET OF APPLIANCES....a couple years ago when we got our front loaders that was my first set in almost 42 years!!!! Fun isn't it???
Your Bath/Laundry area is just darling. I like having one room that can be 'fun'.
Thanks for the 'plug' about the heart hanging...you are too sweet.
Oh man, I'm so anxious for the announcement. I have an idea what it is and hope I'm right!!!!!
Karen
Hi Linda,
What an adorable laundry room! It's more pulled together than any room in my house!! Maybe I could come and do your laundry for you so I could "borrow" all of your decorating ideas. Whaddya think?
Fabulous blog. You, girl, got some decorating skillz!!!
What a great job you did in your bathroom/laundry room. I love it.
I looked at those last weekend and I also wished that mine would take a dive. I don't know about the enjoying laundry more :)
Can't wait to see what the big news is going to be.
Hi Linda, what a fantastic job you have done on your bathroom/laundry room and your new appliances are just stunning! I hope Mr Red Door likes his new look too, I am sure wash day will be a much more pleasant experience for you, but the ironing will still need to be done, I wish they would invent a machine that did all the ironing without us lady folk having to lift a finger!
Lov'em! :)
Laundry will be FUN now...for a while, at least!;)
Enjoy!!
I am so jealous I love them. I always wanted the red maybe one day. Right now I will be happy to see my old white washer and dryer. I miss them a lot going to the laundry mat is not fun. As always I see so many wonderful goodies. You have the best looking laundry/bathroom I have ever seen.
Donna
Beautiful bath/laundry room. So glad you are happy with the new appliances. I'd never take pics of my laundry. It's in the basement that needs repainting, the w/d don't match, and I hang clothes all over to dry. My kind of room --prim without any effort at all. Have you shared every room in your home, or is there an ugly spot somewhere? Doubt it...
Love the new washer and dryer. That bathroom is so cute.
Just one question ummm why do we see the delivery guys butt? hmmmm... LOL.
Mary
I LOVE it!!! I wanted those kind whern we moved into our new house--but as the laundry is in a closet in the hall they wouldn't fit.
Your new set is gorgeous! I think you have the most beautiful home! I love the way you decorate! Thanks for sharing with us!!!!
I love your new washer and dryer set, Linda! I would love to buy the new front load styles, but my old Kenmores just won't die!! LOL They're about 22 years old and work great, so hubby doesn't see the need to buy new ones! But, awwww, the front-loads so pretty!! Hmmmm....maybe I'll have to trying washing some stones or bolts or pouring acid on the motor! HeHe!
Your laundry room looks great. Enjoy your new washer and dryer!
Take care,
~Kris~
Hi Linda I love your laundry area; when I moved into my house my laundry room was in my only bathroom; it kept the towels nice and warm when you got out of the shower. When we finally redid the bath we moved the washer and dryer into the pantry; I have a black LG washer and dryer front loader with pedestals. Thank you for pointing out that black is prim! Right after I got mine, they came out with RED which is MY color. So I was a bit glum, but now that you said that, I am feeling much happier. I like mine because of the blue lights and the musical chimes! Thanks for sharing:)
Linda, I enjoyed your pics on the redo of your washroom. Love the new front loaders. The room turned out so cute!!!
That room is so pretty I don't think I'd ever leave it! Everything is perfect as usual. Enjoy your new w/d. PS: If you wanted to kill a washer, I could have helped you there as I've already done that!
Hugs,
Tracey
Hi Linda,
I think Mr.Red Door has a wonderful bathroom. You have it decorated perfectly! You had me laughing about being brave enough to enter. Hmmmmm.......seperate bathrooms. That could work around here........
Those machines are pretty big but they seem to fit perfectly in there. I sure do love the black. I also love the idea that they hide all the plumbing. Mine is in clear view. Yuck
I think you gave a few of us gals some ideas about using stones, bolts, and acid if necessary to get a new set like yours ;)
Linda, This was a fun post to read!!!! I love the new washer and dyer, and you deserve it!!!!!!!
Mr. Red Door's bathroom looks sooo nice. They are GREAT machines but ALOT to learn and to get used too, but I am sure you will. I hope you enjoy doing laundry now. I love the black and how everything looks including you laundry basket and I LOVE stars I have the star toliet paper holder etc!
This was a fun post to read which I really needed something to laugh at and when you said you were going to go n the computer and look up how to kill a washer and dyer, I was laughing because I could picture you at your computer desk thinking about looking that up, you are a HOOT, thanks for another great post and some laughs that I think alot of us need sometimes!!!!
The washroom - laundry room looks awesome! It's amazing how new appliances and some paint can really change a room :) I am still in love with your cermaic tiles. The whole room looks prim perfect.
I can't wait for tomorrow night to find out the big news.
Abby's room is growing on me. Even though that' not how I wanted to decoarte it but I did make a happy girl. I still have some say as long as she got her pink, we are both happy.
Have yourself a wonderful weekend!
Hi Linda! Congratulations on your new washer and dryer! I too, having been married almost 31 years, have never had a matching set. Some day........
Love the bath/laundry room!
Happy Spring my friend, and one day, I would like to ask you what the forums are you are speaking of???
You have a way of making any decorating challenge look good, Linda. Mr. Red Door's bathroom is looking pretty spiffy. And those big black appliances are fabulous. Maybe there's a button for washing, drying, AND folding...
Enjoy your long-awaited matching appliances, my friend. You've earned them!
And I'm all atwitter about Fri. night's reveal. Oh, the anticipation!
Your new washer and dryer are soooo beautiful! *swoon* Isn't it funny that's what we pine for these days? LOL
I love your laundry room/men's room...it's so cute and welcoming and I wish my laundry room looked half as nice! Thanks so much for the tour...can't wait to hear the BIG announcement!!
HaHA!!! I know just what you mean about having a matched set....never had one either...I have the pleasure of the Hand me downs, and maybe i or 2 new things, but nevr the two at the same time! Either the dryer went or the washer....and my Father in Law was a MASTER at fixing Appliances and taught his son how to do it, so.....I am still waiting...and I too have had the dreams of "killing" my appliances!
Your laundry room looks great! I have mine off of my kitchen --along with my pantry...and I have some "issues" with that also! Yours looks great and I am secretly envious of you...but also HAPPY!!!
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