Detail photo of bells hanging on my door

If it’s possible to be in a long-term relationship with a door….

…this would be the one.

The first time I walked through this door after we bought back the house, I almost cried.

Oh….the stories this door could tell.

It’s a dutch door that leads to the laundry room.  The dutch part of the door was a little sad and missing a piece and we just fixed it and painted it black and hung a boxwood wreath and cowbells on it.

And now?

It looks like this.

The dutch door just needed a little spruce up and new paint to feel new again

Did you sigh?

Did you just remember how much you love dutch doors?

Did you think how good the new house paint color looks with the door?

Oh, good.

Me, too.

A peek at the dutch door from inside the laundry room

Here’s the view of the other side of the door.

There’s the cutest little laundry room and butler’s pantry right inside the door.

We just repainted and remodeled this space.

Newly updated and remodeled laundry room

On one side there are built-ins for the washer and dryer.

We added a shelving in between and added a countertop on the top for extra storage and a place to fold clothes.

There’s a ledge at the top filled with baskets for extra dish storage.

(total aside:  I know.  I KNOW.  I have too many dishes.  Blame it on the half-price table at yard sales.)

Accent decorations in the laundry room

I found these super cute galvanized metal containers at Hobby Lobby.

(total aside:  If you go to Hobby Lobby looking for these—please remember to use your 40% off coupon.  You can just pull it up on your phone from their website and they’ll scan it right there in the store.)

I added all the laundry helpers to these and placed them in the shelves between the washer and dryer.

Dishes in the butler's pantry, displayed and organized

And then?

There’s the other side.

The mini-butler’s pantry.

Are you ready?

Are you sitting down?

Newly updated laundry room and butler's pantry- isn't it great?

If I squint, I can almost pretend I’m back at the farmhouse.

This is where we keep the microwave and the coffee maker and all the coffee things and the trashcan and a toaster when I find a super cute one.

All those luncheon plates I had in the butler’s pantry at the farmhouse—this is where they live.

A close up look at the marble countertops

There are mini-marble countertops.

The subway tile is perfect in the pantry as well

And subway tile.

There was even a place for new dog bowls in the updated room

And a set of dog bowls.

Simple details like this adorable mail carrier add character and charm

And the cutest mail carrier I found at our local ReStore.

(If you live in McKinney—they had tons of these there).

It hangs on the back door and mostly keeps the laundry soap company.

A final look at the new laundry room and dutch door- so happy!

I love you dutch door.

You’ve always been there.

You watched as I carried two tiny 4 pound (and almost 4 pound) twinnies home.  I brought those two car carriers through the door with one on each arm.

You smiled as I walked out of this door in my wedding dress on my wedding day with hot rollers and red lipstick and slippers on.

You grinned as my new husband carried me back inside the day after our wedding to greet our family and friends for a wedding brunch the next day before we left for our honeymoon.

You wept with me as I walked back inside after my father’s funeral.

You encouraged me with my mother as you both gave me hope with my struggles with four tiny munchkins under the age of seven.

You looked on as my children took their first steps and ate cheerios and squash at the countertop and played with legos on those old oak floors.

All the hours.

All the moments.

All the days.

So happy to have this beautiful dutch door back in our home

I cried when I left you.

And then?

When I opened you back up for the first time and let the sunshine in, I threw my head back and laughed with all the excitement and anticipation of a thousand Christmas mornings.

I’m here to stay.

Here’s to all the joy to come. 🙂

Added details and decor complete the finished space

PS  Thank you for all your encouragement with the new book and the videos.

Here are just a few behind-the-scenes i-phone photos of our bookcase styling session.

We styled this entire bookcase in four minutes using easy tips and a little inspiration.

I can’t wait for you to see them.

 

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Comments

  1. Image for Teresa at LostMuleLodge.com Teresa at LostMuleLodge.com

    This is fabulous on so many levels! First I love that there is an exterior door to carry the laundry out to the clothesline... yes, some of us still do this, at least with sheets. I love the boxwood wreath and the cowbells are simply perfect. I love that you have your home to love and cherish. I bet your home is as happy as you are right now! Teresa at Lost Mule Lodge

  2. Image for Carrie Carrie

    Good Golly Miss Molly. I could happily live in the laundry room~ it's gorgeous, it's light and it's bright. It has a COFFEE MAKER....oh my. LOVE! Extra exclamation points needed. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  3. Image for Catherine Catherine

    I love that door! My son has one in his old house too. I also love how you multipurposed that wonderful room! That house is definitely where you are supposed to be. Hugs!

  4. Image for Taste of France Taste of France

    The black on the outside is perfect, and so is the white on the inside in that gleaming laundry room, which has me 100% jealous. That penny tile!!!!! As Teresa of Lost Mule Lodge says, it's great to have a door to take the laundry straight outside. I have to bring it up from the basement, go through the bedroom (we have French doors going outside there), down some too-steep steps to the clotheslines. I hang everything outside except towels. Good for the clothes, good for the environment, good for the budget. And smells great.

    1. Image for elizabeth@pinecones and acorns blog elizabeth@pinecones and acorns blog

      I love the smell of laundry that has been dried outside. The only thing that we dry in the dryer is towels, otherwise everything is dried on a rack.

  5. Image for Teresa Gonzales Teresa Gonzales

    Perfect! I had 2 dutch doors in one of my California houses. Loved them so much!!! Your laundry room/butlers pantry is to die for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doesn't everyone need more dish storage?

  6. Image for Angie Angie

    Sweet Karianne, I love this house so much! Not that I didn't love your former house. I loved it too! Like our children, different yet you love them both equally as much, lol! Beautiful laundry room and charming Dutch door!

  7. Image for Susan Susan

    I love Dutch doors to absolutely no end! You are so fortunate to have that beauty in your house. The fact that you and your family are living in your childhood home warms my heart. It would be like a dream come true. My grandmother's house just went up for sale for just the second time since she sold it (she has since passed), and I have dreamed of buying it and fixing it up. It's nearly 500 miles away from where I now live, so that's a bit of a problem! I love your blog and I love seeing you breathe new life into this house where you have so many wonderful memories.

  8. Image for Susan Susan

    Oh Karianne! I could just hug you And this entire room! Love! Love! Love! One question though.....how far is the water for that coffee pot? And how did you decide to locate the coffee out there? I love the smell of fresh brewed coffee in the morning as it wafts through the house.... But that door is exquisite and the entire laundry room is fantastic! Great job!

  9. Image for Mary Mary

    You have done such a fantastic job with this house. I'm moving in -- just to be in this lovely place (and to keep you company) !! :) :) :)

  10. Image for Cindy Cindy

    Love it!! Everything looks fantastic! Your house is beautiful and filled with wonderful memories.... and enjoy making more!!

  11. Image for elizabeth@pinecones and acorns blog elizabeth@pinecones and acorns blog

    This might be my favorite room in the entire house! I love it all! The butlers pantry side is my husbands dream.

  12. Image for Gina Gina

    A house with a heart and a soul. I could just hug it. First, stories of the mirror. Now stories of the door. I want ALL the stories!!! Hugs to you.

  13. Image for Andrea Boudreau Andrea Boudreau

    I love the history you share with your dutch door :) So glad you kept it. My aunt use to have one in their house and we'd play post office or grocery store when I was little.

  14. Image for Leslie Watkins Leslie Watkins

    I love Dutch doors!! Always secretly needed one. I love the paint and bells, but the memories of that door are the best. Truly. And if the laundry room weren’t enough, the Butler’s pantry took my breath away. Stunning. And magical. Love it all. Thanks for sharing, friend.

  15. Image for Katie Heidinger Katie Heidinger

    Oh Karianne, so many things I love about this.....the door...the tile....the shelves with the 50% off yard sale dishes... and especially the shelves wrapped around the window!! sigh I had my husband put a dutch door in our laundry room as well but it goes into the interior of the house. You're awesome!! love this house, can't wait to see the rest of your room makeovers!

  16. Image for Michelle Michelle

    "All those luncheon plates I had in the butler’s pantry at the farmhouse—this is where they live." Everything should have such a lovely place to live! Every nook and cranny in that house must hold precious memories for you...how fun! We moved much more than you did growing up but, ever since you moved back to your old house, I've been daydreaming about all the charming places we lived and imagined if I lived in one of them now. *sigh*

  17. Image for Stephanie Wethington Stephanie Wethington

    I believe I am in love with your door....or maybe it is all that you have been thru with your door!! All the memories are so beautiful and sweet!! I know it is very special!! You are a wonderful person Karianne and so special. I so enjoy the way you express yourself. Your door is beautiful as is the room it opens into. Things are coming together and I cannot wait to see the rest when it is completed. Thank you so much for sharing.. xoxo

  18. Image for Paula Jones Paula Jones

    Love the space! Great job, it looks Wonderful! Enjoy your memories, and the making of more. Hugs to you and your family!

  19. Image for Kari Cox Kari Cox

    Hi Karianne, I absolutely looooove the Dutch door. We don't have one, but I just might have to add one somewhere in our farmhouse! And the cow bells are swoon-worthy... We have the exact hexagonal tiles in our master bath, and while I absolutely love them, I must have lost my brain and good sense when we built our farmhouse, because I had them grouted with WHITE grout---seriously, who uses white grout in a farmhouse bathroom in the middle of a wheat field in North Texas?!? My question for you is, do you know any way to change the grout color to a charcoal color that doesn't involve me very laboriously painting every tiny grout line on those 1 inch tiles? Just thought with all your DIY Rock-Star-ness, you might, just might, have an idea. Thanks so much!! :)

  20. Image for Sue E Sondker Sue E Sondker

    Did you live there as a little girl and also when you were married, move and now move back again. It is more than I could ever imagine.

  21. Image for Denise Cox Denise Cox

    Well, you knocked it out of the ball park once again, girlfriend!! Not only with a fantabulous room ( so sparkling white ), but also with your prose! You were made for one another... truly. 😊

  22. Image for Sue Sue

    Well,I have to admit,your laundry room is stunning. You dragged me kicking and screaming to Texas and I didn’t think Thistlewood could be replaced. Texas and this House are growing on me.

  23. Image for Cecilia Cecilia

    Sigh, and they lived happily ever after going to and fro through the Dutch door.! It looks beautiful. I want my laundry room/pantry to look like this when it grows up. I can just hear the happy in your words. How wonderful to be home!

  24. Image for Laurin Laurin

    I love the "when I find a cute one" toaster comment! I have a stressful job and just love taking a moment out of my day read your blog posts. They make me smile, and cry!

  25. Image for Suzanne Suzanne

    I love your Dutch door! I have a question for you. I am interested in how you like your front load washer? I have heard that if you are not meticulous about wiping down the inside including the rubber ring it will have a mildew odor that transfers to your clothing. I love being able to have a shelf but friends have urged me to reconsider due to the extra work with keeping door open, etc.

  26. Image for JC at the uncommon pearl JC at the uncommon pearl

    I have a love affair with Dutch doors too...like embarrass myself drooling kind of love....though I've never actually had one. Maybe someday... Your laundry room is so incredibly quaint! I would have a hard time getting laundry done with all the distraction of cuteness. So lovely! You'll cry more when one of your kids walks through that door on their wedding day...trust me. Enjoy every precious moment!

  27. Image for Courtney Courtney

    So cute KariAnne- love how your laundry room and butlers pantry compliment each other. And never enough dish storage- because never too many dishes! ;)

  28. Image for Joetta Colquette Joetta Colquette

    Have you ever read the Mitford Series by Jan Karon? This reminds me of a scene from that series~May you, your children and family Forever and Always be Blessed as you go in and out of the doors of this family home~

  29. Image for Deb Wostmann Deb Wostmann

    Isn't it funny how a door can hold so many memories and hands! My grandmother had a Dutch door and I adored that door almost as much as I adored Grams..... Now I have my own Dutch door in a home that I love with all my heart and soul. I hope all the family and friends and hands that will open and close this door, so close to my heart, will have their own sweet sweet memories of wonderful times spent in our home. Thank you for sharing your Dutch door with us!

  30. Image for Donna Marie Donna Marie

    I am J-E-A-L-O-U-S!!! Could you have anything else that I want??? Lol I think "Ozzie and Harriet" or "Father Knows Best" had a Dutch door and I decided then that I needed one! It looked cool then and it looks cool now--if it comes up missing--don't come lookin' for it missy!!!

  31. Image for Sarah Sarah

    Just wonderful! A chair to enjoy a sneaky coffee would be great if there's room - since the coffee machine is there afterall ;)

  32. Image for Kathy Kathy

    You struck a sentimental chord with me...AGAIN! If walls (or doors) could talk! The laundry room is awesome/amazing! I love the shelves and marble and subway tiles. Good job!

  33. Image for Jolene Jolene

    What a beautiful, heartfelt post! Your Dutch door is just beautiful as is your laundry room and butlers pantry. It is such a warm place to welcome you home, and to think it is utilitarian, too! Thanks for proving once again that utilitarian, functional spaces can be charming, too!

  34. Image for Nancy Nancy

    *sigh* The stories of your house make me almost want to see if my childhood home is available. Almost. It's in Minnesota though and there isn't anyone in my family who could go back up and live in that cold...even for a beautiful dutch door like yours. The makeover is just lovely. The butlers pantry with the sun streaming in is perfect. I can almost see you filling up your coffee cup. :) Btw, you totally need that cute SMEG toaster for your counter. Nancy

  35. Image for Cindy Richter Cindy Richter

    KariAnne, you make me dream bigger dreams. I love what you've done and cannot fathom the wonderful sweet feelings you have waking up everyday in that home. It is a treasure.

  36. Image for Betsy Betsy

    If a door could feel I'm sure it's heart would be melting right about now. It's lovely thru and thru. Your the best KariAnne!

  37. Image for Maureen Maureen

    I must ask...Dutch Doors and BUGS?? I love the look but hate the flys, mosquitoes and stink bugs we get round here. Plus the occasional bee and wasp. How do you manage???

  38. Image for Dee Turk Dee Turk

    Why did this make my want to cry? I just wanted to boohoo big time!!! Have you ever read something, that you felt their emotions as you were reading their words, so much so that you felt their life, memories, joys and sorrows that it's all so beautiful that you can't help but get teary? Well that's how this affected me! I just loved this so, thank you KariAnne welcome home!

  39. Image for Lynne Lynne

    Such a lovely post! What a blessing for you to return to your childhood home! You and your beautiful writing are a blessing to us. Thank you for sharing!

  40. Image for Susan Hall Susan Hall

    I have quite honestly never seen a butler's door! I love the architecture and beauty of your home's in the South! Here in Canada there are some amazing homes in the old part of Montreal but the cost would be in the millions to even get a home and have it renovated.

  41. Image for Holly ~ Willow Tree Hill Holly ~ Willow Tree Hill

    My heart is going pitter-patter!!! I just realized the other day that our laundry room could use a little help and this gave me to push to tackle it ASAP! I'm in love and so inspired to take our home from really good to OUTSTANDING like yours!

  42. Image for Christa Christa

    Love the door and the memories you shared. I really wish dutch doors would make a comeback in newer homes or at least be able to be installed. My laundry room could use one!

  43. Image for Michele Clark Michele Clark

    Love, love, love that laundry room and butlers pantry! I'm wanting a butlers pantry so bad...not sure if my pantry is big enough. The wooden box with a handle I have one similar.

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