Believe

We've entered into the most magical time of the year and what better time to share my reveal of my finally completed laundry room. A room that was long imagined in my wishes and dreams, a room inspired by Alice in Wonderland. But most importantly a room when entering suddenly the chore of laundry fades into playful imagination and dare I say play.

Photo is of the back of our kitchen bi-fold door I faux painted a Harlequin pattern on.  What better guide then an adorable elf who's name is Elfie popping through a pet door opening.

The door downstairs to the laundry room/basement/outside in the back of our house is in our kitchen and I wanted to be able to open the door and feel embraced by a memory of an AIW inspired tea time. Throughout the laundry room I have applied my faux painting techniques, but I wanted the walls a snowy White because to me it just seemed totally right.

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

~Eleanor Roosevelt~

A hand painted canvas closeup photo. It has glittery paint touches that were not captured in this photograph and is hung to the side of my stripe faux painted tea cup shelf. 

Purchased from Violet House Crafts on etsy. Under my poem titled Believe you will find all the sources for this post. I've had a fascination ever since I was young of the moon and glittery stars that fill our heavenly skies. The painting is whimsical and appeals to my inner child that is enchanted by make believe places. I tend to be a deep thinker and I am always willing to flip the switch into play.

The most magical word of all to me is Believe. The word has guided and encouraged me throughout my life. Méa from Méa's vintage designed and created the Believe banner. It is Cartapesta (Papier Mâché) and it was a piece I purchased last year. I am graced to call Méa my friend and in 2016 with our European travel plans at the end of our vacation will bring us to Germany to finally meet Méa and her family in person.

I Purchased my AIW teapot/cup for one on eBay ... I believe my Simon >^..^< may very well be born from the Cheshire Cat dynasty! 22 pounds, striped, a real tom cat and ever cunning and clever.

An overall view of the laundry room. What was once old and scary has become old and fun. Our kitchen refrigerator was brought downstairs for additional storage when our long desired glass front Sub Zero became part of our kitchen update. We dwell in a house built in 1934 and deal with old building construction and its irregular measurements and quirky charm.

Under the stairs two cat litter trays are located and all the necessary tools! Just keeping it honest as the air purifier beneath the stairs provides white noise and rids any odors. 

We are currently working in the center part of our basement renovation (peek will be shown at the end). Christmas decorations are neatly packed away in translucent plastic tubs from the container store which are piled high. Not at all easily reached in the gathered clutter of storage during construction so this year those tubs are "Forget about it"!!! 

2015 our Christmas décor is rustic live, lots of small live trees and whatever I can grab from my stash!!! Thankfully all our Christmas inspired art canvas's are up and bottle brushes were located. Christmas pillows were stored upstairs so our house does look festive. My adorable elf named Elfie was purchased weeks before Thanksgiving from Cocoa and Olive. I've been moving him around room by room to keep me company. In his arms he holds a needle felted mouse, a gift from John a few years ago. The mouse traveled from Amsterdam to live much beloved by me in Philadelphia.

I delight in the opportunity to leisurely enjoy a day or two and just be a "house cat".  I believe in nurturing our inner child and mine enjoys cute slippers and PJ's.

The Razzle dazzle from the Golden sequins reflects as they entertain and amuse me. Hey what can I say I live in Philadelphia and enjoy the Mummers Day parade!

I love industrial chic and I instantly loved this wire cage pulley wall light. It can be raised or lowered by the Bronze cloth covered cord. A 7 inch Edison bulb can be dimmed thanks to John installing a dimmer on the cord. The shadows cast at night fill me with wonderment.

A French market bag hangs on one of the shelf hooks and the stocking is made by my friend Doré from Burlap Luxe blog. Made of a vintage velvet fabric with a zinc ring and tattered ribbon found its display along side the bag. I walked around the entire house and this is where it spoke to me to hang. 

All the artwork is Black and White photography printed by John on canvas hanging in the laundry room.

We polished the concrete floors and there are two cowhides on the floor. When our foundation was being poured in 1934 a large dog ran through the wet concrete. It is because of the paw prints giving legacy I would never cover up the concrete throughout the basement. Polished it gives a warm industrial feel. 

Wire shelves hold supplies over the washer next to a Stainless Steel utility sink.

A wire gym basket holds flour sack towels and are always at the ready hanging down on cast iron vintage style faucet head hooks from Décor Steals.

John built a wood folding laundry table/shelf. It is hinged and when pulled up will accommodate folding Queen sized bedding. Pushing a latch drops the extension down to the side. I faux painted 5 inch wide Charcoal Grey stripes which were painted over a White pickled finish to the Birch Plywood. I then applied in different directions a raw Siena glaze followed by a Taupe glaze, last technique was to fog the entire piece with a warm white to soften the effect. 

The back door I painted a French Bleu which had a Periwinkle hue. I then mixed a warm White in a 50/50 base of paint and glaze and with a brush pulled the glaze down the door and softened it with a rag. The finish I refer to as my rain finish because it resembles a weathered age effect.

Close up of my faux painting. It's fun when you become your customer.

The antique wire rack is from Mary Alice of Chateau Chic. Mary Alice had displayed it over her mantel on a blog post and I commented her how much I loved the rack. Much to my surprise and delight she offered to sell it to me. Needless to say I jumped at the offer. I've been told it is a very old Bakers cooling or drying rack.

The side of the folding table/shelf dropped down to the side.

Time inspired I hung time on the rack. I am very conscious and respectful regarding time and I'm always on time. We made this little sign from the White Rabbit quote in Alice in Wonderland. 

A clock is hung, it is made from a Citroën Deux Chevaux (2CV) speedometer face. I also have displayed 3 pocket watches. Steampunk factored into two of them and they are double sided.

Hung away from the wall the shadow play it creates is simply delightful.

As renovations continue in the center part of our basement, dust, dirt and debris is back once again in our row-home but thankfully contained downstairs. Work will continue through the winter and in Spring a new powder room will be built. Here is a sneak peek... More to follow.

Elfie and I invite you back soon for a very special Holiday presentation and until then I leave you with my poem Believe. Sources beneath the poem.

xx,

Vera

Each morning I awake and believe to accept in the feeling of an inner truth even without any absolute proof of it's existence.

I listen to the needs of my inner child within my psyche providing vitality and creativity and she guides me with insistence.

Throughout my life I've discovered there are magical words that can set your imagination free and the most miraculous one for me is Believe.

A word that is both enchanting and astonishing in the magic bestowed then achieved when you accept in your imagination to perceive.

We all have desires, ambitions and dreams that enable us to learn through self discoveries each and every day.

I practice the theory we own our happiness in thoughts and deeds and by engaging our inner child we never lose the joy of play.

Perhaps it's solely for my own amusement I engage in the art of play but in my heart I truly Believe ...

spontaneous engagement in creative play will reward your psyche with magical moments for you to receive.

© Vera

Measvintage.blogspot.com

Violet House Crafts on etsy

Burlapluxe.blogspot.com

Chateau-chic.blogspot.com

oliveandcocoa.com