Happiness in green
Designer Melanie Craig says we should be making our laundries and mud rooms more welcoming and fun.
“So often the laundry is treated as the poor cousin, but it doesn’t have to be. Add some colour, and give yourself a smile every time you walk in,” she says.
That’s exactly the look she gave this laundry in a new home that overlooks the Clyde River on the outskirts of Alexandra. “I thought, why not brighten it up with a bit of green? Green is such a fresh colour.”
The shape and size of the room is narrow, with direct access to the outdoors and just enough space for appliances.
The designer made great use of the wall opposite the appliances by installing a large (1.5 x 1.5m) ladder-style drying rack (a customised towel warmer).
Melanie also installed what she calls a “utility board”, where the homeowner can hang “odds and sods”, including the ironing board. “Because it has a place on the board, it looks like it’s meant to be there,” she says. “The utility board also doubles as a coat and boot rack, especially useful in the South.”
WHAT’S POPULAR IN LAUNDRIES?
“Where we can, we’re putting side-by-side front loaders and dryers raised up on a plinth, making them easier for loading and unloading,” says Melanie. “People are also asking for more organised and specialised storage options, not just cupboards and drawers where they lose things. Electric ski-boot drying racks are popular – again, down here in the South.”
With homes becoming smaller, combi washer-dryers are growing in popularity. “We’re also designing modern takes on the old-school-style drying racks on pulley systems attached to the ceiling – another good space-saving idea.
“A newish product that’s really awesome is the latest range of acrylic Formicas that have a matt finish and are soft to the touch. They look good and are amazing to touch. They also have thermal healing, where scratches and blemishes can be smoothed out with a hot iron. The other thing that’s great about this range is that it’s still an entry-level product, so offers great value.”
What about ventilation? “Open a window,” Melanie laughs.