Closet Island — Change Of Design Plan (Plus, The Final Closet Punch List)
Are y’all as tired of this walk-in closet project as I am? I’m so proud of how this closet is turning out, but at the same time, I’m so ready to be done with it and move on. Doing a project of this scale by myself always takes longer than I think it’s going to take at the outset, and I always find myself getting frustrated and anxious to move on when I start to see the finish line. And that’s where I am today. It’s always that “90% finished” syndrome, where I’ve gotten enough of it finished that I can see it’s going to turn out pretty great, I can see the finished room in my mind, and I’m ready to move on. It happens with every big project, and in fact, I wrote about it when I was building the walk-in pantry. (You can see that post here.)
Anyway, last night as I was wrapping up my work for the night, I took inventory of what still needed to be done to finish this room. Those lists, on one hand, are always motivating to me because I can see, on paper, what still needs to be done, and it keeps me focused. Plus, I just love lists. 😀 But they’re also a little bit deflating because the actual written list always ends up longer than the list I had been filing away in my mind. But I’m going to try not to let it get me down or stress me out. I’m going to use it to motivate me as I get to check off each item on the list.
First, I got the rest of the crown molding up around the washer and dryer areas, and I got all of the nail holes wood filled and sanded. The cuts in the corners aren’t great because none of these corners are perfectly square, and I didn’t take the time to accurately measure each angle and cut precisely. I just cut everything at a 45-degree angle. But that’s why we have caulk, right? 😀
So all of the trim on these walls — crown molding, baseboards, window trim — still needs to be caulked and painted.
One item that I had completely forgotten about was that this doorway still needs to be framed out. Ugh. I had gotten so used to seeing it this way that my mind stopped seeing it as unfinished. Have you ever had that happen?
It’s like when you set a box of something in the corner to take somewhere, and then you forget about it. Then your mind gets so used to seeing it there that you don’t “see” it anymore. But obviously, the room isn’t finished until the doorway is framed out and finished.
Once the doorway is framed out, I’ll need to add this one remaining piece of crown molding across that wall above the doorway. Plus, I need to add small pieces of trim where the cabinets meet the wall.
As far as I can tell, the three sections of cabinets on the right side of the room are finished with the exception of the shoe molding that needs to go right at the bottom on the baseboards.
I really need to get the doorway framed out before I add the shoe molding since that shoe molding will wrap around the side of the cabinets flanking the doorway and end at that wall on either side of the doorway.
The same goes for the cabinets on the left side of the room. Those are completely finished except for the shoe molding.
When I say that the right and left side cabinets are finished, I’m not including the ends, which obviously still need to be primed and painted. I consider those areas part of the washer and dryer areas in my mind. 😀 But those areas will also need some small vertical trim added where the cabinets meet the walls.
I won’t add that trim until after the countertops are done. And of course, I still need to build countertops for the washer and dryer cabinets. I also still need to add that top piece of trim to each of those cabinets (you can see the raw edge of the plywood top in the picture below) and install baseboards around the walls inside the washer and dryer cabinets. All of that trim needs to be wood filled, caulked, and painted.
I still haven’t figured out what I’m going to do with the window. I’m still reading through your comments from yesterday’s post, and I’m sure once I’m finished reading your ideas, I’ll know which direction I want to go with that. It may be as simple as reinstalling the original shade (which is a top down/bottom up, fully lined shade), or it may require an extra step or two so that I can have privacy in this room.
And that brings me to the last two big projects that I think will take the most time. First, the chandelier makeover. I’m still not 100% sure how I’m going to do it. This may be one of those projects that I figure out as I go along. But somehow, I’m going to transform the chandelier from this rather simple brass-colored chandelier…
…into something inspired by this beauty that will coordinate with my white flower sconces…
I’ve never tried my hand at soldering, so this may be my opportunity. I bought a soldering gun last year, thinking that I’d use it when I made the pendant light above my desk in the studio, but I ended up not needing it. So this might be the time for me to learn a new skill.
And then that leaves the last big project — the closet island. I’ve gone back and forth on this design so many times. I’ve tweaked the design, changed my mind, tweaked it again. But this past weekend, I decided that I’m just going to keep it simple. I’m going to keep all of the drawers and cabinets on the long sides of the island. The side that faces my jewelry/wallpapered cabinet section will have four drawers and two cabinet doors. The cabinets will be close to the washer, and that’s where I’ll keep extra detergent and whatever else needs to be close to the washer and dryer.
And after considering all of the options for keeping the island moveable (in case I ever need to get the washer and dryer out of the room), I’ve decided to design it like a double-sided dresser with turned wood feet. That way, if it ever needs to be moved, it’s not attached to the floor. If it’s too heavy, I can just remove the drawers, and then it’ll be easily movable. And I like the idea of it looking like a separate piece of furniture rather than being something built into the room. The side facing the hanging clothes will be all drawers.
It’s still quite a list, which is a bit depressing. But again, I’m going to try my hardest to use this list as a motivation rather than get discouraged. I’ll just keep my nose to the grindstone, stay as focused as I can, check off one project at a time, and hopefully soon, I’ll have a finished closet!
If you like to see lists in actual list form, this is what my punch list looks like:
- Caulk and paint the rest of the crown molding, window trim, and baseboards around the washer and dryer,
- Prime and paint the ends of the cabinets by the washer and dryer,
- Install and paint the baseboards inside the washer and dryer cabinets,
- Finish the trim around the washer and dryer cabinets — wood fill, caulk, and paint,
- Figure out how to move the washer and dryer into the room and get them hooked up,
- Figure out what to do with the window for privacy,
- Frame out the doorway,
- Trim out the doorway — wood fill, caulk, and paint,
- Add the crown molding above the doorway — wood fill, caulk, paint,
- Make the countertops for the washer and dryer cabinets,
- Add the vertical trim where the cabinets meet the walls (by the washer and dryer, and by the doorway)
- Install all of the shoe molding and paint,
- Paint and install the wall sconces above the washer and dryer,
- Hang the artwork above the washer and dryer,
- Transform the chandelier into flowery goodness,
- Build the center island,
- Find storage baskets for the shelves on the end cabinets (that don’t cost a fortune).
I think that’s it. That’s a lot, but I can do it!
More About My Walk-In Closet/Laundry Room
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Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Have you used a coping saw to cut crown moldings? It may take a bit more work but can get a very good fit without gaps. There are videos on YouTube. This closet is a HUGE project. You should be very pleased with your progress.
I’m not getting tired of this project at all! 😀
Nor am I! The punch list plus the addition of shoes and clothes – I’m here for it!
I was wondering if you thought of putting some deep pull out drawers in the island that could house your dirty laundry baskets? I absolutely love everything you’ve done in that closet!
Thankfully, some of them are not huge jobs, and you are so good a building some of the bigger jobs. And it should be exciting to you to see that island come together. WOW you are getting so much great storage. I now wish my washer/dryer was in the closet…makes SO much sense! Keep on plugging – pretty soon you will be in the bedroom!
“Do your best and caulk the rest”, as my DH says!
I get that you are tired from the project, who wouldn’t be. I get the same way at this point too. Lots of effort, and only minimal movement forward to the end. These are the details, and you are so good at the details. Good on you for seeing in advance the eventual reality that you will have to move the washer and dryer at some point way off in the distance. I totally get the privacy issue with the window, and in a closet no less. I throw out there, louvered shutters. They can be painted to match the closet, they can open and let in light, or they can be closed while you are making those important decisions of “what will I wear today…”. It’s sort of like the eternal question of what’s for dinner. While I don’t have a window in our walk-in closet, I do have one in our bathroom that looks out over a rather busy part of patio where the golf cart is stored. Which means I could be seeing my husband, never a problem while I am in the bathroom, but our farmhands and workers on the job site, that is way more than I want to see, and I am sure the same can be said for those poor gentlemen who get a glimpse of me in the bathroom. I went with multiple layers of protection. Our bathroom doesn’t get that much light since we built a covered porch there for the firewood and the golf cart. But I have lovely window film on the lower portion and a beautiful Roman shade that can go up or down when I want to let in more light. I had seen some beautiful plastic room dividers that were framed out and used as a window covering. With your talents and imagination, I no doubt you will amaze and astound all of us once more. You’ve got this and also remember to go slowly and get some rest on occasion.
Cheers to you and Matt and Cooper!
For the chandelier, have you seen “Jesper Makes” His video shows what can be made with a laser cutter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THCuBMNdCeA
Also, you could also cut out the petals of your design with a Cricut cutter and veneer. No soldering necessary.
You can do it!
You may feel like this project is slogging along, but to many of us, it is fascinating to watch your skill and ingenuity with all the details. There is so much for us to learn and apply to our own homes. You are like the fearless cheerleader of home decorating and we are your rowdy and excited fans!
This!
I hope that your continuing progress will keep you motivated, Kristi. Look how much you’ve already done! After all of this work, I think that a nice spa day is in order. 🙂
Are you re-installing the closet door? It might be nice to muffle the sound of the washer and dryer if you’re doing laundry and trying to relax in the bedroom or if Matt has a “staying in bed day”.
Absolutely you can do it. Look back at all you have finished compared to what needs to be done. You are on the last leg even that it is a long leg. I would take the light off the punch list because you can really take your time finishing that. You don’t want to slow you down from moving forward. Question: how deep are your drawers going to be? Seems like they will be rather shallow.
I still think painting the shade blue would look so good and from the outside it will look like the other windows. So glad you have Cooper’s help in finishing up. His toenails are loooonnnnggg.
You are correct you can do it! Still amazed at what you do…I also love lists…not that I always complete all items on the list, but I do like writing lists and especially crossing out the item on a list when completed.
Your list seems like a lot,But I bet if you go back to your original list, you’ll be surprised and how much you’ve actually gotten done. You’ll have this done in no time.
I just love it all. And, when it’s finished, it’ll be just as gorgeous as your pantry was while you were working on that. We’re all here to cheer you onward and forward. 😁
Go Kristi!!!
I love watching your projects. You’re so talented. I may have missed this but will there be a full length mirror? And will there be a bench or chair to put in shoes?
I’m a bit late to comment on the closet island, but where will you sit when putting on socks or pants? Maybe I missed this and if so, please disregard my comment. You are an inspiration!!!
I’ll have an upholstered bench and full-length mirror just outside this room in the foyer. I didn’t want to sacrifice shelf space for those things in this room, but the foyer is just outside, and the perfect place for them.