Here is my last home improvement project.
Actually I just finished it yesterday.
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Let me show you the before pictures…
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WARNING:
This picture has some disturbing images 
WHAT A MESS!
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Here is what happened next:
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FIRST
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I cleaned the closet. I didn’t just take the things OUT and put them on top of a table.
With the help of my kids {love them} we found a place for everything… At this point I was thinking WHY didn’t I do this before?
Look how much better it looks already.
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. SECOND
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I painted the entire closet whitest white. Nothing like a perfect clean canvas.
My original thought was to stenciled the wall and painted on yellow with navy blue accessories…
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So after consulting with the experts { my Facebook readers } I made the stencil and as soon as I started transferring it to the wall I knew this was not it…
I liked it but I didn’t love it!
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My kids however had a blast playing with the vinyl…
{Anni was the designer}
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So I took it out and I went with my favorite pattern:
the old classic stripes.
I measure and taped 10″ stripes on the wall.
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THIRD
Then it was time to paint. I used a small foam Dollar $tore disposable roller.
I love them! They come in packages of two. Not bad!
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This gray is PERFECTION.
It is made by Olympic and you can find it at Lowes.
The name of the paint is Quilt { D16-2 }
I like to use semigloss for my walls { I have kids } and Olympic ONE { Pain+PRIMER in ONE}
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FOURTH
Next morning the closet was ready to be truly transformed.
Instead of a built-in I was lucky to find an unassembled bench at Target that was just one inch smaller that the closet… Just perfect! So all I had to do was to put it together.
This is how it looked after 25 minutes of work…
I am not a man I read the instructions!
What a difference!
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FIFTH
SAY it!
I made a SIMPLIFY vinyl stencil to remind us all to never let the mess come back! You know what to do here…
Apply it, Paint it, Peel it off!
Enjoy!
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SIXTH
Time to HAVE FUN!
Because the gray was so incredibly clean and perfect I could have accessorized this closet in pretty much any color: yellow, red, turquoise, green…
But I love neutrals, you can check later my Neutralicious Pinterest Board for beautiful spaces decorated in neutral colors. These are the elements I used:
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PILLOWS
I made these pillows a while ago… and I love them both.
Click HERE for the Flower Pillow TUTORIAL.
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BOOKS
As I was working on the closet I thought this could be a cute little reading nook area.
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STORAGE BASKETS
Here my children can put their little shoes… I added their names to the baskets using vinyl.
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And these other baskets are perfect for library books and other school materials.
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COAT RACK
I used the type that you just place over the door.
EASY!
O
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I was done…
I have to say that we love this small space. It is peaceful and inviting and yes my children LOVE to snuggle in there and read their books….
From Ordinary…
To EXTRAORDINARY?
What do you think?
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Have a great weekend!
…………………………..
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100 Responses to The Mud Closet.
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I am Desirée, the heart behind
The 36th Avenue.
I am a mamá X 4, a thrifty shopper,
a fabric lover,a paint brush best friend
and a never ending makeover believer.
Thank you for visiting with me today!
{ ...Read more HERE }
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WOWZA!!!! I am SOOO inspired!!! It looks about the exact size of the front closet in our house… now my wheels are spinning! pinned
thanks for sharing!
lauren
Awesome Lauren!
I can’t wait to see what you do with yours!
FABULOUS!!!!! So happy that Today’s Creative Blog featured you so that I too could oogle over your site!
I never thought I’d use the word “stunning” to describe a closet, but there ya go.
I love what you did to a simple closet! Just amazing
[...] fromThe 36th Avenue knocked this one out of the park, taking a plain, inefficiently organized entryway closet, and [...]
Love this idea! I’m going to try to do it myself this weekend! Two quick questions if you don’t mind;
1) I love the color you chose for the paint accents/stripes, however; it looks more like a tan/beige color to me than it does grey. Is it really grey or does it not transfer well over the internet?
2) I found the same mini bench at Target, but I’m unclear if it comes with the bench cushion or not. Did yours come with the cushion? If not, where did you get yours from?
Thanks!
Jill
Jill,
The color is a really light grey but it looks pretty close to the picture {at least on my computer}. The bench came from Target and the cushion came with it.
I am so excited to see how your closet turns out… feel free to share some pictures on my FB page.
This is an amazing DIY project. Anyone with a small entry-way and a hall closet can do this flip!!!
Hinna recently posted..A first for moi: the S’More
Oh my goodness, I know you know how much I adore you, your blog and this project but I just now realized that you linked to my party MY little party!!! Thank you SO much I am SO honored!
)
Jaime from crafty scrappy happy
Jaime from crafty scrappy happy recently posted..Sweater Pillow {Guest Post PB & J Stories}
What a transformation! I love how it turned out….so cute!
Joy recently posted..GETTING READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH TRHRIFY FINDS
Loved your closet and loved seeing the pictures of the kids. Miss those kids.
Loved your projects. Loved seeing the kids. Miss them.
Love your closet. I don’t know how you come up with all these cute ideas. Loved seeing the pictures of thhe kids. Miss them!
Just wondering if you ever found the name/brand for the grey paint? I’ve been searching forever for the perfect shade for my halls and this is it!! LOL Please help!:)
Kelly recently posted..Taylor @ 2years 4 months….
Kelly,
I do!
I was updating the post… The name is Quilt {D16-2} by Olympic. You can find it at Lowes.
Desirée,
I featured your awesome makeover on {nifty thrifty sunday} today!
Great job!
Besos,
Vanessa
Vanessa @ {nifty thrifty things} recently posted..{nifty thrifty sunday #28}
YOU HAVE BEEN FEATURED ON COM TODAY, Thank you for being a part of the “Talent Show.” winks-jen
Jennie Larsen recently posted..{Saturday Spotlight Talent Show}
Jen I gave a SHOUT OUT!
Thank you so much my friend!
Lovley Job
an do not miss….
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It´s fun to join it …..
WELCOME
Håkan ( The Roseman)
The Rosegarden in Malevik recently posted..Saturday Show Off
I’m floored… this is gorgeous!!!! I just had to share…
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150413142516141&set=a.192514281140.164586.175378011140&type=1&theater
Donna
Shut The Front Door!
I AM SO HONORED! Thank you Donna…!
Amazing transformation! I love the stripes and that canvas flower pillow has me drooling with envy. Great job and good luck!
Wow…an amazing and inspiring transformation! Thanks for sharing!
Liz recently posted..One dish ties it together
Hi Desiree,
I was just wondering if you had a link to the tutorial for the linen flower pillow that you put in your “mud closet” in the post above. I know you had a post a long time ago where you included a link, but I can’t seem to find it! I’m hosting a sewing night next week with some friends and I was hoping to make these pillows! Thanks!
Kjerstin
devine! love the colors, love it all! good job!
i’m featuring it tomorrow, on my blog:
http://beachhouseinthecity.blogspot.com
Natalie Cross recently posted..a shout out!
Thank you Natalie!
I’ll make sure to stop by and give a shout out
This is GORGEOUS!!!!! Just thinking about mine gives me the creaps – it’s that bad
But, this gives me hope!
Shelley recently posted..easy door makeover
Thank you Shelley!
I know the feeling… that is how I felt before too. It was a mess!
Desiree recently posted..Royal Daughter Designs Giveaway & Party Time!
I love that you made it a reading nook!!! You forgot the light though! Bet you could find those battery operated touch lights and they would be perfect! Jumping over from Frugalicious Me to say hello! Newest follower.
Come and visit my Zoo when ya have a second, we love stalkers, I mean, followers!! LOL
candkmason@gmail.com
Hmmm… a light? I like that!
Desiree recently posted..Royal Daughter Designs Giveaway & Party Time!
Love it! Please post this, and anything else you may have,in my link party at
http://diycraftstomake.blogspot.com/
Thanks,
Peggy
It’s gorgeous! I love the neutrals! I really love that you shared an honest before picture that was a mess:) (Found you at Handy Man, Crafty Woman)
Erin recently posted..Giveaway – My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking
Major improvement! Thanks for linking to Wicked Awesome Wednesday!
Handy Man, Crafty Woman recently posted..Wicked Awesome Wednesday #34
Hey! Thank you for taking the time to stop by and check it out!
I am inspired by your mudroom! Also, what color is on the wall on the outside? It looks like the loveliest shade of cream…
[...] mud closet transformation is breathtakingly awesome (@ The 36th [...]
Wow!!! This is fantastic! Great job. Carrie
Thank you Carrie!
Desiree recently posted..STICKER TIME: Fall Inspiration
I just love this. So beautiful and simple. I am a huge lover of stripes so when I caught a sneak peek of this I had to pop over and see all the details. Very well done!
Courtney {a thoughtful place} recently posted..Shabby Apple Giveaway & HomeGoods Winner
Your mini mudroom looks lovely! So fresh and vibrant. I reorganized our coat closet not too long ago and sometimes open the door just to look in and smile lol.
Great job!!
Tatum recently posted..Easy Free Artwork
Really beautiful! Makes me want to stripe something
…I am warning you after I did this closet I want to stripe every room
Thank you for visiting!
Your closet is fabulous! I *LOVE* the stripes.
~Steph from Silver Boxes
Stephanie recently posted..Christmas Gift Tags
36th avenue’s newest follower!
would love to have you follow me back!
michele
michele@hellolovelyinc recently posted..RACHEL ASHWELL on CREATING an authentic space
Welcome Michele!
i’m in love with a mud closet. and it’s called: yours!
you did such a fabulous job, and it’s so generous of you to share the steps that went into this transformation.
found you and this lovely post via thegirlcreative and would love to have you visit the great giveaway i have at the moment!
http://hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com/2011/10/rachel-ashwell-on-creating-authentic.html
warmly.
michele
Love it! I’m also a neutralaholic! Where did you get all the baskets and bins?
Ashley R recently posted..A Drop in the Bucket
Hi Ashley,
I got them all at Target… the are pretty strong too.
I LOVE that you put a reading nook in the closet! It looks fabulous – great stripes, pillows and overall look!
Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a great week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
Thank you Jill for taking the time to visit, I love your party!
Beautiful closet transformation! I can’t wait to get working on mine! I might be seeing stripes in my future! Thanks for inspiring.
ange recently posted..Happy Friday!
I love this…I want to recreate it exactly in my home!
I love the closet, almost makes me wish my 3 daughters were small again. But it does give me ideas for the closet in my office…maybe even the master bedroom. In the last 6 months its been redone in soft iris color on the wall with light gray and silver accents. Can’t wait for you to post the gray you used.
Definitely extraordinary! Great job. I’m inspired!!
Thanks,
Sharon @ mrshinesclass.wordpress.com
WOW Sharon!
I take an EXTRAORDINARY;)… Sweet of you!
Desiree recently posted..The Mud Closet.
This is inspiring!! We have the exact same closet. I have reorganized it to be the craft closet, but I am really wishing I had space for a craft closet AND a mudroom. (love the word mudroom!) bellesbazaar-heather.blogspot.com
Love the end product. But I also loved the stencil. What type of transfer were you using? It looked like wax paper, freezer paper maybe? How did you get the circles on it-Printer?
Becca recently posted..✥ Get What You Want {Thrifting} ✥
Hi Becca!
It is a vinyl stencil.
Great transformation! Love the stripes and how peaceful the color palette is.
this turned out lovely!!!
Funkytime recently posted..Fall Table Decoration
This is AMAZING!!! I am in love with your closet! (is that weird?!)
Natalie from Johnnyinadress.com recently posted..Time to {VOTE}
GREAT job!
Oh my goodness I LOVE this!! Beautiful!! Great job hun!
Good to see you here love! Thank you so much Jamielyn.
WOW! What an amazing transformation! I absolutely love it. I am a love or neutrals too. Your projects are great, I am a new follower visiting from Just A Girl.
ToTheMoonandBack recently posted..Guest Bathroom-Transformation
Thank you and welcome to The 36th Avenue!
Be still my beating heart! Girl, you did a fantastic job! Definitely will be keeping this on file…thank you so much for showing off your lovely mud closet {LOVE}!
Gorgeous makeover! Stopping by from Tatertots & Jello link up.
Have a great weekend!
Hi Tiffany,
Thank you for taking te time to visit and drop a comment.
Desiree recently posted..The Mud Closet.
Looks just lovely! So clean & neat.
Julie recently posted..Diamond Tufted Ottoman. Whew!
What a great transformation! You’re right, the grey is perfect.
Emily recently posted..The Weekend My Sister Came
I’m…I’m…speechless. This is so doable for us normal folks yet you made this stunning, clean lined, and completely functional. I am absolutely blown away. You amaze me as always.
Jessica… you make me feel so good. Thank you for your kind comments.
Desiree recently posted..The Mud Closet.
Ok Des-If I didn’t love you so much, I would hate you. Please tell me that your inen closet is scary. I will feel much better!
Wondering if you wouldn’t mind telling me the measurements on your closet. It looks a little wider than mine, put I could be wrong. Fabulous as always!
Love ya girl!
Tausha recently posted..Skeletons, Spooks & Over sized Tricycles
First of all… love you right back!
The closet is 37.5″ wide.
Am I too late to send you the wreath? It has been crazy here…♥
Desiree recently posted..The Mud Closet.
Great closet makeover! I need to do some closets. Maybe this will get me moving.
Jenny K. recently posted..Burlap & Polka Dots Round 2
I’ve always wanted a reading nook. SO JEALOUS! Amazing as usual!!
Erin @ How to Nest for Less recently posted..Lessons Learned: My Favorite Projects {October 14th}
Your closet is absolutely gorgeous. It makes me want to redo mine all over again (my husband would kill me!)!
Hahaha!
Your husband sounds just like mine… GOOD LUCK!
Desiree recently posted..The Mud Closet.
you did an AMAZING job on this! I love the look and feel, its beautiful. I’m totally inspired to tackle my front closet now.
Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers recently posted..GIVEAWAY Wednesday! 100 FREE Postcards from UPrinting!
Oh, Desiree, Desiree…how do you do it??? Your projects are ALWAYS perfect…I adore this transformation…your closet is gorgeous…you are awesome!
Maggie @ Midwestern {Sewing} Girl recently posted..My Bathroom Closet Makeover – AC Round 2
Maggie, you are one of the sweetest people out there… and I have to say you are always so good to me.
Thank you so much for every single comment of yours.
Besos!
Desiree recently posted..The Mud Closet.
Way to make things more organized, pretty, and happy. Good luck on the next round!
Chris recently posted..Love @ Home
Great little peaceful spot now. Mud room, no way! It’s too pretty and organized for that! The pillows are darling by the way.
Kim@todayismysome-day recently posted..More Trick or Treat Bags
Thank you Kim!
Desiree recently posted..The Mud Closet.
Beautifully put together! I love the soft colors. And that bench! Perfect for reading!
Michele @ The Scrap Shopp recently posted..Halloween PFF #3
Luv, luv, luv it! Makes me wish I had a closet I could let go of… Hmmm…the vacuum always sits out anyway….
Gwen@theboldabode recently posted..The Fog
It is so awesome that I’d find it hard to ‘come out of the closet’!
Kelly Howard recently posted..Hoo? Is It You?!
This turned out SO great, but I’d have a hard time ‘coming out of the closet’, lol! Sorry, couldn’t resist! It is truly awesome!
Kelly Howard recently posted..Hoo? Is It You?!
Hahaha… I do too. I want to be put in a TIME-OUT inside of the closet!
Desiree recently posted..The Mud Closet.
Gorgeous! We get to do this at the front door this weekend. After fiveling months of building I can hardly wait.
Adventuresindinner recently posted..Foodwaste Friday and why buy this?
That sounds like fun to me! Post some picture I would love to see.
Desiree recently posted..The Mud Closet.
Amazing transformation! Wow!!!
I love this soo much you are great..
Thank you love and have a super weekend!
Desiree recently posted..The Mud Closet.
How perfect! Great job. I am so afraid of color, much less stripes. However, starting with a closet may be just the thing to get this “boring beige” girl out of her funk! I’m your newest follower : )
Dar recently posted..What’s for dinner…
Welcome to The 36th AVENUE! Give it a try one little space at a time
I love this! The colors are so soothing, and the stripes are fabulous!
Wow Desirée, I can’t believe how good your closet looks!! I love the stripes. Fantastic makeover!
brandi recently posted..Corn Husk Wreath