Before…
And after. This new addition arrived today to cozy up our den/sitting room.
It actually throws off a mean heat and I know we’ll be spending a lot more time in this room, especially in the evenings. I’m certain that once all our boxes are unpacked, the surrounding decor will undergo some tweaking but that won’t happen until after the first stage of renovations.
The cabinet in the first photo has now taken up residence in my studio and will be used for storage.
Because we live in a rural area, our water is supplied by two wells on our property. We quickly learned that our ‘traditional’ top loading washer used a tremendous amount of water for each load of laundry and decided to explore our options. What we learned is that most of the newer front loaders use as much as 75% less water, so here’s what we purchased.
We are quite amazed at how much less water is used for each load. The final spin cycle is quite intense and the clothes come out much ‘drier’ as well and as a result, what used to take my 2 year old dryer 60 minutes to dry now takes only 30 minutes to accomplish the same thing. The dryer also senses when the clothes are dry and stops immediately, even though it might not have reached the end of the cycle. I love my new toys.
Back in December, I took part in Chookyblue’s Secret Santa Christmas Swap which I posted about HERE. It was a two part swap in that one gift we were allowed to open upon receipt of the package and the main gift we were to place under our Christmas tree. Although I thanked Toni on two occasions for her wonderful gifts, I had forgotten to post a photo of my main gift that I opened on Christmas day.
Isn’t it wonderful? I have it hanging in my studio along with my other special gifts from blogging friends. Thanks again Toni for my wonderful prezzies and to Donna for hosting the swap.
Life is good!
Kaaren ♥
45 comments:
Love that fire place!
Your fireplace looks just lovely, now to cozy up to it and stitch the evening away.
Your new washer and dryer look great, I like your laundry soap dispenser you have, it looks like it came from the right era for your home.
Enjoy your redecorating of your new home.
The new fireplace looks wonderful. but just a word of warning (and I'm speaking from experience here), you may get so cozy in that room in the evening that you may not want to leave and go up to bed!
Oh that fireplace is so nice and prim looking and it looks like the perfect spot to snuggle up on a chilly winter day and spend some time hooking!
I love my front loading set too for all the reasons you mentioned. Yours look right at home in your laundry room!
Looking forward to more of your changes! HUGS!
PS I don't know the wall color in the home we just photographed. If you tell me which picture in particular, I can ask for that room!!
Hmmm, I can feel the warmth coming right thru from your fireplace. Sure need it today.
I love it when I get new appliances yours are great. Love how you have decorated so far.
Very cute Christmas swap gift - too bad it can't stay up year round.
Looks like you're getting settled in--room by room. I love the cozy fireplace. A very sweet gift from Toni.
The spot looks like it was just made for a fireplace! I've heard that they give off a ton of heat. Enjoy the new toys too! I'm all for anything that saves time and money, lol!
Lovely new stuff, the fire might have to come in Soggibottom cottage through the window, beautiful, your going to be really cosy :-) x x x
Life is good! Love your fireplace - warm and cozy room.
We've had a front loading washer for almost 10 years and love it - very, very economical and quick.
Your fireplace looks so wonderfully cozy. What a great place to sit and stitch (or hook).
Your fireplace is so cool and love the mantel!!
I adore my HE washer and dryer and I know you will too.
Your fireplace is delightful. Are you able to keep the decor on top? I mean, will get get too warm?
I too have that style washer and dryer and LOVE em! I ditto your post!!
Did you purchase the fireplace and mantel as one piece or did you have someone make the mantel to go around the fireplace? I love it and would love one in my basement!
Love your fireplace. We do not have one and that would be perfect for me. Need to go check out what they have now.
Wonderful stitchery, she did beautiful work on it
Debbie
Great new things! The fireplace looks like it's always been there. And love your washer and dryer. When we moved into our house 5 years ago we bought some like that and I think it's one of the best investments we've made. They do use a lot less water and I honestly think they get the clothes cleaner too (as evidenced by the almost white bottoms of my sons socks). :o)
Ilove that fireplace! Where did you buy it,wondering if it's available in New Brunswick. The washer set is great too, you're right about the spin cycle being more efficient. The only thing I don't like is that once the water is in, you can't add that extra sock that you dropped on the floor on the way to the laundry room. \lol.
looks so cozy
Kaaren, it looks so comfy, cozy...of course you may need them on winter nights. I'm glad you got the more efficiant washer & dryer, they make a difference. Keep the pictures coming. I love the transformation.
Wanda
http://wandas-quilts-crafts.blogspot.com/
Wow! Love that fireplace! Would you share more info about it?...as in what it is called and maybe where you got it? It looks so beautiful!
Love the new fireplace! I have a new dryer with the sensing monitor on my dryer also and just love it. I've had a few people tell me their clothes don't come out as clean in the front load washer. You'll have to let us know how it's working out for you. Now that I have a new dryer I'll be ready for a new washer soon.
OOOOOO...warm and toasty! And I like the looks of it with your other things. You are going to have so much fun tweaking your new place. It is fun for me to see when you have a new post and I quick hurry to see what you have done. You are so amazing at so many things....truly a talened person. Thanks for sharing with all of us.
Susannah
Susannah
Congratulations on your fireplace and washer/dryer! Wise decision. I've had my front loaders for about 10 years now and love them. I stayed at a friend's recently and had occasion to use her older model washer. I was horrified at how much water it used.
Love my front load washer too. What a difference in our water bill too. Fire place looks very cozy.
hello dear Kaaren
I have full of joy read your mail it can beautifully be heard by you, it gets more and more beautiful in your home new to (yours)
quite kind greetings from Germany
Christine
Kaaren that fireplace looks SO cozy! I'd be spending all my time there, lol - maybe you should get one for your studio! I also love your new toys, I had no idea they used that much less water.
Your swap gift is just darling!
Hi Kaaren,
I love it all, I was wondering if you can let me know about your Washer and Dryer, as I to live on a Well and therefore the water that we go through... I was wonder the make and model and where you got the pair from. As we are thinking that it is time to replace the ones that we have.
Thanks,
Shauna
http://hobbieswithalittlebiteoflife.blogspot.com
The fire will make the room very cosy. I love new appliances, we have to be mindful of saving water too so I got one that uses very little and has a water saver button as well. Sensor dryers are the best!
Love the pressy you got, lovely stitching.
I read your blog often but... write not so much because I make mistakes but now a must leave a commant 'what a beautiful house you have'!
What a nice fireplace and ooo that shelf with green glass beautifull!
Kindest regards, Marijke
Sounds like those buys were all a very good idea!
Sounds like your washer and dryer are more like the ones we have here in the UK...I found it a weird adjustment going from a top loader to a front...but now I wouldn't switch back!
What warmth you will share, a lovely addition. Oh, and that sock stretcher,,, I have the other foot on the wall in my laundry room....just in case you ever need one.... and that's my blonde joke for the week.
As always.
Everything is so darn beautiful. Love the pics.
I always wondered if those portable fireplaces really gave off heat - so glad to know yours does, Kaaren! And to be able to get one that goes with your decor - fantastic! Congratulations on the washer/dryer, too! We have the same front loaders and love them! Now go to Charlie's Soap dot com and get a 5 gallon bucket of their laundry soap - you, your wells, your HE washer and your clothes will love it, plus you won't be buying detergent for at least a couple of years after that (this is not a paid advertisement - hee)!
Cheers!
Oh...love the little wall hanging!
Your new fireplace looks wonderfully inviting. I'm sure you will enjoy lots of cosy-time there! Congratulations on that and the new laundry pair, too.
Wow I haven't been out and about in blog land for quite some time. Nice to visit you again! Love your fireplace!
We have a little electric fireplace in our living room and I just love it on cold days when I just can't seem to get warm. Nice home and nice pictures.
I am glad that you are slowly getting your house organised. It is a long process in addition to everything else that needs to be done. Your finished bag looks fabulous - that wouldn't be another one exactly like it in the world would there? My internet doesn't always give me access to your site. Don't know why!
oh the fire place is wonderful, and the new washer and dryer is on top of my list, I have heard they are wonderful for washing fabric too!
Its fun watching you decorate your new home
LOVE those crocks your using to store quilts in , what a great idea for some of my little quilts I may have to start looking for them!
Kathie
Your den looks very cozy with the new fire place in it.
Good choice to buy a front loading washer, you laundry room looks very organized!
KATRIN W.
I like the fireplace and the laundy box on top of the washingmachine.
The fireplace looks great!
I am looking at getting front loading machines as well and good to hear you like yours. What brand did you purchase - I couldn't see in the picture.
love the new look fire.........I rely on rain water for the house and I love my front loader......so much less water used........
lovely wall hanging from Toni.......thanks for being part of the SSCS 2010.......
I will bring some shortbread and we can have tea in front of your lovely fireplace........
Thank you for the information on the Washer and Dryer. I will be making that purchase in the future and it is good to know about the water usage.
Just curious how you came to choose your new washer and dryer? I don't need one yet but we are on a well and will be when ever we build again so I really need a water saver too.
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