Thursday, August 07, 2014

My Beautiful Laundry Rooms

Choosing Kitchen Appliances - 1

I'm wondering if the title of that series is accurate since today's post is about something that for most of you isn't in your kitchen and something I didn't really choose for the new kitchen. 

Je commence aujourd'hui une série sur quelque chose qui a été assez difficile pour moi à choisir dans ma nouvelle cuisine: l'électroménager.

Anyway, I really wanted to link to Nancy's party about laundry rooms. Except, I don't have a laundry room. Well, that's if you want to see the glass half empty. I personally consider that I have two laudry rooms. Aren't I a lucky girl?

Du coup, je vais débuter par le lave-linge, parce que c'est le seul élément qui ne m'a pas causé trop de problème à choisir: je l'avais déjà!

The washing machine lives in the kitchen. It's quite common in small French houses.

I chose mine when I redid the kitchen two homes ago. Can you see it there next to the window? And who can spot Shadow, who was already sharing my life ?

Je l'ai depuis plusieurs années: vous pouvez le voir dans la cuisine de mon appartement ci-dessous. Si vous êtes attentif, vous pouvez aussi repérer Shadow qui partageait déjà ma vie.


Then, Shadow, Washing-Machine and I had to move to a rental place for a few months before we met Cottage. Washing-Machine still lived in the kitchen, although I had a hard time finding a picture of it.

Puis, Shadow, Machine-à-laver et moi-même avons loué un appartement avant de rencontrer Cottage. Machine s'est encore retrouvée dans la cuisine, même si j'ai eu du mal à trouver une photo pour le prouver.


Here it is under the oven, even if obviously I was taking a picture of Shadow being somewhere he  shouldn't be, as usual...

Il est là, sous le four, même si de toute évidence, je prenais (encore) une photo de Shadow faisant (encore) une bêtise...

Then we all went to live with Cottage...

Puis, on est tous venus au Cottage...


Trusty Washing-Machine is still here, even working while I took that picture apparently as one of its buttons is red...

Mon fidèle Lave-linge est toujours là, et même en plein travail dans la photo ci-dessus si j'en crois le bouton rouge allumé...

Now, a washing-machine in the middle of a newly renovated kitchen is something you rarely see on blogs and even if I like mine very much, I wasn't fond of the idea of it in plain sight.

Enfin, même si je l'aime beaucoup, j'avais du mal à imaginer mon lave-linge au milieu de ma cuisine toute refaite.


So I reused the curtain that was previously under my sink to hide the washing-machine.

J'ai donc réutilisé le rideau qui était auparavant sous mon évier.


Now, I did tell you I had TWO laundry-rooms, didn't I? While I'll take you to my "second" laundry-room, let me tell you a story.

Maintenant, laissez-moi vous montrer mon sèche-linge. Pendant que nous nous y rendons, je vais vous raconter une petite histoire.

I wanted a  curtain for my washing-machine with more blue in it and I had left-over fabric from the kitchen chair cushion. So last time I visited my mom, I took the fabric with me to use her sewing-machine to make the new curtain. I told my mom I wanted to do it all alone. I hadn't begun for three minutes that I had to call her.

Je voulais pour cacher mon lave-linge avec un peu plus de bleu. Comme il me reste du tissu avec lequel ma maman a refait le coussin du fauteuil de la cuisine, je l'ai emmené lors de mon  dernier séjour chez mes parents.  Là, j'ai déclaré que je voulais me débrouiller toute seule et je me suis enfermée dans ma chambre avec mon tissu et la machine à coudre. Deux minutes plus tard, j'appelais déjà à l'aide!


"Mam! The sewing-machine makes a weird noise!"

"I'm sure it's not! Keep going!"

"Mam! It's making a really weird noise and my thread is all a mess!"

"I'm sure you didn't put the thread right (it's an old sewing machine and putting the thread right is like trying to map a maze)!"

She came in my room, checked the thread -which was perfectly in place - and then screamed:

"It's working on it's own!" 

The machine had begun working and nobody was touching anything. We both looked down on the pedal and from there dark smoke was coming... "The floor!" was my first thought as my parents just redid my room's floor. Mom grabbed the pedal and threw it through the window in the garden...

 My new curtain is still very much a piece of fabric... One project I will not show you this month!


"Maman! La machine fait un drôle de bruit!"

"Mais, non, ne t'arrête pas déjà!"

"Je te jure, il y a un bruit bizarre et mon fil est tout emmêlé!"

"Ah! Tu n'as sûrement pas installé le fil comme il faut!" (C'est une vieille machine et installer le fil, c'est un peu comme tenter de faire le plan d'un labyrinthe.)

Elle est venue vérifier mon fil et constater qu'il était bien en place, puis soudain, elle s'est écriée :
"ça marche tout seul!"

Effectivement, alors que nous n'actionnions rien du tout, la machine s'est mise en route. Par réflexe, nous avons regardé la pédale, d'où s'échappait une fumée noire.

"Le parquet!" ai-je pensé, car mes parents viennent juste de refaire leur parquet. Maman a saisi la pédale et l'a jetée dans le jardin par la fenêtre.

Bref, mon nouveau rideau n'est pas fait!



While I was telling you the story, you probably noticed that I don't actually have a second laundry room. I have a garden with a clothesline... It works really great, the laundry smells heavenly after drying in the sun, it also looks great, if you ask me. At least from afar...

Pendant que je vous racontais ma petite histoire, vous vous êtes sans doute aperçu que mon sèche-linge est des plus rustiques... Mais, moi, j'aime assez voir le linge sécher dans mon jardin, c'est bien joli dans le soleil... Enfin surtout vu de loin...


The clothesline must have been there for ages and this winter it got serioulsy damaged with our tempests, so I'll have to come up with a new idea for the clothesline... Let me tell you that the difficult part is not to come up with ideas, it's to choose between the dozens I have!

L'étendage est là depuis très longtemps à mon avis et la dernière saison de tempêtes l'a bien endommagé. Un projet de plus pour moi... Et vous vous doutez que la difficulté n'est pas d'avoir des idées, mais plutôt de choisir parmi les différentes idées que j'ai!


Now, this summer has been so warm and sunny so far, that using the clothesline has been a pleasure and I may even drink tea watching the laundry drying.... It's actually been the best summer since I bought the Cottage, so I call it the flip-flop summer... and as some of you asked to see more of me... Here it is! Ready?

Quelques nouvelles de cet été au Cottage... Il a fait tellement beau cette année que même les tisanes du soir pouvaient être bues au jardin. J'ai donc surnommé cet été "l'été tong".


The cats don't have flip-flops, but there's been a lot of sunbathing going on the patio...

Les chats ne sont pas en tongs, mais il y a eu de longues siestes sur la terrasse...


And even some gymnastics...

Et un peu de gymnastique et d'étirements...


 I hope you're all having as good a summer as the cats are having!




PS 1: My parents' new hardwood floor didn't get damaged in the sewing-machine debacle.
Le nouveau parquet de mes parents n'a pas été endommagé lors de cet événement.

PS2: You'll notice that to keep it family friendly, I didn't take the pictures a day when my underwear ws drying...
Vous remarquerez que pour que l'article reste décent, j'ai pris soin de prendre les photos un jour où ce n'était pas lessive de lingerie...

PS3: The clothesline is not visible from the street or from my neighbours', only from the field...
Du coup, je vous précise que mon étendage  ne se voit pas de la rue...

PS4: Maybe I shouldn't have written the end of that post, because today it's raining!
Je n'aurais pas dû écrire la dernière partie de l'article, car maintenant, il pleut!

PS5: My washing-machine is partying there. 

 A Joyful Cottage            Home and Garden Button           Photobucket                                      
<br><br><br><b>Join us every Friday...</b>                  Dwellings-the Heart of You Home                                


47 comments:

  1. I love that you hang your clothes on the line. I remember hanging clothes on the line when I was a child and one of my favorite memories is the smell of clothes fresh off the line.

    ReplyDelete
  2. How lovely to have a garden overlooking fields. I always hang clothes out if the weather is good, so much nicer than using a dryer, I think.

    ReplyDelete
  3. There is nothing more wonderful than clothes dried on the line. I wish I had a place to do that. Your poor mom's sewing machine. Is there a new one in her future? :)
    xo
    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  4. I absolutely love this, Magali, and I'm so glad you're sharing at Every Room In The House. Truly, I smiled and giggled through the whole thing. You're an excellent storyteller. Love the photo of your clothesline (I'd like to have a clothesline again), and the look at your backyard. What is the stone building? That's not part of your cottage, is it? I'm glad you're having a good summer. Nice flip-flop by the way, and, as always, your cats are adorable. :) Hugs, Nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe you'll have a clothesline in the cottage you're planning? The stone building is my neighbours' very old garden shed (we call it a "crèche" in Brittany): two of its walls marks the separation between their land and mine, so it looks really pretty even in my garden. I wish I had one of mine, though...
      Magali

      Delete
  5. You are so funny. Love the fabric over the washing machine idea and your kitties are too cute sun bathing.

    ReplyDelete
  6. My goal next summer is to have a clothes line in the back yard; but I'm sure that will happen only after the washer is in place…First things first. :-)
    Our kitty Henry looks just like your little lounger -- and he does those exact gymnastics to make us laugh and snap photos of him. Maybe it's a trait of cats with white bellies?

    ReplyDelete
  7. I adore that fabric cover! and I agree about laundry smelling heavenly after being hung outdoors. Ahhhh summer!

    ReplyDelete
  8. The very, very old clothesline that came with this old cape had to be removed. I am searching out options for a replacement. Such a lovely yard to hang laundry, bright, open and a view of the fields beyond. Hopefully you can get your new curtain sewn soon. Wishing you another lovely summer day after the rain. Patty

    ReplyDelete
  9. My laundry room is in a closet in my living room. sigh. Not my favorite. I am glad your parents floor didn't get damaged. Quick thinking on your mom's part!! But, what's she going to do for a sewing machine now that you broke hers? ;) Also, I am pretty sure we have the same sandals...only different colors.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a fun post tis was... I always look forward to seeing your cottage... I saw shadow in the kitchen window, oh, and I love the photos of the cats at the end..

    My mom always hung the clothes outside on the line... I can still remember the wonderful smell of fresh linens.. I love everything about your little cottage... Thank you so much for sharing.
    Sorry about your moms sewing machine...
    blessings,
    Penny

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My mom's sewing-machine is actually saved! We had to order a pedal that would fit the 1970 Singer sewing-machine, but it turned out it was possible.
      Thank you for your kind words about my Cottage and the cats!
      Magali

      Delete
  11. Aha... your cats look so funny! Such a nice day to do outdoor activity. Tea on the garden.... great!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wherever I live, an outdoor clothesline is imperative, as is a compost for kitchen waste. In many Canadian communities clotheslines are not allowed due to "eyesore" ideas. I will not live in such areas...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eyesore? Really? I actually think it's really pretty... I also have a compost bin in my garden and if you've noticed a tin cooking pot always next to my sink, that's where I keep waste that is going to the compost later...

      Delete
  13. Having a washing machine in the kitchen seems very odd to us in Americans but I am more concerned with not having a drier. What do you do when it is too cold or rainy outside to dry clothes? I would love to dry my laundry on an outdoor line but it is so dusty here that they would just come in already dirty. Love the cat gymnastics.
    Traci

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We only have laundry rooms in big houses in France, the most common is to have the washing-machine in your kitchen or bathroom, depending on which one is the bigger. For now, I hung clothes in my bathroom when it's raining outside, but I plan on adding a clothesline in an old garage that is at the back of my garden, but it needs a lot of work before, since for now, it's raining inside it!

      Delete
  14. Je connais enfin l'histoire de la machine à coudre qui brûle. Comment peut-il ťarriver autant de catastrophes, je n'en reviens pas.
    Trop beaux les chats. Ils sont splendides dans n'importe quelle position.
    Bises. Babette

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Magali, I really don’t have a problem seeing the washer in the kitchen but I do love a little curtain to cover anything in the kitchen in a cottage in France, a must have in my humble opinion. I think blue and white will be lovely when you do get to make it. So glad your mom’s floor was not damaged and I did enjoy seeing your yard. Clothes dried outside always smell heavenly! Having a busy summer here and can’t believe it’s almost over..............

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love clothes drying outside. I wish I had a clothes line outside - everything smells wonderful. Love the kitties all stretched
    relaxing. So glad your parents home was not damaged.
    Have a terrific weekend - love your stories.
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ce que je préfère dans cet article... le sèche-linge ! Je rêve d'en avoir le même qu'on ne verrait pas de mes fenêtres... mais c'est impossible ! Et pourtant, comme il sent bon le linge qui sèche au soleil !!! Cela fait très début de siècle... comme la vaisselle que l'on aime...

    ReplyDelete
  18. I did enjoy this post - you have made me laugh as I can picture the surprise on your faces when the sewing machine foot caught fire! I love your kitties in the sun, too. I wish I had a clothes line - it is on my wish list. There is nothing nicer than the scent of sun dried sheets. Glad the fire didn't burn the floor or any fingers! xo Karen

    ReplyDelete
  19. So lovely to meet Shadow, the cottage & you, of course, something that wouldn't have happened if you hadn't taken the blogland tour. Shall be following along as the renov continues from now on.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Awwww the life of a sunbather! I love that your laundry is hung outside. There is nothing better than fresh sheets from the clothesline! Your poor mom is sewing machine-less!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Our laundry room is in the bathroom. It all works well. I think you did a great job with the curtain. Love the photos of your cats and also your flip-flop sandal. I too love to hang clothes outdoors but here where we live we don't have a clothes line yet. Thank you for the great post!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love your second laundry room to Magali! Takes me back to childhood memories of my mom hanging clothes to dry outside. We still do that in the Philippines, and the smell of the fabric is so different sun-dried don't you think?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Considering all the time that is spent in a laundry room, it is a great idea to make the effort to create a really nice laundry room/place! We girls have to think of ourselves more often, don't we? :-) Marcy Oh and yes, clothes that have dried outside, do smell terrific !!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love to dry sheets outside and the dogs love to take them off the rack and play with them so I stick to the dryer in the house. My grandmother had a cat who liked to sleep in the hammock made by pinning the sheets to two lines. You kitties look like summer agrees with them.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Oh what a darling cat your dear Shadow is! You home and garden is completely enchanting!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I am so glad there wasn't any lasting damage to your parents' floor, it was lucky you realised why it was working on its own! I miss having my washing machine in my kitchen as I find it so relaxing to watch the drum doing its aerobics, however watching the dryer on the lines outside blowing in the breeze is always so satisfying. No drying today though with this storm! Keep safe xx

    ReplyDelete
  27. I hope you don't mind that I was laughing at the visual of your mom throwing the sewing machine pedal out the window! Driers are a must here where I live, as half our year is too cold to be hanging wash outside.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Dear Magali !
    You never cease to make me smile ! And laugh !
    I wish we had a garden too. Love your flip-flop hehe :D And your cats awwww, whenever I see their pictures I want to reach thru the screen and give them a cuddle.
    Hope you are enjoying your summer. Love and hugs, Izabella.

    ReplyDelete
  29. An outdoor laundry room. . .ah, that's the best! We have plans to put a garden shed up on our hill. I hope to add a clothesline. Nothing like the smell of fresh laundry off the line! Your curtain on your indoor laundry turned out darling. Enjoyed the drama of the sewing machine going all by itself. Seeing shadow made me a little teary. We once had a cat named shadow. Miss him!!
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
  30. So glad to hear about your outdoor laundry room! I have one too; in fact I wrote a whole post about it in a post called "Hanging It All on the Line". Nothing smells better than clothing dried on a clothesline outside!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Line-drying is the very best!
    I am presently trying to find inspiration for the laundry in our new/old house - lots of ideas here, and I love the thought of making a curtain.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I haven't dried clothes on a line since I lived at home with my parents a LONG time ago! And, I agree, it smells so good. Such cute kitty photos! We had two, and they were always doings some crazy poses like only cats do!

    ReplyDelete
  33. J'aimerais bien un sèche-linge comme le tien, mais dans un jardin de ville pas facile, à moins de l'avoir sur la terrasse!
    Bon dimanche.

    ReplyDelete
  34. All your pics are always beautiful, but your cat on his back truly made me smile :).

    ReplyDelete
  35. Haha! I LOVE that last picture!! That's usually what I look like after a bit too much wine. ;)

    -andi

    ReplyDelete
  36. Magali, just popping in to say I'll be featuring your laundry rooms in tomorrow's Every Room In The House party. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. Hugs, Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  37. Thanks for sharing your laundry room with us :) I found it via the EVERY ROOM IN THE HOUSE PARTY and had to visit :) Your clothesline is beautiful too! Happy Monday to you!

    ReplyDelete
  38. You simply cannot beet line dried linen for the best night's sleep!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Oh you're funny. A foot A foot. LOL
    Love the kitties! I remember always hanging the laundry outside at my grandmothers. It did smell fresh

    ReplyDelete
  40. I've never had a laundry room, the washing machine has always been in the kitchen and unfortunately it sticks out too far for me to hang a curtain across - yours looks so pretty. I also hang the washing in the garden and even recently it's been really mild, but we keep having showers !

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi! I came here from A Joyful Cottage and just had to leave a comment. Your post made me chuckle as my cats act just like yours! Guess it's a cat-thing, huh? I also loved the warm summer and just like you, in summer time, I hang our clothes outside to dry - the smell is wonderful! Can't buy that in a can, now can you?

    Hope you have a nice day and that the following summer will be just as splendid as the last.

    Hugs, Sandie

    ReplyDelete

It makes me so happy to read your comments! Let me know you stopped by!
J'adore lire vos commentaires. N'hésitez pas à vous joindre à cette discussion multi-lingue.