Making an entrance at the #mixedusemini

#mixedusemini

Aug 15

At 650 square feet, the residential unit at the #mixedusemini is on the petite side, so one of our goals when renovating was to maximize the efficiency of the layout. The most underutilized space in the house was the first area you encountered when you walked in the door.

After photo of the mudroom

Based on the construction, you could tell that this portion of the building had been added onto the original historic structure at a later date. Much like the rest of the property, this room had seen better days: the floor was extremely sloped, and ivy had burst through one of the windows and was actually growing inside the house.

Before photo of the mudroom

When we first saw the building, we knew this space was full of potential. We could envision it transformed into a welcoming entry where guests could drop their luggage and start their vacation off on the right foot. But because storage space was in limited supply, we also wanted to capitalize on an opportunity to add functionality. We decided to remove one of the existing windows in order to add a washer and dryer to the unit. This small room already had two other windows and a door, so we didn't sacrifice any natural light.

Before photo of the mudroom layout

In order to make the washer and dryer feel less imposing, we opted for a sleek column unit with a lower profile and framed the machines with custom built-ins that house laundry essentials like detergent, a drying rack, and steamer, as well as other supplies for guests. There was even enough space to include a bench with shoe storage underneath.

After photo of the mudroom layout

We painted the built-ins the same bright blue used throughout the rest of the house in order to create a fun and fresh feeling when you walked in the door. Lucite cabinet pulls with gold metal accents add a playful touch to the built-ins, while a red and white upholstered cushion offers guests a comfortable spot to sit and take their shoes off or curl up with a book.

Wall Paint / Door & Built-In Paint / Wallpaper / Cushion Fabric (similar style found here) / Flush Mount / Pulls / Hooks

Door & Built-In Paint / Wallpaper / Cushion Fabric (similar style found here) / Pulls

Wall Paint / Door & Built-In Paint / Wallpaper / Cushion Fabric (similar style found here) / Pulls / Hooks

As much as we love the built-ins, the lobster wallpaper by Sara Fitz steals the show in this entry. Guests are greeted by these cheerful crustaceans as soon as they set foot inside. As a seaside town with a rich fishing and lobstering history, a Marblehead vacation rental is the perfect spot for this fun wallpaper. Brass boat cleats offer another nod to Marblehead's nautical history and serve as a useful spot for hanging coats and bags.

Adjacent to the mudroom, you'll find an open-concept kitchen and living area. We kept the same footprint as the original living room, but made two changes to make the space feel larger. First, we closed up an exterior door since the main door was right around the corner, and removed a dilapidated cabinet to allow for better furniture placement. Second, we vaulted the ceilings in the living area, as well as in the kitchen and bedrooms. The higher ceilings make the space feel so bright and airy, while the shiplap paneling provides visual interest.

Before photo of the living room

When selecting furniture for the living room, we opted for vintage pieces with a comfortable, relaxed feel. One of our first purchases was a Dixie cane dresser perfect for storing extra blankets, board games, and playing cards. We mounted a small TV on the wall above this piece, then added nautical-themed art from local makers in order to create a gallery wall.

Opposite the TV, we positioned a bamboo couch that we painted and reupholstered, as well as a coordinating coffee table. A bamboo mirror mounted on the wall makes the space feel larger and reflects the natural light.

After photo of the living room

Small changes to the mudroom and living room increased the functionality of the space while keeping the same footprint. As with the rest of this property, our goal while renovating was to create a fun and happy place for guests that functions well despite the small size.

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1 Door & Built-In Paint / 2 Wallpaper / 3 Pulls / 4 Flush Mount / 5 Hooks / 6 Flower Arrangement / 7 Art Print / 8 Console (similar style found here)

Elizabeth Fair

Making an entrance at the #mixedusemini

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Bringing the #mixedusemini back to life

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