these would do nicely...





source unknown to me


Designer Draza Stemenich
Washington DC Design House, 2009


House and Garden




Dream laundry rooms, for sure. Although mine won't look like these, a master bath/closet/laundry renovation is in the near future for me. But I have not heard good things about front loading washers. One friend says, "Nothing but trouble..." Another says she has to leave the door to her washer open when not in use, or the rubber gaskets will have an odor. I also remember Dooce's high-profile dilemma over a new front load washer that never really worked properly....

OK you guys - let's hear it.  Do you have front loads? Do you love it? Recommend it? or....NOT?

42 comments:

savvycityfarmer said...

i just love you ... do you sit all day and search the internet for these tantalizing dreamy shots?

I must own the laundry room with the galvanized sink!!!!

Will @ Bright.Bazaar said...

I have a front loader because they are really common over here in the UK! I love the top loaders, though. My fave room is that first one - I'd like a slice of that, please!

Anonymous said...

I got my first front load washer last fall, and it has worked very well. It is energy star, so it is very efficient in power as well as water and detergent usage. Plus, since it doesn't have an agitator I can fit more clothes in. I can easily wash a queen size comforter, and I feel better about putting delicates inside. An added bonus - it is easier for the kids to help with the laundry!

jules @ The Diversion Project said...

oh i love the top image - big time! no i have a top loader, and its probably nearing the end of its useful life. was thinking the other day that front loaders are cool because they're compact, can go under a bench etc...but i never do laundry without running back in to add 'just one more thing'. i wonder if i could grow out of that or if it would annoy me that i couldn't open up and chuck a few extras in.

A Perfect Gray said...

'Yes' and 'Yes', cityfarmer and Will. That first image is my fav...

Thank you so much, Anon. that helps me A LOT to know about the high load capacity...

Cheri said...

I have had two front loading machines and have loved them both. I have had no trouble with either (and they were both different brands). Since we have a large, active family they have really been put to hard use. I am a bit of a laundry queen (read very picky) and I have been pleased with the cleaning performance. My daughters both have new frontloading machines that they also love. I do leave the door open a crack when not in use because as it seals when closed and there is, of course, a bit of moisture remaining in the machine after a cycle it can get musty. Good luck deciding!

A Perfect Gray said...

jules - great point - I always add last minute dirties, too...

cheri - awesome to hear the good stuff - I do so want one to go under a counter...

My Interior Life said...

I have front loaders and I haven't noticed any smell. They do hold more and use less energy, so that's a bonus. I don't think they're any more or any less reliable than any other appliance. Mine are Whirlpool. I say if you like the look of them, go for it.

Beautiful inspiration pics. My laundry room is basically a long super skinny closet!

Unknown said...

Could not agree more with what your friend said about the odor if you don't leave the door open! As part of our major renovation last year, we created a new laundry room. Loving the look of the front loading stainless steel options, that is what I went for. BIG mistake...they suck, at least mind do..Asko, stay away! Nothing but trouble is right!

Sherry said...

My top loader died on me last fall after 14 years of use. I decided to try the front loader more for looks than anything else. The pros are that it uses much less water, it cleans really well and it holds more. The cons are that you can't add anything once it's started, there is no pre soak and one load takes an hour. The dryer seems to dry much quicker than my old one so it doesn't really bother me that the wash cycle takes so long. That being said I have only had mine 9 months and it stinks bad!! I was aware that these machines could have this problem and I tried everything to avoid this. I do have to leave the door open at the end of the day no matter what! This drives me crazy. Because as you will note non of the awesome pictures you posted of laundry rooms have the darn door hanging open!! Good luck!

kristi @ lovelyvelo said...

as a renter, i'm stuck with a toploader. simple, but it does the trick. i am completely enamored with the top room, good heavens i need to replicate that when i buy my own home!

La Dolfina said...

So funny Donna, I've been wanting new ones too but can't get past the mixed reviews. Unfortunately I have the Magtag Neptunes which haven't been that great over the years and I don't want to make another mistake!

Kristin said...

i seriously am drooling right now!! ;0) all if have to say is *galvanized*...sigh...drool...i would love to have a nice laundry room...dream...

bluehydrangea said...

That first photo is amazing!! It took me a minute ti spot the washer & dryer. I too have been looking at front load washers but none of my friends have anything nice to say about them. Mainly that they smell..yikes!

A Perfect Gray said...

Zhush and Sherry - thanks so much for your input - info confirmed!

My Interior Life - so glad you have been able to escape the problems others are having. I want to be so lucky!

blue hydrangea, kristin, kristi, and la dolfina, we can dream for that first image, no?

Cheri said...

Two more comments - sorry. I honestly have no problem with the smell. Ever! I have heard that some machines are more prone to that than others. Also I have heard that if one tends to leave wet clothes in the machine for a day or more then it is more of an issue.

Second - I have a Frigidaire right now and I can stop the cycle and add to the load. No problem.

A Perfect Gray said...

cheri - thank you so much for coming back to add that...it really helps in my decision making...good to know that Frigidaire allows adding clothes mid-cycle - that always happens to me...

I really appreciate your help!

clustres said...

I have front loaders now and love them, but it is because I am short and had such a hard time reaching down to get everything out. I needed a step stool!

24 Corners said...

We just had front loaders (LG Tromm) installed in the new laundry room but haven't used them yet...a friend of mine has them (and three kids) and she loves them, couldn't be happier. Also, my parents just got the same ones and so far so good....fingers are crossed!

Love the first picture, amazing sink!

red ticking said...

i LOVE laundry rooms... the clean look, the wonderful smells... and these are fabulous.

but i must say, everyone i know with front loaders... wish they had the good old fashioned top loaders.. they work better... interesting..

have a great day xx

A Perfect Gray said...

clustres and 24, thanks for the good reports...

A Perfect Gray said...

red ticking, that's what I kept hearing, but as you can see, there are some here that are very satisfied...

Nicole Lanteri said...

No front load machine in our future -- still rocking the stacking w/d in our condo but actually really love it and can fit plenty in the loads.

Am curious about that backsplash in photo 2 -- have had stainless steel/metal tile on the brain and wonder how it is to clean, etc. It could be a nice look in the right space especially when I haven't found the "right" tile yet for some bathrooms I'm working on.

Brandi@ Flights of Whimsy said...

I have one and have no complaints. I do leave the door cracked when not in use. I do recommend that every 6 months you run and empty load of bleach through. That helps with any smell (i've never had any) or residue that might have built up. My front loader is actually a bit small compared to most so no pro for me on the capacity. I do love all the settings though. It really helps with different types of laundry.

A Perfect Gray said...

Paisley - thanks so much for your input....

Nicole, I do like that backsplash, but have no experience in using that type...

ticklishfromadistance said...

No, but my friends that do love them.

Louise (Table Tonic) said...

Wowee. And I thought I had a nice laundry... Would kill to do laundry in any of those! (The dog would have to find a new place to sleep though. way too good for a dog...)!!
xLouise

LindsB said...

Since I dont have my own laundry room right now- but one day I cant WAIT to have an organized space to do laundry in like these.

Marija said...

Okay, I have so much to say on this topic but I won't bore everyone. I will say this...read reviews before you buy!! We had a cheapie kenmore set in our old house, nothing glamorous but it worked really well. The load was long, only downside. Now, however, we have a washer that is incredible. After much research...it's a samsung steam. Great. BUT the dryer is the biggest hunk of junk in the world. No matter what we do, sheets get balled up. It takes hours to get them dry bc we need to stop, unravel, loosely fold, adjust the add tennis balls (seriously) and when they are finally dry, they are a wrinkled mess. I'm not kidding, we are buying a cheapie kenmore set with good reviews for the basement just for sheets. It's that or dryclean! Ugh.

Unknown said...

Perfect timing - as we have a small renovation (including a new laundry room) in the works! I currently have front loaders --- and I must say I really like them. I love being able to build the folding area over the washer/dryer. Good luck!

Leslie, Lemon Sweet Life said...

Wow, I would love to have the privelage of doing my laundry in any of these spaces! Gorgeous photos, I don't think I have ever seen a post about laundry rooms either! Thanks for the sweet comment too!!

Mona Thompson said...

The first laundry room was my favorite. Over the top. I just love that someone would step out there and do that.

Sketch42 said...

i have a front loader because I needed to stack mine and I live in NYC in an apartment. I am lucky to have anything...

The Brass Petal said...

All this front loading talk is making me feel so weird and excited. I love speaking in metaphors.

I admit, Brian is a front loader, while i, on the other hand, am a lady and enjoy top-loading myself except thursdays. i enjoy front loading on thursdays.

Jane (aka the girl in the brick house) said...

Top loaders only for me! Had a front loader once and didn't like it. BTW made a mention of your blog in my post today coz I like it!

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Yep...love front loaders. But then, I always needed to get the most clothes in at a time! Have had 2 in the past 13 years!

paula said...

wish my laundry room looked like these, but still grateful that I at least still have a laundry room even if it is tiny.

Kelle Dame said...

Thats what Im talkin bout! My laundry room is SCARY! I don't blame my washer for trying to run away with each load!

nelya said...

I don't have one, but have been facing the same vexing dilemma and I have not heard good things from friends and neighbors. That odor thing is a big problem evidently, and I have smelled it first hand.

As for laundry rooms, I'll take the first please. Wow, now that would make doing laundry a pleasure. Almost.

Terry Browder, www.saylesranch.com said...

I have unhosted guesthouses, and have washers and dryers in most of them. I am very fond of the GE front loading machines and I have 4 sets! We used to have Maytag neptunes, but the water does sour in them and smell bad. I do not have that problem with the GE's. We do lots of sheets and towels, and the GE's capacities are great. I dry my 400 tc sheets 1 or two at a time, and take them out and they are perfect and do not have to be ironed. The quick cycle washes in 36 minutes. I swear by GE's and they stack beautifully. Am planning to buy another couple of sets.

Anonymous said...

Oh, this is so near and dear to my heart. When we remodeled our kitchen, we made the laundry room look like a butlers pantry with granite tops and the old kitchen cabinets. Lovely. Hate the front loader. I love putting whites in the night before to soak and really dislike the ability to open the door once started. I think there is the energy savings on water but not so on time. I do smell the musty smell and have to clean the gasket often. In our new home, I really had to work hard to find a basic washer and dryer (top load washer). Love it. It still has a little bell and whistle that tries to regulate the water level, but I won't ever have another front loader, despite the cool look.

Anonymous said...

I realize this is an old post, but I just discovered your blog (via a link on a Houzz today) and I am literally reading every one of your posts to catch up! The image marked 'source unknown to me' is from Sarah Richardson: Sarah's House for HGTV (www.sarahricharsondesign.com) I originally clipped this image because the framed photo on the wall is actually on a hinge to cleverly cover the electrical box. I absolutely LOVE Sarah's designs, and she loves gray. I am using her Master Bedroom from Sarah's House 2 as inspiration for my current gray bedroom redo. Beautiful!