WELCOME to HAPPY TO BE...This is a blog about my love of Antiques, My family, humor, as humor keeps us laughing and my every Day life...I hope you enjoy your visit...Please leave me a comment to let me know you Came by so I can visit with you Thank You !!...Hugs and Smiles, Gl♥ria

January 14, 2009

~ THE DREADED ROOM~

Hey girls !!! well here we are at Vintage Thursday already...its seems like I just did this...Please go and see our hostess of all things Vintage and see all the great stuff today..at Suzanne Colorado Lady...http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/ there is always so much great vintage eye candy on Thursday... Now today I thought I would show you the most dreaded room in my house ...YUK!!! its the laundry room girls..Now everyone knows of my love of all things antique and vintage...so why not do the laundry room in vintage look !!!



Now this is a child ironing board from 1920 and a Child's scrub board...I just hung a pair of doll bloomers on it...put some old clothes pins in a granite cup..and doesn't it look cute ??? and look at that sweet little iron...it has a tape measurer in it...




Now the soap boxes...these are still full of soap....I got the whole lot at an auction year ago.. The brown bottle is a Lysol bottle..





Now I know you girls still know 20-mule team soap chips don't you?? and of course Oxydol years ago you would get things like a tea towel or a water glass in this soap as a give away...it was so fun then to try and collect the whole set of glasses and the tea towels...they would say days of the week on them..how cool was that?? all we did now at the store is a large food bill....






Now I just love this "Watkins" soap box its from the 1920's and look "lifebuoy" soap remember the movie the "Christmas Story" and that soap ??







Now here we have 2 coal irons, shoe forms, Iron trivets, and of course an old hand pump...years ago those irons would hold hot coal so you could press your clothes...you would have at least 2 irons when ironing 1 on the stove to keep it heated while you were using the other one...tell me women didn't have a busy laundry day then...and we now complain because we have to push a button on a machine to wash our clothes...and then push another one to dry them... Now girls I am waiting for them to invent a folding and putting away machine...then maybe I'll stop complaining ha ha!! never happen...








Another scrub board and a "Hot Iron" these you would heat on a stove again needed 2 to do your ironing with...the Old blue Mason jar turned lamp has old clothes pins in it...and of course more bloomers...









Now girls this is an Gas iron...see that ball on it ... that would hold the gas and the knob would control the gas flow...Oh and the beloved wringer...this piece I still have the original box for..what a lucky day for me when I found this...so many of these wringers the rubber will be rotten on them when you do found them...lookie I even have a Laundry room rug on top of my washer and dryer...and the reason its there is I also have a husband so thinks the top of the washer is a place for him to put his junk..and I don't want my machines scratched up...
you also can see the sock stretcher hanging on the wall..










This is a Glove stretcher...you would use these to reshape your gloves after washing them..










just an old tin sign hanging in my room..just love what it says ca. 1910 and its from Lawrence, Mich anyone out there today from Lawrence ???




Well girls I hope you enjoyed the little tour of my Dreaded room today...I know this kinda thing isn't for everyone...but I do love all things old and antique and love to surround myself with things that make me "HAPPY TO BE" if it makes me smile I bring it home...




Hope all of you have a safe and blessed day...




Hugs and smiles Gloria












54 comments:

Connie said...

Honey, I think it's great! I really like it with all the vintage items plus you have some roses(!!!!) thrown in over that doorway. You should be delighted with yourself. It's fantastic. Check mine out some time on my blog. It's ever better now but will be even BETTER when it's painted pink......Come visit for a giveaway on saturday.
Smooches,
Connie

Anonymous said...

Hi Gloria! Oh, what wondrous things you have! I love the little child's ironing board! You have great old boxes. I remember the commercial when I was a girl about 20 Mule Team Borax! I'm old, ya know! lol
Thanks for sharing! My laundry room's a mess! I need to do some spiffing!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

onlymehere said...

Amazing laundry room! It actually gave me some ideas for a shelf I put in there! I actually don't mind laundry at all. I'm weird that way, LOL! As usual your home leaves me in awe with all your antiques. Cindy

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hey Girlfriend...

Ohhh my...all your "laundry day" treasures...loved seeing them all and you're absolutely right about appreciating our modern day conveniences!!! I remember getting to help my Grandma with laundry a few times...she had an old wringer washing machine down in her basement...at the time I thought it was great fun...hehe!!!

I loved that cute little mason jar lamp filled with the old clothes pins too...awesome! Girl, you have the neatest stuff!!!

Love ya Sweetie,
Chari

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Love all your old laundry items. I collect a lot of old things and I have several irons and some small wood shoes like your plus the scrub board. Really fun. I so enjoyed seeing yours. Hugs, Marty

Amy said...

I am LOVING your ideas for putting antiques in the laundry...wow!

Kristens Creations said...

Hi Gloria, I enjoyed looking at all of your vintage things. I especially liked the glove stretcher. I didn't know they existed! Kristen

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Girl I "loved" the tour of your laundry room. The little girl bloomers are darling.. Now, Mr. P got his finger caught in an old wringer like that years ago.. I'll have to show him yours, I know it will bring back memories for him.. what a wonderful look into the past.. hugs ~lynne~

Glenda said...

Most of these products I am familiar with, but not all. I have never seen a sock stretcher but use to use pants stretchers back in the 1950s and 1960s. I've seen but never used the glove stretcher. Gloves were going out of style as I grew up.

Thanks for the idea of a rug atop the washer & dryer. DD scratched mine pretty badly with an infant carrier (infant included) some years ago. We replaced that set in 2004 and it just hadn't occurred to me to protect the top with a rug. Since they are right beside the door we use the most, the tops become the repository of anything you have in your hands on entering the house, whatever it is.

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Well, Gloria...if I ever disappear, just check in your laundry room. I'll be in there looking at all of your little whosy-whatsits, as Vanna says. Now I can't ever let anybody see mine. It just has dirty clothes!! lol...Debbie

ksarra said...

Your post today made me happy! I LOVE old irons and ironing boards too. I can't help but remember MawMaw when I see them. How she raised 10 kids and had to do laundry in a big pot outside, and then use irons like these. Of course, they didn't have the number of outfits like we do today, but still!!!! Thanks Happy, hope ya'll are doing well.

Kat said...

You really have the most amazing things! I love all the old soap boxes, and yes I do remember mule team soap chips. That gas iron is really a find. Kathy

Kristen said...

What a great laundry room! Mine just has dirty clothes.

When they invent a folding and putting away machine let me know!

Jessica said...

Gloria~

Oh to have a REAL laundry room~ yours is priceless. I have never seen many of the things you have in your collection and will have to keep my eyes open when I'm out thrifting. I particularly love the soap boxes, the irons, the glove stretcher ( never seen one before ) and that LAMP~ ooh I so love it.

How is Kyra Shea doing? I've been thinking about her.

I hope you aren't going anywhere~ we love having you here in blogland. You are a cherished friend!

Lots of hugs~ J

SmilingSally said...

I remember the wringer washer. I got my arm stuck in ours once, and my mother turned it off just in time to spare me a serious injury.

I like the Mason jar turned lamp with old clothes pins in it.

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

How cool! I love seeing the old boxes & containers. And the little girl's ironing board is too cute. I once bought an adult size one & stupidly, got rid of it because I had too much stuff.

Pug1 said...

Very nice collection...I never knew there was a glove stretcher after washing, cool! CHEERS! Michele

Bo said...

Hi Gloria...you know what?...I saw that can of Bab-O on your shelf & I had to laugh...to this day I still call Comet or any powdered cleaner "Bab-O"...most people don't know what I'm talking about..
You have the most amazing collection of antiques ever! ;-) Bo

Salmagundi said...

Love everything!! I've posted in the past about the joys of doing laundry (my grandmother's way). I remember as a teenager having white kid leather gloves and washing them out by hand, then putting them on the glove stretchers to keep the leather pliable. Fun post. Sally

Lynette said...

You never cease to amaze me Gloria with all your wonders!!

I'm with Kristen - let me know when that folder and putter away machine gets invented!!

The Kramer Angle said...

Your laundry room is adorable. I noticed the shoe forms you have. I just bought a bushel of old shore forms at an antique auction I went to yesterday! I have no idea what I'll do with a bushel of them but they are so cool.

I wandered over from Tardevil's blog! Nice to "meet" you!

Gail

Tootsie said...

I love your post today! it is so nice to know that someone has a wonderful laundry room...mine...fits me and a washer and dryer...it is horrible! clean, but so very boring. Maybe that is why I hate laundry! lol
hope you are having a good day lady..take care!

Anonymous said...

Gloria,
Your Laundry Room is very unique and adorable. I remember my grandmother would get dishe or a glass out of a detergent box. She would have all the sets. She loves dishes,glasses,and bedspread. It's bring a wonderful memories of your wonderful posts. I never seen the gloves stretcher...that's was new to me. Thanks for sharing about all your unique treasures..I love it! Thanks for stopping by and sweet comment. It's meant alots to me...You have a bless day! Katherinllen

Anonymous said...

Wow. I don't think I would mind doing laundry if I had a room like that!
Such treasures you have and I love that the boxes are still full. Somehow to me, they don't seem as special if they're empty. Just me, just sayin...

~Becca~Bluebird Rose said...

Hi!! I enjoyed seeing all your vintage laundry items; I love things like that too!!
Oh, and I LOVE your blog background!! Beautiful!
:)
~Becca~

Lady Katherine said...

I am in love! the old boxes, scrub boards, irons, I have a few of each, The pump I have always wanted one! I love the wringer! I have the washing machine with the wringer in attached. I use to use it to clean, wool and mohair. I love your wonderful room!

Anonymous said...

What a great laundry room - and now I have to actually go to mine and, well, I just might have to whine. ~Kelly

unDeniably Domestic

Melissa Miller said...

Hands down you have the coolest vintage "stuff" in Blogland!
"Queen of Vintage" is your new name. You make your laundry room look chic and interesting. Love it!
Love the mason jar lamp and shade. :)

Melissa Miller said...

I hope my comment went through....

Susan said...

A perfect vintage laundry room. Love all the soap boxes.

Anonymous said...

I don't think I've ever seen such a large collection of old boxes. Your laundry room is amazing.You know, I can remember my Mom had some of those irons you had to set on the coal stove to heat. Oh Lord, I've always said I'm as old as dirt, now, I just proved it.

Love Ya,
Chris

Anonymous said...

I wish my laundry room was big enough to decorate. You have made your place just so cute with all those vintage items.

Kathy b

Anonymous said...

This is a wonderful post! Cute laundry.

I have one of the mason jar lamps, we made. It holds wooden thread spools, some with thread.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Gloria,
Thanks for remembering me from RMS. I don't go there much anymore because of their format change, and people being mean to others on there. I like the vintage day and all your cool stuff. Cindy

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Even your laundry room is interesting! What neat finds you have in there. What I want to know is, where do you keep the stuff you really use? Or do you use this wonderful room? I'd probably just go in there to look at all the neat stuff and never get any laundry done. laurie

ksarra said...

Happy, I feel the same way about old things, that I'm just a caretaker of them. And that it's important to preserve old things. I have a journal where I wrote all kinds of childhood memories, so that sometimes when I'm missing my grandparents, I can take out my book and relive some happy times spent with them. Have a good day, friend, I'm always soooo happy to hear from you. What a kind, gentle heart you have!

Anonymous said...

I love it.Aren't you running out of rooms?Isn't it time to go to the bunny bathroom?Please---------...Ann

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Gloria! I have a hand and some of those shoe things,too! And I love, love, love all of your vintage laundry goodies, boxes, signs, and that cute ironing board, etc. So neat! :-)

XO,

Sheila

Femin Susan said...

How wonderfully fabulous your blog with all those images that fade and appear.

Jill said...

The only things my laundry room are decorated with are dirty clothes and clothes that need to be put away so you are doing much better than me.

I love all those old soaps.. how cool!

nikkicrumpet said...

I think it's great that you did so much great decorating in your laundry room. Mine is decorated with detergeant and fabric softener...and that's pretty much it lol. Looks like I have a lot of work to do!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tour of your laundry...it was FAB!! i love all the soap packs but my fav is the vintage wringer...i so would love one :)

Justine said...

Gloria, girl, you're not going to believe me, but this is my FAVORITE room in your house!!!!!!!!!!!!! Uh huh, it's true! You've got so many cool goodies in here to look at! I've never heard of a sock or a glove stretcher. And the gas iron? You've gotta tell me what kind of gas they used. That is SO awesome. I just loved every little item in here!

Justine :o )

Anonymous said...

Very interesting Vintage post. I had never heard of gas irons before. I burned my arm on a flat iron that you heat on top of the stove when I was 5 years old and had the scar for years after I was grown. I put a lot of clothes through a wringer when I was growing up because this was the only kind of washing machines around. I'm OLD.
Charlotte

Anonymous said...

Your laundry room is so much fun. I love all of your vintage laundry stuff. I have a vintage theme in my laundry room too. I really enjoy it.
I love your boxes of detergent etc. You have a great collection. Thanks for sharing your fun laundry room.

Hugs...Jeanne

FrenchGardenHouse said...

oh my gosh, I LOVE your laundry room! I wish we had one, in this house our laundry is in the garage...not at all a pretty place like yours.

Colleen formerly of South Africa said...

Loved the pics of your laundry. I might not mind doing the laundry if mine looked this cheerful.

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Oh my gosh... I know you're one excited cookie to have your daughter coming. I'm sure you have tons of things planned. Do you have the movies out, coffee on, chocolate ready? And most importanty the "popcorn"? I can't wait to see pics of Kyra, I know she is beautiful...I'm glad you like the new blog dress, time to lighten things up a bit.. :-) miss you too..
hugs ~lynne~

Mo..."Mo's Cottage" said...

Hi Gloria,
I left you a nice little message yesterday but for some reason it didn't take...so I'm trying again.....
Your home looks like an antique store...but better....do you give tours....I never get tired of seeing all your beautiful treasures....
I was thinking of you last weekend with all those wonderful goodies ....I sure hope to make that sale sometime soon...
Have a wonderful day...
Hugs,
Mo :-)

The Muse said...

WOW you have made a dreary chore a hearts delight! That is a true work of art!

Anonymous said...

Oh, most Happy One! Thank you for the visit and your sweetness. Have a fabulous weekend.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Anonymous said...

Hey girl, You know how I love to see all your treasures. You make me want to get busy and do some rearranging. I just got back from a ten day trip. Blessings, Deanie

Unknown said...

Gloria, so many great things! I love the laundry room, especially the soap/cleaning boxes! What a find!

Laurie - Decorating Fanatic said...

Hi Gloria! I LOVE all your vintage goodies. All those soap boxes are amazing - such great shape! I remember seeing your laundry room on ...RMS? and loving it then too. I know we do have it easy and seeing all what the women had to go thru to wash their men's underwear - we are definitely spoiled! But yes a folding & putting away machine would be awesome! I would die a happy woman! With three kids & husband - I rarely see the floor in my laundry room - there is always a pile waiting for me! Hey, where did your gorgeous "bust" (ha!) go? She's not in your header anymore?! Did I miss a post? She's beautiful! Well - have a good weekend - I've got a few novels waiting for me to read. I am on strike! - need a day off from housework & homework! Take care ~ Laurie