Friday, January 13, 2012

Ballard Designs Inspired Laundry Drying Rack

Hello fellow bloggers! I must apologize for my absence. The holiday season was exceptionally busy this year. I got, quite literally, no crafting done. Then right after New Year's I came down with the flu. Needless to say, I have been out of commission, hence the lack of posting.

This week's project was a laundry drying rack. I line dry more of my clothes than not, so it is important to me to be able to have a space to do so. Why do I line dry my clothes you ask? Well, it saves money, by not using energy for drying, and it saves money by extending the life of my clothing. Those little fibers you find in your lint catcher are your clothes coming apart! Who doesn't like saving money?!? Before my laundry room redo (which you can find here) I was able to hang clothes on the wire rack over my washer and dryer. After the redo, I had no such place. Once again, in steps my wonderful step-father to the rescue. Granted, it was my mother's idea, but my step-father made it as a birthday present so we'll give him the credit (thank you for asking him to make it Mom). Here is the inspiration for our design.

This laundry drying rack comes to us courtesy Ballard Designs. It retails on their website for a cool $139, plus shipping of $20.95, plus taxes of $9.60, for a grand total of $169.55. Mine was made for less than $25 in materials. And at the top of my drying rack is a handle to help you get it open. Take that Ballard!!

Here is the one my step-father made me for my birthday. I won't get into specifics about how it was made because, well, frankly, I don't know. I know he used wooden dowels for the "rods" and that you need to be good with power tools and measuring and cutting. The rest I wisely leave to the experts. :)



Remarkable isn't it?!?!? We modified the size slightly to accomodate the area I needed to hang it in, but other than that, it's essentially the same thing. For less than 1/4 of the price!

Not that you all really want to see a picture of my clothing, but here she is doing what she was made for.


 Best birthday present ever!!

And just in case you're wondering what the rack looks like when it's closed. It only hangs out from the wall a little more than three inches.



I'm partying here:
Inspiration Friday at At The Picket Fence
Thrifty Things Friday at The Thrifty Groove
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Latest & Greatest Friday at Days of Chalk and Chocolate
Nifty Thrifty Sunday at Nifty Thrifty Things
Debbie doos Newbie Party
Savvy Homemade Monday at Home Savvy A to Z
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
Show & Tell Party at Mrs. Hine's Class
Furniture Feature Friday at Miss Mustard Seed
Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming
Frugal Friday at the Shabby Nest

17 comments:

  1. Wow! That's inspiring! I want one now.
    Julie

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  2. I love your drying rack. I pinned it (hope you don't mind). Hopefully I can get my husband to build me one. Visiting via The Thrifty Groove. First time visitor and new follower.
    http://lauriescreativecorner.blogspot.com/

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  3. I AM good with power tools and I Soooo love that. May I copy that?

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  4. Soooo cool! I've admired that drying rack at Ballards for quite some time now. Glad you get to have one...even better that is was made for you.
    I'd love for you to join in my weekly Show & Tell link party. It kicks off on Wednesdays at mrshinesclass.wordpress.com
    Sharon

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  5. Yes it is very remarkable. GOOD job! Thanks for linking up to my newbie party.

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  6. Thanks so much for linking up to the Show & Tell party. Glad to have you join mrshinesclass. I've joined you too! (via google friend connect) looking forward to seeing more of what you have in store!

    Sharon

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  7. Genius!!! This was such a smart project thanks for the inspiration.

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  8. That is awesome! Great idea!

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  9. Stopping over from your newbie feature. Great knock off, and so useful.

    ~Bliss~

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  10. Great job! Stopping by to say hello from the Newbie feature at Fox Hollow! I've been saving a crib side for three years just to make one of these......LOL

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  11. Just saw this post as I was searching for a way to make one for myself. I just wanted to add that I will be using an extra cabinet door for the back piece, so it will match my laundry room exactly! Just a thought if anyone has "leftover" pieces from a remodel.

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  12. Cool beans! I will make something similar for my wife :-D . A great space saver and looks great! Thanks!

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  13. Love this! What size is yours? What are the dimensions?

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    Replies
    1. It is approximately 50" tall x 39" wide x 2 1/2" deep

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