31 October 2011

How to deal with a washing machine

In Europe, where to put the washing machine takes on an importance that's not the case in the US or Canada. Since homes tend to be smaller there and space tends to come at a premium how to deal with laundry is not something to be taken lightly. When I was in Italy for Cersiae last month, I saw what has to be the best integration of a washing machine with a bathroom ever.





The manufacturer is Geromina and since nobody in Italy seems to have any use for a dryer I'm going to assume that the machine shown is a washer only. What do you think? Would you integrate a washing machine into a bath?

15 comments:

  1. Could also be a combination washer/dryer.

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  2. I wonder what the reception for that type of treatment would be here in the states? Ours is in the basement, in a few years I'd probably prefer it be on the main floor as the steps won't get any easier.

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  3. The Bathroom As Spa Crowd might not approve, but logistically it makes a lot of sense as long as it is not too noisy. baths tend to be close to bedrooms.

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  4. Agree w/anon. When I lived in Europe we had a combo washer/dryer. Took forever for the whole cycle to run, but was better than doing it all by hand...

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  5. Love this, Paul- And just like we talked about, when this is either a (legit)combo or a way to incorporate both, we won't see it on this side of the pond.

    Really sharp, though.

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  6. Anonymous, Kyle, Nancie, Erika and Nick; Thanks for your comments!

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  7. Love this- it looks great. That solution would allow me to turn my laundry closet into a powder room. The combo machines present logistical challenges for a family, but so does only having one bathroom! Its frustrating to continually look to imported, expensive solutions to living well in a small space.

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  8. Just finished designing a laundry room with 38.5" high washer & dryer that the client wanted beneath the countertop. I pointed out the appliances were deeper than standard cabinet depth so there would be two custom charges if they wanted it "fully integrated".

    The European combination washing/drying machines (and I agree that the above photo is likely a combination unit) are great space savers, but do a really poor job of drying. Like you said Paul, in the southern climes there's not much need for machine drying!

    Beautiful application!

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  9. Amy and Arne: Thanks for your comments.

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  10. I think I'd even like doing laundry in this room. Maybe it's the mintyness of it, or the cool curves.

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  11. It certainly stopped me in my tracks!

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  12. The "small house trend" almost demands solutions like this. Or W/D in a closet or combo unit under a kitchen counter. Integrating a W/D under a deeper counter would afford more storage room inside the cabinet. What's striking in this photo is the curve beside the washer, the design really flows.

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  13. Thanks Dianne, it's definitely the cleverest way I've ever seen to deal with a washing machine in a bathroom.

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  14. Love this! My washing machine was in my bathroom in Japan as well. The shower/bath area closed off and I could hang all my clothes in there to dry with a reverse exhaust heat system or outside on the balcony, but the convenience of a washing machine in the room (where most of your dirty clothes end up anyway) was just brilliant.

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  15. It makes so much sense to have a washer in the bathroom I'm amazed that they don't show up there more often. Thanks for stopping by Em, it's always good to hear from you.

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