MY PROCESS
Here is a 30-minute drafted blog post. I’ll spend another thirty minutes editing and thirty more minutes sprucing up this post. I need to get this out and not mull over things so much. I am allowing the creativity and inspiration to flow.
I adore doing mundane things in other countries. What I mean by that is something as mundane as laundry becomes an experience overseas. There is something about heading to the Laundromat (Nivea's voice). I figured out what that something was today from an interior designer's perspective.
I’m unaccustomed to someone else washing my clothing. Although I often holler, ‘I need support.’ There are times when assistance presents itself, and I hesitate. There are a ton of places that wash your laundry for you here. I sought out a self-service laundry half a league way.
Aesthetics = A1
I signed up for Master Classes. Thank you, work for the professional development stipend. I recently took a course on Interior Design taught by Corey Damen Jenkins.
I am doing homework in the field and documenting the experience below.
WASHI WASHI VIBES
I’d like to be here at any time of day and in any weather. The thought that went into the interior design here is everything. They play chill music. I believe I heard Ari Lenox. If you’d like to feel the vibe while reading this post click here for a similar lofi soundtrack. I hope you are listening to it and liking what you hear.
The Washi Washi space is airy, and although sometimes you may need to squeeze past the space isn’t cramped. Having a hostess present ensures that it is kept clean and efficient. Rather than folks coming in and leaving things, it holds everyone accountable and becomes a laundry mat with a well-orchestrated queue. As adults, we still need a little herding sometimes. I initially felt uncomfortable with the supervision, but after observing her work ethic I felt better.
COLOR COMBINATIONS
natural wooden desk panel
It’s the green tea and papaya paint for me. The designer pairs cool and warm colors excellently. The papaya rifts on the orange in the neon sign. The contrast between such a zen color i.e. green tea and neon orange is a unique combination. These are my favorite colors reminiscent of the character Chicken George's fit in Roots. Ms. Alexander left the VHS set for us to watch while she was on leave. The contrast between George’s green scarf, orange blazer, and chocolate complexion perched on his high horse did it for me. Maybe the combination represents liberty to me in a convoluted way.
The coloration found in tropical fruit for breakfast speaks to my heart. I do not eat Papaya stateside, but I consume it joyously here because it tastes candied freshly cut. I remarked just days ago that papaya’s orange color is saturated with yellow and pink hues.
Love it!
The light color wood from the front desk and high table add warmth to an intentionally sterile space.
Inside Washi Washi when facing the large windows the color green is pulled in from the tree-lined street. This effect adds to the indoor-outdoor feeling. Spatially this laundromat is one with the surroundings. It is zen.
papaya orange accent wall and iron gate
SIGNAGE
check out the typeface and the green from the trees outside
The wayfinding here is all that. Not only is the font clear, but there are English and Spanish versions, the kerning is well-paced, and the typeface is easy to read. Prices are marked, and the hostess is your guide. White and black, plain and simple. The large sign is bordered with the same papaya-colored paint as the accent wall color.
The vinyl sign on the back wall is legible, and the green tea-colored paint calmly plays second fiddle.
The numbers demarcating the washers and dryers offer clarity with a large initial for either L or S. The perforated lines make it appear lighter, allowing you to see into the washing machines and give the eye visual fluidity.
The WASH WASH signs in the front window are cotton laundry bags and bring to mind Japanese Noren curtains.
so cool the sign is a laundry bag with the word WASH printed on it, feels like an ode to Japanese curtains Noren
LIGHTING
I must admit that something such as the often dreaded fluorescent light bulb works well here! Two thin strips across the ceiling pair well with the light cascading in from the windows.
The disco ball is a cute accent. It may provide a reflective solar glint at different times of day, like a prism cast.
The WASHI WASHI lavendaria and the Ciclo drycleaners are under one roof. Around my favorite time of day, golden hour, the light is the greatest and calming. It feels as if the sun wants to talk to you and you only. Bisu.
Disco ball in the upper left hand corner and fluorescent light top center.
SEATING
The silver aluminum or stainless coated something or another adds a nice metallic touch, something shiny to contrast with the flat matte paint. A high table and neutral stools add space and dimension. You do not feel like someone is sitting directly behind you, all on the back of your neck. This stacking seated arrangement allows for additional space. Some folks may lean against rather than sit down on the high stools. Standing up consumes way less space than sitting down.
metal chair and high stool in the background
AMENITIES
There is a little mini fridge with drinks neatly lined up and colorfully labeled. The laundry folding tables and carts are metal and easy to clean and maintain. Patrons are offered little clear and white reusable bottles of detergent and fabric softener for a nominal fee. I love an apothecary-esque set-up. There are clean lines galore in this place!
FLOORING
Generally, white tiles and black grout can appear unkempt, but the black grout pairs well with the charcoal grey of the washer-dryer units.
Generally, flooring is photographed from the interior but look into the window and you’ll see how the Match grout between the titles with the dark grey washers and dryers.
MECHANICS
The large electric blue cylinders in the back are likely water storage. We love a good exposition of the inner workings of a thing. (I’ll try to get a photo next time)
BONES
Large doorway arches are a nod to Moorish architecture. The rod iron gate reflects the intricate ironwork I’ve seen all over the Caribbean and Mexico. High ceilings on the ground floor remind me of Europe.
UNIVERSAL
I’m reading The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. I remarked before leaving, “I had a splendid time today.” This practice brings what I want into the present and allows me to focus on the signs of a splendid time from the Universe. After finishing my laundry I stood outside to wait for my car. A person passed wearing a Chez Panisse, Berkeley shirt. I cooed and awed. The Universe is sweet, just ask for the signs and they will be there just for you.
10/10
A1 as little Jo would say.
Can you make out Chez Panisse on the back of the white shirt?
Hyperlinks
Learning: Corey Damen Jenkins Teaches Interior Design Master Class Trailer
Hearing: Lofi Hip Hop Music
Recalling: Chez Panisse
Reading: The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
Snapple Facts: A league is 5.5km. Panisse is a chickpea flour fry, hailing from the South of France. Low-fidelity music, or lo-fi, is music that is recorded with intentional imperfections, such as misplayed notes, environmental noise, low hum, or phonographic audio imperfections (Studying to Low Fidelity (Lo-Fi) Music Gets High Marks with Students — Vaughn College). Maneki-neko is a Japanese lucky cat that brings good luck to its owner, read more on the history here. The Parisian George Claude is credited as the inventor of neon signs. Read more about Noren Japanese curtains. I hear the word wayfinding a lot at work and may have conflated wayfinding with signage, either way, I’m trying to use keywords and terms, correct me if I am wrong :). More on golden hour according to Wikipedia, don’t act like you don’t use it and then click the sources cited to “legitimize” your research!