We know there are lots of you out there who are eagerly waiting for our nursery makeover project to begin. And it will. Just not quite yet. After all, the third bedroom (aka: soon-to-be-nursery) which normally looks like this…
… currently looks like this:
We know, it’s embarrassingly messy (you’d be surprised how many readers take comfort in the fact that we actually live in chaos from time to time). The reason? It’s ground zero for our last big, pre-nursery project: a total bathroom remodel! We’re talking about a gut job down to the studs- which even involves the rental of a mini jackhammer. Yeah, we’re pretty excited about it.
And for any of you who have been following along with our weekend sneak peeks via Twitter and Facebook, you’ve actually heard how some of that demo has gone. But before we put the cart before the horse, we need to talk about the whys and the hows of our one-and-only full bathroom makeover. We think the classic look of the original black and white tile, the basketweave floor and even the cramped quarters are all quite charming (and befitting of our 1950’s ranch).
Yeah, it looks pretty darn good from afar, but upon closer inspection is also has its fair share of flaws that we just can’t get over – shattered wall tiles (from what we assume was the house settling at some point), uneven and stained flooring, and a chipped sink just to name a few.
Oh well. The original bathroom served our house well for over half a century (what more can you ask for right?) and although we’re all about saving what you can and working with whatcha got, in this case we’re sorry to say that after a pretty serious cleaning and recaulking effort a few years back- which certainly tided us over for a while- the time has come to bring the bathroom up to speed. And after living vicariously through my parents’ two DIY bathroom makeovers (one seen here) – Sherry and I have finally decided to bite the bullet and get ‘er done. Like, now. But of course we’ll still be bringing in some classic tile and materials that won’t look too futuristic and out of place in our 50 year old ranch. Fear not.
The approach: well, we’ve already begun tearing things down to the studs and plan to build it all back up again with our own four hands (ok, and with my dad’s generous assistance as well since Sherry’s doing a pretty important job on the side). So there will be new walls, a new tub/shower surround, new flooring, and a new DIY vanity project before we officially turn our attention to the bean’s room. Of course we plan to donate as much of our old stuff (vanity, faucet fixtures, etc) to the Habitat For Humanity ReStore to give them a second life. And if all goes as planned, the entire redo should be done before Christmas. Fingers crossed…
Oh and because we know it’s coming, to answer the “where will you shower?” question (since it’s our only full bathroom in the house), we’re nothing if not resourceful: I plan to use the shower at my gym every morning on the way to work and Sherry will swing over to my sister’s house (we’re super lucky that she lives extra close) and borrow her bathroom in the evenings (she’s a night showerer- weird huh?).
And speaking of my lovely/quirky wife, she’ll be posting very soon about all the design details including a working mood board of sorts (since I’m sure most of you are now saying “ok, but what will it look like!?!”). And since we know that you like all the pre-planning details (sometimes it’s hard to know where to start) we’ll be including a ton of those as well so stay tuned for that. We’ve actually already selected a lot of the new materials (floor tile, wall tile, a chunky nightstand that we’ll retrofit with a sink and faucet) as well as borrowed/purchased a bunch of tools that we’ll be using… hence the nursery currently looking completely unsafe for a newborn. Fun, fun, fun.
But while we’re on the subjects of bathrooms, does anyone else out there have a bathroom that could be termed a “Monet” like ours (also known as: pretty from afar, ugly up close)? Are there any impending bathroom remodels on the agenda? Or recently completed bathroom sprucing projects? Anyone crazy enough to tear their bathroom down to the studs in hopes of having things up and running again before Christmas? Do tell.
Abby says
You and Sherry are going to love your new bathroom! I can’t wait to see what it looks like! I know it will be beautiful!
Elisa says
I AM SO GLAD to see your room looking so messy! I was actually wondering the other day if you guys ever actually have messy times like this. What a relief to know you are human after all…
Katy Campbell @ A Starter House says
hmmm….I wouldn’t even go as far as to say our bathroom is pretty from afar…its just plain ugly. It has some lovely early nineties wallpaper decking out the no more than 75 sq ft bathroom, and I’m pretty sure that’s generous in the sq footage department. Lets just say when we looked at the house I almost turned around and left because I didn’t see the shower, I was like, nuh uh, no shower in the master? then I peeked around the door which was currently blocking the view and realized, that yes there was what some might call a shower (its a tiny little box) behind it, phew. Its the next “big” project on the list. The wall paper just isn’t working out with the poorly ventilated bathroom – so it’s coming down, and then we are adding a nice coat of paint, maybe tiling, and maybe adding a more custom vanity to add a little something extra. We’ll see – if I can snag some finds it might all come together sooner than thought – can’t wait to see your bathroom all done! :)
Holly West says
I can’t wait to see how this project progresses. I am dying to re-do our master bathroom, but there are so many other home improvement projects that need to come first I think that will be done around 2053.
Lindsay says
Hi Guys! Kudos on the bathroom makeover before Christmas! You’re more ambitious than us thats for sure! We have a bathroom gut (or two!) on the horizon. When we purchased, we discovered that there was moisture behind the tile in our main bath shower surround. The tile in the surround also has three different designs that do not actually coordinate, there is a teeny tiny bathtub, a vanity that has drawer fronts that have been nailed closed, a sink that is peach coloured and rust stained, and floor tile that a previous owned DIY’ed but had trouble with cutting round edges like around the toilet etc. We are planning on upgrading to a dual flush toilet, a soaker tub, and a new vanity/sink combo. But like you, we are going to be doing it with only a bit of help from family – but our gut job is tasked for early Spring 2010. Good luck! Can’t wait to here how it goes!
Amy says
Good luck!
We just finished a bathroom re-do using big faux (but waterproof!) tile boards. We were going to just use the boards around the tub, but due to several wall issues, decided it would look better to do the whole thing.
You two inspired me to start chronicling what we do around here in a blog, and my first real post was about this re-do. You can see it here if you’re interested: http://ultimate-to-do.blogspot.com/
Have fun!
Jenny @ Words On Wendhurst says
What a shame to lose that beautiful floor tile, but sometimes it’s just not salvageable. That’s the way we felt about our front door. we tried and tried to come up with a plan to save it, but ultimately it was just too far gone. I think the moral of the story is to take care of your home, so that things do not deteriorate beyond repair! I certainly wish the previous homeowners had done that!
E @ Oh!Apostrophe says
We’re in the middle of not one, not two, but THREE bathroom redos- all at the same time! (Don’t worry, we’re not yet living in the house.) Here are some before/during pics… stayed tuned though- we just learned how to tile and the after is coming!
http://ohapostrophe.blogspot.com/2009/11/master-of-bath.html
Jason says
Thanks for the before photos!
I commented last week on another post about the basket weave I have in 50s ranch I am renovating first and last home I hope and was so happy looking at your bathroom to see how good it can look. Except mine is yellow/black, so not as pretty but I think things hide better in the yellow tiles.
But – when you get up close I have those same weird under the surface cracks you are showing in the first wall picture(mostly on outside wall cold air?) and the other big thing is a broken off tooth and tumbler(toothbrush holder) tile that I’ll have to try and find a replacement for, Sherry suggested Habitat Resail so I’m going to start there. I don’t have any big cracks or missing tiles – shew! (Even after jacking up the house to replace sills around the foundation! Yikes!)
I think you guys have made it look awesome the last few years with your previous caulk and clean work and I hope to be able to do the same. The only thing I’m going to do is replace my oak vanity with cultured marble(ugh) to a black one to match the trim tile with a crisp white porcelin bowl to match the tub etc. and new mirror/medicine cabinet(was an oak framed hole in the wall with mirror in back) and light. Also add a vent fan. Christmas time would be nice, but I think reno may move into month 5.
Best of luck on this – I know that you guys will just blow us away! Nothing like a 50s ranch:)
Delaware -J
jennifer says
so glad you’re doing this. my husband and i have a 1.5 bath circa-1940’s house and while they don’t need gut jobs, they both need a few upgrades here and there.
1. we’re hoping to install this great 1×1 white hexagon marble tile in our half bath. already have the tile, just need to work up the gumption to get the work done. (so i’ll be taking notes!)
2. new low-flow toilets. they make ’em pretty nice now and since we pay for water…why not
3. a new vanity (currently a boring builder’s grade cabinet). on the lookout for an old hutch/table/cabinet to repurpose with an undermount sink
can’t wait to see how it all turns out
Susie says
I’m like you guys…just bought a 1957 bungalow and the bathroom looks pretty okay if you don’t have your glasses on, but has it’s share of stained floor and cracked tile up close. Luckily (or not), the previous owners did some updating in the 70s (my guess), so it’s not too terrible. I paid to have the tub refinished when I moved in so that gave a little life to the room, otherwise, I think it’s only a matter of time :)
Ellen says
My husband and I are actually in the process of completely renovating 1 of the 2 bathrooms in our 30 year old house. We’re replacing our tub surround with a tub/tile combo, tiling the floors (the previous owner left us with only painted sub floor), installing a pedestal sink, scraping the “popcorn” ceiling, putting up crown molding… so our bathroom is literally down to the studs. Our goal was to complete it by Christmas, but we’re shooting for New Years as of now. Luckily, we aren’t having anyone over to our home for Christmas this year! As soon as it’s done, I’ll try and send before-and-after pics. Good luck with your bathroom renovation!
Jason says
ps – I should add carefully measure you window and if you have a bath like this to replace a window in. You need room for trim in between the window and the surrounding tile(had to get a smaller window to get even trim around it) New drywall there and around the top of the shower/tub was nice because…
DO NOT PAINT over WALLPAPER. Previous owner of this home have painted original wallpaper, which has caused a miriad of problems throught the house that my drywaller has to fix and a bathroom with moisture is worst it will not last!Stripped blue floral wallpaper – yes that’s right dark blue floral with yellow and black tiles and oak wood ugh! But, under that wallpaper was paint, but under that paint was other wall paper! It cracks, flakes off, pieces of wallpaper come off and you end up having to have new drywall or have the room skimcoated and sanded over and over with coats of primer before and in between and after.
Never wall paper to begin with and never paint it – they even did the ceilings in some rooms:) No wonder it’s taking 5 months!
Delaware – J
Kinga says
We are actually in the middle of major renovation, which includes putting a new bath in, switching existing kitchen from garden level to first floor, moving all the bedrooms downstairs and the living space upstairs, installation of a new hvac system and a new fireplace. We are in the middle of it and with the coldest days so far our existing heater just died and on top of it I am pregnant with a due date one day after Sherry!
RIght now it is messy and cold and it doesn’t seem like the end is ever coming but I know it will be worth it at the end!
Good luck and I am looking forward to seeing all the ideas!
micah says
I can’t WAIT to see what you guys do! I am wanting to spruce up a bathroom (on a budget) in our house and need some inspiration :)
Mary says
Just have to comment about the night-showering…I too am a night-showerer, and want to support Sherry in saying that this is not weird! I like going to bed clean. :) It might also be a pregnancy thing – I’m due about a week after you guys, and while the occasional morning shower used to work for me, I am just way too tired/dizzy/busy trying to keep breakfast down to shower in the morning any more.
Can’t wait to see both the bathroom and the nursery! Good luck!
Jen says
our “Monet” bathroom is identical to yours! or at least it was… looks like no more matching bathrooms for us. i’m very greateful for the inspiration your bathroom has provided! since a bathroom redo is out of the question for us right now we’ll keep representing the 1950s small black-and-white Richmond bathroom! you can check out our farily recent redo here http://lifebyaninch.blogspot.com/ happy DIYing!
Patti says
Oh boy I feel your pain. Last year we completed our kitchen reno the day before our annual Christmas get together, I think the grout was still drying when our guests arrived! As far as our bathroom, we reno’d it in July ’07, also the only bath in the house so we rigged a shower in our garage, basically a plastic tub with a shower curtain and a modified sprayer nozzle. It was definitely NOT FUN! but we got through it…and you will too :)
Mary says
What a relief it is to know that you guys ARE human and your house isn’t always picture perfect! I was starting to wonder. . . just kidding! Good luck with the new project and I’ll keep my fingers crossed you can get it done before Christmas!
Gail says
We’re embarking on tearing apart our bathroom too!
My husband will shower at the gym in the mornings, and I’ll shower there after my workouts at night. Two things we’ve decided:
1. The no-sweat, fall/winter time is a great time for a bathroom reno, when access to an instant shower is limited!
2. We each gained 5-10 pounds with our lengthy kitchen renovation, thanks to lots of takeout. We figure the bathroom reno will be the opposite of that: by hitting the gym so much just for access to a shower, we should hopefully end this project in better shape than before! :)
Good luck with it–know it will be great!
Jason says
Also your idea for the chunky nightstand and Jennifer mentioned this too in her comment for a vanity is awesome! My Mom did this about 3 years ago now with an antique dresser she had for a while. She has a top mount sink and extra poly on the surface to protect the wood. Also the drawers were reframed to be less deep so they operate either around or in front of the plumbing – it is ridiculously beautiful! Especially when she paired it with an antique wall mirror that is in the same wood and has a little bit of that chipping silver in back of the mirror going on it’s like art!
-DE J
Amanda says
I am definitely one of those readers who takes comfort in the fact that you guys occasionally live in chaos. I’m excited to see your new bathroom!
I’m just finishing up my bathroom reno (it wasn’t even a Monet, it was more of a cheap crumbling dollar-store print) and all I need to do to it now is decorate! I’m actually planning on sending you guys the before and after when it’s TOTALLY done so be on the lookout :-)
Nikkilina says
We are going to be re-tiling our bathroom floor the week after Christmas. It was on our todo list before we tried to sell our house, but it wasn’t a huge priority. However, our dog had other ideas. The bathroom has linoleum right now. The other day she ate a hole in our floor about 3 feet in diameter (our bathroom rug doesn’t fully cover it!). It goes through the linoleum and subfloor and exposes the previous layer of linoleum. FUN!
Jennifer S. says
As a matter of fact, we are hoping to do a “mini-reno” to our bathroom before Xmas. We have a 1966 tri-level with tile similar to yours, with original everything. We replaced the toilet a couple of years ago and will replace the shower fixtures, vanity/sink/fixtures, and add an exhaust fan. Then we are going to apply natural clay to the walls (from Richmond’s Eco-Logic). We did this to our tiny master bath over the summer and it is super cool. Have you heard of this or considered using it? Check it out!
YoungHouseLove says
We’re definitely due for another visit to Eco-Logic (especially with “the bean” on the way, we’re embracing even more green materials and products). We’ll definitely check it out! Thanks so much for the recommendation!
xo,
s
Kerry says
Your bathroom is practically an exact match for mine! My basketweave tile is gray and black, and somebody replaced a chunk of it with a different color gray…and it’s very stained and has tons of grout around the bottom. Luckily our wall tiles are faring better than yours – only a few hairline cracks. We replaced our vanity when we first moved in and our tub looks to have been replaced in the past.
The one problem we’ve been having is wetness – our radiator in there doesn’t work (brr!) and even though we shower with the door open, we get a lot of condensation on the walls above the tile. The paint is starting to bubble in some spots from it. How do you go about fixing that/making sure it doesn’t keep happening?
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, that sounds like a toughie. I would think that you need to install a ceiling exhaust fan to run while you shower to get rid of the moisture issue (and probably get the radiator fixed while you’re at it). Otherwise you can sand and repaint the bubbling walls but they’ll just keep coming back. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Rebecca says
My husband and I recently purchased a 1928 darling little house that needs a complete bathroom overhaul. I even said while we were looking at it that I wouldn’t even feel clean post-shower in that bathroom. I’m so excited that you guys get to DIY it first so that I can steal all of your tips and techniques. I even said to my husband, “Sherry and John (sorry guys, but we’re on a first name basis- and the hubs knew who you were!) are totally redoing their bathroom, so I’ll read that and be able to help!”
Can’t wait to see it!
Abby says
When we moved into our house, the bathroom was our first DIY project. It was a 80’s throwback with carpet and wallpaper. We did quick fixes – new fixtures, cheap tile to replace the nasty carpet and removed the wallpaper/painted. We tried to just clean and recaulk the tile around the shower to make it work. Now, two years later, we’re dying to give it another go and make some major changes.
alison says
I wish we could post photos. Oh, how I wish. Our bathroom is totally in need of a redo too. Plastic tiles from the 50’s popping off everywhere you look…
I’m going to take some serious notes from your blog and hopefully that can be our winter project.
At least we have an extra shower in our house…
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Alison,
One quick way to link to photos for all to see is just to upload them to Flickr or Shutterfly (or any other photo sharing site) and include a link for us to follow. And of course you can also link to your blog if they’re up there instead. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jacci says
Hi, guys :) A few comments rolled into one here…
1) Funny how much can be strategically hidden in photos. Your bath looked so great in the “from afar” pics! Makes me wonder what others are hiding ;) I do it, too, by the way.
2) Holy smokes. By Christmas? When did you start? I know you’re busy bloggers with tons of posts in waiting, but -Give us posts in real time, man! :)
3) I’m a night showerer, too. And not a morning person. I think that explains it.
4) I’m still really excited about The Bean!!!!!
XO,
Jacci
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jacci,
We just started this weekend! It takes us a day or two to write up posts in advance, but this project is definitely being shared in real time! Yeah, we’re crazy. Stay tuned…
xo,
s
kelly b says
Good luck with the bathroom remodel! I can’t wait to see the mood board! You guys will be the inspiration I need to feel confident that we will also e able to DIY our 1950’s ranch house bathroom remodel!
our bathroom is a “Monet” or maybe even a Monet knock off! We are planning on remolding in late winter/early spring of 2010. We are going to basically gut it and get new everything except possibly the toilet. We have a small space and it is the only bathroom in the house so we want to make it as nice and functional as possible on a budget. i am sure I will get some idea’s from you guys!
Amelia says
very exciting stuff! looking forward to all the posts on this new project. Just wondering how the basement is coming? is it complete? have i missed a post??
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Amelia,
Nope, you didn’t miss a thing. Since our Chapter Seven post last week we’ve also been working away on the finishing details for the basement (frosting the windows and finishing up a hinged screen to obscure the ugly water heater). Stay tuned for those photos and a total project wrap-up coming soon!
xo,
s
Jessica says
We have 2 outdated full baths that we plan to tackle come the new year! very excited about that. but im really posting to commend John on his Clueless reference. Well done.
michele says
personally, after having gone through a bathroom reno, the most important element in your decision-making process is a contractor, unless you are handy enough to be able to do it yourself (which my husband is NOT). we got a contractor on a recommendation from a friend, and it was a bad, bad, bad move. his 4-6 week timeline estimate turned into six *months*. there were so many extraneous issues in his life that crept into our project. and, dumb us, we didn’t get a fixed-quote contract, so he charged based on what he did that week, including numerous trips to the home store for a screw here, a sheet of drywall there. we probably paid $2k over projected estimate based on his terrible planning inefficiency. we learned a lot, and the bathroom DID turn out just beautiful, but the whole process was horrendous.
Kasey at Thrifty Little Blog says
I just finished a big makeover on my bathroom this fall. It was a little stressfull, but the results were totally worth it. Good luck!
Barb says
We’re in the process of redoing our master bath right now. In fact, I’m taking a grouting break as we speak. We’re putting in floor tile just like the stuff you’re taking out. :-)
Our project has been ongoing since October. We hope to have two bathrooms again by Christmas. I’m impressed that you’re starting now and will be done so quickly. Look forward to seeing your progress.
A few pictures of our bath can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bmuss/sets/72157622576260468/
Melissa says
I’m pumped you guys are doing this as my bathroom is the same situation. Sadly the previous seller redid my bathroom in August of 2008 and all of the tile work is coming undone. Talk about short cuts. It’s depressing to look at everyday.
I’m planning on tackling mine in the spring once my stream radiator can be taken off the system.
PS i’m a night showerier. Speaking of which…Sherry are you going/have you renew your license to drive???
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Melissa,
I actually have always kept my license renewed and ready to go just in case I need to drive in an emergency. And I’ve actually been practicing a bit (driving to and from Home Depot- haha) so I’ll be confident and ready once the bean comes along. We do still plan to remain a one-car household though, so John will share a lot of the driving duties, which is a big relief to an infrequent driver like me!
xo,
s
Jessaca says
Can’t wait to see the remodel. In the meantime, just had to say: Thank you, thank you, thank you for recognizing that just because you’re tired of something (vaniety, sink, faucet, etc.), that they’re still in good working order and someone just might need/want them. Nothing drives me more crazy than to watch shows on HGTV where the cabinets might not exactly be their style and they pitch the whole load into the trash. It’s beyond ridiculous. Good job on recognizing that some stuff can be recycled and reused.
Jacci says
Dude.
I’m really excited for you, but I may have some serious contentment issues if you actually finish this up by Christmas ;)
XO,
7-months-to-paint-the-kitchen-cabinets-Jacci
YoungHouseLove says
Haha you’re cracking us up Jacci. You’d be amazed by the motivation of regaining the use of the one and only working shower in your house. We’re raring to go!
xo,
s
christa says
I also am pushing for a bathroom redo before 2010, but need my boyfriend fully on board so we aren’t sans upstairs bathroom for a month. I already demo-ed all the ugly 60s plastic yellow tile to reveal some really messed up walls. I bought a craigs list pedestal sink. I bought some funky stencil to paint the (likely damaged) wood floor underneath the old linoleum, inspiration I got from one of your house crashings, which was a hard sell to the boyfriend but after a huge portfolio of internet pics was won.
We both took days off. Now to make an entire shopping list so we don’t have to go to the hardware store 17 times per day, take EVERY measurement possible, etc etc….I feel overwhelmed already! Will keep posted. Am SO psyched you guys are doing this now it’s right when I need it!
I too am a night shower-er.
Sarah says
I’ve been sitting here waiting for this info, after seeing your Twitter updates all weekend! (What kind of a dork am I, seriously?) :)
I have a lifetime goal of ripping out our entire upstairs bathroom, moving a couple of walls, and doubling the size, but that’s not happening anytime soon. Right now, I’d like to replace the vanities in both bathrooms (they’re ugly fake marble formica with pale blue sinks), but I’ve been afraid to tackle it – I’ve never done anything like this before. Hopefully your amazing step-by-step posts will give me courage! :)
Good luck!
Priscilla says
This is kind of weird to admit, but like a couple other individuals, I too am relieved that your house can be a mess at times! I’m curious how you truly LIVE in your house…like, where do you keep your toothbrushes? As silly as that may be…LOL
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Priscilla,
Well since our bathroom is now a scary gutted mess, there are no more toothbrushes in there. But we actually kept them tucked into a white Ikea planter (they’re one of our favorite containers for q-tips, cotton balls, floss, etc) in the doorless linen closet (we removed the door a while back, so they were actually out in the open). You know we love open living. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Amanda says
*waves hand* We’re going to be doing a reno of our master bath in the next few months. Whether or not the entire tub goes is up for debate, but at a minimum we’re taking out a wall (sink “room” and toilet/tub “room” are simply NOT big enough for 2 people).
Nothing redeemable about it – all c.1989 yuckiness.
Can’t wait to see the during and after pics on your bathroom!
Christine says
We are about to tear our bathroom to the studs, too! My husband and my dad, who both work for a university and thus get generous time off at Christmas, are donating their break to updating our 1948 full (and only full) bathroom. The shower needs a complete re-do, since it’s all plaster and gross tile that’s wilting in the steam of 60+ years. Gone will be the nasty stick-on lineoleum, yucky and stained full-bathroom subway tile, and rotting wood vanity. We’re even replacing the window in the shower, since whoever did it post-WWII felt like a window with a full WOOD TRIM would be necessary. (Translation: lots of rotting, mildewing wood. Yuck.) We’re starting with the window, then re-tiling the shower, as we have issues with bath inserts. We’re going to paint the steel tub, replace the vanity with a white cast iron pedestal sink we found for $75 at an antique store, and tile the floor with black-and-white herringbone ceramic tile. The walls will be painted a chocolate brown with white accents: white toilet, white sink and med. cabinet, white cabinet above the toilet, white shower curtain. And we’re accenting it all with oil-rubbed bronze accessories and red accent pieces.
Sorry to ramble! I’m just so excited to finally get a bathroom that will not cause me great embarrassment when I show it to guests. I’m going to require that every houseguest shower upon first entering our home. :)
Good luck with your bath! I’d love to see your ideas, in case they trump my own.
Cecilia says
We have a basement renovation and nursery project underway right now, so our third bedroom (in our 1950s brick ranch) also looks a bit like a tornado ripped through it. It’s been driving me nuts, but I’ve been trying to remind myself that everything will come together… *deep breaths.* It’s comforting to know we’re in good company. Best of luck on your projects!
Patricia says
I have also chosen to do a bathroom makeover during the already stressful holiday season. Unlike you guys I am keeping it simple with painting over my incredibly tacky wood paneling and sunburned peeling ceiling. So far the task has really astounded me, but I did read your tips about painting over paneling. Unfortunately, I skipped the primer and now the old gloss is shwoing through. Today I will be investing in primer and starting again. It has been quite a learning experience and I am doing it with my two very inexperienced hands. Next will be removing the glass shower doors, repainting the basin cabinet and maybe, one day the floor, but I will need help with that.
I love ready your posts and good luck.
misty says
YAY! finally a picture of chaos in your beautiful home. yes, that makes us all feel a little better…
We started our bathroom renovation the day after christmas last year. It took about 4 straight months of sweat equity, but it is now beautiful and impressive. Since our house was built in the 1700’s, it was never meant for plumbing! The beams were snapped and needed to be sistered (thats what its called when you rebuild your beams!). The unseen issues in the floor added a couple of months to this DIY project! Thank got for our second bathroom downstairs!
Amber says
No bathroom destruction on our horizon, but we are adding a half bath. We just scored a major deal at our local Lowes store and thought we’d pass on the details. We got a pedestal sink for $22 because it is being discontinued. Check your local home improvement big box stores for discontinued products periodically… you could save some big bucks. Our new pedestal sink was marked down from $155!
Brandi D. says
O.M.G.– Bathrooms are a very sore subject for me right now. Our house is from the 1920’s, so there’s only one full bathroom and a half bath added on sometime in the ’80’s. They are dreadful. No, I mean DREADFUL. The main bath doesn’t even have a working light or an outlet to plug a lamp into. And tile? There isn’t a single one in our bathroom. We have a drywalled bath/shower. I’m sure you can imagine the problems, especially without any ventilation beyond one tiny window…
I could go on and on! LOL
And kudos to you both for making it happen before the bean arrives. Very smart move! I got pregnant with our 3rd child 2 months after we moved into our house, and since I’m the only “project” person in our house, the bathroom got put off. Then it was put off because I was taking care of an infant (and 2-year-old twins) all day. Then we decided to have another baby. Now I’m taking care of four kids all day. LOL Someday our bathroom will be redone…
Rachel Ridd says
Oh I can’t wait to see! I have another bath that I need to re-do and I am hoping you all give some inspiration. I am also waiting on a few holiday decor ideas. I loved your Halloween post. Are you planning on sharing any?
stellabellaboutique.etsy.com
vintage, handmade jewelry!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Rachel,
Yup, we have a bunch of holiday decorating and gifting posts in the hopper that will begin this week, so stay tuned for those. You can also scroll down to the bottom category on our How To page (Festive Holiday Fun) to see a slew of holiday decorating posts from last year (from DIY ornaments to decking the halls on the cheap, there’s lots to see). Have fun!
xo,
s
MegM says
I, too, am a night-showerer! I NEEEEED as much sleep as possible and have to be at work by 7:20, so it only makes sense to shower the night before.
I’ve been looking at a pretty mis-matched bathroom since we bought the house circa 1925 this summer. We’ve put in a pedestal sink and new low-flow toilet, but we still have some atrocious wall tiles and flooring that need to be updated. I figure this will be a project to start in the winter. Can’t wait to get inspired by your changes! :-)