Master Bathroom

Dark and Handsome

Published on January 29, 2014January 29, 2014 by Our Humble Abode53 Comments

Hey, hey, hey! Guess what? Aside from a few small tasks (replacing the broken light switch plate and perhaps getting a runner), our master bathroom remodel is done. Finishing the vanity was our last job, and it’s ready to rock.

Ben built everything, and in a similar way to our old kitchen cabinets. (If you have questions, feel free to ask!) After talking to a custom cabinetry shop, he did make a few tweaks. The custom shop uses white melamine for the cabinet box and Blum Tandem Plus drawer glides, so that’s what we used. Because these glides are designed to be ‘hidden’, the drawer bases have a 1/2 inch lip around the sides and front. No visible glides on the sides:

Ben used his table saw to cut a channel for the MDF to fit into.

We wanted a wooden vanity to add some much-needed warmth to the room. American Walnut is a favorite of mine, with its deep, rich color. After joining the boxes together, we, um, Ben faced the fronts with walnut. I came by after and filled the small cracks and nail holes.

One of the reasons we chose a vessel sink was to have usable, full-sized top drawers. To make this possible, Ben ran all the sink plumbing down the 5 inch center of the vanity.

An access hole inside the cabinet is usable with the drawers pulled out, if we ever need to work on the sink.

For a simple, modern look, we kept flat panel drawer fronts. (Sorry for the terrible lighting, I took these at night).

For the finish coat, I decided to experiment with Teak Oil. I love the ability to recoat without having to completely sand down the wood. And the oil looks amazing, bringing out all the beautiful grain and color. See the right stack, without oil? Ashy and blah.

After a full day of dry time, the vanity was almost ready.

Modern cylinder handles finish it off. To mark the holes, I put pieces of tape near the center then measured and marked on the tape. Ben drilled and pulled off the tape. Worked like a charm.

Hey handsome, do you come here often? Oh, you do? Wanna come home with me?

Of course it took me two seconds to start organizing the drawers. Here’s Ben’s side:

And my top drawer:

When the sun cooperates, I’ll snap a ton of pictures to show full before and afters. I’m pretty sure, no, completely sure, this is our fastest full remodel. We demo’d mid November and I’m calling it done today; only 2 1/2 months.

Let’s Get Functional, Functional

Published on January 20, 2014January 20, 2014 by Our Humble Abode6 Comments

This post approved by Olivia Newton John. Not really, because we’re getting functional, not physical. No 80’s gym gear necessary. Over the weekend, our master bathroom became fully functional in the plumbing department. That’s right, we’ve got a working shower, clawfoot tub, toilet, and now sink.

Ebay came through with a sink, faucet, and drain combo. Because we went from two sinks to one, we wanted something a little wider to make it more functional for two people.

After much debate and pricing of materials, we landed on a custom-made stainless steel counter to match the shower. Carrara marble would have cost nearly $800. While it would have been beautiful, we couldn’t justify that price. Stone or man-made remnants in this size are nearly impossible to find. Wood was a contender, until we decided to make a walnut vanity. Stainless was not only the most affordable option, but also a solid, easy to clean surface.

It’s so nice not to wash hands in the bathtub.

I’m torn about the mirror. I like the look, but it’s on the smaller side at 25 inches in diameter. Ideally, we’d have a 36 inch round mirror. At $40, it’ll stay.

I still have to cut the rope shorter and find something to ‘hang’ it from.

See what I mean about it being a little small? Do you know of any 36 inch round mirrors under $100?

We made progress on the vanity yesterday, but I’m waiting to share until it’s 100% finished. But, the walnut is amazing already. Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. day, too. Enjoy the day off, if you get it.

The Copper Tone

Published on January 16, 2014January 16, 2014 by Our Humble Abode5 Comments

Some of my creations are a way to use left over materials. Whether fabric scraps, left over wood veneer, or in this case, wood ends.

Ben kept these scraps from the Bubinga counters, but had no use. While cleaning out the garage last weekend, he brought them upstairs and set them in our wood pile. Knowing I could make something, I saved them from a firey death. Of course Ben accused me of hoarding, but it’s worth it. After seeing these beautiful jewelry blocks, I knew what I wanted to do. I cut a 1 3/4 inch cube (because my pieces were already 1 3/4 inches, which also happened to be the width of the tube strap) and bought a 1/2 inch copper air chamber and copper tube straps, both found in the plumbing aisle. Add a few screws, a tooth hanger, and we’ve got a chic, industrial, wall mounted bud vase.

If you want to make your own, start with a wooden cube, dealer’s choice. Because the Bubinga is super dense, I used a small drill bit to make pilot holes for the screws. Both front (for the strap) and back (for the hanger).

Short screws hold each in place. I couldn’t find copper screws, so I used brass instead. I might get a copper leaf pen to paint the heads.

A small nail hangs the vase on the wall, but I didn’t like the slight lean it gave the piece. A few sticky back felt dots bumped up the bottom to hang parallel to the wall.

If I han’t already hung the astrological cut outs about the toilet, I’d want three or five of these instead. Loving how the copper popped against the dark bathroom walls, I hung it in the little space between the shower and bathroom door.

A cheap, colorful carnation brightens this dreary winter.

Now I have an excuse to keep fresh flowers in the house. Sometimes, small projects like these are my favorites. Simple, affordable, and brighten a room. What do you think of this DIY vase?

& Here’s Some Art

Published on January 10, 2014January 10, 2014 by Our Humble Abode25 Comments

Thank you so, so much for all the support and sweet comments about the curtains and bathroom progress! You are all so wonderful.

Not sure if you have this same problem, but finding bathroom art is tricky. Anything with eyes seems creepy. And I wanted something large for our back wall. As usual, I made something.

A giant, simple ampersand on a white canvas.

I’m having a hard time deciding if I like how simple it is. Or if it’s just boring… Thoughts? A colorful, abstract painting would be really awesome.

However, I know I love the Astrological sign art above the commode. Originally, I made these to live in our bedroom, but they looked puny. After hanging the Carried Away art, the stars stayed in the closet.

When I pulled the set out again, I thought I’d change the frames/mats or both. I think I’ll hold off, because I like the black and white. Especially with the patterned towels.

Above the tub, I took a less traditional approach with vintage arrows. Handy Sammy had them and they’re an interesting addition.

To hang the arrows, Ben drilled two tiny holes in the shaft of each. I marked the center of the space, then set two 2 by 4 boards on the ledge to give my height and keep them lined up.

I started nailing in the bottom of each, then leveled each arrow before nailing in the top, then tapping the bottom nail in the rest of the way.

The fletching has seen better days, but I like the character each arrow has.

There’s the bathroom art. Until I change something. What art do you have in your bathroom? Wishing everyone a happy weekend, too!

Real Deal Teal

Published on January 8, 2014January 8, 2014 by Our Humble Abode26 Comments

When I decided to paint the tub and bathroom walls Wrought Iron, I knew I had to add color with accessories. I’m too much of a color lover to have a completely neutral space. One big addition of color is in curtain form.

Boom, teal curtains. With the World Market curtains off the table, I searched for other teal curtains. With zero luck. So I took to the fabric stores. I’ve used this same linen blend fabric for pillows and loved it, so that’s what I ended up with. Also, because the tub in now in place of part of the vanity, I can hang the curtains wider that I had before.

Sewing the panels was a similar process to our living room curtains. Rather than adding ribbon back tabs, I kept a rod pocket. Other than that, same deal. This bright burst is just what my color craving heart desired.

And looks especially striking against the dark walls, if I do say so myself. (Don’t mind the outlet, we have to change it out for a white one.)

Because the fabric isn’t thick or stiff, the panels hang nicely behind the tub. We can easily close the curtains for privacy, too.

I love how accessories can take a room from basic to you. Which is why I’ve already started hanging art and shopping the house for the perfect pairings. What do you think of the bright curtains? Do you prefer neutral spaces, or color filled rooms?