Category: Master Bathroom

Squeeee!  It has begun.  Master bathroom reno.  It’s on like Donkey Kong.  Our shower pan finally came in, so we can start tearing into this project.  What looked like this on Friday:

Looks like this now:

Which is super exciting.  Even though we’re down one bathroom, this is a good thing, Martha.  Our once super closed off shower:

Was carefully torn apart to not damage the plumbing and electrical in the wall.

Ben had fun taking the sledge-hammer to the old tile.

I didn’t get pictures of the shower base, but let me tell you, it was gross.  Even with a liner, the poured concrete and tile base leaked.  This is the second layer of plywood below the shower.

Which is exactly the reason we waited for our custom stainless steel shower pan.  One piece means far fewer places to leak.  Exactly the reason we waited for our custom stainless steel shower base.

In about five hours, Ben took out the shower, mirror, toilet, and vanity.

The floor, however, wasn’t as quick.  Tiles came up, but the OSB underlayment was a bear.  Think tiny pieces.

And we discovered something unexpected.  What we just tore out, was a remodel!  There’s capped off sink plumbing and an outlet behind the shower walls.

Plumbing came through the floor to feed the sinks, too, so we’re not sure where exactly the tub or shower was before.

We, okay, okay, Ben will have his work cut out for him.  Plumbing and electrical to deal with before things will start looking better.

But, this is exciting.  So is the stack of tile, lights, and supplies in the garage.  Have you started a winter project?  Or a bathroom remodel?

I’m seriously chomping at the figurative bit to get started on our bathroom remodel.  Hopefully we’ll finalize measurements soon and start ordering and building.  Eek, I’m so excited.  Want to see what we’re thinking?

The claw foot tub that we pulled out of the main bathroom will go our master.  We need to refinish it, and I’m thinking a charcoal gray exterior with gold feet, like this:

Or going all charcoal on the outside, feet included, like this:

Either way I think it will be fantastic.  And we’re probably going to use the brass plumbing the tub already has, too.

For the vanity, we want to include warm, dark wood, probably as a countertop.  A sleek round mirror and brass hardware accents, like this will tie in the brass tub plumbing.

A semi recessed vessel sink like this one would be perfect with a faucet similar to the photo above.

On the floors, we’re going to the dark side with gray slate (same stuff we used on the fireplace) set in a brick pattern, like this:

But in the shower, we want light and bright.  What’s better than white marble?  Well, white marble set in a herringbone pattern of course!  Similar to this, but a smaller tile:

And a barn door to allow space for the tub.

If we left the door as it currently is, it would bump into the proposed tub spot.  So here’s the proposed floor plan, with a single sink, free-standing tub, and an open shower.

I’m ready to get this party started.  By party, I mean demo.  Of course more details to come as we make progress.

A huge thank you for all the kind, encouraging words and support on Monday, too!  You all are wonderful.

Let’s talk about our master bathroom, shall we?  What to say about this space.  Well, it’s dated.  The 70’s called, it wants our bathroom back.  Orangey oak cabinets aren’t the worst offenders, but they’re not doing anything to help, either.  And because of the sink placement, only one top drawer opens.

But the cabinets aren’t the real problem.  Oh no, the tile is.  Not only in the looks department, but the shape they’re in.  At the base of the shower, the tiles are separating from the wall.

Which means…water leakage.  We all know that’s a bad situation.  Of course we could fix just the problem areas, but where’s the fun in that?  I mean, the whole bathroom needs an update.  Super hot weather means we’re better off working indoors.  So, tackling the master bathroom has been bumped up our to do list.  Shower, get ready for a makeover.

Walls, prepare for a facelift.

And vanity mirror, you’ve gotta go.  And finally we’ll get some paint around the light fixture.

Most exciting to me is adding the old clawfoot tub from the main bathroom below the window.

To accommodate the tub, we’ll shorten the vanity to one sink (two is unnecessary for us).  And convert the swinging door to a pocket door.

We’re still in the early planning stages, but we’re discussing changing the layout of the shower.  In my ideal world, we’d make this a full glass wall:

But it’s not realistic; where would we put our switches?  And I’ve heard full glass showers are a pain in the arse to clean.  Not to mention, spendy.  We’re excitedly discussing plans and looking for materials.

What prompts you to start a remodel?  Damage that needs fixing?  Just sick of using/looking at a space?  If you could choose one feature for your bathroom, what would it be?  I’m most excited for a separate tub and shower.  Especially because that tub is a clawfoot.

And to all US residents, Happy Independence Day!  Hope you enjoy your long weekend!