Judging from the style of the features, the former bathroom had probably last been remodeled in the 60's. Pink tile, drop ceiling, a "cozy" enclosed shower space, all hallmarks of the time. There was probably a time when that bathroom was sparkling clean and modern, but by the time we moved in the linoleum floor was peeling up and the subfloor showed signs of rot, the tile was falling off the walls, the medicine cabinet was rusty and the lighting was jaundiced and depressing. It was time for a change.
Bill had the job planned out like clockwork. It was crucial that we stay on schedule so each phase of the job would be ready for the plumbing and tile contractors. Plus we wanted to spend as little time as possible without a working bathroom. I ordered all the fixtures from my homegirl Kourtney Miller at Build.com. The choices were endless and she was super helpful with the selection process. I don't know who was more excited, me or her, when I settled on my amazing rain shower head and wand set up. The parts began arriving a few weeks before the job. I never knew I could be so in love with a faucet!
We started on a Friday the 13th, fully gutting the place. We took one last look at it then Bill started by pulling out the toilet and sink vanity. The drop ceiling came down. The linoleum got pulled up and cracked into pieces. We used a hammer to crack the tiles off the walls. And I carried huge pieces of wall covered in ceramic tile and all kinds of craziness down to the back yard.
By day's end there was nothing left but the bathtub.
This also marked the beginning of 8 days without a working shower or toilet! Yes. That's right. We had to get creative by grabbing an occasional shower at the gym and taking daily walks to whole foods around the corner to "powder our noses".
The next day, Derron and Mike showed up to do the rough plumbing (you might remember them from the Washer and Dryer saga). Mike had just been in a bad car accident a few days before, so he showed up with a bruised nose. He didn't even take a day off after the wreck! He toiled away for the day and had the place ready for us to install cement board the next morning.
We spent the entire day installing cement board. I mostly took care of the apprentice work, lugging tools, cleaning up debris, and steadying materials while Bill did the skilled work. But I also got to do my share of installing screws in the cement board. I was actually thrilled to get a "real" job. But it wasn't easy. I had to press my whole body weight into the impact driver to sink the screws. What I lack in brute strength, I make up for in sheer determination! The next day when I changed for yoga I noticed a football size bruise down the center of my chest. I felt pretty badass.
We installed the last bit of cement board at 6AM on Monday morning before rushing off to work, just in time for Vasil from CB Tile (owned by Bill's friend Chris Brand) to arrive to start laying the tile. He worked all week long, first cutting and laying the tile to make a regular pattern. Much more mathmatically complex than I ever realized before! And then grouting his work. Allowing it to set. And then laying more tile. He did a fantastic job!
Next we were ready for finish plumbing (and also ready to get our toilet and shower back in working order!). Dana, another good friend of Bill swooped in and took care of the finish plumbing. He squeezed us in right before having to go to a wedding later that night.
But first, there was an emergency trip to home depot because I had ordered the wrong style faucet for the sink! Quick decision making has never been my strong suit, so there was also a frantic text to my group of gal pals, including my very own design coach Liz Martin of Charleston Weekender, to help me make a final selection.
Dana worked for hours, and the bathroom was really starting to come together. I could almost feel my first shower!! He was just about to leave when we discovered..... the toilet tank was cracked. We would need to replace it!
Dana had to rush off to get to the wedding, so Bill and I piled into his van and drove to Home Depot to pick up a new toilet. An unplanned journey at the most inconvenient time: Saturday afternoon. We fought through traffic and alternated between grumbling and trying to keep each other's spirits up about the whole business. After all, we were so close to having the bathroom back in working order. So close! We grabbed the box that looked the least dinged up and hopped back in the van.
We got home and opened the box.... only to discover that the toilet was shattered inside the box! We barely said a word, hopped back into the van, headed back to Home Depot, and swapped it out for a toilet that was in one piece! Since this was my THIRD TRIP to Home Depot in one day, Bill said I earned my Contractor Brown Belt. Bill installed the throne when we got back and finally did the honors of the FIRST FLUSH! Hooray!
Next Bill went to work on the finish carpentry. He installed a drywall ceiling and walls and beadboard and chair rail. The intricate carpentry is a labor of love. He did lots of sanding, and I did lots of vaccuuming.
Every day it looked more and more fresh and beautiful. Then we were ready for finish painting. I had a vision in my mind, but debated back and forth about whether it would be too dark and make the room feel small. So I bought four different blue samples to try before settling on Silvery Blue by Benjamin Moore. Completely different from my original vision, but I couldn't be happier.
The gorgeous medicine cabinet went in. Mom and I painted the radiator a brilliant shiny white.
Bill installed some small shelves for storage. And I hung some art and, of course, a house plant. And it was complete!
The whole project only took about 6 weeks in total. But we definitely busted our butts the whole time. Spending time in the bathroom went from uncomfortable to luxurious and now I have to work to conjure up the memory of the old and broken down pink tile and dusty nooks and crannies. Bill and I have definitely been known to enjoy a glass of wine reclining in the bathroom, we alternate who gets to sit on the toilet seat and who perches on the edge of the tub.
The Before and After Pics are pretty incredible!
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