Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Master Bath Renovation Progress

I figured it was high time to give y'all an update on our Master Bathroom progress! If you want to see my initial inspiration for the bathroom, you can visit here. This was definitely a project we were pumping the brakes on for as long as we could, but finally decided that now was the best time to get it over and done with. Anyone that has completely renovated a bath or kitchen knows just how much time, effort, dust, CLEANING, work, and money that goes into it! With a baby due this summer, and a toddler needing a big boy room, we decided to go ahead and tackle this monster head on during winter so hopefully our Spring can be full of fun projects and time outside! 

Warning: this post is not full of pretty pictures. We are just beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel here, that all the work is actually worth it! 

Here is where we started: the deepest, darkest, furthest corner away from the public eye of our house: 




Below is a different view, where you can see the bifold doors to the linen closet. You can imagine the door to the bathroom knocking up against those bifolds umpteen times a day! Fun fact, when we moved in the old owners housed their washer and dryer in this closet! Venting the dryer into the master closet. Pure craziness!


Here is the complete plan of action:
-Remove wall for toilet/shower area
-Remove soffit boxes over sinks and shower
-Repair drywall in corresponding places
-Remove shower pan/tile and replace with new 
-Tile new shower
-Remove linen closet bifold doors/add new closet and open shelving unit
-New floor
-New vanity
-New toilet
-New sinks, fixtures, lighting, shower faucet
-Install new shelving in closet and open shelving unit

Here is a quick reference for the removal of walls/soffit boxes:


The first thing to do was remove the soffit boxes and the wall separating the two spaces and OH.MY.GOSH I was having multiple panic attacks looking into this room or even thinking about it. We ended up tearing out more drywall than was absolutely necessary, but decided it was beneficial since the walls have been wallpapered, been exposed to humidity from shower steam for years {with a bathroom fan that we learned was never even plugged in, it was just creating noise!!!} and just seemed old. I like fresh and new. 


Luckily, the exposed walls did not last long, and Stephen and his Dad hung the new drywall on a Sunday when it was frigid, rainy and wind gusting like a tropical storm. Nothing like cutting sheet rock in those conditions! They also took the time to add a lot more insulation behind the scenes since our house could benefit from more of that since the way things were done in 1970. The sheetrock you see is purple, which is a little pricier than your average but it has a mildew shield.


Next, we hired a drywaller to come in and do the nitty gritty work for us of getting the new walls nice and smooth. We also hired a tiling company to install new cement board in the new shower. Although not cheap, it was worth it to make sure the slope of the shower floor and all of the under layment of the shower to be done perfectly with no room for mistakes and leaks! You can also see that there are now two cut outs on the right, which is where we converted the larger linen closet into one closet and one opening for open shelving.



The below picture gave me hope that we were actually getting somewhere! The new door is hung, the open shelving unit is framed out, and the walls and ceiling are primed and ready for paint. Saying goodbye to the bifold doors made me SO happy.


We were absolutely ready at this point to have a working shower again after two weeks of not having one. Stephen and his brother Thomas spent the majority of Friday night and Saturday working on our new subway tiled shower! We used white subway tile and a hexagon accent for the shower niche and the floor. I really wanted to do something marble but was advised of a slip hazard with marble, and since I am pregnant and all...well that's not a good idea. However, I am really genuinely happy with this classic, all white combination!


And another shot after the grouting. The tile still needs to be sponged down a few more times after the grouting, which will make the tiles less matte than what they appear here.


I should have my mirrors in any day, which will be so nice since we tore the old giant rectanglular mirror out during the drywall work. We also have to get the ceiling painted with it's final coat so the new bathroom fan and the can light over the shower can be installed. {We waited until after the painting so we didn't have to cut in}

We will do all other painting, install new crown molding, add shelving to the two closets, and install the shower faucet next. We have ordered a custom vanity locally, and that is going to be probably about a month before it is finished {eek!} but it gives us plenty of time to knock out the other items on the list and get the new floor down. The majority of the big, bad work is done and I am over the moon! While I haven't participated in the labor in the bathroom, I have chosen the accessories that will be going into it. I decided to go with an all chrome fixture/accessory theme. I love me some brass but it is so difficult to pick it out over the internet, and I think chrome is timeless with lots of bright white!

bath accessories

shower faucet // mirror // sconce // sink faucet // hooks {remind me of anchors!}

What do you think about our plan of action? Anyone have any bathroom reno tips for me to consider from here on out?

16 comments:

Chesson | Magnolia+Main said...

You've made a lot of progress so far & it looks great! I love the things that you've picked out, too :)

Elise @ Her Heart and Home said...

SWOONING!!! Love the tile combo you picked too! xx

April of Smidge Of This said...

I've never ever done a remodel of any sort! This is looking fantastic, and your great taste shines through as always!

Alayna said...

amazed that your hubs and his family are so handy:) Looks great!
Alayna
Charlotte, NC

Unknown said...

Love how it's coming along so far! Our master bathroom is in terrible condition, but it's always taken a back seat because we're the only ones who see it. I cannot wait to see the finished product, hoping it will give me inspiration to start on ours! I'm jealous of your handy husband, I think we're going to have to outsource almost everything.

Alexandra Bee Blog said...

I'm sure you are relieved to have a working shower again! Love the contrasting hexagon tile...can't wait to see the finished product!

Stephanie Chalk said...

You and Stephen have done such an amazing job! I can't wait to see the finished project soon, I know it will be gorgeous! :) Xo, Stephanie

Lisa @ Shine Your Light said...

Oh wow Katie! You guys have been very busy over here!! This is so exciting, the tiling looks beautiful!!

Unknown said...

Loving your renovation work so far! The bright and elegant lighting is what I most enjoyed, it brings a contemporary feel to the bathroom and gives it that elusive sense of elegance that we all look for. I just finished renovating my own bathroom, so I understand how tough of a task it is. I admire your work and I am sure the end product will look wonderful.

Lovella Cushman @ Perfection Plumbing

ARK Bath Fittings said...

Excellent suggestions; I now have ideas for my present.

togearmarketing said...

Thanks for sharing an awesome detailed blog
Keep it up and visit us
Full Bathroom Renovation in north vancouver

Zayden Wood said...

The master bathroom is one of the first spaces we update when we look to make improvements. A outdated and damaged bathroom can easily convey a message of discomfort and even dirty, making it a place we want to avoid as much as possible. Some modern master bathroom designs can improve your emotions and give your house the much-needed makeover. Handyman bathroom renovations can assist you in all bathroom renovation needs.

Kiet Flores said...

Really I am very impressed with this post. Just awesome, I haven’t any word to appreciate this post..
bathroom renovation Chino Hills

Century Drywall and Painting said...

Good one. thanks for your helpful instruction.

Unleashed Painting LLC said...

Nice Amazing Blog!
I wanna see more blogs regarding Drywall Repair.
We also provide services of Drywall Repair in Coatesville, PA, United States.

Unleashed Painting LLC said...

Drywall Repair is a common task that many homeowners face at some point. Whether it's a small hole from a misplaced nail or a larger area damaged by water or other factors, knowing how to tackle these repairs yourself can save you time and money. Here are some tips to help you successfully repair your drywall, from minor blemishes to more extensive damage.