Time seriously picks up speed every time I need it to slow down. Anyone else feel that way?
Well, here I am, several weeks late posting the official inside-scoop on the bathroom reno project.
Before
When we bought our 1970’s ranch-style home in the country, almost a year and a half ago, we knew a few things had to happen immediately. One of those must-do’s was removing the wall that sectioned up the main living areas (links are at the bottom of this page if you want to find out more!) We had ambitious goals for accomplishing that project and several more during 2020, but add a global-sized dose of chaos, a new job for my hubby, and his first 90-day deployment, we didn’t tackle nearly as many of those tasks on our first year to-do list.
At the beginning of this year, not long after his return from his assignment out of the country, we looked back over last year’s list and accomplishments. We rearranged a few tasks and made a new list for this year, starting with the water situation! While he was traveling, we experienced a few leaks, which is due to the hard water and the original copper piping running under the home. This had to be addressed, as confirmed by a plumber, or we would continually be making $1200 band-aid repairs at each leak location. (Or worse, if the leak was in the slab under the house somewhere!)
Naturally, this project would not just be an “easy” one. To change the water and fix the pipes, we (as in my handy hubby!) would need to reroute all the plumbing through the attic and add the proper filtration systems. Since the water enters our home at the master bathroom, this also needed to be fully gutted, so the water could be accessed at the main entry point. But, this didn’t bother us, as the bathroom was an original feature of our fifty year old home.
So, let’s take a look at that antique tiling and paneling!
A Few Details
The projected timeline for this triple-whammy of a project was around 2 months. Of course, we had the snowstorm and freeze of the century which meant no work could happen for almost a month. Instead, we wrapped up the project around 2 months behind schedule. (And there are still a few paint touch-ups that need to happen, so is it technically finished?!)
Our budget for the entire project was a guess at best. We knew that, if using the professional plumber, the replumbing alone would cost over $5,000. But, because my husband was going to do all the work, we knew things would be much cheaper. However, once we get started on a project, we don’t tend to keep an eye on the totals. At the end of all three phases of the project, we tallied up the receipts and found we had about doubled our original guess of about $5,000-ish. Still, even with getting near the 9k mark, we saved a tremendous amount by simply completing the work ourselves.
After
Let’s just get to the after photos as those are my fave!!
We started by upgrading the vanity with a beautiful gray cabinet with white marble top. The faucet and door knobs are brushed nickel, as are the shower fixtures and new light. There is plenty of space just in the vanity alone, but we also added two medicine cabinet/mirrors on either side of the vanity. (Mine is full of oils!!!)
In the shower, we put a simple white subway tile in a brick pattern. This makes the third bathroom reno that we have used white subway tile for the bulk of the shower surround. It is clean and classic! In the center of the back shower wall, we put in a recessed area with shelving and a pop of fun tile. The tub is a fabulous (my fave!!) addition. It is a soaker, jetted tub that is perfect for any bath-taker!
While most of the bathroom is gray, blue and white in solid colors, we opted for a bit of pattern in the floor tile. They almost remind me of a well-loved and worn out oriental rug, that has stood the test of time.
Want to see more of the bathroom? Check out the Youtube video that accompanies this post for a full tour of the master bathroom.
If you want to check out more of the journey for this bathroom project:
Reno Part 1 (Beginning)
Bathroom Update (Half-way point)
If you want to find out more about last year’s huge reno project:
Kitchen Reno Part 1 & Part 2 (two separate links, so be sure to check out both!!)
The Finished Kitchen
