Black and Blue (and BEAUTIFUL!) Bathroom Remodel
Black and Blue (and BEAUTIFUL!) Bathroom Remodel
It’s done!!!! If you’re new here, then take a look at this post, which did a pretty good job of rounding up all of the dirty details that we’ve been doing over the past 6 months! There’s also a chapter run down at the END of this post if you need more information. I am SOOO excited to show you this makeover and thank you generously for your patience during this renovation! This is by far the most amazing makeover we’ve done to this house – and we’ve done a LOT. I’ll keep the commentary to a minimum and let the photos speak for themselves…
The Vanity
Before
As you walked in the door, the first thing you saw was the vanity to the left. Before it was a pretty builder’s basic set up with stock cabinetry, off-centered plumbing and lighting, a wall-to-wall mirror and damaged marble countertops. The finishes were also mismatched (Oil-Rubbed Bronze lighting and door hardware + brushed nickel faucets = ick!). I could go on, but you get the point.
After
We replaced EVERYTHING! Nothing here is original. New cabinets, lighting, counters – slam-damn EVERYTHING! There’s so much going on here that I’ll just let you look at the pictures to take it all in.
The Tub
Before
To the right of the door and facing the vanity, we find the tub. The tub was fine – good size, good placement, good condition. But that tile surround simply had to go. It was cracked, damaged and just plain ugly.
After
We kept the tub but replaced everything else, including the backsplash and tub deck tile. We opted for a board and batten treatment on the face of the tub deck rather than more tile (it’s an easier and cheaper installation that honestly looks more “custom”). We kept things feeling serene and restful by limiting the color palettes to whites, pale blues and grays. Though you can’t see it in the pictures, we also added a can light above the tub for more lighting. Here is the tub area after our renovation:
The Loo
Before
I don’t have a ton of pictures of this area – it’s just not one of those things people really want to take pictures of. Regardless, this toilet was never going to stay – it wasn’t a comfortable toilet to sit on and could barely handle the job it was designed to do if you know what I’m sayin’ (*wink*wink*). Also, in the process of foreclosure, they had installed that air freshener above the toilet, which left a sticky residue behind that we had to *cut*out*of*the*wall* in order to remove, so some patching work was definitely in order:
After:
We replaced the loo with an elongated bowl, which is much more comfortable for my hubby and dudes in general. Then we added some modern open storage shelves from West Elm and topped the whole area off with beautiful crown molding. There wasn’t much to look at before and I’m not one to really get all giddy about a toilet, but, boy, is it pretty now!
The Shower
Before
Ahh….the space that pretty much started it all. I did a pretty extensive post on this area back in June when we finished it (which you can read about by clicking here). But it’s worth it to see what it was like before. Cramped, dark and growing black mold – ick! We had a light-blocking arch that didn’t do much except make that area feel smaller – as if that was possible! We had no storage in the shower – not even a decent place to put our soap! We pined for something larger, grander and more functional…and I apologize on the quality of these pictures – it really was a difficult place to photograph before…
After
I saved the best for last. Wow, what a difference 6 months make! NOTHING here is original. And this shower is absolutely bee-you-tee-ful. You can read more about this process by clicking here. Essentially, we demoed this area down to the studs, added more plumbing so we could have a dual shower head system, built a custom shower pan (it’s easier than it sounds – more on that in another post), tiled floor to ceiling with crisp white Subway tile, added some soap dishes and storage shelves and installed a gorgeous Carrera Marble tumbled stone floor that has a nice flat and smooth finish – super easy on the feet! Check out this after – it literally takes my breath away every time I see it!
Other Views
…anything that wasn’t covered above will be here. Enjoy!
That’s it! Thank you to everyone for your patience and encouragement during this journey. It’s been a process and I’m sooooo glad we’ve done it. I’ll work on a source list and our overall budget breakdown in the coming weeks. But in the short term, I’m exhausted. I’m so glad it’s done. I’m so glad we did it. Would we do it again? Not in this house, no. But in a future house?? If it needed it, then yes, definitely! We learned so much doing this bathroom and I was continually surprised at what my husband and I were able to accomplish with our own four hands. It certainly has given us a good deal of confidence that if you put your mind to it (and your back INTO it), you really CAN accomplish anything…
But now I’m off to take a long soak in my tub. I think I’ve earned it, don’t you??
We remodeled our master bathroom and it was a doozy that took 6 months! We did absolutely EVERthing ourselves except for installing the countertops and shower doors. Here are some links to read more about the process and maybe it’ll give you the confidence to tackle your own renovation!
Be sure to check out her post for a list of the whole project’s posts and the budget down here.
If you like this post please check out these features as well:
Cassity Kmetzsch started Remodelaholic after graduating from Utah State University with a degree in Interior Design. Remodelaholic is the place to share her love for knocking out walls, and building everything back up again to not only add function but beauty to her home. Together with her husband Justin, they have remodeled 6 homes and are working on a seventh. She is a mother of four amazing girls. Making a house a home is her favorite hobby.
Girl… you and your hard work is beyond stunning. Being a “I can change this color and make the room better”, always ends up being “But if I take out THIS half of the wall it will add 10 feet of space.Oh then we can added suspended shelves for nick nacks!” Yes, I too have the remodel it myself disease. Everything in these pics gives me more ideas. I’m sure my husband will LOVE that idea. lol. Right now we are in a rental. By August we should be starting on the beginning phases of building our very first home. Which I plan on having my hands dirty through it all! After all, this is my first home, it’s mine, I want it perfect, styled to suit me not some builder that knows nothing about me, and most importantly did I mention it’s mine? Kidding. Most important is.. when I spend my first night in this home, as I lay down to sleep, (yeah right! I won’t sleep! I’ll be taking pictures, having a party in every room of the house with the kids and my grandson, and watching my children as they fall asleep in a house they can be proud to call their own and have as many sleep overs and neighbors kids in and out as I can handle. *wink* My most important is my room and bathroom. That’s my sanctuary. I’m sure you know exactly what I mean. There’s only one think I would suggest for your bathroom. You picked the best neutral, peaceful colors to go with your cabinets. The only problem is the same one I wrestled with. As stupid as this sounds, it’s your light bulbs over the vanity. They yellow and dull out your beautiful paint. It’s just a suggestion but they have *true white* light bulbs. When we changed ours here, OMG what a difference. I myself even looked different in the mirror. They aren’t any more expensive than regular ones. If you’re interested, give it a shot! Well, now I’ve babbled enough. I’m off to browse your amazing remodels. Maybe I’ll find inspiration for my own. Thank you so much for posting these. Amazing job and congrats!