Changing Times
Which was definitely evident in our half bath.
If we would have stayed in our old house longer I think something that we would have done is convert the half bathroom in the basement area into a full bath.
Though we never got to this exact project we did remodel the bathroom. The bathroom originally had wood paneling, flowered wallpaper, and vinyl flooring. It was very dated and desperately needed updating.
Our Bathroom Remodel To Do List:
Remove the vinyl flooring.
Install new tile flooring.
Remove the wood panels and wallpaper.
Install two wall outlets.
Paint the walls.
Replace both light fixtures.
Replace the bathroom vanity.
Replace the mirror.
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The Early Day’s Of The Project
When Kevin moved into the house he replaced the original toilet that was in the bathroom because it had a crack. So that was something that was technically crossed off the list even before we knew each other.
Bye, Bye, 1970’s. Hello, 2000’s!
The beginning of a new era! At least for our bathroom.
Since we had planned on replacing everything in the bathroom except for the already newly replaced toilet we decided to completely gut the bathroom before doing anything else.
There is definitely something special about having a toilet sitting in a large plastic bin in your basement for days on end that makes you realize how long a project is truly taking you.
The To-Do List Begins
The first thing we did on our to-do list was to remove the wood paneling that was on the bottom half of the walls along with the very lovely flowered wallpaper on the top half.
The bathroom had a small partition wall between the sink area and the toilet. Which meant there were a lot more areas to work on than just four walls.
The wood paneling came off much easier than its top half, wallpaper. Though it left some work behind in terms of drywall repair, it was nothing in comparison to the wallpaper task.
This was the first time that I had ever removed wallpaper. I will say that I hope it is also the last! It is definitely not a fun job.
We got the round wallpaper scoring tool to help us which was okay. But the best thing that we used was the wallpaper steamer along with the scorer. Scoring first and then going over the wallpaper with the steamer was a game-changer.
Kevin’s dad came to visit us while we were working on removing the wallpaper. He brought us his Sear’s wallpaper steamer which looked as old as the wallpaper we were removing but was definitely amazing.
Mark Another One Off The List
Two birds one stone kind of visit.
While Kevin’s Dad was in town we also were able to knock the new outlets off the list as well. The fact that he is an electrical engineer is definitely a plus! There were no outlets in the bathroom, to begin with.
Kevin and his dad installed one by the sink vanity and one on the bottom wall across from the toilet. I still don’t understand why you would have a bathroom without ANY outlets.
I guess the 1970’s wallpaper needed 1970’s tools to remove it.
Paint Time In The Bathroom Remodel Project
Once everything was removed and the walls were patched and primed it was time to go to Lowe’s. We went looking for paint and to look for a tile that we wanted for the floors.
We decided on a beige somewhat oat color for the walls. I was able to talk Kevin into having white stripes on both of the back walls. Looking back I realized that this is when my love for striped accent walls began.
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Next Onto The Flooring In Our Bathroom Remodel
I feel like this took the most time to complete. Though removing the wallpaper felt like a worse project altogether.
With the walls finished we were ready to move onto the floors. This was definitely Kevin’s wheelhouse. I can take no credit for this part at all. Other than my approval and opinion!
The tiles that we picked out were a textured sand-colored smaller square tile. He mortared the Schluter Ditra membrane to the slab and then moved onto the tile. Finishing with a light sand grout.
There are lots of steps in which I am missing and I’m sure he would give me a look like “yeah, if only it was as simple as you made it seem”!
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We Can Check The New Tile Floor Off The Bathroom Remodel To-Do List
I will say Kevin did such a great job for it being the first time he had ever laid tile. Kevin is definitely a person who loves knowledge. He is always learning how to do new skills.
The tile came out really well and was a complete upgrade from the sticky vinyl planks that were initially there.
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Time To Find A New Vanity For Our Bathroom Remodel
I always enjoy the finishing touches of the project. Not only because I love picking out new pieces but because it also means the project is almost complete!
Once the tile was in it was time for trim and to search for a new vanity. Off to Lowe’s once more we went. We wanted something small and compact because the bathroom was really small.
We found a small dark brown vanity that came with a mirror. It fit perfectly in the bathroom. I will say that I wasn’t too thrilled about the mirror. But it worked for the time being and we never did get around to changing it.
We installed the new vanity, faucet, and mirror. Followed by the toilet which I have to say I was happy to see leave the basement living room.
Reinstalling the toilet was one of my favorite parts not only because I was tired of seeing it sitting in the middle of the basement but because of the memories it invokes.
I was upstairs in the kitchen while he was installing it and all of a sudden heard this sound of a waterfall coming from downstairs. I of course had to see what in the world was happening.
Though halfway down the stairs I heard the lovely parade of profanity which gave me a good idea as to what was going on.
Well, come to find out the shut-off valve wouldn’t completely shut off. So after the initial monsoon of toilet water all over our remodel bathroom was cleaned up Kevin bought a cap to fix the problem.
I’m sure he still would not find this as funny as I still do to this day, it definitely made for a memorable moment in our bathroom remodel project!
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Lighting Was Last Off The Bathroom Remodel To-Do List
But definitely gave us better light to admire our work.
To finish off the bathroom remodel we added a light over the vanity and replaced the original light that was there.
The addition of the two sconced brushed nickel light fixture over the vanity added so much light to the bathroom. I couldn’t imagine without it.
The small light that was initially in the bathroom we replaced with a glass globe light which also gave off much more light as well. I definitely feel like a bathroom is definitely somewhere you want good lighting, I guess if you’re a girl at least!
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The Final Finishing Touches Of Our Bathroom Remodel
Once everything was completely done I do what I always do when a project is complete. I decorate or as Kevin says “nick-nack” the area.
There is something about the finishing touches that complete the project, at least in my opinion!
The bathroom turned out better than we imagined and gave way for our next bathroom project, our full bathroom upstairs!
As A Participant In Amazon Associates Program, An Affiliated Marketing Program, I Make Commissions On Purchases Made Through The Following Links.
