{Big Box Bathroom} Day 2

Monday morning rolled around way too fast over here…what about you? Between the State Fair of Texas and a local Art Festival, we had a great weekend full of family fun, and fried food! I think I have a junk food hangover this morning!

Things moved quickly last week on our Big Box Bathroom remodel...in fact, our rockstar-contractor is virtually done with his part…and now it’s up to us to finish it off. Even though it’s exciting to see the progress unfold every day on this end, I know it doesn’t make for pretty posts. But I also know many of you like the details of these types of projects, so I wanted to be sure and document the steps and decisions we faced along the way. And Day 2 was a busy one!

Once the demo was complete, we decided to go ahead and paint the ceiling and walls. The thinking was, it’d go faster since we wouldn’t have to tape it off or cut around trim, nor would we have to worry about drips and splatters on our brand new tile. It ended up not really helping much, since the rest of the remodel process is so messy, we’ll have to go back and paint some areas again. I put my best child-laborer on the job.

Hi Sugarplum | Big Box Bathroom Remodel, Days 2 & 3

Day 2 started with new (dry!) wet board being installed in the shower stall, followed by the tile.

Hi Sugarplum | Big Box Bathroom Remodel, Days 2 & 3

I sketched the cut-out I wanted for shampoo bottles and soap, and they created the area between studs. Yay for no more parade-of-bottles on the edge of the tub!

Hi Sugarplum | Big Box Bathroom Remodel, Days 2 & 3

You may have noticed the sliver of window in the Before shots…well, we beefed it up by framing it out with 3-inch trim. Now instead of being awkward, it will be part of the room’s design.

Hi Sugarplum | Big Box Bathroom Remodel, Days 2 & 3

My intent was to paint the trim white, but now I’m kind of digging the raw wood against the shiny tile. The design board also called for the shower tile to be laid on a herringbone pattern, but I was concerned that would get too busy…not to mention, more time-consuming to install…so I went with Allen + Roth 4×12 white subway tile in a brick pattern. The larger size cuts down on the number of grout lines, which is less busy on the eye, and easier for me to clean later!

Hi Sugarplum | Big Box Bathroom Remodel, Days 2 & 3

With only a single small window, the room can be pretty dark, so they installed two recessed lights (on dimmers!) in the ceiling, along with a jumbo-sized fan. For some reason the bathroom didn’t have a ventilation fan, and I’m not taking any chances with that gorgeous wallpaper! (I’ll paint the fan the same color as the ceiling.)

Hi Sugarplum | Big Box Bathroom Remodel, Days 2 & 3

They also cut new holes and re-wired the wall for sconces. (Reason #87 we are grateful for professional help on this project!)

Remember we had a wonky, wobbly toilet…and they had to jackhammer the floor? Well, they re-installed the toilet thingie at the proper depth, and filled the surrounding hole with fresh concrete. (Reason #92)

Hi Sugarplum | Big Box Bathroom Remodel, Days 2 & 3

In the meantime, they cut the 1/4-inch thick sheets of plywood in to 8-inch strips, and primed them. These will later be used to panel the bottom two-thirds of the walls.

Hi Sugarplum | Big Box Bathroom Remodel, Days 2 & 3

We special-ordered this Roth + Allen vanity from Lowes, and I’m thrilled with the quality! It’s solid wood with dovetail joints, and even though it means we have to tile the entire floor, I love how it sits high like a piece of furniture. Not to mention, it almost doubles the storage space of the previous vanity.

Hi Sugarplum | Big Box Bathroom Remodel, Days 2 & 3

It was a creamy-white, so we sprayed it the same bright white as the rest of the room. You can’t really see it, but they also added a piece of trim to the left-side edge so it will sit flush against the bathroom wall once the top is added.

Hi Sugarplum | Big Box Bathroom Remodel, Days 2 & 3

I’m not sure what hardware I’ll use on it, so they puttied over the holes, as well.

Hi Sugarplum | Big Box Bathroom Remodel, Days 2 & 3

They finished out the day by taking the shower tile all the way to the ceiling.

Hi Sugarplum | Big Box Bath remodel Day 2

Now the shower feels twice as big! And I’m crazy about the dark paint against the white tiles!

Hi Sugarplum | Big Box Bath remodel Day 2

What do you think about the wood tones? Should I leave them with just a clear seal, or paint them white? Can you even believe the transformation of this room in only two days?!

Follow along from the beginning:

*** For those of you asking about my rockstar-contractor, I highly recommend
Classic Kitchens & Baths (214-349-5999)! But be patient,
affordable greatness like theirs books up fast! ***

Leave a Comment

36 Comments

  1. This is looking SO good!! More, I want more!

    Posted 10.6.14 Reply
    • Girl — you are cranking out amazing projects over in SC, too! I want more details on yours!!

      Posted 10.6.14 Reply
  2. Oh, it's coming along beautifully! I can't wait to see more!

    Posted 10.6.14 Reply
    • Thanks Katie…the floors are happening on Day 3!!

      Posted 10.6.14 Reply
  3. This looks amazing!! I think it would look even better with darker wood.

    Posted 10.6.14 Reply
    • Hmmmm, a dark stain! I hadn't thought of that! Thanks for the idea, Shalini! xo

      Posted 10.6.14 Reply
  4. Simply LKJ wrote:

    Looking good. I would wait to decide. You might change your mind once the grout is done and the other colors are in the room.

    Posted 10.6.14 Reply
    • Good point! I think once the wallpaper is in, that will change the look of things dramatically. Hope your weekend was grand!

      Posted 10.6.14 Reply
  5. Patricia wrote:

    If this is the only wood in the whole bathroom, I'd consider painting it. If you're staining the rest of the trim, then go with that. Which ever you choose, you want it to look like a part of the overall design.

    Posted 10.6.14 Reply
    • The mirror is wood…but maybe it's best to let that stand alone. So many choices!!!

      Posted 10.6.14 Reply
  6. I like the wood trim and you could leave it that way for a while, you could always paint it later. BUT… I totally see an opportunity for a fun pop of color there! Looking back at your design board, that green tub is fabulous. What about a pop of green on the trim to match the birds in the wallpaper? Just a thought…. I LOVE where this is headed, makes me want to rip out my kids' perfectly fine bath!

    Posted 10.6.14 Reply
    • That green will def need to make another appearance somewhere in the room!! #didsomeonesaymonogramtowels

      Posted 10.6.14 Reply
  7. Niki wrote:

    I hadn't even thought of it, but I totally agree with Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles! A pop of color on that wood trim would be so nice!

    Posted 10.6.14 Reply
  8. Looking so good!! The raw wood does look pretty and different!

    Posted 10.6.14 Reply
    • Right!!?? I was so surprised when I walked in and saw it!

      Posted 10.6.14 Reply
  9. Jillian wrote:

    the tile looks So good! xo jillian – cornflake dreams

    Posted 10.6.14 Reply
  10. It looks amazing! Love the subway tile and the dark walls. Can't wait to see it come together!

    Posted 10.6.14 Reply
    • It's amazing how the room is so bright, even with that dark paint. Light just bounces off that shiny white tile!!

      Posted 10.6.14 Reply
  11. Oh how I love that white subway tile with the black!!! I'd leave the window trim natural until you finish everything else and then see how you feel about it. Also, I got such a kick out of her painting while wearing a pink tutu. You go girl!

    Posted 10.6.14 Reply
    • ha — she's my prissy tomboy. I'm with you…I think I'll leave the trim until the end…I can always paint it, but not so easy to un-paint it later!

      Posted 10.6.14 Reply
  12. Shannon wrote:

    This is going to look AMAZING! I am loving the black. My old bath was the exact same shape, and I painted it black, too! I wish I had the time to do a full reno, because that tile is giving me serious bath envy. Can't wait to see!

    Posted 10.6.14 Reply
  13. Nancy wrote:

    First of all, I can't get over the cuteness of her painting outfit Bravo girlfriend, you nailed it with the best OOTD! Adorable! Your bathroom is looking fab. Keep that wood natural for now. I can't decide yet but I am leaning on leaving it alone!

    Posted 10.6.14 Reply
  14. I love where this is going Cassie! Big yes to keeping the natural wood of the window frame. It'll help tie in the other wood elements like the DIY hooks on your mood board and I like the warmth it adds. Good work on getting your girl to help out – painting clothes are for amateurs 😉

    Posted 10.6.14 Reply
  15. It's looking awesome! You must be so thrilled!!

    Posted 10.6.14 Reply
  16. steph wrote:

    I would paint it white – I love the clean look of all white (I have subway tile and white trim in mine) – let's just say I am biased

    Posted 10.6.14 Reply
  17. Allison wrote:

    Your bathroom is looking fabulous Cassie! I love the white subway tile with the dark paint. Very striking! You have the cutest painter there. Painting in a pink tutu….now that is style! A girl who likes to have fun. She takes after her sweet mama.

    Posted 10.7.14 Reply
  18. Ooooo looking good!! I am digging the raw wood!! Can't wait to see the finished product.

    xo, Taylor

    Posted 10.7.14 Reply
  19. This looks gorgeous! I think I'd paint the window frame white though.

    Posted 10.7.14 Reply
  20. It's coming along so well! I love the white tile! I'm totally digging the raw wood too.

    Posted 10.7.14 Reply
  21. This looks so good! Love that your painter wears a pink tutu! 🙂

    Posted 10.7.14 Reply
  22. Your painting assistant's THE CUTEST! Loving how it's all coming together. That shower cubby/niche is so useful, seriously. So I'm digging the natural wood window frame but I vote paint it white to let it blend in so that the gorgeous subway tile can be the star!

    xoxo

    Posted 10.7.14 Reply
  23. Every last detail is beyond gorgeous Cassie! I love all of the drama you are bringing in with that dark paint! And I hear you on the wood tone – I have been loving the naturalness lately! Whatever you do will be amazing!

    Posted 10.7.14 Reply
  24. S Mannon wrote:

    I love the ability you give us to imagine it.

    Posted 10.10.14 Reply
  25. Anonymous wrote:

    I'm a little late to this party, but what is the paint color you chose? Love it!

    Posted 1.19.15 Reply
    • Hi Anon! I can't recall off-hand…but I'll be sure to list out all the sources in the final reveal post…coming up soon!! xo

      Posted 1.19.15 Reply