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.
Day 2 started with new (dry!) wet board being installed in the shower stall, followed by the tile.
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!
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.
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!
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.)
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)
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.
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.
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.
I’m not sure what hardware I’ll use on it, so they puttied over the holes, as well.
They finished out the day by taking the shower tile all the way to the ceiling.
Now the shower feels twice as big! And I’m crazy about the dark paint against the white tiles!
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?!
*** 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! ***
This is looking SO good!! More, I want more!
Girl — you are cranking out amazing projects over in SC, too! I want more details on yours!!
Oh, it's coming along beautifully! I can't wait to see more!
Thanks Katie…the floors are happening on Day 3!!
This looks amazing!! I think it would look even better with darker wood.
Hmmmm, a dark stain! I hadn't thought of that! Thanks for the idea, Shalini! xo
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.
Good point! I think once the wallpaper is in, that will change the look of things dramatically. Hope your weekend was grand!
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.
The mirror is wood…but maybe it's best to let that stand alone. So many choices!!!
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!
That green will def need to make another appearance somewhere in the room!! #didsomeonesaymonogramtowels
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!
Looking so good!! The raw wood does look pretty and different!
Right!!?? I was so surprised when I walked in and saw it!
the tile looks So good! xo jillian – cornflake dreams
It looks amazing! Love the subway tile and the dark walls. Can't wait to see it come together!
It's amazing how the room is so bright, even with that dark paint. Light just bounces off that shiny white tile!!
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!
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!
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!
I may have licked it. Just sayin.
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!
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 😉
It's looking awesome! You must be so thrilled!!
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
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.
Ooooo looking good!! I am digging the raw wood!! Can't wait to see the finished product.
xo, Taylor
This looks gorgeous! I think I'd paint the window frame white though.
It's coming along so well! I love the white tile! I'm totally digging the raw wood too.
This looks so good! Love that your painter wears a pink tutu! 🙂
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
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!
I love the ability you give us to imagine it.
I'm a little late to this party, but what is the paint color you chose? Love it!
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