transformations: upstairs bathroom

Since we are in the midst of bathroom renovations, I thought now might be a good time to show you the evolution of our upstairs bath (and work towards finishing our room-by-room look at the second floor). This one-post documentation will in no way do justice to the amount of work and time that went into this transformation. Just so you know. :)

This is where we began:

Linoleum floor, 1960’s fixtures, oh-so-lovely yellow floral border on hastily-painted white walls (were they going for better resale value??).

 

 
Tile that made you dizzy (and also started to decay, fall apart, and leak).

 

 
And a toilet that must have once been a uniform peach color but whose seat faded to into a weird, dirty, orangey tan.

It was a sight to see. And to use… for 3 1/2 years.

In February of this year, we finally got the courage and energy to plunge into redoing this space. Evan again offered his assistance (he’s a saint), so he, Curtis, and I went to work…

 
Unfortunately (fortunately?), we didn’t take many pictures of the bathroom in process, but this is a glimpse into the reality of renovation… mess, mess, mess. Note that they tore out the floor, all fixtures, the tile (back to the studs), and basically started over from scratch.

 

The most dramatic and time-consuming part: the shower. They did an AH-mazing job on it, including breaking apart and tearing out the solid cement (?) shower basin, the addition of an overhead light, and even tiling the ceiling!

 

 
For Curtis’ first tile job EVER, I think this is unbelievably impressive.

 

 
We had to patch some major holes in the wall (medicine cabinet, wall heater, etc). I did a lot of that and will be 100% fine if I never have to do it again.

 

 
It’s incredible what a coat of primer will do to make a room seem cleaner and more finished. And to highlight the interesting trim color choice.

Now, the pictures jump ahead to where we are today. Drum roll please…

 
Gorgeous, right?! I just love the new tile floor. I apologize for the crazy lighting in these pictures… I didn’t realize how luminescent the light fixture would be until I downloaded the pictures. Too late!

 

 
The vanity makes the not-large bathroom feel so much more spacious, with it’s shallow depth (is that an oxymoron?) yet plentiful sink area.

 

 
The shower in all its glory, complete with new shower doors.

 

… and new showerhead/handle. I love it! Sorry for the condition of the “clear glass”, by the way. They were still wet from the morning’s showers and are also in desperate need of a good scrubbing!

 

Mirror and vanity combo, top half: wood mirror, fun new faucet and light fixture.

 

 
Bottom half: cherry wood vanity topped with a glowing sink basin.

 

 
Finally, a new white toilet in it’s nook beside the shower. I know, I know… we are in desperate need of something to hang on that wall!

 

There you have it, folks! Our fabulously new and improved upstairs bath. Come over and take it for a test-drive anytime!