From mid centurty ugly to my dream bathroom 95% done

14 years ago

We are almost done with our bathroom renovation. I'm too excited about it to wait for the finishing touches before I post it. Still to come is a mirror with 1" bevel to be installed in vanity, frameless glass to be installed in shower and baseboard heat cover being made. Thank you for all of your help during my many mini meltdowns.

We went from this...

There was one electrical outlet in the hole bathroom and it was in the medicine cabinet.

We closed off this door and moved the shower to that side.

So here is our new vanity...

Our new shower

We will put white wood blinds on the window and a cover for the heater

Here are the details:

Shower fixtures, towel bars: Restoration Hardware Asbury

Floor and shower walls: 12x12 honed carrara tiles set in a running bond pattern with delorean gray grout

Floor in shower: Cobsa thin basketweave

Light: Landmark Lighting

Knobs: Lookintheattic.com

Vanity: Custom built

Makeup Mirror: Kimball Young hardwired

Paint: Trim and vanity is Glacier White and walls and ceiling is Stonington Gray

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Comments (64)

jenskitchen
Original Author
14 years ago
anna_2006: The vanity is 66 inches long and each tower is 18 inches. I don't have the depth handy but the sink is 20 inches. The toilet width is snug but it comfortably fits an American Standard Champion 4 Townsend with an elongated seat and comfort height.

jojoless: I will take a picture of the insides next week when we finally install the interior shelves. We've been waiting for some last minute electrical work to go in.
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rmkitchen
14 years ago
I can't stop myself from coming back and looking, looking, drooling again at your fantastic bath! It is just so dreamy. You did a beautiful job. Thank you (again) so much for sharing! I just love it!
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I would like to chime in again in response to hollysprings' post. I do appreciate her insight, and others who are way more knowledgeable about this stuff than I. I agree that there are often circumstances that we may not be aware of that drive costs up, but let's face it, for many of us the construction industry is an enigma and it is already so hard to sift the wheat from the chaff. It only makes it harder for us when they don't let us know what goes into an estimate and we are left in the dark. Not only trying to find someone upstanding, but also someone who you get along with and understands your goals in the project. And I do think we should know the separation of labor and materials at least in some basic context. Obviously there is some range of cost that they have taken into account in order to come up with a lump sum estimate in the first place. Not to mention their own magic number that they need in order to make a decent living. And yes, there is a difference between nit-picking and getting a range of expected customer's choice driven costs. Shouldn't there be some responsibility on the contractor to let us know what types of allowances they are taking into consideration? I am new to remodeling, much like the OP. Unfortunately there are not many good resources for us noobs to educate ourselves about the construction process, how contractors work, good design, and product knowledge. Which is why I and so many others are on online forums such as this. I have been burned a few times attempting to learn and ask those same questions, like what the driving force is behind estimates and it is very frustrating because many contractors are not able to really articulate these things. What I have experienced is either a well organized design/ hold firm that does high quality work but only wants to work with luxury finishes or small time guys who come recommended by friends and neighbors that don't have a broad range of knowledge of products/design. And then those who do really great jobs for their friends and families but slack off for those who aren't on their Christmas list. No one I have met as a potential or actual client has been particularly interested in answering my questions, except with a short answer and a 'trust me I know what I'm doing'. I do know you get what you pay for and I am able to pay for what I want, but I also want to gain an understanding in what those driving forces are behind the costs. And in my expensive area of the country, it is very easy for me to feel and actually be price gouged.
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That's SO nice of you to say, Shelayne! Does feel like an entirely new room to me. Thanks so much for your enthusiastic reply! Lyban, thanks. I'm so glad you feel the vanities work. I got a great sale price on them &...they came from HD! I'm happy with the quality. They're quite sturdy & solid, not flimsy or cheap feeling. I love the soft-close drawers & doors, & yes, the hardware is what I'd have chosen myself! If you like the shower, will send my tile guy over to you! He'll make you one just like it! He's VERY reasonable price-wise & a delight to work with. Thank you EG3d! Upa Lazy River, wowza, thanks! Good to know, Olychick. Please post pics if you do add a door!
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Realtor.com link requires a login ... I mean, I know it's always going to be a box ranch, but I'm interested in making it a little more interesting and giving it some charm/character in keeping with this country, wooded setting. I don't know - cottage-y, lodge-y, villa-ish, ...something. Or am I dreaming? The design of this place will not allow you to make it look cottage-y lodge-y anymore than I can turn a Victorian into a Craftsman or a post-Modern. If that's what you really want, then you need to look at another house or tear this one down. It will always be a ranch. It can be a very good-looking ranch, but a cottage or villa it will never be. That said, I think there are a number of things you could do. To be honest, when I look at the second link, I'm not sure if I'm seeing the front of the house or not, though your references seem to match what I see. The house has some serious "presence" problems. My $.02: - I'm not sure about a manufactured-stone face over the concrete mostly because it doesn't seem logical to me to put one kind of stone on the foundation walls and not carry it up to the "second" story. I think it would look like an afterthought or a coverup. I would either take down the brick and put up all one kind of manufactured stone or put more brick on the lower level. Whether you paint it is up to you; I guess some of it depends on how much maintenance you want to apply to the house and how much you dislike the brick-red color. - I would agree with doing something to show off the front door, but that could be as simple as a slab and either a couple of very large planters or an arbor that is then planted with something which will climb. I would not go with columns as it is not in keeping with the style of this house. You could even consider a walkway from the garage to the front door with a very short planter wall running alongside (maybe this could echo the pattern of the driveway retaining wall), into which you could put colorful flowering plants. - A new front door would draw some attention to that part of the house, as well, but I would be careful in not going over the top with anything ultramodern (like NeoPorte) or fussy (lots of "stained" glass or acid etching). Having both the front door and the garage door be the same color, IMHO, would be a good thing. - I vote 'no' for shutters, but, then I grew up with those dumb vestigial shutters which were too narrow to function as real shutters, so they just seem like self-mocking extras to me. Shutters are fine if they really shut; the kind that don't just look like an affectation to me.
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"runninginplace: nice job with the subway tiles. Tell me about your shower size and materials and how you clean it. Where do you put all your stuff? Do you have a cabinet somewhere in the bathroom?" I decided to eliminate the bathtub when I remodeled since I hadn't used it EVER and only used the other tub (in hall bath) maybe once-twice in 20 years. So the shower is basically the same size/footprint as a bathtub. It feels so large and luxurious to me! The floor is the same hex tile as the rest of the bathroom and the walls are the same subway tile as the rest as well. Something I learned about on the bathroom forum and used and would definitely recommend is grout colorant. It is generally something you put on grout to restore color or cover dirt/dinginess. However it was suggested that if I wanted white grout I could just do white grout colorant immediately. I did and boy was that a great idea! I find that it has kept the grout looking good with minimal effort. To clean the shower floor I use some Comet then a splash of very dilute bleach water. Clean the subway tile with the bleach water as well. The shower glass is a breeze to maintain using a Mr. Clean magic eraser. Those things really are magic on glass--just dampen the eraser, wipe down and buff with a dry cloth. Presto, sparkling clean. As for a cabinet, that was the achilles heel of doing a pedestal sink in a teeny tiny bathroom. After I took those photos I found a perfectly sized little 3-drawer cabinet at Target. It is tucked between the toilet and exterior wall (not shown). Holds toiletries and miscellany and along with the medicine cabinet it is adequate. I've linked below to one that is similar from Target, although as noted mine has drawers instead of the glass door. But the dimensions are almost identical. The reality is I will never have a bathroom with storage space for towels, toilet paper, hair equipment et al. So I just store those things as close as possible--bedroom closet, linen closet in the hallway--and avoid drooling over larger bathrooms :). Ann Here is a link that might be useful: Small bathroom storage cabinet
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gsciencechick
14 years ago
As much as I am a fan of retro bathrooms, I totally agree this one needed to go. The results are so beautiful! Love the vanity and the shower tile.
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islanddevil
14 years ago
Beautiful classic! Hard to believe that is the same bathroom!
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nhbaskets
14 years ago
Absolutely beautiful! Our MB is a similar configuration as far as the vanity size and toilet. We currently have one sink but were thinking of changing to two whenever we remodel. Seeing your towers, I love all the storage space you have and will now need to rethink this again. BTW, I've been accumulating RH Asbury fixtures when they go on sale. How do you like the faucet? I open up the box every once in a while and dream.

Be sure to post pictures when you get your mirror installed. Awesome job!
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jenskitchen
Original Author
14 years ago
NHBaskets, we never use the bathroom at the same time so we decided against double sinks. Also we got our RH fixtures at their outlet in Lancaster, PA for 50% off. Not sure where you live but look for the outlets if they are nearby. I'm really happy with the fixtures but they are a little hard to keep shiny. I love the coin edge details.

Mirror and glass doors go in tomorrow. Fingers crossed. We just had the floors done in the rest of the house and I'm so worried that the guys will scratch them.
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dianalo
14 years ago
Holy Cow! That is seriously gorgeous! Seeing your crystal knobs is making me rethink my chrome choices. I love it all and can't wait to see it all done ;)
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jenskitchen
Original Author
14 years ago
More pics coming soon. Glass and mirror just went in.

Overall I must give credit where credit is due on this one. I worked with an amazing local designer who helped me really focus on what I wanted from this bathroom. She gave me wonderful advice (sometimes late at night when I was really nervous!)and she has amazing taste. Her blog is form and finish design dot blogspot dot com if you want to reach her. We are in the Northeast but maybe she'd do online advice??
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jenskitchen
Original Author
14 years ago
So now I can say I'm officially done. Here are a few more shots of the finished product

The glass shower door is installed now:

Someone asked to see the upper cabinet opened. I have 8(!) outlets inside of my tower.

Our contractor built a beautiful cover for our baseboard heating that really blends with the woodwork on the walls

This is the final version of the vanity with the mirror installed.
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gingerjars
14 years ago
I have to say it again, I love your bathroom. There are things about your vanity that I will copy. Marble,one tower and knobs. Its beautiful. How are you liking the make-up mirror?
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jojoless
14 years ago
I was the person asking for the picture of the inside of your BEAUTIFUL vanity / upper cabinets. Thanks so much - this really helps!

You've done a fantastic job on this bathroom and have provided many of us with wonderful ideas for our future renovations.
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jenskitchen
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks I love the mirror and really prefer the look of the square shape. It is 3x magnification so not too intense. It is hardwired into the side of the tower.
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DoggieMom
14 years ago
Exquisite! Congratulations on a beautiful bathroom. I love everything. The shower is perfect with the marble wall and basketweave tile floor. It's very tempting to put a border or dots or some other accent on shower walls, (not that there is anything wrong with that), but your beautiful bathroom exhibits tasteful restraint and the results are, well, exquisite! Enjoy.
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catkin
14 years ago
WOWZA! Gorgeous--thanks for sharing! I love it--so classic!
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csremodel
14 years ago
Stunning! When I remodel my master bath I am using your pictures as an example of my dream bathroom.

It is a very elegant, restrained and calm space - love, love, love it!
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slateberry
14 years ago
Even though they're inside the cabinets I think you should splurge upgrade your outlet covers. you will see them, and that's worth something. House of antique hardware or rejuvenation might have something that fits with the style of your bathroom.

The running bond is wonderful. I was going to do my 12x12 marble in a grid, but now I'm reconsidering. Thanks for sharing...
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cloub
14 years ago
Gorgeous bathroom! Love it! Doing a MB remodel right now, and lighting is a bigger issue than I thought it would be. Is your makeup mirror lighted? Thanks for the idea... I'm going to make sure our electrician hardwires for one.

Here is a link that might be useful: sweet chaos
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countrygal_905
14 years ago
Very, very nice!!! Thanks for sharing and enjoy!!!
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jenskitchen
Original Author
14 years ago
Cloub, the makeup mirror is lit (with a LED bulb) and I LOVE it. I especially like that it is square.

PS How ANNOYING is the typo in my subject line? I was in such a rush to share I didn't proofread and I don't know how to fix it. Grrr.
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nicole__
14 years ago
Beautiful!!!!
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cloub
14 years ago
I love the square shape, too. One more question... is it possible to fold it back so that it is flush against your cabinetry column?

I didn't even notice the typo, but I think I just fixed it in this follow-up :)

Here is a link that might be useful: sweet chaos
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jenskitchen
Original Author
14 years ago
Yes, the mirror folds up against the tower.

Love your blog cloub
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cloub
14 years ago
Thanks so much!! I hope my bathroom turns out half as beautiful as yours did :)

Here is a link that might be useful: sweet chaos
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southerngalinnyc
14 years ago
Quite simply...
makes me say ahhh, how relaxing and pretty !
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bh401
14 years ago
Simply stunning! You did an awesome job on your bathroom!

Love the vanity! Very classic!
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barb59
14 years ago
Wow! Just beautiful. Can you give me the dimensions for the shower? Thanks so much. Barb
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trekaren
14 years ago
Sorry your loved ones are sick of hearing about this bathroom but they didn't have to live with the dizzying 'Before' wallpaper that extended to the ceiling. WOW!

Love the idea of the outlets. Definitely going to incorporate something similar into my upcoming remodel plans. What a great idea!
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Angela
14 years ago
I am totally clipping this post and using it for inspiration! So awesome!!
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jenskitchen
Original Author
14 years ago
@barb59: I think the shower is 4x7 ish.
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barb59
14 years ago
Thanks.That's helpful. My sense of size is not very good.
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mg70
13 years ago
This is absolutely gorgeous! Great job. I have a similar bathroom but ours is a lovely 1950's green! What size is your bathroom? I'm having trouble planning the layout for ours which is 8 X6. Would it be possible for you to post a quick sketch of the layout? I would love to see how it all goes together. Did you add any space to yours? Thanks!
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Ella_and_Luther
13 years ago
jenskitchen - Are your showerhead and controls Restoration Hardware Asbury? When I went to the website, I didn't see a showerhead that looked the same?

Thanks. Looks great!
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jenskitchen
Original Author
13 years ago
I don't have the layout handy but I know I included the sketch in other posts. Maybe you can search by my username?

The shower head and handle are Moen. I didn't like the one at RH so we matched it up with this. Can't remember the model but it was inexpensive in comparison ($250 ish). Love it especially when we removed the flow restrictor.
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abd1
13 years ago
Love your bathroom! The vanity is an original, great design. I love the mini pendant light also. I just found 2 mini pendants that I want to use above our vanity, however our ceilings are pretty low and I'm not sure if they'll work. I'm wondering how tall your ceilings are approximately and how much clearance you have between the vanity and pendant? Do you feel like the lights is right in your face or the light is going to hit you in the head? What's your overall opinion of having the pendant light now that you've lived with it? Thanks for sharing. Here's a like to the pendants we want to use. I'm hoping they work out.

Here is a link that might be useful: nautical mini pendant
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homeagain
13 years ago
LOVE it....one of the best I've seen here. I'm totally copying your vanity!!!
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kateskouros
13 years ago
beautiful job ...really wonderful choices! congratulations on your new bathroom. it made me smile!
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greatgollymolly
13 years ago
Oh my you must feel like you died and went to heaven. That is one gorgeous bathroom. Congratulations.
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kayckay
13 years ago
This bathroom is gorgeous! We are going to start our master bath renovation in the fall and this is very much the look I am after, all white and gray marble. You did an outstanding job, I love the diamond glass in your doors for the vanity, very nicely done.
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salem1772
13 years ago
Now that you have lived with your bathroom for a while, I wonder if there is anything you would do differently?

Do you miss not having a hand towel near the sink?
How about keeping the glass clean on cabinet doors--- hard to clean well around the X?
Your design appears nearly perfect in form and function! I LOVE it and so hope to incorporate some of your elements into our renovation.

Thanks in advance for your reply. Best regards.
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jenskitchen
Original Author
13 years ago
It's funny because I was just thinking about "this time last year". I swear I get remodeling amnesia! I'm glad you like our bathroom. I still love it more than I could have imagined. My only regret was not using a marble specialist for the tile and shower walls. I think our contractor was in over his head but I've decided to ignore the areas that look sloppy in the shower. The mirrors are a cinch to keep clean. The shower doors a little trickier because we have hard water. We squeegee after we shower and run the fan for a little longer but it is not a big deal. Good luck on your renovation.
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salem1772
13 years ago
Remodeling amnesia! I CANNOT WAIT to have that!

If you think of any other regrets, or tweaks you'd make next go 'round, please post them. You have a huge fan here in NC!

Many thanks.
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remodnana
13 years ago
Jen, we are just starting our master bath. I love how yours turned out. Tell me about the make up mirror please. Where did you get it, is it wired, etc. Thanks.

another fan in NC
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jenskitchen
Original Author
13 years ago
It is from Kimball and Young and it is hard wired. I bought it online and just googled and found the best price.
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remodnana
13 years ago
Thanks for sharing!
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Linda
13 years ago
Beautiful! It is becoming my "inspiration" bathroom!
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patty_cakes
13 years ago
Very classic detailing! How can you NOT love it!?!? ;o)
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salem1772
13 years ago
jenskitchen: where do you store your towels? In top vanity cabinet? Am losing my linen closet in my bathroom reno, and need to make sure vanity will hold stuff. Also considering train rack over toilet, but prefer for towels to be stored out of sight. What's in your cabinets? : ) thanks so much.
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andreadeg
13 years ago
What a fantastic transformation! Your bathroom is gorgeous! Nicely done!
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jenskitchen
Original Author
13 years ago
The vanity holds plenty of towels. We store a ton of toiletries and paper goods too. We also have a double rack from RH on the inside of the shower where we hang our "active" towels that are drying. They stay out of the stream of the shower.
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sundownr
13 years ago
What an amazing job and a beautiful bathroom! I love it!

I read your comment about the hard water and we have it too. I squeegee every day and still have spots on the marble. My sister just told me that her hair stylist has a shower head that has a water softener in it and he loves it. Next time I'm in Home Depot I'm getting one. It is supposed to be on the aisle where the water softeners are and not the shower heads.
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From mid centurty ugly to my dream bathroom 95% done

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