At long last - my cottage/farmhouse master bathroom reveal
Our master bathroom is finally done (more or less...)
Our house was built in 1998. The original bathroom wasn't horrible (if you like green tile), but it was definitely showing its age. The cast iron sink had huge rust spots around the drain, some of the tiles were falling off the wall in the shower, etc. We very much wanted 2 sinks because my husband has a very long complicated dental care ritual and it was a pain waiting for him to finish so I could have the sink. The tub was enormous and took the entire water heater to fill so we rarely used it. It stuck out weirdly into the room. There was also a big soffit thing over the counter area and we thought that if we could remove that and straighten out the tub bump-out, the room would seem so much bigger.
Nasty shower with mold that wouldn't go away:
Vanity with not enough room for storage. One socket in the light fixture no longer worked.
So here's the new improved version. Paint color is Ben Moore's Violet Pearl. Trim color is Ben Moore's Simply White. And of course, the cows:
I wanted to maximize the storage in the vanity area so we went with custom cabinetry that I had built by a local cabinet guy. I agonized over getting the proportions just right and making the 3 cabinets on top equal while still centering them over the non-equal sink and center cabinets below.
The countertops and tub deck are soapstone, which I have always loved. We went with a much narrower tub so we were able to eliminate the tub bumpout. It's a Jason Microsilk K3666 model. So far I've taken one bath in it and it is nice (though I haven't really noticed the softer skin that Jason touts as a benefit of Microsilk).
The old tub deck had a laundry chute built in that was one of our favorite features of the bathroom. We were able to keep it in the new deck though it had to be moved back a foot or so (which necessitated patching the laundry room ceiling). The old chute was lined with copper, which the contractor re-used.
We opted to keep the enclosed shower instead of opening it up -- I like the feeling of it being almost a private separate room and I like that it stays warm and cozy in there -- I didn't want to lose that by opening up the tops of the shower walls or going with glass walls. We chose 6" square tile in a brick pattern for the walls and ceiling of the shower. We deliberated hard about adding niches but ultimately decided to just install some corner shelves made from soapstone.
We also added a leg-shaving/product overflow shelf along the back wall of the shower, again from soapstone. We also wanted to brighten up the shower a bit so we added a transom window that you can prop open or leave closed to keep the steam in:
The window from the other side. The shelf over the toilet is for DH's wireless Sonos speaker that he uses to stream music while he's in the shower. We wanted it somewhere up and out of the way and because it requires an outlet, that was about the only place we could stick it that was allowable by code (couldn't be over the tub.)
Now I could still use some advice! I still have some final details to work out -- namely what to put in the shower doorway. I am thinking a frameless glass door -- the old bathroom had a framed glass door that hinged on the right so the door opened away from the toilet. That was good because you could step out into the room but it was a pain because the glass door could sometimes hit the toilet. If I go with a frameless door, my understanding is that it can swing in and out -- so maybe I'd want to hinge it on the other side and just open it inward most of the time?
We are not currently using the shower because of a long drawn out issue with the grout not curing properly that we're still trying to solve. (Side note: I would recommend staying away from TEC Power Grout!!!) So we have some time to decide about the shower door.
Also, I am not sure what to do about hand towels at the vanity. My original plan was to have the wainscoting be about 6" higher but the contractors talked me out of it and now I regret it. The higher wainscoting would have allowed me to mount hooks or shaker pegs in the trim piece at the top of the wainscoting and hang towels from there (hand towels next to each sink and towels over the tub deck). But with the wainscoting 6" shorter, the hand towels and bath towels hit the countertop/tub deck. Over the tub, I used an antique brass rack, but I have no idea where and what to use for hand towels near each sink. The end cabinet doors open outward toward the side walls and are often open when we're brushing our teeth (the electric toothbrushes are stored inside) so I think having the towels be somewhere other than the side walls where the medicine cabinet doors open would be good. Suggestions are welcome!!!
Thanks to everyone who helped with my questions along the way regarding this project. I'm super happy with how it turned out (well except for the whole shower grout thing...but that will be solved soon hopefully!)
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Comments (50)Well, what on earth is going on? I updated my browser and the post is still showing on my computer. This is bizarre! I'll try pasting my post again so that you can see it. Thanks for commenting Rhome! I miss seeing your posts around here, although I'm not spending as much time in Kitchens these days, either. I appreciate all the help you generously gave when we were in the planning stages. We ended up setting up a sewing area under the south windows of the master bedroom in the farmhouse. I banished the grain bins and grinder to the basement, lol! It was a pain in the romper, but it worked for the time we were there. When life got crazy with moving and renoing the new house, we switched to store bought baked goods--blech! We are just now starting to bake all of our goodies again. Keep your eyes pealed for the new kitchen reveal maybe in late winter or perhaps spring. It's very livable at the moment, but not ready for a full reveal. We still need to make the island, the hutch, paint the wall oven cabinet, and tile the bs. This is what the new place looked like when we moved in: Makin' Do and Gettin' Through Here's where the kitchen is at a standstill: Midpoint, good enough for now... But the playroom/breakfast room just off the kitchen is now a library: "Bookworms welcome"...See MoreShabby,cottage,farmhouse style
Comments (24)Thanks! You made me smile! The dresses are in DD1's guest room (call it that since it has her old bedroom furniture) but she prefers the Shabby Chic room when she visits us from CA. They were hanging in DD2's room, last house. DD2 still lives in town, but bought her own place 5 years ago, recently traded up. DS had said "no dead animals" in his room ("dog" room) but antlers have found their way in. He lives in Chicago and doesn't visit too often, so I did what I wanted and he hasn't complained. lol I feel in love with Black Forest antlers when in Europe 10 years ago, but didn't buy any. Found those locally 4 years ago - about the time they started showing up in magazines. My favorite antlers are the ones with the head bone covered with suede or leather. The one in back hallway (not sure if it shows) is light, dirty, faded blue and has the metal tags. A local dealer goes to England twice a year to buy and I find a lot of things in her booth. Would love to shop in her house. DH doesn't hunt, but I skinned a rattlesnake and it's in the lower level den on the wall. (Not in photos, and hence DS saying "no dead animals.") The lamb is in the breakfast room and I'm on the computer at the table - glancing at it many times a day, and it always makes me smile. Glad you are enjoying the tour. btw, I have also framed a vintage evening bag that was my grandmothers and a handmade lace bride. Also in the dress room. You can frame anything, and they are unique....See MoreNeed help laying out a master bathroom in an old farmhouse
Comments (5)Also look at this thread: What was Your Best Bathroom Remodeling Decision? And a more recent thread: What was Your Best/Worst Remodeling Decision? some things I thought of over the last few days: The bathroom is more complected to build than a kitchen in my option, because of the techniques involved with installing the elements. Of course layout and flow are considerations just like a kitchen. But in a bathroom there is the toilet and shower that can get difficult. If these two features have problems, you have problems. You are constantly managing water in a variety of forms, liquid and vapor, but hopefully not ice, lol. As you probably are well aware form follows function. Decide what you need to have the bathroom accomplish. I see that you have a walk in closet. Some people do put them in the bathrooms. I don't know how that works. There are several articles in the Houzz side of this site that are written on closets. They are informative and inspirational. I would try to have a W/D somewhere close to this area of the house. There is no reason you can't have 2 sets, one near your bedroom and one in the basement, or were ever. Over on the Laundry forum there is a lovely example Linus from Sweden posted on their laundry "rooms". Here is a link for fun: Showing My Laundry Room in Sweden 1) where are you putting exhaust fan/s? Besure to have enough gap under the door for "makeup air" so the fan can work effectively. You'll need to calculate how much ducting you'll have because that will impact what CFM fan you'll use. I call Fantech and they helped me figure mine out. They are reportedly good. There are other companies too. 2) Electrical outlets. I have one by my toilet at about 12" off the ground for an advanced toilet seat which, if you have a choice, is a must. Also electrical outlets within the vanity to accommodate hairdryers, etc. I have an outlet in my medicine cabinet too. I also have one in my small laundry surround so I can use an iron with the small pullout ironing board I have. 3) Floor warming wires, for the winter. You will love it. It only goes in open areas. Be sure to run it under the toe kick so you don't get cold toes. It does not go under the tub, unless they've changed specs. It is to be safely margined away from the wax ring of the toilet rough-in. Get the 240v, and lay an extra thermostatic probe under the tile, in case one goes bad, you'll have a spare. It just gets wrapped up and tucked in the box, ready and waiting for the first to fail. 4) If you are tiling your shower I would recommend porcelain over marble or other stone. The new porcelains are gorgeous and do not absorb moisture. Natural stone will take more upkeep. I used epoxy grout in my bathroom. It is not porous. Others have used cementous grout without problems. I would not use HD standard Custom Blend line for anything. People have had quality control issues, with color, etc. Laticrete is a great brand. There is Bostik that is very good. Mapei is good to I believe. If you have any detailed tiling questions, they can be answered by some on this forum, but it seems those members are not frequently posting any longer. They stop in from time to time. Go to the John Bridge Forum, for tile help professional scope. Be sure to know how a shower is put together from the studs out. You will need to know this! This is the biggest issue I have noticed on GW. People are always posting about dysfunctional showers and the poor tilers that do them. You need to do this homework before you hire it done or your GC hires it. Do not let work continue that is not to code or not to what you know to be standard work in the tile industry. There are standards and they need to be followed. You don't want to have to tear out a shower because of piss poor workmanship. 5) Benjaman Moore Aura Bath and Spa is a very nice paint. I've really liked the matte, velvety finish. 6) Plan your vanity to do what you want it to do. I keep my underware in mine. with my W/D being in the same room it made sense. DH gets his put in there too. Here is a link to my recent reveal that is long in coming, as the bathroom has been done for 1.5 years. My West Bathroom Reveal from Project in 2013-2014...See MoreFarmhouse Sink in Bathroom? Pretty or Not?
Comments (45)Nini804 -- You hit the nail on the head! Even though I love some other elements, I always come back to this formal look. But, I want it to look warm too. You're right about the shades. This is a guest bathroom that will most likely be used a few times a week. I've also noticed that my bathroom designers (there are 2 who help me) have totally different taste, and they often show me only their designs. I told them the kinds of things I like, but one of them shows me all white all the time -- And the other one tells me to mix whatever I want and be unique. I need someone who can know what items I like, and then guide me to pairing them. That's been the part I cannot find. That's why I come here because I can get opinions from others who have more experience. Thanks so much for your help!...See More
lkplatow
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beckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
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7 years agoAnd now bumping out my vanity wall is on the list to discuss with contractor next week. Trouble is it's not in a niche, so the bump out would be just a portion of the wall. I can't bump out the rest of the room without moving the toilet (not going to happen). May look stupid?
aprilneverends
7 years agolkplatow
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southm
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