Just Brought This 1980’s Bathroom Into The 21st Century!

I wish you could meet my Aunt. She is awesome. She lives in a home that has great bones, but needs updating. Her master bathroom had a major case of 1982, but more importantly it wasn’t usable. As in, they couldn’t even take a shower in there.

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But like so many people they didn’t have time to take on a major renovation and she will be the first to admit that when it comes to planning a remodel or decorating a space, she doesn’t even know where to start. So procrastination took over and soon her bathtub had turned into a catch all. A far cry from the updated clean oasis that she had in mind.

Like I said, my aunt is awesome. So when she came to me and my mom to help her finally get her bathroom done once and for all, we were excited! She had finally had enough of not being able to use her bathroom, not to mention the wallpaper, the poor lighting, and the not so functional vanity area. This is what she has lived with for over 15 years.

The Problems With This Master Bathroom

• The vanity is far too low, there is only one vanity mirror, and although there is a ton of natural light that doesn’t help you when you are getting ready before the sun comes up!
• The shower stall wasn’t usable because of a leak somewhere in the wall.
• This mosaic tub wasn’t usable because of the same leak.
• It's ugly and outdated! All that mosaic tile coupled with the pinky beige walls and the wallpaper to match had to go.

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Getting Ready To Remodel

So we met with her to get a good idea of what she wanted. We showed up with inspiration photos, tile and wood samples, and paint samples to get us headed in the right direction.

The plan was obviously to hire someone to do the work; my mom would be in charge of communicating with the contractor and keeping tabs on the progress. Together my mom and I came up with the design and options to present to my aunt in order to make the entire process way less overwhelming.

I really didn’t know where to start and the number of choices to make seemed overwhelming. I work full time, and I didn’t look forward to spending my weekends shopping and making decisions much less trying to coordinate activities with the contractor during the work week. I could never have done it without hiring help!

Lauren, Homeowner

She wanted her master bathroom to have clean lines, but not be too modern. She also loves a little bit of a coastal touch, since she lives near the coast.

The Master Bathroom After The Renovation

I think we did a pretty good job… Drum roll……

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What a huge difference eh? I really can’t believe it. I mean cummon! It is an entirely new space!

I love the “feel” of the new look and everything is easy to keep clean!

Lauren, Homeowner

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What we did to transform the space and the sources

A custom vanity with double sinks

• We raised the vanity about 4 inches to make it more modern and comfortable. The new vanity has much more storage with 3 banks of drawers and 2 cupboards.
• We finished off the top of the vanity with a solid quartz countertop (Ceasarstone in Misty Carrera.)
• The new undermount sinks were moved slightly to be centered.
• New Moen faucets were installed.
• We also got rid of the medicine cabinets on either side wall and instead made the mirrors above each sink a medicine cabinet for lots of extra storage.
• The bulk head over the vanity was removed to showcase the vaulted ceilings and new vanity lights were placed above each sink on the wall.

Updating the bathtub and shower

• The tub area was completely gutted and redone.
• The quartz (Ceasarstone in Misty Carrera) used on the vanity was also used in this space at the top of the tub and extended into the corner and into the shower as the bench top. I love how this created a really seamless transition to bring what used to be a really awkward space together.
• A new tub was put in place and the new tub faucet now comes out of the top of the tub rather than out of the wall. This will make it much easier to fix, if there is ever another issue.
• The show stopper of this bathroom is definitely the mosaic tile on the front of the tub. It is called Vihara KIRI Silk. We purchased through out local speciality tile shop, but you can find it online here.
• The wall tile around the tub and shower is large scale 12 x 18 ceramic tile in a light grey color. It is called Contempo Natural Light Grey
• In the shower, we made the bench straight and carried the mosaic tile right on through.
• For the shower floor the bathroom floor tiles were used in a 2×2 to make it not so slippery.
• The dated framed glass was removed and replaced with a frameless glass enclosure.

• The awkward corner was something we thought a lot about but in the end we decided just to flatten it out, carry the quartz through, and place a large indoor plant there.

Flooring and tile as a focal point

• The floor tile is also a 12 x 18 large scale tile in a slightly darker color than the wall tile. It is called Contempo Dark Grey and we purchased it at a local tile shop, but I found it online here.
• The wall color is Repose Grey by Sherwin Williams, one of my favorite go to greige colors.

This bathroom was something that my aunt had put off for sooooo long. It was really important to my mom and I that we involve her in the process without overwhelming her, and also to push her in the right direction just a little bit.We are thrilled with the result and love that she loves the outcome.

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I asked her for one tidbit of advice for those of you getting ready to hire someone to remodel your space and here is what she said.

Write down all the details; even little things like where the toilet paper holder should be placed. Give a copy to the contractor and keep a copy for yourself.

Lauren, Homeowner

Love this advice. It will save you so many headaches cause those little decisions will be made for you if you don’t say something before hand.

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