the bathroom project rewind

here is where the bathroom project all started.

this is how our bath looked prior to the gut out.  over the years i did what i could with

minor cosmetic improvements; paint, window coverings, accessories and tried to ignore the not so pretty but retro sink, countertop and backsplash.

the before photos are going clockwise around the room
and the sink was straight ahead as you walked in.
this wall is now where the pottery barn hooks are hanging.

and here is that little medicine cabinet and vintage toilet (below) you saw here.

the wavy countertop was created that way because below was a radiator that

kicked out bucketloads of heat.  this is a high class joint, we had heated tp!

the barn door is now where the toilet once sat
and don't you love the tank top decor?

this room was SO ready for a renovation, especially since the shower hadn't been

used in several years due to the "vinyl" shower walls coming unglued from

the lovely plastic tile walls underneath.   

white, yellow or red..which color do you prefer?
you can see the old tub in the corner of pic
this was taken from outside the window opening

the shower walls were installed before we moved in 29 years ago.  the caulking wouldn't stay anymore and it was just a mess.  thus the reason for having two shower curtains to hide the ugliness.  we didn't want to put one dime into this bathroom until we could gut and make new.

the day finally arrived in june 2010 when mr.1829 pulled out his crowbar & sledge hammer and went to work.  first he removed the tiny window so he could throw the debris directly outside vs. hauling it through the house. smart man.

after he started removing the clapboard, we realized that once upon a time that window was larger, much larger.

alway wear your safety gear!

the door is where the tub is now.

(sorry about the house color being washed out)

 once the demolition started, we found SO many hidden problems. 

the tub wall was up against the livingroom wall which housed an outlet.

 a.bare.wire.outlet. 

thankfully, we had quit using the shower which probably saved us from having a fire or being electrocuted.  yikes! 

the toilet had been leaking for YEARS and left a big rotted mess underneath. 

but as with all things, you work with what you have and make the best of it.

much better don't you think?

see (below) those huge planks of wood on that wall?

those were used to make the sink vanity.

that doorway in the far left corner (below) goes to the kitchen and the area behind the shop vac

where the outlet is, we figured was once a doorway.  since the house was built 182 years ago,
this room was probably once a pantry prior to indoor plumbing.

and this is DURING reconstruction

you can see the porcelain light fixture where our mirror and vanity once sat.
and there is always interesting carpentry work that we uncover in our
renovations.  it amazes me.  diagonal pieces that do nothing. 
uneven cuts. miraculously, the house is sturdy as it is.
once the gutting was done, we moved onto the wiring, which we left to a professional. after that was the plumbing which included radiant heat since we removed the radiator (destined for the mudroom). next was sheetrock, wood paneling, painting , installing the flooring, vanity, tub and toilet, fixtures and finally the decor.  whew!
and yes, it took over one year to accomplish all of this.
is there an award for the longest renovation of a bathroom?!

and if you missed the farmhouse tour of the bathroom
you can see it  here    

until next time,