Know what happens tomorrow morning? I get tile in my bathroom, that’s what!
Oh, it’s funny the things that get me all riled up with excitement these days. Or pathetic. Maybe even really pathetic. But the tile is awful purdy. I do know you’re all probably just leeetle bit tired of the house renovation talk by now, but it’s all I’ve got, so let’s roll with it.
When we decided to gut the bathroom (it was hardly a choice, but we can talk about that when we get all Before & After in a few weeks), I was darn sure about two things:
One, I was keeping the bathtub. Part it had to do with this guilt I have with new things. It’s why I wanted an older home over new construction. Reuse, reuse, reuse. Refinishing a tub doesn’t save a whole lot of money over buying a new one at the Home Depot, and maybe it’s just as rough on Mother Nature as the production of a new fiberglass jobby, but it made me feel better to keep the original fixture. Besides, a tub from the 1950s is made from cast iron and porcelain and try to get something of that quality these days and well, I’d be eating ramen noodles and honeymooning in the back yard.
Two, I wanted to find a balance between the freshness of a modern update while still paying homage to the age of the home. So, we chose modern things like vessel sinks in classic materials like white porcelain and modern, durable quartz Silestone counter tops in a delicate gray and white color (think, Carrera marble like). The 3/4″ inch hexagonal tile on the floors might just be my favorite though – and I’ve only seen it in the box.
Once we chose the look of the bathroom, we went bargain hunting. God bless the interwebs for that. Warehouses, remnants, floor samples – you name it, we went for it. It’s entirely possible to get good, quality products without paying what everyone thinks you should pay. You just have to put in a lot of time and keep a big, bad spreadsheet. It helps, too, when you have some dude at one of the Big Stores call you up to “unofficially” clue you in to upcoming promotions.
Yeah, that guy’s going on my Christmas card list.
I can forgive another episode of “This Old Fish House” only if pics are forthcoming right now.
Good choice in keeping the tub. I know the tiles will look lovely.
Carpe Diem, Kiddo! Focused and movin’ forward.
Looking forward to the photos.
I don’t think it’s pathetic. I get excited over similar things, and office supplies. And don’t forget the rain boots I bought last year JUST so I could have something cool to wear while watering my first ever garden.
I’m guessing you know from living in New England, the character of older houses is priceless and new houses just are missing that certain something. So if you can renovate & update (which my parents did, and are STILL doing) and keep the essence of the house, then it’s worth getting excited over.
Of course, the fact that it’s yours & you’re choosing the things that you like to decorate & design it might have a little bit to do with it. Can’t wait for the pics!
I bought all the tile for my house (and then some!!) out of the “garage sale” room of Nebraska Furniture Mart–all discontinued, at incredible discounts. I had no idea where I was going to put all of it, but I got such great prices I was able to do two bathrooms, two entry floors, and most of my kitchen for what I would have paid to do just a bathroom at regular price. The left over went to my sister for her entry, kitchen back splash, and a bathroom, and enough for my brother to do a bathroom and laundry room. Did I mention how much I still have stored in the basement?
I will never tire of the remodeling talk. HGTV is the best channel ever. HGFishy?
good job keeping the tub. a good cast-iron tub will save your life if some drug runners from South Africa place a bomb on your toilet and you have to dive into your tub to escape.
We just bought a house built in 1960 and it has an old cast iron tub that is pink color. We want to update it but are a little clueless about what to do. Should we repaint, refinish, etc? Can’t wait to see what you do to yours to restore it!
Well, I saw on Sarah’s House (awesome HGTV renovation show) that she actually *painted* her claw foot tub. But it was in really good shape. Ours, we’re having refinished – which means they come in and repair any worn spots and then coat it in a porcelain finish. You can do that with a pink tub to get it white, for sure. It costs about $350. And it should last like, 20 years.
Make sure you get a good guarantee. My parents had their tub refinished with porcelain and it was guarateed for a year. It started chipping at 14 months. Unless you have extremely bad balance or slippery feet, don’t use a bath mat in the tub. My Mom pulled hers up to clean under it and that’s when it started to chip.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Sarah’s House!!! I DVR every episode and watch them over and over (dorky, yes). And I’m currently on the old house hunt, hopefully I find a diamond in the rough like it seems you have!
I can’t wait for the Before & After pics! Also, I find all the posts about remodelling strangely fascinating.
LOVE hexagonal tiles! I can’t wait to see the before and after. Definitely not sick of the reno talk.
silestone is the best; have it in kitchen and bath. love it.
Ha, I kept my original tub when I remodeled my bathroom too. I’m not sure what era it is from (house built in 1941) but it’s tan-colored and has deco indents on the outer sidewall. How could I not keep that? Try finding tan sinks and toilets to match, now, however. Yeah, off-white and eggshell were the only two choices there. Happy Remodeling, it’s full of awesome and win!
Ooh! I can’t wait to see pictures! I secretly love home improvements and especially bathroom renovations! (By “I love bathroom renovations,” I mean, I love watching them on HGTV. I like to believe that I am skilled, but sadly, I am not). Anyway, the design sounds fresh and gorgeous. Excited for you!
I wish my bathroom(s) had hexagonal tiles. SO. JEALOUS.