And so it begins, the 2nd floor bathroom remodel

[dancerjodi]

Brian and I have started brainstorming about our next big home improvement project - our 2nd floor bathroom. Its all pending knowing what our tax refund will look like, but our estimate is that we'll have the cash to do it (it helps having a Dad that's a contractor). I spent some time at Barnes and Noble this week flipping through designer and DIY books for some ideas and spent a good deal of time googling for things yesterday while I was at work and waiting for never-ending queries to run (when I'm connected to Partners via the VPN I can't access our own local network, and it limits what I can do).

What we know:
-We'll get a new 60" long whirlpool tub to replace our tub.
-The rotted wood will all be ripped out (floor, window trim/sill in the shower) and replaced with ceramic tile.
-We'll keep the toilet and sink

Things to plan:
Storage (this is so important)
Decorating (relates to storage)

I've had some ideas and posted to solicit some suggestions on a community I've joined:
http://community.livejournal.com/saucyhelp/146633.html?mode=reply

So do you have any ideas? :)

Comments

[devina.livejournal.com]

It sounds like something you guys are handy enough to do yourselves, but if you need a tile guy, ours was good, available, and cheap.

I honestly think you should go with a lighter color if you don't want it to look cramped.

[mizdarkgirl.livejournal.com]

I am looking at the same tubs... Let me know what you find and/or decide.

Online version of Barnes and Noble.

[mizdarkgirl.livejournal.com]

I included some for general storage tips.

Small Apartments
http://apartmenttherapy.com/photo/041106janedarko/_all_
http://apartmenttherapy.com/photo/041106onespace/11%20bathroom
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/112906ofertour/ofer%20tour31
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/house-tours/the-inside-out-songhun-and-jaes-nooks-crannies-and-niches-006347
http://apartmenttherapy.com/photo/041806Jed/_all_
http://apartmenttherapy.com/photo/042006shauna/_all_
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/041206Jenny/_all_
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/041206GREG/_all_
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/041206Hakarl/_all_
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/030806michael/_all_
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/122105yoktan/PC150202
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/house-tours/inside-out-curtis-attention-to-detail-will-blow-you-away-016648
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/120705sherritch/_all_
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/112105josh-effort/_all_
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/gallery/album220/P9270051

[silentq.livejournal.com]

Would it work to get a mirrored medicine chest that mounts into the wall, between studs?
Hrm, maybe some mirrored/sparkly tiles could open the space up a bit and work with the Art Deco them? I'm also sure that I've seen some painting tips somewhere about making the ceiling seem higher (extending the wall colour up, maybe?).
A light shower curtain, maybe one that's just a bit translucent, could help let light into the space from the window. mishak had a neat one, it looked almost like light blue bubble wrap.
Most of the hotel rooms I've been in lately have had a towel bar + rack inside the shower curtain at the dry end of the bathtub, maybe that would help your storage needs. Hooks on the back of the door are a must for robes and extra towels. :)
I'm still sad that we've got a glass shower door instead of a curtain, I loved being able to change curtains when the whim hit me.

Bathroom

[dancer.livejournal.com]

"It sounds like something you guys are handy enough to do yourselves, but if you need a tile guy, ours was good, available, and cheap."

We are doing our own tile (we've done it a couple of times now, so I think we've gotten the hang of it). You don't have a local electrician yet though, do you?

"I honestly think you should go with a lighter color if you don't want it to look cramped."

We will be. I'm thinking we may use the tan color we painted our bedroom in (since it will match, be neutral, and we have a ton of it already in a can in our basement). We won't have a shower curtain anymore either (glass doors) so that will brighten it a bit too! :)

bathroom

[dancer.livejournal.com]

"Would it work to get a mirrored medicine chest that mounts into the wall, between studs?"

There isn't too much room between studs (16") so it wouldn't help us maximize the space there.

"Hrm, maybe some mirrored/sparkly tiles could open the space up a bit and work with the Art Deco them?"

I'm thinking that too! Normally I wouldn't be splurging on those kinds of fancy tiles, but the room is so small that it wouldn't cost too much. I love some of the the 1" square iridescent glass ones that are out now.

"A light shower curtain, maybe one that's just a bit translucent"

Ultimately we'll have glass or mirrored doors, so we won't be doing the curtain thing anymore

"Most of the hotel rooms I've been in lately have had a towel bar + rack inside the shower curtain at the dry end of the bathtub, maybe that would help your storage needs. Hooks on the back of the door are a must for robes and extra towels. :)"

We got hooks on the door to the room already. The attic door has one towel bar on it - I kind of stayed away from putting more because I didn't want it to looked crammed.

Given that the inside of the tub/shower will be all cereamic, we'll probably get some ceramic shelves to stick in there too for things that can afford to get wet.

"I'm still sad that we've got a glass shower door instead of a curtain, I loved being able to change curtains when the whim hit me."

Well, when we were in Framingham we had a really old pink bathroom with an ugly shower door set (with swans etched on it - ick http://www.diabolis.net/gallery/displayimage.php?album=128&pos=118 ). I just put up a tension rod in front of it, and hung a curtain to hide it. :) I do miss the original gray and white tile that was on that floor, though.

Thanks for the ideas! :)

Re: Bathroom

[devina.livejournal.com]

We don't have an electrician yet, but are on the active lookout for one. I have a call in to my dad to see if any of his guys are looking for side work. I'll let you know.

Re: Online version of Barnes and Noble.

[dancer.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I love this one (and its kind of along the lines of what I was thinking of - this pic and the next one):
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/photo/011707curtistour/curtisinsideout22

Re: Online version of Barnes and Noble.

[mizdarkgirl.livejournal.com]

The crazy detail guy! I cannot believe he hand stenciled that whole thing AND the kitchen.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/house-tours/inside-out-curtis-attention-to-detail-will-blow-you-away-016648