Bathroom Remodel: What Started Out as a Disaster!

Our bathroom definitely didn’t look like the photo above when we purchased our home back in 2013. The shower was powder blue, the sink an ugly faux marble, the vanity was honey oak and outdated, and the walls were plastered with not-cute-to-me wallpaper that was falling down. In short, it looked like my worst NIGHTMARE and the bathroom needed a remodel.

The Bathroom Before:

Before of bathroom with powder blue tub.

We could no longer handle the claustrophobic, powder blue shower or the peeling wallpaper, so it was time for a remodel. The footprint of the bathroom was fine, but it needed a facelift, so late spring/early summer of 2018 is when the remodel began.

Bathroom Remodel Demolition:

The hubs does industrial demolition for a living, so this was right up his alley. He threw on his work sandals (LOL), grabbed his tools and got busy. We hired a contractor to do most of the work because honestly, we had no idea what we were doing when it came to remodeling the bathroom.

Everything seemed to be coming along just fine until it no longer was. This contractor made it sound like he knew what he was doing when it came to tile (I’ve even seen some of his work, which passed my high standards), but when it came to our tile surround…OMG, what a nightmare.

*He didn’t have the proper tools, so he thought splitting the tile in half was the smartest, most professional option.*

Tile Nightmare:

After completing about 3/4 of the tiling job, he left for the day. Shortly after his departure, I was startled by the sound of tiles falling from the shower walls. Having neglected to inspect his progress throughout the day, I entered the bathroom only to behold the most poorly executed tile work I had ever witnessed. While I may not be a professional, my penchant for perfection and attention to detail immediately recognized the substandard quality. That very evening, we terminated him and secured the assistance of another professional, who proved to be an absolute godsend.

That meant I had to chip off all the tile while trying to salvage it, because I wasn’t about to buy all new tile. Thankfully, our previous contractor had no idea what he was doing and the tiles didn’t adhere properly. SILVER LINING!! It was still quite a bit of work trying to gingerly remove the tiles, but it wasn’t as difficult or tedious as it could’ve been. The worst part was sanding down all the hardened mortar so our new contractor could have a smooth, level working surface. What a relief!

Gingerly removing subway tile from shower walls. — *^{Taking the tiles off one-by-one with a hammer and chisel.}*

Our Godsend of a Contractor:

Let me start off with a quick note before I proceed further. I want to assure you that this blog post is not meant to spread negativity or turn into a complaining session. My aim is to share our journey through the process of remodeling a home. This encompasses the ups and downs, the flaws and the challenges. Life isn’t always smooth sailing, so I believe in being honest and genuine about our experiences rather than putting on a facade. If someone can glean valuable insights from our journey, then that’s what truly counts. Anyway…

Our second contractor, a tile specialist, arrived promptly the next day and wasted no time in getting started on our bathroom remodel. Recognizing our urgent need for a functional shower, his efficiency and expertise were just what we required. In only two days, the tile work was finished. After allowing a day or two for the grout to properly set, our shower was fully functional again! You can’t imagine how thrilled I was.

*He actually took his time to use math and figure out exact* the exact placement of tiles.

Another Tile Contractor:

There was just one small issue. The newest contractor did us a HUGE favor by rescuing us in between his jobs. After he helped us out with the tile surround, he then had to head up north to work on other projects, which left us needing to find someone to tile the floor. I was confident we could do it ourselves after watching our second contractor tackle the shower, but the hubs said NO! We thankfully found another amazing guy, who was also a perfectionist like me and the last contractor. He came out a few days after we called him and he had the job done in a couple days.

Tile flooring being installed. — 2018: *The finished project for the time being.*

More Updating:

Fast forward to late 2021, I made some exciting changes to the decor and paint colors from the original remodel. (If you’re like me, you love switching up paint colors and decor regularly.) I aimed for a cozy atmosphere with warm white tones, natural wood accents, plenty of plants, and a touch of BOHO. The walls now boast a lovely coat of Shoji White by Sherwin Williams, while my vanity is adorned with the vibrant Unpredictable Hue by Behr. I’m thrilled with the result.

I captured these photos during the autumn of 2022. Even though I still have fall decor up and the upstairs bathroom is a work in progress, it should still provide you with a good sense of the overall look.