Monday, July 09, 2007

How I spent my weekend . . .

While I'd love to say it was spent knitting away and sipping cool beverages, I'm afraid that wasn't the case. Instead, Pea and I finally started to redecorate our ugly, ugly bathroom. I've hated the bathroom ever since I bought my house, over eight years ago. But somehow, house projects always seem to get pushed aside. This weekend, we buckled down and dove in. I even remembered something I usually forget - to take BEFORE pictures.


Here is a great example of the awful rose color the former owners chose for the top section of the walls. And over the mirror, you will see the very modern light - which not only doesn't fit in with the character of the house but also doesn't work. When we pried it off the wall we found out why - none of the wires are attached to the electrical wires. Oh, and don't overlook the lovely outlet that is screws right onto the side of the medicine cabinet! Apparently they felt no need to mount it properly in the wall. Crazy!!


Here we have the Before and After shot of the toilet area. The white "tile" you see on the bottom of the walls is actually . . . . . ready???? Plastic! Ugly, ugly, ugly. In the After shot you can see what was beneath the fake plastic tile. Actually, what was beneath was ANOTHER LAYER of fake tile, but here's what is under that.


It's plaster that is made to look like bricks. It is in pretty bad shape, but I'm hoping we can restore it. We once stayed at a Bed & Breakfast in Newport that had the same plaster walls in the bathroom, and it was beautiful. (And although you can't see it in the picture, that is an old fashioned claw-foot tub! I love it!!!)


Some spots are worse than others, as you can see here. The old paint in chipping away and in parts the plaster itself is disintegrating. I also removed at least 122 nails - yes, I counted. So that means 122+ nail holes for me to spackle. I got a good start on it yesterday, and I think it will all work out in the end. Although at this point, the end is no where in sight!! But I have the whole thing planned out in my head, and it is going to look beautiful if we ever when we finish.

So, Ragan, what do you think? I'm hoping it will end up as pretty as yours!!

Next post, I promise, will be full of knitting content.

20 comments:

Stephanie said...

Oh no - not you too! This seems like it's turning out to be the summer of renovation in knit-blogland. Wouldn't you know it we would pick such scorching hot weather to do ths work in!

sharon said...

This is not good - I want to redo mine and here everyone else is too!!! Arrggh, must be strong and wait until sewer line is replaced (and paid for).
Good work!!!

Olga said...

Wow...why would they go to the trouble of mounting that fixture and then not even connect it!? Craziness! Anyway I have the utmost respect for people who do their own renovations. And you're going to be so happy when it's done!

Zonda said...

Love your tub! Hoping it goes smoothy and quickly for you!! :)

Jenn said...

Welcome to the land of "make it better." Everyone keeps telling me that it will be worth it in the end. I hope they're right!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh. This reminds me that our bathroom looks like a relict from the Medieval Ages and needs some heavy renovating too - and it also reminds me that I'm so *not* ready for all this stress and work! I have my fingers crossed that everything will go smoothly with the renovation - you're going to love your bathroom when it's done!

Elizabeth said...

So, is this hot weather due to the start of your bathroom renovation? What else are you planning to do?

Sonya said...

What were they thinking with that plastic tile? I love your tub! I just had a house torn down for the library and let one of our regular volunteers take whatever he wanted out of the house. I wish I'd have remembered the claw foot tub! Doh!

It's going to be a cute bathroom when you're done. Just remember that when your sweating over that spackle. ;o)

Alisha said...

It wasn't so so bad before. I can't wait to see what you do!!

Anonymous said...

Oh.boy. A bathroom re-do. What an big project - can't wait to see the finished project.

Anonymous said...

Looks like you've been busy. Love the tub!

Can't wait to see the finished bathroom.

Zarzuela said...

Except for the tub part I don't think it really looks that bad. But I wish you best of luck with your reno! Hope it turns out to be just what you want. :)

Jessica

The A.D.D. Knitter said...

I'm in bedroom renovation hell right now--I feel your pain!!

Kristin said...

Good luck! We just did our bathroom, though we didn't do as much as you are planning (even though it needs it!). Gotta love home improvement projects!

jessica said...

Good for you taking a before pic! I always forget that:o) Cant wait to see the finished pics, oh, I love claw foot tubs, very cool!

Wannabe said...

It's looking good girl! Can't wait to see what you and Pea come up with! I'm drooling over that tub!

~Kristie said...

I'm so glad you posted your before photos. We're doing renovations this month too and we're attempting 2 bathrooms.. yuck! Hopefully I remember to take the "before" photos.

Good luck!

Anonymous said...

good luck - I'm sure it'll be beautiful when you finish!!

Anonymous said...

WOW!!! What a project! Phew! It is a good thing I only had to paint and make it look cute. Wow (again). I am sure that you and Pea will come up with something that matches the house. I cannot wait to see the finished project! Umm...what was the plastic tile all about???? Oh my, and 122 nails! Yikes. Play some feel good music real loud, and fill away! Ooooo the excitement.

Kris said...

Wow - good luck with the remodel. I can't believe they mounted the lights and never actually wired it!!

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