Sunday, January 11, 2009

A finished project...sort of....

2008 will always be remembered by me as the big "house update." That is mainly because we got new carpet which we had needed for YEARS before we finally took the leap. I also undertook a few smaller renovations, to be specific, the downstairs bathroom. I have been waiting until I was completely finished to post pictures (I wonder where Mandy and Chad got their project finishing talents)- like a new towel rod and something on the walls - but I can't decide what to do, so I'm posting pictures anyway.
This was the lovely wallpaper, pre-renovation. I'm sure some of you will remember it fondly. I on the other hand, know that either some man or a person under twelve years of age was responsible for it's selection. I'm not sure it will be missed.....

This shower is fiberglass and was in horrible shape. Scratched and pitted, embarrassing really. The shower door was such a disaster it was not salvageable. I lobbied for a completely new shower, but my practical husband vetoed that idea. After all, it only gets used when we have company or the kids come home so that expense was thrown out the window. Then I was turned on to "Tough As Tile" to be found at your local Lowes. What a great product!

Here is a close up of the bottom of the nasty shower, just to give you a better mental image, then.....
WALLA! (sp) How good does that look? I must admit it takes a little elbow grease, mainly in the preparation, but so worth it. And elbow grease does come pretty cheap.

Another view of our "new" shower. I decided just to put up a shower curtain, another way to please my budget conscious husband.
One more problem with this bathroom after the walls and shower had been tackled was the floor. The tiles were cracked and loose. They would even pinch your feet if you stepped on them just right. It is again embarrassing to think of how long they were in this condition. So I just pulled up the tile, scraped the glue, got a small case of carpal tunnel, and painted the floor. Someday, when we're a little more flush in the pocket, I'll probably tile over it, but for now I'm pretty happy with the outcome. Have a great day!

6 comments:

Mandy said...

That wallpaper always gave me something to read while I was going to the bathroom! And your crooked pictures make me turn my head to look at them :) What's up with that? The bathroom does look pretty darn good though!

Kara said...

looks great! I have to hear more about the tough as tiles stuff...our shower desperately needs a makeover!

Unknown said...

I think the wallpaper was cute but then it wasn't in MY bathroom! And your renovated bathroom looks terrific!

Samantha said...

great job!! i love makeovers!

The Garvie Family said...

Oh my...it looks so great!! I always enjoyed that wallpaper. When we were looking at houses last year we went into one that had that exact wallpaper and it made me think of you guys. I can't believe how well that tough as tile worked. I'm going to have to find me some of that. And that floor...you are amazing. Sorry for the long comment but I just had to express how impressed I am!

Jillian said...

Looks great! I kind of like the old wallpaper....okay, well I KNOW my kids would love it! haha I'm going to have to try out your tile cleaner...we're in desperate need of a "pick-me-up" in our bathroom too!