Photo Friday: Three Years In the Making

When we moved into this house nine years ago, everything was pink. Pink carpeting, pink Corian kitchen countertops, pink walls. Apparently, the original owner had a penchant for PINK. We removed most of it by the end of the first year, but the half bath/powder room on the first floor was going to take more effort. It had pink tiled floor, pink ceramic wall tile, and a pink pedestal sink with pink faucet handles. We removed the pink sparkle flecked wallpaper and painted the room blue, but knew that eventually, we'd need to do more. I started the process three years ago and what a process it was . . . for a half bath!

I first used Angie's List, which I would not recommend. It's just not that helpful. One contractor said they don't service our area (website stated otherwise). Two told me that their half baths start at $15,000. Did I mention it's a half bath? A toilet and sink. And we were keeping the toilet! I contacted two neighbors who had their kitchens remodeled by the same company and were very happy. After leaving numerous voice mails, the guy got back to me and came out to take a look. We liked him and he listened to our ideas. I wanted something contemporary and glamorous. It's the bathroom that guests use and I wanted a 'wow factor.' He seemed excited about the project.

Crickets for about a month and then I received an email from one of his associates with their design idea. It probably took the guy 10 minutes because it was just amazon links to vanities and his design included shiplap on one wall with wood shelving on the opposite wall. I call that farmhouse, NOT contemporary. I emailed back with some photo ideas of what we wanted and guess what? GHOSTED! 

Then the pandemic happened and we sat on the project for 18 months. During that time, we had some new bedroom carpet installed from a local flooring business. The salesman mentioned that they do bathrooms, not just the floors, but top to bottom. Last fall, we started the process! It was fairly easy; we chose the flooring and wall tile from their showroom and then they sent us to a countertop warehouse to pick from slabs and a kitchen/bath studio to choose our vanity/faucet. There was a three month wait for the vanity to be built. I ordered the mirror, light, and accessories online.

Here are the before photos:

Please note pink floor.

You can’t really see it, but that sink is pink! Note the pink knobs.

We were told the process would take one week and in November, I was given a start date of December 6th. All went smoothly the first day. The second day, I received a call in the morning that their van was broken down. The third day, back on track. The fourth day, everything was completed except the countertop/sink. The guy told me he didn't know where it was. I called the salesman and was told that the quartz countertop was never cut due to some sort of miscommunication. And that now it would be another wait. So, we could use the potty, but not wash our hands. Ugh.

In the midst of this, Covid numbers were skyrocketing. When sales called and said they could install the countertop two days before Christmas, I said no. I wasn't about to have workers give us Covid right before the holidays. I was then told that the next available date was December 31st. At the time, I thought that was odd, but it was via email, so I didn't say anything. Sure enough, I get the call on December 30th that the plumber wasn't working on New Year's Eve, so they could install the countertop, but no one to hook it all up.

Another week went by and FINALLY it all came together. Despite all the hiccups, we are thrilled with the end result:

It's hard to get photos in a tight space, but it's a dark gray floating vanity. Click to see my snazzy towel stand!

 

(Not trying to show off the toilet, which was the one already installed). New flooring is 'Luxury Vinyl Plank' and walls are SW Unique Gray. Please note that the toilet paper holder matches the faucet. Would you hire me as your designer?

Current state of our master bath. We are on week 2 of a 9 week remodel. This is a contractor that several associates of my spouse have used and trusted. It’s a major project, moving plumbing and electrical. So far, there's been two snow days:

Current state of our deck.

Do things go smoothly for other people?