2010 guest bath remodel

Unfortunately, I have NO photos of the original bathroom.  I could ask a neighbor for a photo of her guest bath since our houses were built at the same time using the same materials and floor plan.  However, I hesitate in asking her for an ugly "before" photo. 

In words, the original bathroom was narrow and tiny.  The soffits (2!) made it worse.  If guests wanted to shower and change clothes, there was no where to put things.  We won't talk about the towel bar falling off the wall every third time a towel was put on it.....

Another "feature" was that if you were at the front door and looked down the hallway on your right, you could see the toilet through the open bathroom door (and unless occupied, it was always open.)

Now, coming down the hall, this is the view of the new "salle de bain". 

The close up in the mirror shows the bath/shower.  Dang. I should have turned on more lights.

 There, that's a little better.  I LIKE lights!!

And here's one over the shower.  I tell ya, NO MORE SOFFITS!!!

You don't need a picture, but trust me, the tub is deeper now too.  It doesn't have jacuzzi jets but neither do I have to put my feet up on the wall if I want to get my shoulders under the water!  Woohoo!!

2010 the first project - master bath remodel

Basic, simple bathroom (cleared of my clutter).  I didn't get a photo of the soffit... the dropped ceiling that loomed over the sink and toilet.  This house was big on soffits.  In the bathrooms, in the bedroom, in the kitchen.  They made the normally low ceilings worse.  Acck!  

And here we have the "frosted" glass shower door.  Too bad you can't tell that it's sagging off one hinge and the catch to keep it closed is missing....
I totally endorse built-in, tiled ledges for shampoos and such.  My old shower caddy was "icky"!

and now, the new clear glass door with subway tile.   

The best part about this photo (and the new bathroom) is the ceiling!  It isn't any higher than in any other ranch style house but with the soffit gone, it seeeeeems so much higher.  It makes all the difference!!

And the total view from the bedroom.  Tiny bathrooms are hard to photograph.  I don't know how those camera men on HGTV do it!

2010 Kitchen remodel

It was too late to get a shot of it as a little breakfast nook under the light.  Oh well. 

The wall between the kitchen and dining room is going to come down.

That's a refridgerator with all the cartoons and such stuck to it.

You can't see the backyard at all from the kitchen.


 
 
 

The wall is gone.  Hard wood flooring has been installed.  The backyard can be enjoyed.  Still missing the dining room table.

Another "before" view.  This is taken from the other direction.  We are in the dining room and are looking around "the wall" into the kitchen.

View from the dining room into the kitchen.  The wall is gone and laying the hardwood floor is in process.  The living room is on the left with someone coming in the front door.

Viewing again from the dining room.  The wall is definitely gone with a new pennisula in it's place!  (The living room is still on the left.)

Another view just because it doesn't cost anything to add another photo!  Haha.

2010 The year of the remodel - the sunken living room

I had a mantle made and tile work done to cover the original, circa 1973, white brick fireplace. (See Polaroid).

 I was proud of the job, however, pride goeth before the fall.  Upon inspection, plywood was left exposed along the edge of the tile.  It was.... ahem...a fire hazard.  Sheesh..... (rolling my eyes).

I lived with it as a decorative piece.  For 15 years, it was good for burning candles in it, ala Martha Stewart.

 When I wanted the floor raised, it was an easy decision to remove the fireplace altogether.  It was easier and cheaper than somehow raising it from the sunken living room and fixing it too.  

Here it is before it completely goes away......  

The fireplace is gone.  The floor is raised and a window installed.....











and now, with a new view, it looks like I need to do some yard work......