Reveal! Our super tiny washroom renovation

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxJNyE0jBFBzM03GqNe5-bdFTKa5cMj3fcqXv1O-G962rdi27-D4i5wFKX__HwlJnExSk31KS4sSg3_gThxaBrN1Jyd5wnJNNWCDrFLotvxF0rLcietjfRzAPFKE1-kapuFFSrkaJv3s/s1600/IMG_7002d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxJNyE0jBFBzM03GqNe5-bdFTKa5cMj3fcqXv1O-G962rdi27-D4i5wFKX__HwlJnExSk31KS4sSg3_gThxaBrN1Jyd5wnJNNWCDrFLotvxF0rLcietjfRzAPFKE1-kapuFFSrkaJv3s/s1600/IMG_7002d.jpg" /></a></div><br />So it's time to reveal our washroom renovation. :) I am <i>so, so, so </i>happy with how it turned out. Every night I have a bubble bath and unwind and I look around and feel like I'm in a fancy hotel. Although I designed the room (picking the finishes, faucets etc) Aubrey did <i>all the work</i> making it come together. So here is a full reveal of the room, now that everything has been installed.<br /><br />The main design decision that impacted the space was <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2013/01/washroom-planning-bumping-out-wall.html" target="_blank">deciding to bump out the washroom wall into the hallway </a>to make extra room for the vanity. This allowed us to have a nook where the vanity would fit and give us more floor space in the washroom. It was absolutely <i>the best decision.</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxltab9NTYeSRoBjjDWzNDQu8vhAW0qR3bjLAX41W6Kcna1_VglSLgDujiErjLevTe6kooADD-CHzlqdB7rWMJNNQUOhs1gLIO_N1LIzABiI4i_Qy4dGV_AV5jq_hwrca1kr-JohIESuc/s1600/IMG_6870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxltab9NTYeSRoBjjDWzNDQu8vhAW0qR3bjLAX41W6Kcna1_VglSLgDujiErjLevTe6kooADD-CHzlqdB7rWMJNNQUOhs1gLIO_N1LIzABiI4i_Qy4dGV_AV5jq_hwrca1kr-JohIESuc/s1600/IMG_6870.jpg" /></a></div><br />In the shot above you can also see how all of our choices came together. The 2" hexagon marble floor compliments the porcelain marble "look a like" tile that we carried onto the face of the bathtub. The trim is bright white and the walls - Classic Gray by Benjamin Moore. Grays and whites - all working together.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujPJ_xnTv_HKe10I1WSI4bGRXiMcgd9lC-sLkuxl3BhyphenhyphenmwFdhFpydXA9WnSlEMnlooly1QlzLovQRiOwcglAz5jfzDDxQy9UedNQCk5-yzVeYAy8WCoudrA5tWIlEMl4WqYfbDdS1n9M/s1600/IMG_6882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujPJ_xnTv_HKe10I1WSI4bGRXiMcgd9lC-sLkuxl3BhyphenhyphenmwFdhFpydXA9WnSlEMnlooly1QlzLovQRiOwcglAz5jfzDDxQy9UedNQCk5-yzVeYAy8WCoudrA5tWIlEMl4WqYfbDdS1n9M/s1600/IMG_6882.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4uUVaDTbfHQTCKrRNp4LgvU43jrI8ADytNeRtKLOFzEJjzgyFyHn2EdcUY2RViWtGfdoDTQUT49d-LBBcRFQ8BALu5ZSKmnAdeA_c_LpzSWBwCz-4Ouc1VtgXkcASWjOgDAcauuVSw0/s1600/IMG_6862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir4uUVaDTbfHQTCKrRNp4LgvU43jrI8ADytNeRtKLOFzEJjzgyFyHn2EdcUY2RViWtGfdoDTQUT49d-LBBcRFQ8BALu5ZSKmnAdeA_c_LpzSWBwCz-4Ouc1VtgXkcASWjOgDAcauuVSw0/s1600/IMG_6862.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8nWlguhCPBcDypBVvSH3d62Oad4Zh1ghhyphenhyphen6KmeZNM1wguJCAFZHVqa0QW7rDJdG1VPFlwL6ay657sUe-ynFJm84rIl1LVqBGvpt9UnYmCGeQPPmOj-HZ2o7fIQOQX-jhCiULx9LZvwA/s1600/IMG_6925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8nWlguhCPBcDypBVvSH3d62Oad4Zh1ghhyphenhyphen6KmeZNM1wguJCAFZHVqa0QW7rDJdG1VPFlwL6ay657sUe-ynFJm84rIl1LVqBGvpt9UnYmCGeQPPmOj-HZ2o7fIQOQX-jhCiULx9LZvwA/s1600/IMG_6925.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVbeqOjC2Aj8BpFCoKLe1np2pN5lJYWXX5DGRs8921P8k-wo-rP94SoScfmCe5rnceu_ZaMASGvu46ruCSE1H9_NzVW-gPHEHn-vySE-TWmf-79jZhbqTv6DXgTJwhm4VoodF2OX9Z24/s1600/IMG_6897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVbeqOjC2Aj8BpFCoKLe1np2pN5lJYWXX5DGRs8921P8k-wo-rP94SoScfmCe5rnceu_ZaMASGvu46ruCSE1H9_NzVW-gPHEHn-vySE-TWmf-79jZhbqTv6DXgTJwhm4VoodF2OX9Z24/s1600/IMG_6897.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DeAi0E1gVFFwWimA3hpWZiZeASnKPEYS-CoVaN82uaTD3MR6r3zdAanDmatjXDwH5i4L6mybfpsJ4MpUrge8vuB1F_-FC9SOmFvPwvVCeDirjlu1U0DWe5ndmcfJJcQw-FW50xYX5Eo/s1600/IMG_6904b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DeAi0E1gVFFwWimA3hpWZiZeASnKPEYS-CoVaN82uaTD3MR6r3zdAanDmatjXDwH5i4L6mybfpsJ4MpUrge8vuB1F_-FC9SOmFvPwvVCeDirjlu1U0DWe5ndmcfJJcQw-FW50xYX5Eo/s1600/IMG_6904b.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b>Vanity Lighting: </b>One thing that was a bit concerning was that we had zero space for any vanity lighting. We ended up doing a single pot light right in the middle of the alcove. I'm happy to say that it gives off enough beautiful light. I wouldn't have it any other way.<br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXs48z-OO6u3sXAc4WTa-MSHhw4J36AhqQiHbSkpAqgQWLjc2SYM7egB4z5TPk6vOJq9CRWyuiT1g18zg3Ip-FWF_AuSFb8kVk9V-xbUCzf9c3rZ_C3-zVchVnsL88vmdEK2daWsJJnw/s1600/IMG_6940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXs48z-OO6u3sXAc4WTa-MSHhw4J36AhqQiHbSkpAqgQWLjc2SYM7egB4z5TPk6vOJq9CRWyuiT1g18zg3Ip-FWF_AuSFb8kVk9V-xbUCzf9c3rZ_C3-zVchVnsL88vmdEK2daWsJJnw/s1600/IMG_6940.jpg" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b><br /></b>We purposefully dropped the ceiling in the alcove to be the same height as the door, so it worked together, but also so that the potlight was close enough to where we stood to give off enough light. If we had made it much higher, we likely would not have as nice a light source. (See animated gif below)<br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulL3cj56Fir6jvhERIitYqvIAkDo9HlFmdP3FBB9xKTtkRqBBq47CLxMIVmzekN1HO3u4vYCoXgiqlSMH0Ypp6e8Iur1XokQZI59r2tSdnbcewltxN6eGUOwJhGIO_W1A_TB_wL9N6D8/s1600/Untitled-6.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulL3cj56Fir6jvhERIitYqvIAkDo9HlFmdP3FBB9xKTtkRqBBq47CLxMIVmzekN1HO3u4vYCoXgiqlSMH0Ypp6e8Iur1XokQZI59r2tSdnbcewltxN6eGUOwJhGIO_W1A_TB_wL9N6D8/s1600/Untitled-6.gif" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>The mirror</b> - oh, the mirror. I had quotes of getting one custom made (close to $300, framed) <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2013/09/mirror-mirror-on-wall.html" target="_blank">searched high and low in retail stores</a>. Nothing was right - or if it was, it was too expensive. I stopped into a Hotel Liquidators and low and behold they had the mirror above for sale for $15. Sold. Aubrey glued it to the wall and it looks like it was custom cut for our room.<br /><br />Our vanity is gorgeous and it was pretty reasonable coming in around $500 (that includes the vanity and sink, not the faucet). In terms of function - this vanity hits all of the right notes. I love that the sink portion is flat - which means that you really have a full counter in front of you if you're doing makeup. You don't have to rest things on the side of the sink - as the interior basin is flat. I love that we went with zero handles, as it saves the floor space and I can get up closer to the sink. The only downfall is, that since we have no overhang of the sink - if water drips off the sink it drips onto the front of the drawers which is occasionally annoying.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRnXbuXNJ4XnaXoa912wyup9OG4hz2P6cxqccVcq6rKnU-HQrYhJkmOIt421S2J3_nWc-wl6yEIkNRIEIP-1_MS3WTYj3cYgL_0PvSs33j_gaj5FyTQrviukkhw1TcJa6z1H4fKHP2AI/s1600/IMG_7002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbRnXbuXNJ4XnaXoa912wyup9OG4hz2P6cxqccVcq6rKnU-HQrYhJkmOIt421S2J3_nWc-wl6yEIkNRIEIP-1_MS3WTYj3cYgL_0PvSs33j_gaj5FyTQrviukkhw1TcJa6z1H4fKHP2AI/s1600/IMG_7002.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b>I LOVE having drawers - they can store a ton of (my) things. Aubrey has one side, I have the other and the bottom drawer (not shown open) houses extra toilet paper, bubble bath, toys for Oscar.<br /><br />And there you have it - Our bathroom reno! :)<br /><br /><b>SHOPPING GUIDE:</b><br /><b>Porcelain Shower Tile: </b><a href="http://www.cerim.it/en/prod-184-1866-pearl.asp" target="_blank">Manufacturer: Cerim, Style Name: Precious Pearl </a><br /><b>2" Hexagon Marble Floor:</b> <a href="http://www.thetilestore.ca/" target="_blank">The Tile Store</a><br /><b>Bathtub</b>: <a href="http://www.lowes.ca/soaking-tubs/jacuzzi-p1s6032blxxxxw-60-x-32-primo-white-rectangular-skirted-tub_g1195134.html" target="_blank">Jaccuzi Soaker 60" x 32" drop in - purchased at Lowes</a><br /><b>Toilet</b>: <a href="http://www.lowes.ca/toilets/kohler-memoirs-white-elongated-2-piece-toilet_g1194673.html?isku=8788462&term=memoirs-toilet&linkloc=searchProductItemsImage" target="_blank">Kohler Memoirs</a> (I LOVE this toilet) purchased at Lowes<br /><b>Vanity</b>: <a href="http://venetobath.com/690C.html" target="_blank">Veneto Bath 690C in Walnut </a> Purchased at <a href="http://www.bathcity.ca/contactus.html" target="_blank">Bath City, Beaches Location</a><br /><b>Three Way Shower System and faucet: </b><a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2013/04/understanding-shower-systems.html" target="_blank">TAPS </a><br /><b>Robe Hooks and toilet paper holder:</b> <a href="http://www.homedepot.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchView?catalogId=10051&storeId=10051&langId=-15&N=0&Ntt=aura&Nty=1&D=aura&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&s=true" target="_blank">Kraus Aura Line, Home Depot Online</a> (online only)<br /><b>Shower Curtain and Liner</b>: <a href="http://www.homesense.ca/" target="_blank">HomeSense</a><br /><b>Shower Rod and Rings:</b> Target<br /><b>Towels</b>: HomeSense<br /><b>Mirror</b>: <a href="http://www.advancehotelliquidators.com/" target="_blank">Advance Hotel Liquidator </a><br /><b>Paint</b>: Classic Gray for the Walls, Chantilly Lace for the trim (Both Benjamin Moore)<br /><b>Drywall</b>: <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/search?q=joe+drywall&x=-1391&y=-1431" target="_blank">Joe </a>(He's done our basement, our kitchen and now our bathroom)<br /><br /><b>Other posts of interest:</b> <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2013/01/washroom-planning-bumping-out-wall.html" target="_blank">Deciding to Bump Out the bathroom wall</a>, <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2013/01/washroom-reno-recapping-last-4-years.html" target="_blank">Washroom Before,</a> <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2013/04/picking-tile.html" target="_blank">Picking Tile</a>,  <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2013/04/understanding-shower-systems.html" target="_blank">Shower Systems, </a><a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2013/05/how-to-choose-bathtub.html" target="_blank">Choosing a Bathtub</a>,

Reveal! Our super tiny washroom renovation

So it's time to reveal our washroom renovation. :) I am so, so, so happy with how it turned out. Every night I have a bubble bath and un...

Read more »

bathroom

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKFmItBLsG9MyfUyZHW-sWfHjFi7ZADX3vRhjbj0b02Z8CiCzIu3yAMb6M0UwxTdKZQI2OejT3PxqzLRzTRp7osOcHOHLe6Cjba0zhDzALfbUE1o4RCsrYB7yxtyKVQVfXDU7eJDdWDw/s1600/bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKFmItBLsG9MyfUyZHW-sWfHjFi7ZADX3vRhjbj0b02Z8CiCzIu3yAMb6M0UwxTdKZQI2OejT3PxqzLRzTRp7osOcHOHLe6Cjba0zhDzALfbUE1o4RCsrYB7yxtyKVQVfXDU7eJDdWDw/s1600/bath.jpg" /></a></div><br />Happy Friday! The washroom is slooooowly coming together. There are a few missing pieces like finding the right hooks and installing a mirror above the sink and up until yesterday there was no shower curtain (but I found one at HomeSense that I adore...And it is <i>obviously </i>white) Although I love showing progress shots I really want to show a grand "Ta-da!!" for this washroom. I think because it's so small, I just want to reveal it all at once. So I think I'm at a stage where I'm going to hold off on more shots until I nail down the last two details! Wheee!<br /><br />Speaking of washrooms - check out these gorgeous bathroom accessories I spotted at HomeSense (Eglinton and Laird) yesterday. Acrylic gorgeousness (that I bought for our washroom) and faux marble pieces that are ridiculously awesome.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sZVXC6leegsgPOPfaklyam5Mb6RQCyIBSmoG-ew-oAy33dQmYUf8ZDYwujYhcTz4Fvfl1atKV0K5jMqTqNiS7wFyRacgi5D1duwbx5jzIEr2XZWt3zc-TR21FTx78wDyhmHumALPNvM/s1600/IMG_8552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sZVXC6leegsgPOPfaklyam5Mb6RQCyIBSmoG-ew-oAy33dQmYUf8ZDYwujYhcTz4Fvfl1atKV0K5jMqTqNiS7wFyRacgi5D1duwbx5jzIEr2XZWt3zc-TR21FTx78wDyhmHumALPNvM/s1600/IMG_8552.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0dGcKNbpS-idtiOnss0NDeM8CWpsIGF66rx7jaJRNJEX45hezJ-aQzp17Xg3QK5ABAR92HUEo1YrppyL7tAJFVNXnSnLF6_HghH2iwNsEEDKWUDRX4szKh7_255K0uuywKcq3W2u-8A/s1600/IMG_8553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0dGcKNbpS-idtiOnss0NDeM8CWpsIGF66rx7jaJRNJEX45hezJ-aQzp17Xg3QK5ABAR92HUEo1YrppyL7tAJFVNXnSnLF6_HghH2iwNsEEDKWUDRX4szKh7_255K0uuywKcq3W2u-8A/s1600/IMG_8553.jpg" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://on.fb.me/1dAijmd" target="_blank">See more HomeSense finds from yesterday over on Facebook</a>.<br /><br />Have a great weekend! xo Linds<br /><br /><br />

bathroom

Happy Friday! The washroom is slooooowly coming together. There are a few missing pieces like finding the right hooks and installing a mirro...

Read more »

bathroom hooks

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzq2uznBP3p4QxDotZKihgTUeISzLbJ5IUXkvtefyxVMyIf3ipjQm3p33XCZEdKKcWnlUGqlhgqLYln6CmRrZ_pNHetXLRnt5Jhap7XdugxYO8vDCft-mSjzzgusVK3yf5eJgf4xJOks/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzq2uznBP3p4QxDotZKihgTUeISzLbJ5IUXkvtefyxVMyIf3ipjQm3p33XCZEdKKcWnlUGqlhgqLYln6CmRrZ_pNHetXLRnt5Jhap7XdugxYO8vDCft-mSjzzgusVK3yf5eJgf4xJOks/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://emtek.com/Bath-Hardware/modern-brass-double-hook-with-rosette-option" target="_blank">1</a> /  <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_272323-69133-4127_0__?productId=3029635&Ntt=allen+%2B+roth+andrews&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dallen%2B%252B%2Broth%2Bandrews&facetInfo=" target="_blank">2</a>  /  <a href="http://www.taymor.ca/products/bathroom/bathroom-accessories/astral-single-robe-hook-polished-chrome" target="_blank">3</a>  / <a href="http://www.taymor.ca/products/bathroom/bathroom-accessories/available-september-2013-crofton-double-robe-hook-polished-ch" target="_blank">4</a> </div><br />One thing that I have left to the very end of the washroom reno to choose has been the hooks. I'm not a very modern person with design but the washroom has really turned out to be a pretty modern washroom - Aubrey feels that the hooks should reflect the modern design, whereas my heart always goes to the traditional styles. So I'm struggling with what choice to make for the hooks the washroom. (I appreciate without seeing the washroom in full it's hard for you to comment) but I thought the choices we did see, may be nice for someone else designing a washroom. So my dilemma is that I'm trying to figure out if I should stick with a modern hook like the rest of the washroom, or, if I can go with a traditional hook like No. 2 above.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJVjJF89taVOeojSgdP041Ek595GcD0S6fXvmHkdir-P-EPDzdicG89V6ZzqNc7_ssn7yRSy3d8GUL6FkVQfUvdmWzEiN23LNbQmXpiqpwuZUnnjyDZHS7sBotqfg1t2-adlvRO7CGOg/s1600/IMG_6857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJVjJF89taVOeojSgdP041Ek595GcD0S6fXvmHkdir-P-EPDzdicG89V6ZzqNc7_ssn7yRSy3d8GUL6FkVQfUvdmWzEiN23LNbQmXpiqpwuZUnnjyDZHS7sBotqfg1t2-adlvRO7CGOg/s1600/IMG_6857.jpg" /></a></div><br />I went to <a href="http://www.ucsh.com/" target="_blank">Upper Canada Specialty Hardware </a>yesterday and found <a href="http://emtek.com/Bath-Hardware/modern-brass-double-hook-with-rosette-option" target="_blank">these from Emtek</a>. I REALLY love the two "prongs" as it will surely make hanging towels nicer. (Choice #1 in the mashup above)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXFNx8SjStAeruyh4azUs1kHyHTPI-Ypcj4V6zmPdrhHFbXSSaUSqtHoc9Z4PscxoYC7i_fbg-Ya1FtsTjBbfKNt-dIOv6elPMWeqvwehmBOuHUJtxFzmQLXyVnvTvtXjwm3TqtEoa_A/s1600/IMG_6894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXFNx8SjStAeruyh4azUs1kHyHTPI-Ypcj4V6zmPdrhHFbXSSaUSqtHoc9Z4PscxoYC7i_fbg-Ya1FtsTjBbfKNt-dIOv6elPMWeqvwehmBOuHUJtxFzmQLXyVnvTvtXjwm3TqtEoa_A/s1600/IMG_6894.jpg" /></a></div><br />But then we were at Lowes last night I spotted this <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_272323-69133-4127_0__?productId=3029635&Ntt=allen+%2B+roth+andrews&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dallen%2B%252B%2Broth%2Bandrews&facetInfo=" target="_blank">Allen + Roth line</a>, and fell madly in love because it was both polished nickle and traditional. (I've shown it in a chrome finish in my mashup above, because I don't think we can do polished nickle in our washroom. So sad) Aubrey feels that it's much too traditional and after sleeping on it, I tend to agree.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSyDxfBoEMhHMjlZ_P-Fmb1bpDHMkszzaav0dL1NKut2QkPoDtB2BDR_qFIoclgYh0H7lyuBuf3kfup2MWyMoTBBAI52mIpug4QXNt2sjONTgt9wLUYDaUEDnm1PCluunkKQWg9F51x8/s1600/IMG_6900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSyDxfBoEMhHMjlZ_P-Fmb1bpDHMkszzaav0dL1NKut2QkPoDtB2BDR_qFIoclgYh0H7lyuBuf3kfup2MWyMoTBBAI52mIpug4QXNt2sjONTgt9wLUYDaUEDnm1PCluunkKQWg9F51x8/s1600/IMG_6900.jpg" /></a></div><br />Anyhow - <a href="http://www.taymor.ca/products/bathroom/bathroom-accessories/astral-single-robe-hook-polished-chrome" target="_blank">we actually purchased this set above (no. 3) </a>- but I'm not sure I love it. So I think it's going back. Truthfully if we're going for modern, the set from Upper Canada Hardware (No. 1) is about $10 more dollars more a piece, but I know the quality is amazing and I still really like the two prongs.<br /><br />So in the process of writing this post I think I've come to the conclusion I like #1. Wait. Maybe not. I'm not sure. Ugh. I think I need to hold them up in the washroom and make a decision.

bathroom hooks

1 /   2  /   3  / 4 One thing that I have left to the very end of the washroom reno to choose has been the hooks. I'm not a very mod...

Read more »

progress on the bathroom reno

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPA7y63XF1bThRTBlLza2L0Iu6xvNZAEjfstfPzwSOyr4eLps2kuS7c4FJfJnrJIkd8LQ4oAI13NkIJ8E-xm7f34WzCZgkFaYqn8hNd1lIRHcJyC-BI4E90lrv86u7m-ui0CRfa1jXxw/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPA7y63XF1bThRTBlLza2L0Iu6xvNZAEjfstfPzwSOyr4eLps2kuS7c4FJfJnrJIkd8LQ4oAI13NkIJ8E-xm7f34WzCZgkFaYqn8hNd1lIRHcJyC-BI4E90lrv86u7m-ui0CRfa1jXxw/s1600/photo.jpg" /></a></div><br />We're making progress on the washroom! The floor tile is in and grouted, the walls have been painted, and Aubrey is setting up the shower today - possibly even the vanity. It has taken us way longer than we anticipated but we've also made a point to <em>enjoy</em> our summer - throwing BBQ's, going to the cottage, taking a day off here or there when we need a break. Excited to show you more "reveal" photos soon. But I'm even more excited to have a BATH. <br /><br />Ps.,  I'll be doing a shopping guide at the end so if you want to know exact wall colours or where we bought things I'll list everything in the room.<em> </em>In the meantime....you can go through some of the washroom posts you can see where things came from.

progress on the bathroom reno

We're making progress on the washroom! The floor tile is in and grouted, the walls have been painted, and Aubrey is setting up the showe...

Read more »

bathroom renovation updates

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VP_upZORJ4gWcyKZ3N3FVLmJz9LFdLDPBGy-8ST5ii6rEyokovhr1yUQOkX-WpGwU7u3d26CRDUDB48cgI84oXp-NgNOMDaaFbtaLTEWK8-WjpwNxMphXgm6g5nhjq-o0aBL4AW9MSA/s1600/bathroom_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VP_upZORJ4gWcyKZ3N3FVLmJz9LFdLDPBGy-8ST5ii6rEyokovhr1yUQOkX-WpGwU7u3d26CRDUDB48cgI84oXp-NgNOMDaaFbtaLTEWK8-WjpwNxMphXgm6g5nhjq-o0aBL4AW9MSA/s1600/bathroom_1.jpg" /></a></div><br />Although some may have seen some updates on <a href="http://instagram.com/lindsaystephenson#" target="_blank">my Instagram </a>last night, I thought it was time for some decent photographs of the process of the washroom. :) Above was one of my biggest concerns, the bump out. As you may recall <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2013/01/washroom-planning-bumping-out-wall.html" target="_blank">we chose to take up unused hallway space and give it to the washroom</a> - I was <em>terrified</em> it was going to make the hallway seem small, but after it was done, it's not even noticeable. Surprisingly, it feels like it should have been like this all along. We still have to add back trim and I have to do some painting - but you get the idea of how this looks. On the opposite side of the wall this made room for a nook for the new vanity (not yet installed) <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLub7YQBPHoyY2NMPV3xJkFlVM02s9XEwgkIaoGoMPeO2gC0C-i2pLwAQ3Yd4Ez-Lf5mMCs6ROLrsx5SuDqaQ8AIY2T2KeievBseiniPLKNu3EMc2vHo0pGHylKTVkx0liOgdsDGGRb-E/s1600/bathroom_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLub7YQBPHoyY2NMPV3xJkFlVM02s9XEwgkIaoGoMPeO2gC0C-i2pLwAQ3Yd4Ez-Lf5mMCs6ROLrsx5SuDqaQ8AIY2T2KeievBseiniPLKNu3EMc2vHo0pGHylKTVkx0liOgdsDGGRb-E/s1600/bathroom_4.jpg" /></a>Although in the hallway it doesn't feel (or look like) much space was given to the washroom - While you stand you in the washroom it feels quite the opposite - You realize that <em>a lot of room</em> was taken from the hall. In this nook our vanity will fit - giving us more floor space. It's not much - but every inch counts. I'll explain more about this nook later, when we have more pieces of that puzzle put in place. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2r5uJczK824KI6cwfOZwkzGdSl1DVaNHhQckumxTFuXwy_t9zWu2veeRp4LQY0BPy5kFgQdmdmLFINOIPA5L1haCa1Hisn-Q8HMwd5rbyNTWYJ9Gaqh_tjSJEhzplDqNGHPmN5z2f9tg/s1600/bathroom_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2r5uJczK824KI6cwfOZwkzGdSl1DVaNHhQckumxTFuXwy_t9zWu2veeRp4LQY0BPy5kFgQdmdmLFINOIPA5L1haCa1Hisn-Q8HMwd5rbyNTWYJ9Gaqh_tjSJEhzplDqNGHPmN5z2f9tg/s1600/bathroom_2.jpg" /></a></div>Aubrey finished installing the tile and grouted the walls last night. I may have done a jig when I saw it - It was *exactly* as I had hoped it would look. Like a fancy hotel bathroom. It feels clean, clutter free and well - clean. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdCX2-lXrrbHcPq5yAbouTEp_cQ0VWF3b-R-RKsDsiOoRlxrl_GfD6_yTuy5SJvPv79u21IQDHEGyZM2MQqQfne2Aq-unjhPvYUprBZ7GtQSKFxriLDOrX5RihmGo2YKJobuA1jn5QTc/s1600/bathroom_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdCX2-lXrrbHcPq5yAbouTEp_cQ0VWF3b-R-RKsDsiOoRlxrl_GfD6_yTuy5SJvPv79u21IQDHEGyZM2MQqQfne2Aq-unjhPvYUprBZ7GtQSKFxriLDOrX5RihmGo2YKJobuA1jn5QTc/s1600/bathroom_3.jpg" /></a></div><br /> The bathroom floor has yet to be grouted but will also have white grout lines. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQSKAP5QwWyGZyQf4y5sGZX32J6bYgrIMx2oysUMuCjwtHpD14NomAu_kBapiZ1K3PfwTIlMMEjDmZtokngzXMVrILn7L4z4683SIx2Q4kfCBqrS1dTdpgurGqHqG1p7tjzvwocrXemc/s1600/bathroom_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQSKAP5QwWyGZyQf4y5sGZX32J6bYgrIMx2oysUMuCjwtHpD14NomAu_kBapiZ1K3PfwTIlMMEjDmZtokngzXMVrILn7L4z4683SIx2Q4kfCBqrS1dTdpgurGqHqG1p7tjzvwocrXemc/s1600/bathroom_6.jpg" /></a></div><br />New pot lights. I looooooove pot lights. <br /><br />The bathroom is feeling larger, cleaner and brighter than our old washroom did. I'm really happy with our choices so far. We still have a few steps (as you can see) including me picking a wall colour (likely white) but I thought these pictures may be fun to post. We're also changing up our toilet. We had installed a new one a few years ago but because of budget got a really inexpensive one. We didn't love it, it ran all the time, and so we've decided to do the<a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2010/03/sneak-peek-at-some-bathroom-updates.html" target="_blank"> same toilet as in the basement, the Kohler's Memoir </a>that I think is so pretty. <br /><br />Baby steps! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rQFArS7i3O531Kn4BWfwwG7ksd-H7kqz4Y9gl8x_DMb5eLr9RLwFCa61qkAPMPUidH7zRfEMS7HtaCMmT-zgEgiBO9BMx98J5Zk0dE8T03ECzT449UAcIXOBohlY-R03B4VfDVpzHaQ/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rQFArS7i3O531Kn4BWfwwG7ksd-H7kqz4Y9gl8x_DMb5eLr9RLwFCa61qkAPMPUidH7zRfEMS7HtaCMmT-zgEgiBO9BMx98J5Zk0dE8T03ECzT449UAcIXOBohlY-R03B4VfDVpzHaQ/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2013/04/picking-tile.html#more" target="_blank">Read more about the tile we picked in this post.</a> / Floor hexagon 2" tiles

bathroom renovation updates

Although some may have seen some updates on my Instagram last night, I thought it was time for some decent photographs of the process of the...

Read more »

Installing tile

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_Opf0Xh1Kf7o7rritptwSnlB-dn8lCYbbgQ0jzoPZi4Sysez3Uly5dt4VSU2kP1zsDKjQyrAHP6P_XAnuKvHWPNli79RpKtBz9imPkmmvNbb0dwQUscfGHbNy1aag_Z1I2eZLvZlaX4/s1600/tile_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_Opf0Xh1Kf7o7rritptwSnlB-dn8lCYbbgQ0jzoPZi4Sysez3Uly5dt4VSU2kP1zsDKjQyrAHP6P_XAnuKvHWPNli79RpKtBz9imPkmmvNbb0dwQUscfGHbNy1aag_Z1I2eZLvZlaX4/s1600/tile_1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhloxW89qEtXAw1TtVvoxhug6FoBU-1jaurQod7uEbBHFGelr55R3orSjfMRC7XkrXAgWEIv62d10fo4aPyzrJp06oGq3W1IJYlKdLSrEWreo5w9D7yqYtk7m7YDPROcQi7b8EwvbiXk/s1600/tile_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhloxW89qEtXAw1TtVvoxhug6FoBU-1jaurQod7uEbBHFGelr55R3orSjfMRC7XkrXAgWEIv62d10fo4aPyzrJp06oGq3W1IJYlKdLSrEWreo5w9D7yqYtk7m7YDPROcQi7b8EwvbiXk/s1600/tile_2.jpg" /></a></div><br />The bathroom reno is still going on as you may have guessed. :-) Thankfully the lack of bathroom on the top floor isn't disrupting us <i>that much -</i> Except at midnight when I'm lying in bed and I have to pee and I try to tell myself to fall asleep instead of having to walk down two flights of stairs.<br /><br />All that being said - we're almost at the finish line. I'm loving how the choices are coming together and Aubrey is doing an amazing job at tiling. I'm debating a wall colour for the walls but knowing me, I'll likely stick with a white. Anyhow, here is a video I happened to catch while I was snapping the photos above with my phone. Oscar adores Aubrey and wants to help with all of his projects... (Ps., I love his little voice so much)<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="387" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/67905114" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="685"></iframe>

Installing tile

The bathroom reno is still going on as you may have guessed. :-) Thankfully the lack of bathroom on the top floor isn't disrupting us th...

Read more »

tiling the washroom

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXGKI06dkMsryj3Bc9F_dQmHZT9pAmlhd7cFjk1MAc3uhQGrJFIsYjCnjwHkr5cs4wKZm2f90c1bvSyqJOI5QglwHIxwTQyG70DEFES7KWVfA5ZSzDM6M2Vowe5qVxLp7SDo-Su93fOM/s1600/tile2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXGKI06dkMsryj3Bc9F_dQmHZT9pAmlhd7cFjk1MAc3uhQGrJFIsYjCnjwHkr5cs4wKZm2f90c1bvSyqJOI5QglwHIxwTQyG70DEFES7KWVfA5ZSzDM6M2Vowe5qVxLp7SDo-Su93fOM/s1600/tile2.jpg" /></a></div><br />Tile is going in. :) For the shower <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2013/04/picking-tile.html" target="_blank">I chose a really huge porcelain tile that looks like marble but doesn't have the upkeep</a>. I'm in love with them. They definitely make the shower feel much more modern and really super clean. I love the reduction of grout lines compared to what we had before.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiI2Ks03jqga9f9aDhZSPKqN852n54wvZTAHoYpt3rqSZJzeILWp6XTv63qiefNqrmQZC_V0Ir0RJfj5IgijDRg5_C4HKei2uYSwjK7o35Pc2wg2BTdpBqgJM4CMIINReK33JBseySTxk/s1600/tile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiI2Ks03jqga9f9aDhZSPKqN852n54wvZTAHoYpt3rqSZJzeILWp6XTv63qiefNqrmQZC_V0Ir0RJfj5IgijDRg5_C4HKei2uYSwjK7o35Pc2wg2BTdpBqgJM4CMIINReK33JBseySTxk/s1600/tile.jpg" /></a></div><br />I would have liked to continue the same huge  tile on the floor, but I was worried about such large tiles being slippery. So we ended up going with hexagon tiles. I'm not totally sure it is the right choice - but the washroom is so small that I don't think it's that big of a deal. It's proving to take awhile to do the tile as Aubrey is doing it on his days off. But we're getting closer!

tiling the washroom

Tile is going in. :) For the shower  I chose a really huge porcelain tile that looks like marble but doesn't have the upkeep . I'm i...

Read more »

How to choose a bathtub

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-fIJefWS-43Ye2babSMH2wk7QjJvUdkSyipWQg2Vq2T0S4rcA5sqBgZRr6mlsvzU2c8RTf_dVDQ1OGZ4Rdh2W7l6WF01mU9nFETCtqCf0yGT5BwrQZ4UnTptURlGDKcaVo234R7kSxA/s1600/bathgroom_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mwa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-fIJefWS-43Ye2babSMH2wk7QjJvUdkSyipWQg2Vq2T0S4rcA5sqBgZRr6mlsvzU2c8RTf_dVDQ1OGZ4Rdh2W7l6WF01mU9nFETCtqCf0yGT5BwrQZ4UnTptURlGDKcaVo234R7kSxA/s1600/bathgroom_1.jpg" /></a></div><br />Our bathtub is in! Yay! It is a great feeling when a renovation turns from the demolition process to the "rebuilding" stage - this is when things start to take shape. This post is on the entire process of choosing a bathtub. So if you're going to do a bathroom renovation and have limited space like we do - then the rest of the post may be of interest to you.<br /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><strong>3 STYLES OF TUBS</strong><br />When choosing a bathtub for our washroom we had three options. There could have been the option for <a href="http://www.lowes.ca/products/view.aspx?family=196919&linkloc=404" target="_blank">A freestanding tub - such as a clawfoot.</a> Or, <a href="http://www.lowes.ca/freestanding-tubs/american-standard-0316rh020-cadet-rectangular-skirted-tub_g1359792.html?isku=9707158&linkloc=cataLogProductItemsImage" target="_blank">a bathtub that has a built in "skirt" </a>that is the same material as the inside of the tub or lastly - a bathtub that is called a <em>drop in</em> - similar to number two, but doesn't have a skirt - which allows you to tile or add tile to the front of the tub.<br /><br />We didn't even consider a freestanding tub as it didn't fit the style of this room and the ones I did like were going to be too large and too expensive. Freestanding tubs open you up to a world of possibilities and had we a larger bathroom then I perhaps would have drooled over options. However, it wasn't right for this house.<br /><br />As well as knowing we didn't want free standing we also knew a few other things of what we didn't want. We didn't want to spend a lot on a tub, didn't want jets or tubs that had strange peanut shapes to them <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2013/03/bathroom-planning-sheds-firepits.html" target="_blank">as blogged about here </a>and, we also had very specific size limitations as the room is small. Knowing what you *don't* want helps you certainly find the one you do.<br /><br /><strong>RESEARCH</strong><br /><a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2013/03/bathroom-planning-sheds-firepits.html" target="_blank">We went to Lowes and stared up at the tubs</a> waaaay up high. If we had a lot more room to work with and had more flexibility with space and, budget - I would have headed over to <a href="http://www.tapsbath.com/home.htm" target="_blank">TAPS </a>and sat in tubs and dreamed a little. But because of budget and size limitations we stuck with shopping at a big box store. Lucky for us we happened to find one right away - a Jacuzzi brand. This particular bathtub was the right size and the right price at a few hundred dollars. It also came in two options - Either with the built in skirt or as a drop in and you can build your own surround.<br /><br /><strong>SKIRTS OR, DROP IN?</strong><br />I'm fairly certain that most people go with the tubs that come with the skirts because it's easier and at the end of the day less expensive. When we did the research - side by size a tub, whether it was drop in or with a standard skirt was <em>exactly</em> the same price. However,  you have to consider that a drop in tub will cost <em>slightly</em> more because of the labour of building the surround and with building materials. <br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzchBTlUUtwyTl60d1jdbLk7i5TUMSht5_oqursgVhVNTpSN0HRjorSbatjhvQw5lkgZlA3_XKtpm9789lnmuYStuu42qVP8R6_KDaqLLMMbdQVc1Vixm7JL_cwp8ZSNyHuetv74cmFY/s1600/bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzchBTlUUtwyTl60d1jdbLk7i5TUMSht5_oqursgVhVNTpSN0HRjorSbatjhvQw5lkgZlA3_XKtpm9789lnmuYStuu42qVP8R6_KDaqLLMMbdQVc1Vixm7JL_cwp8ZSNyHuetv74cmFY/s1600/bath.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This particular tub has a built in skirt - and looks rather nice. <a href="http://www.roomzaar.com/rate-my-space/Bathrooms/Small--Classic-Marble-Bath/detail.esi?oid=6997814" target="_blank">Image via</a>. </td></tr></tbody></table><br />From a design perspective the tubs with the built in skirts can go either way on the offensive scale. I've seen some ugly tub skirts that have weird moldings (<a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2013/01/washroom-reno-recapping-last-4-years.html" target="_blank">like our old tub</a>) but some like the one in the picture above, don't look that bad at all.<br /><br />It's a design element that I think you potentially don't notice over time. I couldn't have told you what t<a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2013/01/washroom-reno-recapping-last-4-years.html" target="_blank">he skirt on our old tub looked like</a>, which goes to show that I just think it ends up blending in after awhile. So I'm not knocking anyone who goes with the ready-made skirted choice. However for us, the fact that the Aubrey was the one doing the labour (free!), the small addition of cost for materials made it a no brainer for us to go with the drop in. I really loved the design flexibility that a drop in would give us, as it allowed for a little more of a custom look. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYs_Wrr_jb4IFMpKuv2nrORfTr81lL6Rr70ejFcLbfG5FjOXGdh5Cv9PBDcquzAiRyII2UMDL1CIimC64BlF6h2Krz7wrM3vUJnugf4Zc7BG-wt1Sf0Wqiw7JtdsHKn8pU9rvs880fMJE/s1600/Bathroom+Tiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYs_Wrr_jb4IFMpKuv2nrORfTr81lL6Rr70ejFcLbfG5FjOXGdh5Cv9PBDcquzAiRyII2UMDL1CIimC64BlF6h2Krz7wrM3vUJnugf4Zc7BG-wt1Sf0Wqiw7JtdsHKn8pU9rvs880fMJE/s1600/Bathroom+Tiles.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.themarionhousebook.com/helloneighbour-murray-sian/" target="_blank">Photo via The Marion House Book</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The above is an example of a drop in - you can see that you have some more design flexibility when you can tile, or, ad molding to the front of a tub. If you have the patience, time and extra funds I think it's a great design element.<br /><br /><strong>BATHTUB SIZES</strong><br />Behind our tub is a little step. I actually liked the step as it allowed me to have my shampoos at the back of the shower. Don't mind the messy shot - at a certain point as we got closer to the reno I stopped caring how it looked...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEzc5oLkQ6W_JLFXb5U2SSAcZX2zGG7ycjpFFyrBikgwHuVptWZZW7y-c2hp9oHWsw37dx6hd8H1a-CHBZ4Vuo2RgAHaRSuhYi5Wo1B6GP-VMYhmEU4KUjK01SCPmI_8Bu57IhAtgFlw/s1600/new-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcEzc5oLkQ6W_JLFXb5U2SSAcZX2zGG7ycjpFFyrBikgwHuVptWZZW7y-c2hp9oHWsw37dx6hd8H1a-CHBZ4Vuo2RgAHaRSuhYi5Wo1B6GP-VMYhmEU4KUjK01SCPmI_8Bu57IhAtgFlw/s1600/new-1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />We always assumed the the step was there because the previous owners just decided to have a shorter tub and over the years Aubrey always mentioned that when we renovated we'd just get a longer tub and loose that step. <i>However </i>- as it turns out we couldn't do a longer tub. To get a longer tub - to go from wall to wall, a tub also gets <em>wider</em>. And although we could handle the tub getting longer - we couldn't have the tub get wider as it would hit the toilet.<br /><br />The fact that we have to go with a shorter tub isn't a negative - I found the bathtub length totally fine, and I actually enjoyed the area behind the tub to place our shampoos. So all of this to explain why there is a little space behind the bathtub. Instead of raising it up (like a step) previously, we lowered it so it was a little more modern. <br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WtxypZFRmFic-_2z2dwNw5-BEm_nTTWK4bj0U3Pt9rGf1Rq1ySaJvoWNjkgDq4sukKcFZ-c3Gqsn7-_hxICndQc6xTJyx7nV-Sa43kdDsMlKonM6MKe6sQ-jXhzHZM2YbTpgVeImqSg/s1600/bathgroom_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WtxypZFRmFic-_2z2dwNw5-BEm_nTTWK4bj0U3Pt9rGf1Rq1ySaJvoWNjkgDq4sukKcFZ-c3Gqsn7-_hxICndQc6xTJyx7nV-Sa43kdDsMlKonM6MKe6sQ-jXhzHZM2YbTpgVeImqSg/s1600/bathgroom_1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New bathtub - the step is still there but we dropped it so it was lower - more modern.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />BUT - although the tub is the same length and the same width, it is <strong><em>deeper</em></strong> - which as a bather - is awesome. :) <br /><br />The other thing you have to consider when buying a tub for an older home is considering the door frame size to the bathroom to get it in. <br /><br />There you go! A super long post on bathtubs for small houses, and, small budgets. :)<br /><br />---------------<br />The bathtub we chose was from Lowes Canada and was the <a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_364240-69094-P1D6032BUXXXXW_4294737274%2B4294964202__?productId=3550508&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FgoToProdList%3Dtrue%26Ns%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=Jacuzzi" target="_blank">Jaccuzi Soaker 60" x 32" drop in.</a> It cost $348

How to choose a bathtub

Our bathtub is in! Yay! It is a great feeling when a renovation turns from the demolition process to the "rebuilding" stage - this...

Read more »

the shower system saga ....

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_KAhfgEytoLsExlHfmVU-uMAVNxHI66YU5Ub1iKodjyUCp5QvZxsD-0vhkCv20CARebeuKyRhF6QPvBmwCVN1ahI3aBJb6fJqficuRBg6TpNU6HhtnjVQzy_C1aRQEztRrRiUl6YNIk/s1600/TAPS_Daniel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_KAhfgEytoLsExlHfmVU-uMAVNxHI66YU5Ub1iKodjyUCp5QvZxsD-0vhkCv20CARebeuKyRhF6QPvBmwCVN1ahI3aBJb6fJqficuRBg6TpNU6HhtnjVQzy_C1aRQEztRrRiUl6YNIk/s1600/TAPS_Daniel.jpg" /></a></div><br />The shower system -  I had been putting off this decision for awhile as I wasn't confident on the style of shower system (modern or traditional) and I also wasn't clear on what I needed to look for. I'm not sure why it was such a scary purchase, but I was really delaying this decision. With the washroom reno starting next week, I got a gentle push to make a decision from Aubrey who kindly reminded me that he needed to have the shower system on hand to be able to start the reno. Ooops.<br /><br />I ended up going with my Mom to <a href="http://www.tapsbath.com/taps/Pages/" target="_blank">TAPS </a>to talk to Daniel who is my go-to-guy for questions about choices like this. When I went to the store I had come to the conclusion that I really wanted a <i>traditional </i>shower system, <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/164170348888502691/" target="_blank">much like this</a> and immediately after walking into the shop I saw the top two shower heads and fell in <i>love</i>. Daniel at <a href="http://www.tapsbath.com/taps/Pages/" target="_blank">TAPS </a>(who I had help me with the kitchen renovation choices) first asked me if it was just a shower, or, a shower/tub combo. Apparently it does make a difference. Cue the record screeching to a halt.<br /><br />You see, since we have a shower/tub combo he explained that the systems I was falling in love with weren't compatible with a shower/bathtub combo...You can't just add on a bathtub filler, when you have the Rainhead <i>and </i>a handheld. You need a system that has a 3 way diverter.* Ok, I'm getting confused even trying to re-create the conversation because all I heard was "You can't have that". Heart. Broken. Does any of that make sense? Basically I thought you could just add on a tub filler to any system out there. Apparently that's not how it works.<br /><br />So going back to the drawing board I really liked the idea of the rainhead <i>and a handheld </i>(the handheld was a non-negotiable for me) and Daniel showed me a kit that was on special that had the rainhead, the handheld AND was made for the bathtub too. It took me awhile to come to the realization that the top two traditional designs were not going to be possible and ended up going for the kit. I know it will look substantial when installed in the new washroom so I think I'll get the look I wanted, even if it's not super traditional.<br /><br />Oh, and I picked that super beautiful faucet too. Again, I was pretty in love with a lot of traditional faucets but they all were for three hole vanities and, well, the vanity we picked has one hole. Bah. Foiled again.<br /><br />Check that off my list.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tapsbath.com/taps/Pages/" target="_blank">TAPS Bath Centre in Toronto</a>, my go to guy is <a href="http://www.tapsbath.com/taps/Pages/contactStaff.htm" target="_blank">Daniel Scheffel  </a>He's helped me in every purchase and also was the go to guy for my Mom's renovation.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1LbRAMu9xu2gY2ua5gwPypkF-0dgDplkpWVefSObEFte389hcl4vyluylXoKMkyBuiO6779rtcqygudDeclGzrG3NE_v0BWBKdMOXcWCPUzVldZfqcBX2Hq7frNeajNhrEurARyEl7Y/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1LbRAMu9xu2gY2ua5gwPypkF-0dgDplkpWVefSObEFte389hcl4vyluylXoKMkyBuiO6779rtcqygudDeclGzrG3NE_v0BWBKdMOXcWCPUzVldZfqcBX2Hq7frNeajNhrEurARyEl7Y/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><i>*I think I also understood that it may be possible to make some systems a 3 way but it would have cost a LOT of money and potentially a lot more work. </i>

the shower system saga ....

The shower system -  I had been putting off this decision for awhile as I wasn't confident on the style of shower system (modern or trad...

Read more »

bathroom renovation | Vanities Part 3

So, bathroom <em>vanities</em>. Such a small piece of furniture but for our washroom it's a <em>major</em> element. We're bumping out a wall for it so it's something that I've been fretting over for quite some time.  This is (knock on wood) the final post on vanities so I'll recap quickly what has been happening.*<br /><br />Going back to the beginning - we first sourced a few quotes on a <strong>modern walnut vanity</strong> from custom cabinet makers. The look was inspired by one of <a href="http://www.decorpad.com/photo.htm;jsessionid=3F55820493DCF9A3775F2421B69861A4.worker2?photoId=82508&index=19&spaceId=2" target="_blank">Sarah Richardson's bathrooms</a> that I always liked and <a href="http://lifebeginsatthirtyright.blogspot.ca/search/label/bathroom%20reno" target="_blank">Janice's bathroom</a> captured the look as well. However, when the quotes started coming back pretty high - we settled on the idea of going <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2013/04/bathroom-reno-vanities.html" target="_blank">with a big-box store vanity and painting a modern colour</a>. This choice wasn't ideal (and there was a lot of debate about me painting the vanity myself)- but at the time was the only option that we thought we had. <br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxT8j1m_jbfzTBrmQFoWU1gd5UhYMUR-QPfieGab-ODoqoZIcxKexS7k7ubOkX00UVoAQDWYK4IH4_q_01ZuV5xeaWTbOVzN1AFk2uiQUchWldp5jrBAOybY41DYB4fDHIu9ybnXYET0/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxT8j1m_jbfzTBrmQFoWU1gd5UhYMUR-QPfieGab-ODoqoZIcxKexS7k7ubOkX00UVoAQDWYK4IH4_q_01ZuV5xeaWTbOVzN1AFk2uiQUchWldp5jrBAOybY41DYB4fDHIu9ybnXYET0/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vanity that we were close to buying at TUBS in Toronto </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2013/04/game-changer-vanities-part-two.html" target="_blank">Then I spotted the modern walnut vanities</a> at <a href="http://www.tubs.com/" target="_blank">Tubs</a> and things <em>instantly</em> fell into place. Tubs had the exact style of vanity that we were getting custom cabinetry makers to quote us on with the exception that the vanities at Tubs had handles. It was a great Ah-ha moment that the "Bath" stores that I thought were going to be out of my budget <em>weren't</em> - and that Big Box Stores like Lowes and Home Depot aren't the only place where you can find a huge selection of vanities. But there was a little bit of a <em>downside</em> to the vanity that I had decided on. <br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4606682639023284446" name="more"></a><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><br />Although I really liked the look - walnut, wall hung, and we got our drawers (that was a must!) the one thing that kept bothering me were the <strong>handles</strong> that came on the unit. Oh, those handles. <br /><br />Its funny how such a small element like the handles makes such a difference in a look. I felt like the handles pushed the washroom design a lot more to the modern side - when I was hoping for more traditional. But I had come to the conclusion that sometimes, you just have to settle. Handles it was. <br /><br />BUT - there was a development. In my late night searching, I came across another style of modern vanity - <em>exactly</em> the same style as the one we were about to order, but this one had <strong>no handles.</strong> <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN879mbkSD0WxJ16YO9X0hk9x90zkVhqlY65rofkWNk4B4xu4qwrtxKtNsp8OoEVwXvp_PtGh3v2n1TIOGXXBBpUY475mFlY7LmGDSYF_0gpE_vjsBuDca4Ejj4OrpXeGU9XaQuERo_u4/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN879mbkSD0WxJ16YO9X0hk9x90zkVhqlY65rofkWNk4B4xu4qwrtxKtNsp8OoEVwXvp_PtGh3v2n1TIOGXXBBpUY475mFlY7LmGDSYF_0gpE_vjsBuDca4Ejj4OrpXeGU9XaQuERo_u4/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Excited about the find, I asked Tubs if they carried the vanity - which they didn't. I called around, found a few places in Toronto that carried it but all were out of stock. I ended up bringing the picture with me to my local bath store, <a href="http://beachesbath.com/" target="_blank">Bath City</a>, and BINGO! they could order it in for me. It's terribly hard to buy something sight unseen but I've found that with vanities, everything is pretty much the same when you're dealing in the price bracket that we are. <br />So the vanity has been ordered. 27" wall hung vanity in walnut and it will arrive at the end of the month. Just in time for the washroom renovation. Yay!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqL0swe9L9gSbhqI6iPz__eD5-jeAqsVUsmtF_b5o0RqT6YMzTztGMAQmexaNN7qVzb5AiL6GysRcCGRoXd0XlanYQ6LPOh6hWoKyCrsB9T9jpSQDXyiSQIqjBbw91twZgNFh3QsDuaZE/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqL0swe9L9gSbhqI6iPz__eD5-jeAqsVUsmtF_b5o0RqT6YMzTztGMAQmexaNN7qVzb5AiL6GysRcCGRoXd0XlanYQ6LPOh6hWoKyCrsB9T9jpSQDXyiSQIqjBbw91twZgNFh3QsDuaZE/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" /></a><br /><strong>To recap our vanity search, here are some places we visited or talked to about pricing:</strong><br /><a href="http://www.tubs.com/" target="_blank">Tubs</a>, <a href="http://www.mutikb.com/" target="_blank">Multi Kitchen & Baths,</a> <a href="http://www.lowes.ca/" target="_blank">Lowes Canada</a> and we ended up buying from <a href="http://beachesbath.com/" target="_blank">Bath City,</a><br /><br /><em>*Ps., I hope you don't mind the super long posts, but I think/hope that these kinds of posts maybe give insight into our thought process, so that you can perhaps have your own "ah-ha" moment and learn from our mistakes.</em>

bathroom renovation | Vanities Part 3

So, bathroom vanities . Such a small piece of furniture but for our washroom it's a major element. We're bumping out a wall for it ...

Read more »

game changer - vanities part two

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLtdNAEm7JiJvdSIX2jzst1nQ26sVAdhT0tq9RJln0ly8LvguDjmch8xgENQpO1CIITNG8t48PRLLqQ70JrHNT3PJJFT1G1AiDBJSzkuoA64MqPS-p4Ri2zIi7Gy3yjOCwcizv5opIy0/s1600/vanities.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLtdNAEm7JiJvdSIX2jzst1nQ26sVAdhT0tq9RJln0ly8LvguDjmch8xgENQpO1CIITNG8t48PRLLqQ70JrHNT3PJJFT1G1AiDBJSzkuoA64MqPS-p4Ri2zIi7Gy3yjOCwcizv5opIy0/s1600/vanities.jpg" /></a></div><br />It seems I published my post on vanities a full day too early because this morning my Mom and I too a trip to <a href="http://www.tubs.com/" target="_blank">Tubs </a>on a whim to look at what they had in stock and I may have fallen in love. Truthfully I wasn't going with much hope - I thought they'd be well out of our budget but at the encouragement of someone via the comments in one of my posts, I decided to go. Well, this visit was a wee bit of a game changer.<br /><br />Tubs has *the* style of vanity I was getting quotes for from cabinet makers. In the store - in stock, were modern vanities in walnut - and most come <i>with </i>drawers. I snapped a ton of photos and may have flipped about the find. The prices are pretty great, they come with sinks (which means I don't have to go hunting for a sink and counter) and they come in walnut, my favourite look.<br /><br />Above you can see some that I liked - <b>The top left </b>is out of the running as one drawer isn't enough for our home.  But it is beautiful and reminds me of a hotel. The one on the <b>top right </b>is gorgeous but I really dislike the handles and the handle placement - I asked if we could get the unit without the handles but that wasn't an option. So that's likely out of the running. The one on the <b>bottom left </b>likely is what we'd go with if we decide it's a go - the one you see there is 24" but we'd get it 27" and in walnut. Again, the drawer handles aren't my favourite but we could potentially swap them out. The one on the <b>bottom right </b>is hands down my favourite but has two issues. First it's 2" too big and second of all - it doesn't come with drawers - something I really think we need. But I adore that bottom shelf at the bottom.<br /><br />Decisions, decisions. This is totally more modern than the rest of our house but it's a look I love, and think it suits a small washroom design. More to come I'm sure over the next few days.<br /><br /><i>Ps., I'm actually writing this post AT my Mom's house because I'm flipping out so much about the find. :)</i>

game changer - vanities part two

It seems I published my post on vanities a full day too early because this morning my Mom and I too a trip to Tubs on a whim to look at what...

Read more »

baby steps with designing a washroom

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT15JAsXOP3GOCk633D5uRCjSXStc2CYxZOZjdb9SIFlrydErQsr1pE9tsvDPvyw4LPtmWD_4ga27bOLpZYqc8RdDPxR9_ad-1ovsCtQUBIWY-BQRHEMPnxBEQIKuVVHlmRWBw9BY9iNw/s1600/Bathroom+Tiles2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT15JAsXOP3GOCk633D5uRCjSXStc2CYxZOZjdb9SIFlrydErQsr1pE9tsvDPvyw4LPtmWD_4ga27bOLpZYqc8RdDPxR9_ad-1ovsCtQUBIWY-BQRHEMPnxBEQIKuVVHlmRWBw9BY9iNw/s1600/Bathroom+Tiles2.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo via <a href="http://www.themarionhousebook.com/helloneighbor-vancouver-edition/" target="_blank">The Marion House Book</a>, Photo by <a href="http://janisnicolay.com/" target="_blank">Janis Nicolay</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I've been dragging my feet with the bathroom renovation. Truthfully I am finding this room <i>extremely </i>difficult to design. I have issues with spacial planning - I'm not awesome at accurately picking items that would fit. Give me a 10 foot wide room and I'd go and pick a 20 foot long couch. (Aubrey can confirm that. I'm not exaggerating at all) Thankfully Aubrey is the opposite (and perhaps 99% of the rest of the population) But my inability to properly judge sizes, and having a hard time conceptualizing the proposed "bump out" in the bathroom have kept me from moving forward. All of that mixed with my indecision as to the <i>style </i>of washroom - well, it will be amazing if we actually renovate anytime soon.<br /><br />Anyways, thank goodness for Pinterest. I've been able to collect inspirational images while I lay in bed at night. But if you look at my <a href="http://pinterest.com/littlehouseblog/bathrooms/" target="_blank">Pinterest board</a> on washrooms you'll see I'm all over the place when it comes to looks. A year ago I would have designed our washroom to be much like the photo above from <a href="http://www.themarionhousebook.com/helloneighbor-vancouver-edition/" target="_blank">Emma's blog</a>.  It's <i>gorgeous</i>. But within the past month I've come to the conclusion that I'm overdosing on subway tiles in our house. I used them in our <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2011/07/before-after-basement-bathroom.html" target="_blank">basement washroom</a> and in our <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2012/09/kitchen-reveal_26.html" target="_blank">kitchen</a>. And although I <b><i>love </i></b>them in each application that we've done,.... I think I need to do something different for the main bathroom. The problem is - subway tile played to the classic look that I loved. And subway tiles are quite economical - So finding a substitute I knew was hard.<br /><br />I have really started to crave a more "zen" look to our washroom. I have a bath every night before bed - it's my little ritual that I've done since being a kid. Shower in the morning, wash my hair and at night I had a bubble bath.* So I would love a "peaceful" room to relax in. I just revisited this image I had pinned from (again) <a href="http://www.themarionhousebook.com/helloneighbour-murray-sian/">Emma's blog</a> and it kind of sparked something.....<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2w6iICEnd225mOy0SIYLWCoGrN4WJGLbDCBNNV290c9_G40uJhlTtm4QyOxa8dy75GAl_Ee3SxZV_x1yU6XLTvVaSTZlO3lZh0sh_H9tIcpbSuqHYyHQ67EwJiUk04o41Q7Kz2Kma6do/s1600/Bathroom+Tiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2w6iICEnd225mOy0SIYLWCoGrN4WJGLbDCBNNV290c9_G40uJhlTtm4QyOxa8dy75GAl_Ee3SxZV_x1yU6XLTvVaSTZlO3lZh0sh_H9tIcpbSuqHYyHQ67EwJiUk04o41Q7Kz2Kma6do/s1600/Bathroom+Tiles.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photograph by <a href="http://www.themarionhousebook.com/helloneighbour-murray-sian/">Kristin Sjaarda for The Marion House book</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The marble tiles are classic - marble is <i>always </i>classic - yet the large tiles makes the shower feel more modern. It's a perfect mix of traditional and modern. Although I love the look of marble I saw that <a href="http://www.themarionhousebook.com/helloneighbour-murray-sian/" target="_blank">the homeowner found the marble to be "high maintenance" </a>which reminded me that is exactly why we <i>didn't </i>do marble in the kitchen. So I'm not about to put it in our washroom. But I love the look.....<br /><br />Disregarding the maintenance factor, we couldn't afford marble at $20+ a square foot. Well, we could possibly afford it but then it would mean we'd have to penny pinch elsewhere. Bottom line - I don't feel like busting our full budget on tiles. I did happened to see some "replica" marble at The Beach Tile Store down the street from us that ranges between $2 - $10 a square foot because it's porcelain. I'm not sure if I'm tricking myself to believe it looks like marble?<br /><br />Anyways, that is where we are. We're pretty much set on the larger tiles that look like marble. Next, I'd love to find a drop in bathtub that fits that would allow us to tile the side of it. Aubrey isn't sold on continuing the same tile from the show onto the floor, so that is up for discussion.<br /><br />Baby steps. Baby steps.<br /><br /><i>*My friend has informed me that I am not the norm with my bathing habits of showering each morning (I was my hair every day) and bathing at night. Seriously, I can't think properly if I don't shower in the AM. I've done it since I was a kid. Funny to realize people have different rituals!</i><br /><br />*Update - the second picture is a subway pattern - the pattern itself I still love but the fact that it is with HUGE tiles makes it more appealing.

baby steps with designing a washroom

Photo via The Marion House Book , Photo by Janis Nicolay I've been dragging my feet with the bathroom renovation. Truthfully I am findin...

Read more »

bathroom inspirational pictures

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhZWxbML8ykysJ9aMMvbGqHuY3ntMdvUDp_UItxZ21nAfexTKEwUtgw4o2cYLoZNLT08jiac-Ce_6a-SYTrQMxWYtdi0V4uIWksGvRBaU120ISTz_OjXP3L_qVVGPI2AZvXjTyqIkY48/s1600/bathroom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbhZWxbML8ykysJ9aMMvbGqHuY3ntMdvUDp_UItxZ21nAfexTKEwUtgw4o2cYLoZNLT08jiac-Ce_6a-SYTrQMxWYtdi0V4uIWksGvRBaU120ISTz_OjXP3L_qVVGPI2AZvXjTyqIkY48/s1600/bathroom1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilggtXJmWnIxDZ5KZiR9GQjiABt4YT_tDg45m8P9JYzqZKDgwKcGhB3GMeePP8WhREqAJG2ombXiPvm1TWwr6BnrjeiN_7E44bGwAvZg8DNjsjpb7NvWaF_04hoZZnOvWuZyzIyBRoURg/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilggtXJmWnIxDZ5KZiR9GQjiABt4YT_tDg45m8P9JYzqZKDgwKcGhB3GMeePP8WhREqAJG2ombXiPvm1TWwr6BnrjeiN_7E44bGwAvZg8DNjsjpb7NvWaF_04hoZZnOvWuZyzIyBRoURg/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0mrcoe1hgapFX1RE96rYsKPQdBbDTvp3F7KGNYIR8McFMUJ0e3WFy7UaeOdcTjIsy8ldj543Pyr5l4ZDtpwUylWtX2ak_LCWVFsQxPn8wXe1uwtQot8PgaN4QkVhUryyfBT54AoCU-A/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0mrcoe1hgapFX1RE96rYsKPQdBbDTvp3F7KGNYIR8McFMUJ0e3WFy7UaeOdcTjIsy8ldj543Pyr5l4ZDtpwUylWtX2ak_LCWVFsQxPn8wXe1uwtQot8PgaN4QkVhUryyfBT54AoCU-A/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" /></a></div>I haven't gone to great lengths to source items for the washroom renovation yet. Truthfully I find that process terribly stressful. The washroom is super small, so we are in a conundrum when it comes to finding pieces that will work. When I get back from New York I'll put some effort into sourcing local items, but in the meantime I have been pinning inspirational pictures to get an idea for what may work and look good in our uber small washroom. Here are some inspirational pictures that I've compiled for our washroom reno over on my <a href="http://pinterest.com/littlehouseblog/bathrooms/" target="_blank">Bathroom board over on Pinterest.</a> I'm digging the last picture a lot - I <i>love </i>it. Anyhow, just some bathroom porn.<br /><br /><i>[Top Photo] <a href="http://pinterest.com/littlehouseblog/bathrooms/" target="_blank">Photos all linked to sources on Pinteres</a>t [2nd bottom Photo] <a href="http://www.tileshop.com/index.aspx" target="_blank">Source</a> [Last photo] <a href="http://thecolonial.tumblr.com/post/37035792395/in-love-with-paneled-tubs" target="_blank">Source</a></i><br /><br />

bathroom inspirational pictures

I haven't gone to great lengths to source items for the washroom renovation yet. Truthfully I find that process terribly stressful. The ...

Read more »

washroom planning - bumping out a wall

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kxq0UqLXTlBOJ2aCFB4kYW-rLMaW-Ob8D-WsUTR82DYmCnZSvQ8jpRIzmiIttS0yY-g2fxIuLwSTWg7mylpyKgd0jpcqeot8yCTfyQU1JrY9YHbIdlgaLFw4nXFY7Ym5zt4xdyqkYf4/s1600/IMG_1458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kxq0UqLXTlBOJ2aCFB4kYW-rLMaW-Ob8D-WsUTR82DYmCnZSvQ8jpRIzmiIttS0yY-g2fxIuLwSTWg7mylpyKgd0jpcqeot8yCTfyQU1JrY9YHbIdlgaLFw4nXFY7Ym5zt4xdyqkYf4/s1600/IMG_1458.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I adore our house but our washroom is pretty small. A downside of semi-detached homes in our area. It isn't <i>that </i>bothersome but with a renovation coming up we're trying to think through every possible solution to gain more space. Truthfully there isn't <i>much </i>we can do. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we first moved into the house we considered moving the <i>entire </i>washroom wall more into the hallway. You'd gain more bathroom, but loose a significant amount of hallways space. Recently my Mom suggested to just enlarge the unused space behind the bathroom door (as shown where Aubrey is standing). In the washroom this is where the vanity is, and if we could bump this area out into the hallway, we'd we able to sink the vanity into this wall and gain really valuable floor space in the bathroom.  Confused? It's hard to visualize. Thankfully for us, my Mom's house has two washrooms that have had this done when they renovated, so we have some visuals on how this would look in our washroom. Take for instance Mom's basement washroom....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a name="more"></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkATirGEAOd_VJcHeYnipmEAUZeaXVCi2r9VENe2mhqxb3chSlQ1SU0R7HSbEcB8VXi-aVfBp-yXDrhKQxhBcC2b-QbFljDOcU1bQpY8bEqhuYJC8Z3gjYW40rK2b7N9koaNz6vqzzMg/s1600/bathroom_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkATirGEAOd_VJcHeYnipmEAUZeaXVCi2r9VENe2mhqxb3chSlQ1SU0R7HSbEcB8VXi-aVfBp-yXDrhKQxhBcC2b-QbFljDOcU1bQpY8bEqhuYJC8Z3gjYW40rK2b7N9koaNz6vqzzMg/s1600/bathroom_1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-ytFkbrFnylWmp1g_HRb0fP1CJ6IcpMAEJiJuSTyvirVWe4U-l49XTzkdShejC7AY5P_SYRVcz_Ai-MfUnw0SwrRAvdKQ0eTVG9eXbOMKwiNr3bQNvfHJHfUylXtik_d7sWZ76D0y0Y/s1600/bathroom_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-ytFkbrFnylWmp1g_HRb0fP1CJ6IcpMAEJiJuSTyvirVWe4U-l49XTzkdShejC7AY5P_SYRVcz_Ai-MfUnw0SwrRAvdKQ0eTVG9eXbOMKwiNr3bQNvfHJHfUylXtik_d7sWZ76D0y0Y/s1600/bathroom_2.jpg" /></a></div><br />As you can see, the sink area butts into the room behind it. This means the narrow washroom has an awesome large sink and doesn't impose upon the walkway. Genius.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlP5HdXlSzWU5nr8hja0-t5wyNyqBh8xVYmzkwnp835B9Us0DuifxDUsNebKtAnbTLHDvnoKWT0Uq8xj2I8ccIYj82Nlgyea2HPgVsFwcxZ3TnC1F09kLhBdoI5X_FYL4nHCA3MdoPTQ/s1600/bathroom_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlP5HdXlSzWU5nr8hja0-t5wyNyqBh8xVYmzkwnp835B9Us0DuifxDUsNebKtAnbTLHDvnoKWT0Uq8xj2I8ccIYj82Nlgyea2HPgVsFwcxZ3TnC1F09kLhBdoI5X_FYL4nHCA3MdoPTQ/s1600/bathroom_3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuoSJbJ7a5ClYmKt8edpNE71RKHAzUmTqLAj8smQhheNyV0YXTqHarzyMxMY5VZzKmpbtUVb3fGhxnUyPFyrcyWBlU63UmXwWjM8hT9kUQumTQRITRQIBDSQOmhWpA1urvyVW_ystVN8/s1600/bathroom_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwuoSJbJ7a5ClYmKt8edpNE71RKHAzUmTqLAj8smQhheNyV0YXTqHarzyMxMY5VZzKmpbtUVb3fGhxnUyPFyrcyWBlU63UmXwWjM8hT9kUQumTQRITRQIBDSQOmhWpA1urvyVW_ystVN8/s1600/bathroom_4.jpg" /></a></div><br />On Mom's main floor she has a little powder room that is gorgeous - again, with the vanity being sunken into the wall, creatively hidden in the library behind it.<br /><br />So this is what we're thinking. Again, I'm a wee bit terrified of the idea of changing a footprint but I think for not *that* much more money we'll gain a lot of space.

washroom planning - bumping out a wall

I adore our house but our washroom is pretty small. A downside of semi-detached homes in our area. It isn't that bothersome but with a r...

Read more »

washroom reno - recapping the last 4 years

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyCZkJFZF3stl4nuf9QKV52bY0Oa_66CntRcpOWXv77z2rXSGoypO-O5PoJ-sUAr_HVkyNokn-lNUdnsheCN5cIlcS-vG_DY7t9EcZ84iDmSBnSjOlkaUy_XDtdvpsgUiWPz_I8Mgu7s/s1600/bathroom_before_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyCZkJFZF3stl4nuf9QKV52bY0Oa_66CntRcpOWXv77z2rXSGoypO-O5PoJ-sUAr_HVkyNokn-lNUdnsheCN5cIlcS-vG_DY7t9EcZ84iDmSBnSjOlkaUy_XDtdvpsgUiWPz_I8Mgu7s/s1600/bathroom_before_1.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">[The washroom before we took possession]</td></tr></tbody></table><br />So, we're doing another reno. Our main washroom. The last big reno inside our house. Crazy. Even though it's our last room to renovate - ideally I would like to put off this bathroom renovation for another year - financially it would being nicer (we did <i>just </i>complete a <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2012/09/kitchen-reveal_26.html" target="_blank">monster kitchen reno</a>) and it would also give my nerves a rest. I'm only just recovering from the twitch I got during the kitchen reno. I stress over the details, so renovations make me toss and turn.*<br /><a name="more"></a><br />I think I may have made the reason for the urgency in renovating sound more dramatic than it was. (Sorry) For the record I'm not expecting another baby (I can barely handle the one I have now) and we're not moving (although we do talk about it from time to time). The reason to renovate quickly is that the bathroom is actually falling apart in addition to developing mold.  The wall is squishy, making us terrified of what lies behind it....Obviously water has gotten behind the tiles. We're actually worried about it - which is why I perhaps sounded panicked in my last post.<br /><br />To give you some background, the washroom was going to be renovated in 2008 when we took possession. Two things happened. The first thing was money - we decided to allocate our limited funds (we just bought a house so funds were low) to more pressing areas of the house like new floors and ceilings, which would be difficult to do once we moved in. Since the only fault of the washroom at the time was that it was ugly (and it was functioning), it seemed silly to invest in a room that could be put on hold. Secondly, it was going to be hard to renovate as we only had that one washroom at the time. Renovating the only washroom while living in the house - well, didn't make <i>that much sense.</i> So we decided that it made more sense to renovate when we had a second washroom which we knew we'd be <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2011/07/before-after-basement-bathroom.html" target="_blank">adding with the basement renovation a few years later.</a><br /><br />So in the meantime we made do with the washroom with some expense in freshening it up. I love my baths and showers, so we decided to invest some money in de-uglifying it. The first photo of this post is how we bought the house (gross) and a year after moving in we had a professional tile painting company come in and spray the entire room. Best investment ever. Costing around $1,000, it brightened up the room immediately.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPpA2dvx9bSa61Jl52z3t3FXxxTyyVdpZJwXojgEhVJmbpMhs92NxEIQZ_c0AenpUlyraJUUycKu223c_J93XZ7ohpqXZKA075kkyi8yeDjHxDWF6HfUZiYPJHBSc-sd4w6FLpKMoK3Q/s1600/Untitled-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPpA2dvx9bSa61Jl52z3t3FXxxTyyVdpZJwXojgEhVJmbpMhs92NxEIQZ_c0AenpUlyraJUUycKu223c_J93XZ7ohpqXZKA075kkyi8yeDjHxDWF6HfUZiYPJHBSc-sd4w6FLpKMoK3Q/s1600/Untitled-13.jpg" /></a></div><br />The painting of the tile really make the washroom feel new for the last few years. I TOTALLY recommend doing it. Although it's not an end solution and chipping does occasionally does happen, it's made our washroom feel clean and new. (<a href="http://www.bathtubrefinishing.ca/" target="_blank">This is </a><a href="http://www.bathtubrefinishing.ca/" target="_blank">who we hired</a>) But over time, problems behind the walls started to creep forward - and no professional painting company could hide the obvious grossness that was happening behind the scenes.<br /><br />We knew it was getting bad. So last year Aubrey and I contemplated renovating this washroom <i>prior </i>to the kitchen. It was a toss up - and the kitchen won. But it wasn't without some debate that we may actually renovate the kitchen AND the bathroom at the same time. One mess, one cleanup. On paper it sounds <i>logical</i>. But it would have been financially difficult AND since we were project managing it the pressure to design two rooms was too much for me. So, the washroom got put off.<br /><br />So that brings us up to speed on the bathroom. After almost 5 years of talking about the washroom we're actually doing it. :) We're planning to design it over the next 2 months, which allows me some time to design it and source the right items.<br /><br />Sorry that this post was so long and text heavy. I felt like a full recap was was needed as we have had a few "false starts" in the past ;)<br /><br />xo Lindsay<br /><br />So some posts that led up to this post such as:<br /><a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2011/11/bathroom-thoughts.html" target="_blank">Bathroom Thoughts</a> /<a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2011/11/bigger-sink-or-bigger-counter.html" target="_blank"> Bigger Sink or, Bigger Counter?</a> / <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2009/07/bathroom-refinishing.html" target="_blank">Bathroom Tile Refinishing</a> / Bathroom Mood Board<br /><br /><i>*Truthfully, as much as I groan over the idea of the stress of renovating a room, it's rather of obvious I do adore it. Aubrey and I get giddy when we see houses being gutted. </i><br /><i><br /></i><i><br /></i><script async="" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script><!-- BIG Ad for posts --><br /><ins class="adsbygoogle" data-ad-client="ca-pub-1823932887598627" data-ad-slot="9770787480" style="display: inline-block; height: 280px; width: 336px;"></ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script>

washroom reno - recapping the last 4 years

[The washroom before we took possession] So, we're doing another reno. Our main washroom. The last big reno inside our house. Crazy. Eve...

Read more »