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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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Bathroom Reno - Vanities

<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/AVvXsEh3iCdujFJ_gNWmL3PDWyAINvg7ZKjXCSbxfer7zTsamEO9FM27dFMK_HdDWARLLnAajDlFIejT_4EKRC6bFedKnGv4xCaK0HOxVWkZInjqT3dW7QsyteN2xeg9PVEj6LBVT7VKoiob4jM/s1600/IMG_0321.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/AVvXsEh3iCdujFJ_gNWmL3PDWyAINvg7ZKjXCSbxfer7zTsamEO9FM27dFMK_HdDWARLLnAajDlFIejT_4EKRC6bFedKnGv4xCaK0HOxVWkZInjqT3dW7QsyteN2xeg9PVEj6LBVT7VKoiob4jM/s1600/IMG_0321.jpg" /></a></div><br />A demo date for our main washroom has been set for the beginning of May. I'll move into my Mom's house with Oscar and Aubrey will handle the demo. I asked Aubrey to set a date so I'd feel the push to pick items because without that date on our calendar I was delaying making any design decisions. So we're now finally moving forward.<br /><br />The first thing on my to-do was/is deciding on the vanity. If you're considering a small washroom reno, or are just interested in the process there's a super long post after the jump. (again, a long post which is why I break these things up sometimes)<br /><a name="more"></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2wmJvt24le5U4cgEsKUwvu7wEef9jsqm-YNP2W4cP5JZ2uRbhqH0CF3weMCZ5WgNdHHDr1HZ49lM9GMqs4-iDrYW1IxwyCsgTRyvfFkiLfdfk_atir5iCsFDH-TgQDg4MOkKxX0vRKY/s1600/custom.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/AVvXsEhG2wmJvt24le5U4cgEsKUwvu7wEef9jsqm-YNP2W4cP5JZ2uRbhqH0CF3weMCZ5WgNdHHDr1HZ49lM9GMqs4-iDrYW1IxwyCsgTRyvfFkiLfdfk_atir5iCsFDH-TgQDg4MOkKxX0vRKY/s1600/custom.jpg" /></a></div><br />As is common for houses in our area, and perhaps just semi-detached homes in Toronto, we don't have a huge bathroom to work with. For the last few years when we talked about the bathroom we thought that we would have to go the custom route because of how small of a footprint we have. Too big of a vanity and it cuts into the walkway and makes it impossible to move around, or even get INTO the washroom. Too small and we're lacking any much needed storage. I kept coming back to the realization that with the space we had for the vanity, we'd HAVE to go custom. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_oQkv1bpxLu_89rC3yzkbxT91gED4XqgVbg98ko2Yi0SiR3M15w6l9lev48hHLWFPpQ70s81bSbRCYPV_0WJXonLs43-zxGdBhBYlzso-zy1ZJP-hfvDB6z3tQaUnydqbdGSOX46_FU/s1600/vanity.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/AVvXsEjq_oQkv1bpxLu_89rC3yzkbxT91gED4XqgVbg98ko2Yi0SiR3M15w6l9lev48hHLWFPpQ70s81bSbRCYPV_0WJXonLs43-zxGdBhBYlzso-zy1ZJP-hfvDB6z3tQaUnydqbdGSOX46_FU/s1600/vanity.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />The lowest cost we were quoted was $800 and it went all the way up to over $1,200. I felt a little sick spending that much money especially when it wasn't going to give us that much more counterspace or storage.  We could have found super small vanities (<a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20033354/" target="_blank">Ikea has a lot of options</a>) but I didn't fall in <i>love</i> with anything. It's a classic tale of trying to decide where to save and where to splurge on something fancy. With not many more options out there, I was feeling pushed into a corner and perhaps, why I wasn't too excited about the washroom.  <br /><br />But then recently <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2013/01/washroom-planning-bumping-out-wall.html" target="_blank">we made the decision to bump out the wall of the washroom</a> into the hallway to make more room for the footprint of the new vanity. <br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZO0D_jbdWD1f5P_FP9JNJ-amLZiiOG4RVkxwWi8gm2oKRq6jW8yBc7V0_Mk1Lysz5yj8-J8Yi1veqia3hsiDjTLpvXhCjhg3uNm3OCGDEs9J1WtytRB8E-wjZ6j_mc79uTcIiV94S1t0/s1600/IMG_1458.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/AVvXsEiZO0D_jbdWD1f5P_FP9JNJ-amLZiiOG4RVkxwWi8gm2oKRq6jW8yBc7V0_Mk1Lysz5yj8-J8Yi1veqia3hsiDjTLpvXhCjhg3uNm3OCGDEs9J1WtytRB8E-wjZ6j_mc79uTcIiV94S1t0/s1600/IMG_1458.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aubrey measuring to see how much space we'd gain by bumping out this wall for the vanity. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />This is a decision I'm totally nervous about - I really like our upstairs hall but the space that we're considering giving to the washroom is unused space in the hall. So it makes sense. This decision that will allow us to shop "big box store" cabinetry from stores like Lowes or Home Depot. Which brings the cost of a vanity significantly <i>lower</i>. Instead of $1,200 we're looking at under $300.00. <br /><br />Saving money isn't necessarily the only reason we're doing this. The demo of the wall and rebuilding of the wall is going to end up costing us money that we wouldn't have had to spend had we left the wall in place. But what bumping out the wall will do will allow us also a vanity that has more storage space AND more counter space.  So dollar wise, we may end up at the same point we were had we spent the money on custom - but in the end, we're getting a lot more bang for our buck.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWG7GAi3OpEFBTUZ7562eZthNJ3h6Y0Ta8fY2Tb3onUkuWgjsPgR0Jp32mIazbv1XPJzqDlXwbnZrOxhwyo6LD9VUyZySQu7Zv5fBOHED1-HumijSrnEt04zJgDeCIs4kb-kE7PcdhneA/s1600/big.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/AVvXsEgWG7GAi3OpEFBTUZ7562eZthNJ3h6Y0Ta8fY2Tb3onUkuWgjsPgR0Jp32mIazbv1XPJzqDlXwbnZrOxhwyo6LD9VUyZySQu7Zv5fBOHED1-HumijSrnEt04zJgDeCIs4kb-kE7PcdhneA/s1600/big.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Now that we're shopping big box store cabinetry - I'm facing the problem  that big box store cabinets don't look custom and they don't necessarily fit the look I want. Thankfully our world has been graced with the likes of people like <a href="http://www.sarahrichardsondesign.com/" target="_blank">Sarah Richardson </a>who have shown people like me via their TV shows, that you can take stock items from a big boz store and <i>hack </i>them to look custom. <br /><br />First step was that Aubrey and I went to Lowes and browsed their cabinetry. We were there looking at a shed, so took the opportunity to look at their vanity selection.  At first I thought nothing was right. I got grumpy. I may have muttered "I hate <em>everything</em>." But then after the shock of seeing a ton of vanities wears off, your eyes adjust and you can start to differentiate between cabinet styles. If you can picture a vanity painted - then things start to kind of become clear. So a-la Sarah Richardson, we're going to paint a vanity in a colour to compliment the room.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRu35ZH49CBErhbsFZ7vCQRqXvKrpjbPAJaiAZF0gB67kfnw5NNxoOnJVBqi35xPjkkAqIpBUIXrZ1I7uBX6VjzgBroh9NNZKi3fLyOwP-io6nvA4oWqy7ivE6jUexZJHe4bBYgAbzcyI/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/AVvXsEhRu35ZH49CBErhbsFZ7vCQRqXvKrpjbPAJaiAZF0gB67kfnw5NNxoOnJVBqi35xPjkkAqIpBUIXrZ1I7uBX6VjzgBroh9NNZKi3fLyOwP-io6nvA4oWqy7ivE6jUexZJHe4bBYgAbzcyI/s1600/1.jpg" /></a>So here is what we found at Lowes. We can go with a 30" cabinet which allows us to find cabinets that have drawers - which is AWESOME. Having drawers means that Aubrey and I each can have a place to put our own items. Right now they are in a creaky old medicine cabinet that really doesn't fit much. Drawers = happy marriage. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiQtp5B4mVkGRhWuWKv0Tw7G4-edaDHsNGFM19VLLy2h684gWSLQeuM1vbFepCgWaB5IWa5xWd6vkjkFDJu137lW9jby527z528LIX3NnR3HrJAeoe5ID3oGWmpTl_tVo_nPk2qCp4IE/s1600/IMG_0243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipiQtp5B4mVkGRhWuWKv0Tw7G4-edaDHsNGFM19VLLy2h684gWSLQeuM1vbFepCgWaB5IWa5xWd6vkjkFDJu137lW9jby527z528LIX3NnR3HrJAeoe5ID3oGWmpTl_tVo_nPk2qCp4IE/s1600/IMG_0243.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0ex86JsuRf51mjtNkFE8i_npeSgw0iqW1KD3VDDL5IRMBCWYI1zzbkDgBqY8L5DKAAH6XyvZ6qC0zFpf2vY29TEv7ZOC-aMamXdr00y3A485rc-gIWd6jdDPvVr_liRIznrBcYAWE2k/s1600/IMG_0245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0ex86JsuRf51mjtNkFE8i_npeSgw0iqW1KD3VDDL5IRMBCWYI1zzbkDgBqY8L5DKAAH6XyvZ6qC0zFpf2vY29TEv7ZOC-aMamXdr00y3A485rc-gIWd6jdDPvVr_liRIznrBcYAWE2k/s1600/IMG_0245.jpg" /></a></div><br />Not all of the vanities needed a coat of paint to make them appealing. Above is a 30" cabinet from Lowes on clearance for $178 and is awesome. I love it (I quite like the beachy look) but it doesn't have drawers which is what I was really itching to have. Drawers are a deal breaker at this point. <br /><br />Drawers - why the big deal? In a washroom you need a place for the little things. I need a place for my stuff, Aubrey needs a spot for his. We have two options. 1. Buy a medicine cabinet that sinks into the wall - Restoration Hardware has the most gorgeous one that I really, really loved. But it's really, really expensive. The other option is to not invest that $ in a fancy medicine cabinet and make sure we have the space in the cabinet below for our personal items. <br /><br />So that is where we're at. We're going to buy a big box store cabinet (not sure which one yet) and I'm going to paint it myself. (Yup, I'm doing it myself - which may be a really dumb decision but I don't want to pay someone else.)<br /><br />And that my friends is the tale of the vanity. Next step is tiles. (And I have to go to the store tomorrow to see if I can borrow some to bring home to test)<br /><br />xo Linds

Bathroom Reno - Vanities

A demo date for our main washroom has been set for the beginning of May. I'll move into my Mom's house with Oscar and Aubrey will ha...

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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...

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