It seems so long ago that this closet in the upstairs bath was just a closet. We have no regrets about giving it up in order to create a shower. That said, when Mike told me recently that the shower was the most expensive ten square feet of our renovation, I was speechless.
Here is a peek at our closet-turned-shower as of late. The process that led to this point has been a lengthy one, but we're close.
The waterproofing is done, and we're finally ready for stone and tile.
Along the way, the walls were stripped to the studs and plumbing roughed in.
Mike reframed the floor and walls in the shower to prepare for the waterproofing and stone. He had to adjust this multiple times (making various changes) due to plumbing and fixture revelations that occurred along the way.
Here is Todd. He is the tile installer that the mason who will be installing the marble insisted waterproof the shower. Since this is a second floor location, we were more than happy to relinquish this task to a pro. He used the Schluter shower lining system, recommended by many to ensure flawless water containment.
I came across this photograph (of the other side of the upstairs bath) while looking for some shower images. I love the old wallpaper that was on the bathroom walls. Because this clearly wasn't always a bathroom (the house was built before indoor plumbing), I wonder what the room had been used for.
The wallpaper that was buried all these years gleams next to the secret window that had been covered over by the tub surround sometime along the way.
Besides progress with the shower, Mike has been busy starting to tear off the old siding and getting ready for the new freshly primed clapboards which will be installed starting next week.
This will transform the house from having peeling grey paint to a crisp bright white.
We are getting there...
Oh, Catherine..that's going to be a lovely shower. The scale of the first photo made it look really small, but the photo of Todd waterproofing showed how it relates to a grown man's size. It's going to be beautiful, just like the rest of the house. I'm beyond excited for you to share the exterior when your new white siding is up, as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the progress. It's came a long way.
Best,
Tim
My friend just had an estimate of $7000 to have a shower stall installed. And that's without materials. Is this common? We were beyond shocked by this estimate.
ReplyDeleteI don't know but we always get 2 or 3 estimates. Instlling new plumbing is very pricey. One plumb line we have used is to go to a big box store with dimensions and get one from them. Thier labor costs generally align with the local charges. And yes, we have hired them.
DeleteI love the wallpaper too. It's fun to see the styles that have come and gone over the years.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing the bathroom renovation and the siding.
We will be doing a bathroom and the siding in October. I would love to see a post on your siding decisions and process. We are hoping to keep our clapboard sidindg, but it will have to be a painful process to get rid of crumbling lead paint, hiding under vinyl siding.
Mike did not give me a number and because he has done a great deal of the work, I hope it is not that high. But adding a shower is an expense for sure. To us, it's worth it because of the ease of taking a quick shower. But, it is an expense...
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! I can't wait to see the outside in the crisp white! Gonna be Amazing!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Lisa
Oh my goodness, you have done soooo much - how exciting. I am so happy for you, all is coming along nicely! YAY!!!
ReplyDeleteOh i know the process - SO LONG and frustrating but worth it when you see the end results. We're renovating our own old house and it's getting to the point where you can finally SEE it. It's a real house again (only better).
ReplyDeleteI was wondering last weekend how things were coming along at your home. I love seeing the progress. I thought that maybe you all were on a break for a while. I look forward to future progress updates. Thank you for sharing...
ReplyDeleteWe hope to take a 'break' after we move in! Until then, we are working, working, working!
DeleteDo you have an anticipated move in date? It's going to be spectacular- cannot wait to see the finished results!
ReplyDeleteHopefully, September...hope, hope, hope so.
DeleteWe added a shower to our downstairs bath by removing a linen closet. It was expensive but one of the best decisions we made. I really enjoy the posts on your renovations and look forward to seeing "after" posts.
ReplyDeleteA lot happening at your house-The effort will be worth it when its completed.
ReplyDeleteVelva
I was thinking, and probably correct, that you all have been slammed with small projects to be able to move into your house. I think you said you were hoping for end of July. Living in an old house myself, I wonder if we will ever really be done. That little shower is going to be one of the most used spots in the house. Can't wait to see it done, marble...sigh!
ReplyDeleteWe are in rush mode, hoping to get in before the end of September. We had a boiler issue come up - it needs to be replaced. So we're anxious to get that underway...But we've learned that there is a great deal that is not up to us - schedule wise.
DeleteGenius! Stealing a closet + turning it into a shower! We've been working on our Dutch colonial fixer upper for 3 years + counting. We're almost ready to move in, at which point we'll have to pause to spruce up this current brick bungalow to sell it! :-O
ReplyDeleteHave you considered leaving that museum of wallpaper as it is? Or are you going to peel it away? I wonder if it might work in to your design as a Deconstructed feature wall?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, that entire wall was removed for updated plumbing and electrical. As I type those words, I wish we had taken some close-ups of the designs....
DeleteWe are in the middle of a huge renovation in our old house. It is at once exciting and drudgery! Love the history of wallpaper you have going on! It's going ot be worth the wait.
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting reno project you're working on! I'm so excited to see how the closet shower turns out!
ReplyDeleteYour home is looking great! I'm wondering which white paint color you've settled on for the exterior?
ReplyDeleteMost of the classic white historic houses in our area are painted with Benjamin Moor's Regal Select off the shelf WHITE. We kept it simple!
DeleteSo fun to think about the house being built before indoor plumbing and what the room was used for. Can you tell anything about how old the wall paper is?
ReplyDeleteWow, that's an air duct running vertically through the linen closet and poof, duct AND original vent/register disappear as the photos advance! LOVED seeing the instructional pencil marks on the floor leading to floor register; been there, know it so well! Great post! Sending best to all 4 of you, fingers crossed for a Labor Day weekend moving truck pulling into the driveway.
ReplyDelete-Flo
I love finding old wallpaper. I so wish I could save it sometimes. Are you using the same sink that was in there? If you mentioned it before, I can't remember.
ReplyDeleteNo, all will be new...Although we have not found a sink yet. We do have the bathtub however! Still need to find a white toilet that matches the color white of the bathtub...That has been challenging.
DeleteThank you for answering me and good luck :)
DeleteWow, your house is quite a project. Have done some work on older and newer houses, but this is major renovation I do not think I would have the nerve to take on. Kudos to you. Can not wait to see all of this great work coming together.
ReplyDeleteAgnes
Don't you just love uncovering hidden gems like the wallpaper? I think that is one of the unique bonuses of working on older homes. Our oldest son was in the market for a home and looked at one built in 1786. It had beautiful bones, but needed much love and attention. I do admit that I daydreamed of what we would find while helping him restore the home! Looking forward to seeing your finished project. Your going to love that shower!
ReplyDeleteBlessings from Lynda at Still Woods Farmhouse
So exciting! It's starting to look like a finished bathroom, great job!
ReplyDelete