Bathroom Remodel

Our downstairs bathroom shower had a crack in the base and needed to be replaced.  Rather than just replace the shower, we decided we'd remodel the whole thing, or rather, pay someone to remodel the entire thing.

Here is the bathroom before hand . . .

In November, Nick and I made a romantic getaway to Menards in Superior.  Nick's parents watched the girls while we agonized over which toilet to get (I didn't know there were so many factors to consider when picking a toilet) and all the other pieces that go in this small space.  I was also tackling a cold (which lasted over a month).  Our big accomplishment was that we were able to get all of the pieces- a shower, toilet, mirror, vanity, sink, light fixtures, etc to fit in the back of the minivan.

The three days before Christmas, our contractors came and demolished the bathroom.  That meant no downstairs bathroom until January fourth when they came back to begin putting the new stuff in.  It meant vacuuming the living room every day to get all the bits of bathroom remodel before Greta crawled all around.  It meant rushing upstairs with a toddler who suddenly has to go to the bathroom.

The demolished bathroom

My parents came and helped us agonize over paint colors and Nick fixed some blemishes in the drywall and painted the bathroom (now the same color as our living room, as it turns out).  Happy winter vacation!

We were told they thought the bathroom remodel will take about a week and a half.  And it pretty much did!  The contractors are both incredibly nice men, who were great with Lilly and Greta.  In fact, Lilly, who usually doesn't like most men, loved the ZZ Top bearded contractor and always wondered when he was going to be there.  

There were only a few road blocks along the way.  The heated flooring caused some issues with the grout, cracking it.  So they had to redo that, the door has to be revarnished in a few spots but that is all I can remember right now.  I am sure if I were to ask Nick, who was here for most of the remodel would have more to share.

Here are the final photos - starting with the new door that opens out, instead of in, making more space in the bathroom itself.

We are so happy with the new bathroom.  The toilet leaks (that would be another hiccup I could have mentioned earlier) but we've ordered the replacement part and the contractor is coming soon to put it in.  When Nick asked Lilly one night if she liked the new bathroom she said, "Yes.  There is one thing I don't like about it though.  The toilet leaks."  Nick let her know we were getting that fixed and she said, "Then there is nothing I don't like about the new bathroom!"