Behind The Scenes

There is always so much that has to happen in a rehab that can't be documented as easily as progress photos or before and after shots.

 Hours are spent selecting tile, choosing the perfect wall color, and

even figuring out what shade of grout will make that tile sing.

Then comes weighing in on the best pattern for tile layout.

The internet is invaluable when searching for light fixtures, but it can also take you down the rabbit hole with the thousands of choices.

This one is actually as long as it looks--48 inches.  Hopefully it looks good in place. (I know, weird looking.  It's upside down in this picture.)

Speaking of getting lost scrolling through products on line, I got sidetracked for hours on one site that had 27,877 shower curtains. SERIOUSLY!!  It's easy to lose focus,

Then there are faucets and shower heads to think about.
 EDUCATING YOURSELF ON THIS TOPIC SHOULD BE WORTH A COUPLE  HOURS OF COLLEGE CREDIT

A personal preference item might be the mirrors, but there is more to consider than the shape or whether or not they are framed.  Size matters relative to the vanity, the lights, the backsplash and even the outlets.  I considered one large mirror behind the vanity and also two rectangles but in the end this one won out. Why?  Because two of these fit perfectly above the vanity and they added an interesting element.  I was having trouble finding mirrors that could be centered over my sinks.  The sinks are close to the end of the vanity so any frame pushed the mirror off center.  Bottom line:  Two of these from World Market seemed to fit the criteria and so the hunt ended..

This shot might help to understand the mirror dilemma. Because the vanity sets in an alcove, there is no fudge room on the mirrors.

This is the semi-assembled vanity from Ikea.  Might look white but it's really a light gray. It comes with drawer pulls but I'm considering searching for something different.  That's a decsion for down the road.

I haven't talked about a bathtub or toilet but those both require some research as well.  The tub has been on order for four weeks and is scheduled to ship today.  It's holding up the job a bit but the guys are doing their best to work on other things until it arrives.  The toilet will be off the shelf at the big box store so no big planning on that one. But speaking of the bathtub, I do have the this to show you.

It's the chrome shower niche for shampoo and soap. Hart to tell with the wrap still on it, but wanted you to know it's one more item decorating my living room until it is needed.

That covers a good deal of the behind-the-scenes process, but there will be more.  Some small things like towel and toilet paper holders and some big things like a new door that leads to the deck.  I'm postponing the door transition aspects of this job for future posts.  We don't even know what we are doing yet.

WELL, I held up this post until today because....the tub kept being delayed, the contractors pulled off the job and have been gone for over 2 weeks.  With each new DOA I got my hopes up only to be disappointed again and again.  What started out as a 2-3 week wait for the tub turned into 44 days.  I received word today it is here and awaiting pick up. I'm closing this post, packing up my frustration and starting a new chapter.  Check back to see the new push forward and a bathroom becoming a reality.