Monday, February 7, 2011

bathroom blahs

our condo is approximately the same age as myself.  although i am by no means a fashionista, i know that it would be tacky to carry over the same style clothing/hair as they did nearly thirty years ago.

apparently my bathroom never got the memo.

same cream colored vanity.  sink.  tub.  tile.  same....well, everything.  it is the equivalent of
anything having to do with the 80's.



...ok, not that bad.

but still, i hate it.  i have hated it since we bough this place four years ago.  i just got used to it and it just started blending in.  it hasn't been until recently that we have decided to remodel the bathrooms.  we will be moving in a few months, so updating the place will be great practice for when we move into our new home.

we just had a leak coming from the sink valve so no time has been more perfect than now to upgrade.  (plus, we bought two vanities that were on sale the week before from hd.)  seriously, the timing is uncanny.

see what i mean, the eighties  condo special.  the bathtub is fiberglass.  can you believe the people from bath fitter quoted me $4,600 for an acrylic tub and wall?!?!  true story.  and that's with a $500 discount!  with my best jersey accent, "i don't think so!"


who ever puts caulk over grout needs to be brought out back and [ fill in the blank ].



the large mirror was nice when i needed to see where to put lotion on my hidden stretch marks on the pregnant belly.


just a different angle of the caulked/grout floor.


the large and EXTREMELY heavy boxes are cramping my style.  

 

here's what's inside.  


i'm excited to see what we'll be doing in here.  my husband is probably the smartest person i know and i'm not saying that because i'm biased.  he really is.  we had organic chemistry together back when we were in college.  he never studied, but always seemed to make me look incredibly dumb even when i spent days studying.  the point i'm getting at is that he can figure anything out.  plumbing, electrical, automotive...he just has a knack for handy work.  plus, he is a perfectionist.  to the point of it being annoying.  so, i know whatever we chose to do in the bathroom and in our future home, he will do an amazing job.

we have neighbors downstairs who are currently upgrading their bathroom, as well.  they are using a company called "the handymen."  they will do anything for $200 a day plus whatever materials you need.  we were thinking about having them tear down everything in the bathroom so we don't have to.  time is important to us right now, so for us to spend a few days tearing everything down and cleaning up is well worth the $200 a day.

perfect timing, again.  chicken nugget just woke up.

thanks for stopping by!

jill

5 comments:

  1. Hi Jill!, first off, I laughed so much at that pic! lol...I was thinking you had a sorbet-colored bath, but even though it looks outdated and blah, it is totally workable!.
    First off the tub can be refinished; HD now has a spray paint to resurface tubs and sinks (they also have a special paint), this is a long and detailed process but it is soo worth the savings vs. $4k of your quoted option. The other option would be to look around for someone that professionally resurfaces/paints tubs...we did this in our previous condo and for $180 it was totally worth it (keep in mind the smell is toxic and you won't be able to use your tub for a couple of days, but it ends up looking new...2011 new! )

    I would say the light fixture is one of the biggest things that says "80's", you can find great new designs for under $60!...the mirror is another great updating detail..I'm not sure if your new vanities come with one, but if they don't, you can always add molding around the existing mirror for a quick and simple updated look ^_^
    Pretty shower curtains (a plastic liner and then fabric pannels) create a luxurious look for very little.
    Tile grout is also another thing that ages bathrooms a lot!; you can bleach the grout and seal it so it can retain the clean, original color...or you could always paint it, as they sell grout paint!

    Paint for the walls is also the biggest update..(just remember to use eggshell or semi-gloss finish to avoid moisture issues)

    Adding wall art, pretty color-coordinating towels and rugs, and jars with toiletries gives the finishing touches!
    These little ideas can make a eh bathroom look beautifu and expensive without breaking the piggy bank!

    I hope these ideas get your immagination racing..your hubby may hate me now lol
    Meli
    http://domestiquette.blogspot.com/

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  2. MeLi- we were going to reglaze the tub. but after speaking to a few people about it, we're just going to replace. if we were staying here and not renting it, id reglaze...but its prone to scratching even done professionally. renters are sometimes careless, so i'd rather just have a new tub. so when its time to sell...we have a new tub.

    the opps rack at hd and lowes always has a color i love. $5 a gallon...can't beat the price!

    we have a crate and barrel outlet store five minutes from our home. i will get all my accessories there. love that place and although i don't go there too often, i'll be sad not to have it close by when we move:(

    i forgot about the light fixture. that will definitely be going. we replaced the one in our bathroom already. hubby found it really cheap at lowes.

    once chicken nugget gets up...i off to lowes...even if i don't get anything, i love just walking around and getting ideas.

    thx meli...i love checking out you site...looks like your place is coming along nicely.

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  3. ughh...ignore all those spelling errors. so embarrassing:/

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  4. LOL...you know I was telling my hubby about you tonite..how you and your hubby are also working on your home!..I think your update will turn out lovely!!...plus you'll have a new home to fix up...HOW EXCITING IS THAT?!?!...btw I can't stop giggling every time I read you call your baby chicken nugget LUV IT!! hehehehe
    P.S...Yo sistah from another mother...I'm so jelly you have a C&B outlet!!! I wish you loads of luck in finding awesome deals!!!
    PSS....I too check out the opps bin everytime I go to Lowes & HD!!..the other day I bought the awesomest grey pearlized ralph lauren paint for $5!!!...yup, yup...we gotta be sister Jill! hehehe
    Meli

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  5. baby chicken nugget evolved from my family and their business of golden arches. it's fitting for him.

    i strategically changed my kiddos pediatrician to the office closer to the c & b outlet and the drive thru dunkin donuts. life is good. today we go for bloodwork for chicken nugget, so today we shall check out the AMAZING sales. they have nowhere near as much stuff on line as they have in store.

    c ya sista

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