And really, it doesn't matter why. There's no point in arguing about who "can't tear himself away from his goddamn blogs" or who "has no time for anything but her precious bookarts." The point is that over the next week, we are going to throw ourselves at this project with a unstoppable forcefulness and coordinated effort the likes of which hasn't been seen since the siege of Troy. Both Mrs.5000 and I are taking the week off and, except for a few days at Thanksgiving, we'll be doing home repair like its never been done before.
The PhotoEvidence!
Now, we'll be partially motivated by our desire for an attractive and functional living space. But thanks to you, the L&TM5K readers, we'll also be motivated by fear and shame! For posted below are seven pictures of the bathroom as it stands right now. And on Monday, November 30, I will rephotograph these exact same shots, and you will either be mightily impressed by our fantastic progress... or friends, you will jeer and scorn. Or maybe both.
I: The Shower
We took off the truly skanky old shower lining, put on new backer board, and tiled that sucker. We never sealed the tile, though, and there's assorted detail work to be done.
II: SE Corner
Here we see an experiment in color selection overlain by an experiment in wall texturing, plus a rather successful retrimming of the window. Also what cheap tile flooring looks like after three or four generations next to a toilet. Did I mention that this post was not vetted by Mrs.5000?
III: The Sink
We're actually pretty proud of our installation of this cute little sink, which replaced a comically tiny vanity sink that was there before. We are willing to admit that we have not yet provided it with an elegant setting, however.
IV: The Door
With the wall on the left here, which is also the foot of the tub -- we had to take it out, reframe it, put up new sheetrock, etc. There's new trim around the door. The door itself is unfortunately still an awful sickly yellow. And this is by far its good side.
V: Built-In Shelves
Easily the best carpentry I've ever done in my life. Just don't look too close at the details. A few coats of paints will hide most of the flaws nicely.
VI: The Floor
Did I mention, the floor is pretty heinous? We're going to cover it with a bamboo composite that will hopefully brighten things up a little bit and make it look a little more, you know... clean.
Easily the best carpentry I've ever done in my life. Just don't look too close at the details. A few coats of paints will hide most of the flaws nicely.
VI: The Floor
Did I mention, the floor is pretty heinous? We're going to cover it with a bamboo composite that will hopefully brighten things up a little bit and make it look a little more, you know... clean.
VII: The Light Fixture
You have NO IDEA how glad I'll be to see this go.
Wish us luck!
11 comments:
I expect this will be the highlight of the Holiday Party 2009 house tour.
Or not.
Thank you for reminding me of why I don't really want to own a house ...
If I get done with my job on Monday early, can I come help? Do you have an open door policy for free labor, or should I call first?
Aaaand there you have it: "A Portrait of Two Sisters". She's the good one ... If I weren't so blissfully bad, I might feel guilty.
@Kate: Aww, what a nice offer! It's really too small of a space for three people to be able to work together, but your offer is very kind and generous!
@Elizabeth: Oh, don't worry. I've read enough books and seen enough movies to know that it's the cynical grouches who turn out to have hearts of gold, whereas people who seem all nice and friendly are usually up to no good! Gotta watch your back around that Kate....
funniest.post.evar.!!!
If it will add to your motivation, I can threaten to take pictures when I get there.
Ooooh, ooh, pick me! Pick me!
I have a color suggestion!
How about that Moroccan Ice Cave Blue we saw everywhere in Gretchin's slide show? I want SOMETHING to be that color, and it might as well be your bathroom!
I can't tell you how totally unjealous I am of your Thanksgiving plans. We have remodeled four of five bathrooms in this house. I am saving the last one as Evidence of What Came Before. It actually makes YOUR bathroom "before" pictures look attractive. (Did you know there is such a thing as glitter paint? just to hint at the horrors...)
Those are really some pictures. I see it this way: almost ANYthing you do will be an improvement.
Just try not to hurt each other; maybe keep the sharp implement count low....
oo, good point, elizabeth! we'll be able to check on the progress at the holiday party!
i think shu-ju's got a good idea for color: i have over 200 photos of chefchouen i can send you for reference if you want them. ;)
Okay, I just have to say--FIVE bathrooms? I could never clean more than one.
Also, I think you should practice a little before you commit to anything permanent in that room--and I have just the project(s) to give you that precious experience . . . Shall I have a list waiting?
Oh, sweet shelves, by the way--
Oh, sister Jen...if you had 'em, you'd clean 'em.
Probably I shouldn't tell this, but it was after doing all of the stripping, drywall mudding, texturizing, and painting on the new kitchen, mud room, living room, and breakfast area, and (on the side) filling a new 35' asparagus bed, that I had to have bilateral wrist surgeries for severe tendonitis. Remodeling can be hazardous to your health and well-being!
Good luu-uuck! You betcha!
I'm thinking maybe you could just blow up the Morocco blue city pictures and adhere them to the walls of the castle5000 bathroom 2.0. Fun!
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