Master Bathroom: Start to Finish (Whenever That Is)

It started with the toilet. I stepped into our master bathroom to see Jasun scrutinizing the lineoleum, which had been discolored since we’d moved in, but had recently begun to boast an even browner, worrisome hue.

“I think we have to replace the wax ring on the toilet. It looks like there might be some leaking.”

Ew. It was at this point that Irrational Sara piped up and offered the suggestion that, instead of going through the hassle of replacing a wax ring (which, in retrospect, takes about an hour and isn’t at all difficult), why didn’t we just start the bathroom demolition that very second? Irrational Jasun, as Irrational Sara’s partner in crime and thus always more than happy to play along, agreed with a big smile. Demo! Yay! Fun!

And so it began….in January? December of last year? November? I honestly can’t remember anymore. Was there once a time when I didn’t have to stumble downstairs to shower in the morning, hoping all the while that I remembered to close the 1st floor blinds the night before? Was there a moment when there weren’t man-sized holes in our upstairs bathroom walls? Was I ever able to easily find all of my morning toiletries instead of rummaging through a bottomless basket strategically placed next to the downstairs pedestal sink? If such a time ever did exist, I can’t say that I recall it with much clarity.

Thankfully, lost also is the memory of what our master bathroom used to look like:
Look good? Love that pepto bismol pink? This picture is misleading. The reality was much much worse. The picture doesn’t capture the moldy growths that couldn’t be wiped off but instead appeared to be incubating inside the paint. It doesn’t convey the smell of congealing baby diapers that was either embedded in the very fabric of the room or else the previous owners stuffed a dirty nugget underneath of the floorboards. The image doesn’t zoom in on the battered vintage 70’s vinyl floor and matching melamine vanity, or the oh-so-chic pebbled plastic wallboard tub surround. Prior to demolition, Jasun wouldn’t even enter the master bathroom and would often wonder incredulously how I could stand to take a shower in there.

Bring in the sledgehammers!

The master bathroom is, by far, our biggest project. With plumbing, electrical, tiling, floor installation, some minor carpentry, and paint, we knew it would tax our skills, and it has! We’re about a month or two away now from completion, but to catch you up, I plan to post a few pictures each week describing the different phases of remodeling. As a teaser, here’s what the bathroom looks like today:

Bathroom Floor (not quite finished, and showing dirt from thinset dust)