Dec 26, 2011

Rub-a-dub-dub, a second bathroom... with a tub!


We decided to keep it nice and simple with the bathroom upstairs, so first we installed a linoleum floor.


Here is the bathtub and tub surround with plenty of shelves!



Here is the vanity, matching cabinet with mirror and of course an efficient dual flush toilet!



It's not as extravagant as the master bathroom, but it's exciting none-the-less! Especially when it was originally a half bath and looked like this.

Dec 20, 2011

Masterpiece theatre? Nah, that's too snooty. How about a masterpiece bathroom!

In order to show the full extent of our work on the master bathroom  I have to go back several months, before the insulation and drywall went up.



First we installed sloping forms that divided the base of the shower into four sections, all slopping towards the drain.




Next we put in a dry mud bed which is a barely damp mix of concrete.


Then we cut and folded a rubber membrane and fit it on top of the dried concrete.

Another drain slope kit was then placed on top of the membrane.


We then added another layer of concrete. Concrete is porous so if water goes through the concrete it will hit the membrane and go into weep holes in the side of the center drain.



Here is the 1" mosaic tile that we installed on top of the concrete.



Now fast forward passed the insulation, drywall and paint. It was finally time to tile our shower! Row by row we placed 8" x 12" ceramic tile on the shower walls.



One wall is complete!



We made cutouts in the corners for the shelves.


Here you can see the walls, the shower floor, the marble step and the tile floor in the bathroom.

The shelves are in!



We picked out grout to match and installed the dual shower controls.


Next we put together our double vanity.


Here it is with the sink top, our beautiful faucets and the huge mirror on the wall.



Our master bathroom is not complete without a efficient dual flush toilet!


After looking at our finished product we decided a simple shower curtain just wouldn't do. So we topped off our master piece with a frameless glass shower door and it is gorgeous!

Oct 30, 2011

We're going to paint the town red! On second thought let's paint our house instead.

After the drywall went up it was time to paint. With the help of Kevin's dad and his dad's friend Larry we set to work on priming and painting all the walls and ceilings. I don't think any of us really knew  just how much painting that would be! Below are pictures with just primer and then with the colors we picked out.


This is the left side of the kitchen.

Here's the main part of the kitchen.

Here's the living room and hallway.


Living room and staircase.

This is the laundry room and the doorway into the master bathroom.


Master bedroom.

Heading up the stairs. This is where one of our built-in bookcases will be.

The upstairs office area.

The rear of the office area.

Upstairs bedroom.

Upstairs bathroom.


We chose a beautiful light blue for the kitchen.


The main part of the kitchen in blue.

I love this color!

Wepainted the living room and hallway green.


Another picture of the living room.

The laundry room is also green.

The master bedroom is a light gray.

We decided to go with a neutral beige-ish color for the upstairs. Here's the office area.

Here's the rear of the office area.


This is the second bedroom.

Here's the front of the second bedroom.


This is the upstairs bathroom painted gray. You'll have to wait to see the master bathroom since we were also tiling the shower at this time :)




  






 
Next we had to prime and paint all of the trim and interior doors. Stay tuned for more pictures! After all of this I don't think any of us want to pick up a paint brush again for a while!

Oct 8, 2011

What a difference some drywall makes!

The drywall is up! I've never had the pleasure of hanging drywall but from what Kevin has told me from his personal experience it's a real pain in the ass. So naturally the best part about our drywall is we didn't have to do it ourselves! Now you can really see what each room will look it now that the walls and ceilings are defined :)


Here is our living room looking at the staircase and the hallway.


This is the left side of the kitchen where our table will be.


Here is the right side of the kitchen where all of our cabinets and appliances will be.


Another view of our kitchen.

Here is the laundry room and the back door.


This is the view from the laundry room. The master bathroom is through the doorway to the left, our little hall closet is in the center and on the right you can see the hall to the master bedroom.

Here's a view of the master bathroom. Here you can see the drywall is a green color. Greenboard a type of drywall that is water resistant. It should always be used in bathrooms, basements and basically anywhere where the walls might be subjected to damp conditions or humidity.

This is part of the master bedroom and the walk-in closet.


Another shot from inside the master bedroom.

Here is the hallway into the living room.

Here is the staircase upstairs.


This is our office area.


Here's the other side of our office area. You can see the furnace to the left.

Here is the view from our office towards the upstairs bathroom and second bedroom.


This is the upstairs full bath. Here you can see we used Durock cement board around the shower area here and in the master bathroom shower. It's water-durable and mold-resistant and should always be used under tile on the bathroom walls.

This is the second bedroom.

Here's the closet and utility closet in the second bedroom.



Here you can see the ERV which will have a little door in front of it and you can see out the bedroom door towards the office.



This is the front of the second bedroom.



Here is the top of the staircase. What's the next thing on our list? It's time to paint!