A total bath redo for $2,238
Sometimes it takes an addition to the family to kick a remodel into high gear. Such was the case for Lisa and Jim Steele of Syracuse, New York. The couple was "skeeved out" by the grim lone full bath left behind by previous owners, and they dealt with the eyesore by taking quick showers—never baths.
But with son Coby on the way, they envisioned tub times full of toys for their little one. So, shopping sales and eBay for discounted fixtures, they began to create this inviting bath in their 1925 cottage, piece by piece. (Yahoo! Homes is publishing the overall before-and-after photos. To see detail shots and read more, visit ThisOldHouse.com.)
After gutting the place, Jim changed all the plumbing to Pex, installed the cast-iron tub Lisa wanted, and laid glazed porcelain tiles on the floor instead of pricey slate. To free themselves up to finish the kitchen and nursery first, they hired a contractor to tile the shower surround, put up the drywall, and paint the room.
[Does your bathroom need a facelift? Click to find the right contractor for the job now.]
The Steeles were skeeved out by the bathroom's "psychedelic swamp" theme and couldn't imagine their son using the space. The medicine cabinet had layers of dark paint and iridescent accents on its glass inset. Says Lisa, "I was too scared to open it, let alone actually put something in there."
THE PROJECT TALLY
• Gutted the bath, offsetting the cost of dumping debris by selling the original copper pipes and the claw-foot tub, $0
• Scored a cast-iron tub on sale, $350
• Laid ceramic tiles rather than real slate squares for easy-care flooring on the cheap, $85
• Added designer look-alike tiles from a big-box store for a vintage-inspired shower, $150
• Hired a contractor to tile the shower surround, install drywall, and paint the walls, $525
• Installed a new toilet, a pedestal sink, and a faucet, $604
• Mounted two sconces flanking a beveled mirror, and a ceiling fan light, $332
• Put in a new window, a towel bar, shower hardware, and a wire shower-curtain track, $192
TOTAL: $2,238 (Click here to see detail shots of this project and read more at ThisOldHouse.com.)
