Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May the sun shine, all day long,

everything go right, and nothing wrong.

May those you love bring love back to you,

and may all the wishes you wish come true!

source

The story of St. Patrick

Bathroom Remodel-Floor Plan Options

Well I think I have all the floor plan options mapped out for the upcoming de-uglify bathroom and laundry room remodel.

Here is the original layout when we first moved in until 2 months ago when we downsized from a pair of mis-matched full size washer and dryer to a compact, stackable washer/ dryer combo unit.

Original

Here it is slightly modified with the stackable washer/ dryer

Current-Modified

Now for the fun stuff!

This option would require minimal modifications and no division of the bath and laundry. The foot print is reduced by installing a curved  shower and the plumbing for the sink is rotated 90° from the original location

Option 1

BIG Changes with these 2 options! We keep the full size tub and sink for options 2 and 3. The laundry hook up remains in the same location for both options.  Here is where the money comes in because the toilet is moved to the opposite side for both options. The floor plan makes more sense and there is a direct path and open line of sight. Although the room will still be compact to house a full bath.

Option 2

Option 3 has the bathroom separate from the laundry with the installation of a full dividing wall and separate entrance (maybe we can install a pocket door). Additional electrical when need to be ran to have separate lights for both rooms. The door is removed for the laundry (FYI-this is a kitchen adjacent room-the kitchen would be on the side where the option is written)

Option 3

BIG BIG changes with these 2 options! Option 4 is a small powder room and a large laundry room.  The plumbing is moved for the powder room sink and toilet. A full dividing wall and door is installed.  The laundry room would require plumbing moved for the installation of a utility sink. The entrance to the laundry room could be open to the kitchen or maybe we can install a pocket door.

Option 4

In option 5 a full dividing wall and door is installed (maybe a pocket door). Additional electrical when need to be ran to have separate lights for both rooms. This option requires all of the plumbing to be moved but we retain the function of a 3/4 bath. The bathroom has more of an open feel. The bathroom is larger, resulting in a compact laundry area.  The laundry access would be open to the kitchen.

Option 5

KA-CHING!! Option 6 is by far the most aggressive and the most expensive. Everything is moved. The laundry and bathroom swap locations. All electrical and plumbing will need to move. 2 dividing walls are installed and a new entry from the kitchen aligns with the window. On the left is a compact laundry room (complete with a pocket door) and on the right is a powder room (most likely that too would have a pocket door). The small corridor would have a shallow cabinet under the window for additional storage. Or maybe the dogs pet bed can live here.

Option 6

I didn't show any options to completely move the laundry room because there is no place to move it to barring the unheated detached garage or building on to the house. The cellar is to dark, creepy  un-ventilated and unsafe to use.

Whatcha' think? How do you vote?

Another Ugly Bathroom

I think the previous owner must have been on drugs when they remuddled renovated this house. 

My downstairs bathroom is a full bathroom and laundry room. All in the same space. Classy right?

The walls are a sickly peachy yellow plastic coated fiberboard paneling with blue flowers. The ceiling is covered in acoustical tiles which are stained and always have mildew no matter how many times the hubbs wipes them down with bleach. The floor was once white hexagon tile  print vinyl flooring but is dull, dingy and decrepit. The vanity is a medium oak veneer and the veneer has cracked off on the side closest to the bathtub. The medicine cabinet is a faded golden oak, the mirror is etched, the light is non functional and in order to fit the mirror the previous owner notched the window molding. Did I mention there is only a mere 12 inches of clearance between the toilet and the sink? And only 15 inches between the toilet and the tub! Are you jealous yet?

I used to have a full size (side by side) washer and dryer (mismatched) combo. You couldn't open the door more than halfway because it would hit the washer.And above it were some very grungy coated wire shelves.

I have a compact stackable now  that has since been moved back and to the right. You can open the door two thirds of way--we are making big strides here, haha


There is approximately 12 inches between the washer/dryer and the side wall. There is an additional 8 inches behind the washer/dryer and the wall. We need a longer cord in order to move it over to the right and need to move the vent. The unit gas a "V" in the back of it where the vent can rest and then the unit is almost zero clearance to the wall.

I tried to slap some lipstick on my pig of a bathroom by installing a new shower rod, shower curtain and towel rack. It really did nothing more than highlight the sad and decrepit look of the bathroom.

I found this adorable bird baker's rack at TJ Maxx for $49. It was more than I would have liked to spent, so it was a bit of an impulse buy but I couldn't resist. And I can always re-purpose it elsewhere later on. As you can see, I use the commode for the laundry basket since there is no room in here...well, for anything.

This is the view from the other side of the room. Once the washer/ dryer can be tucked back the door will open more.

I need storage. I need function. I need to not hit my damn knees or hips on the vanity every time I shimmy through to use the shower or give the dogs a bath!
So there you have it--my very ugly and dysfunctional bathroom/ laundry room!

I am working on few different layouts by trying to answer my questions...

Do we keep it as a full bathroom, 3/4 bathroom or change into a powder room?
What is more important- a 2nd full bath or a large laundry room?
How feasible is it to separate the laundry/ bathroom?
Can I move the laundry anywhere else?
How much money do I need to allocate that results in an optimum layout and on budget project?
Why can't I win the lottery?

Materials already on hand for 2nd bathroom remodel

• I have ceramic floor tile (extra from the upstairs bath remodel) and is more than enough to redo this floor. Although I still like the ideal of linoleum.
• I have a brand new vanity (still in the box)  that was originally slated for the upstairs bath but wouldn't fit...and it is a beautiful cabinet!
• I have white porcelain under mount sink slated for the other bathroom but we didn't use because it went with the vanity that didn't fit.
• I also have towel rods, tp holder and a light fixture that I had purchased on clearance. They are a "shabby chic" finish but I can always paint them the oil rubbed bronze (ORB) to match what I have. 
• I have a mirror (clearance find). It is a chrome finish but I can de-laquer the frame and paint (ORB) to match everything else.
• The toilet is only 2 years old, so we can keep it.

What do I need

• A decision for the floor plan!
• Possibly the services of a plumber to moving plumbing (depending on floor plan)
• If we keep it as a full bath,we will need a new tub or shower
• Wall tile
• drywall
• insulation
• plywood for sub floor
• 2x4's for framing (again depends on floor plan)
• faucets
• A counter top
• A door or 2 (depends on layout)
• Crown molding
• baseboards
• primer and paint

You know...this isn't so bad...Maybe we can finish the for a reasonable cost AND within a reasonable time frame...hmmm

I am trying to use an online bathroom planning tool to determine the layout, so next post should include those visuals. Whatever plan I choose will have a direct impact on the kitchen remodel. I know I had talked previously that the hubbs said we could move forward with this; however, I am glad I didn't pull the trigger. It turns out we had some very expensive and unexpected contingencies. Had we used the savings for the remodel, it would have been disastrous. So in the interim I will do what I have always felt comfortable with...and that is buying a few things each month to save until we have enough material to begin the project. It makes me (and my bank account) much happier.