Let’s be honest; we’ve all encountered that one room in our house that, well, let’s say it could use a little makeover. For me, that room was our guest bathroom. Since October 2021, I’ve been on a quest to transform this space into something special. But my dreams of a swanky guest bathroom have been brewing since May 2021, right when we moved in. And boy, what a journey it’s been!
Sponsored by Home Depot and Gifted by Kohler
First things first, a massive shoutout to our sponsors, Home Depot and Kohler, who made this crazy adventure possible. With their support and some of their fabulous products, I set out to turn a ho-hum bathroom into a Retreat
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The “Before” – Yawn!
When we moved into our home two years ago, our guest bathroom was the embodiment of builder-grade everything. Boring tiles, a run-of-the-mill vanity, and a tub straight out of a generic catalog. But this was our chance to make a statement and infuse a touch of my Indian heritage into the space.
The Demolition
My first order of business? Bye-bye, bathtub! In its place, we envisioned a comfortable walk-in shower – perfect for my in-laws who visit frequently and are in their late 70s. But fret not, we still have tubs in the other two bathrooms, just in case.
For the demolition work, I enlisted the help of Home Depot’s rental tools, including a rotary hammer and chisel bit, which was a real time-saver. We stripped the bathroom down to its bare bones, donating whatever we could salvage.
Plumbing process
The next step was the plumbing. We shifted the shower drain to the center, revamped the vanity plumbing to match the new console sink, and even scooted the toilet 5 inches to the right to create some extra elbow room for the shower.
Our plumbers then did a fantastic job crafting a shower curb, installing the shower floor liner, and conducting the all-important flood test to ensure a watertight seal.
Shower Spectacle
Now, here comes the fun part. I’d always dreamt of an arched entry to the shower, and that’s precisely what we set out to create. Armed with 2x4s, plywood, drywall, cement board, and an abundance of determination, I went about crafting this masterpiece. After a hearty round of taping, thin-set, and waterproofing with Red Guard, we were ready for the main event – tiling. But let’s be real; tiling isn’t my jam, so I called in the experts.
A Tile Tale
During the tiling escapades, I had a bit of an “Oops!” moment. A quarter of the shower tiling was done, and I realized it just wasn’t working. Talk about a curveball! Around this time, I jetted off to India for a month and had some time to contemplate the bathroom’s destiny. I returned with a choice – a marble tile from Home Depot that left me beaming.
To add a dash of drama, I introduced a black trim tile for that extra oomph and a marble chair rail for some panache. The floor got the penny tile treatment, with a twist. No checkered shower wall for me; I went rogue with a unique pattern of black, grey, and mustard penny tiles. I’ll spill the beans on that adventure in a separate post. But here’s a hint: choosing the right grout for the right spaces is a crucial step in the process.
Bathroom Walls with a Twist
To crown this renovation masterpiece, I decided to trim out the arch opening with some flex trim molding from Home Depot. For the walls, I chose vinyl beadboard, ensuring it wouldn’t bubble up and ruin my hard work, which can happen with MDF in a bathroom which you should never use in a bathroom.. The transformation was complete with a decorative chair-rail and baseboard.
And let’s talk paint! A rich plum/eggplant shade, matched at Home Depot, breathed life into the space. But here’s a pro tip: a higher sheen, especially in a small, windowless bathroom, can work wonders, creating a more elevated ambiance.
The Perfect Fittings
The real stars of the show, the fixtures, made their debute. Kohler’s creations in polished nickel complemented the marble and the eggplant paint seamlessly. The console sink legs and the 30” sink were the perfect touch.
The faucet, a piece from the Artifact line, left me mesmerized, blending timeless classic design with a modern twist. And that toilet? The best toilet I’ve ever encountered, with edges that mimic the chair-rail in the bathroom.
The shower faucet, plucked from the Purist line, delivered clean, simple lines and a modern vibe. I couldn’t resist and went for both the shower head and handheld shower. Blending elements from both the Artifact and Purist lines brought my vision to life – Modern Traditional at its best.
The Cherry on Top
Adding my personal touch to the space, I crafted a shower curtain using Indian block print fabric and incorporated Indian-inspired art. An old wall sconce got a second life, and a pleated lamp shade, fashioned from fabrics I picked up in India, cast a warm glow.
To put the finishing touches in place, I stumbled upon a beautiful vintage mirror that fit the space perfectly. Brass and porcelain hooks from Home Depot were a brilliant addition, and I swapped out plain switch plates for brass ones.
To say I’m over the moon with how this space turned out would be an understatement.
Total Costs
- Home Depot products: $1,900
- Kohler products (gifted): $6,000
- Labor for laying tiles: $1,500
- Plumbing work and cost: $1,900
- Miscellaneous expenses: $100
- Total cost: $12,000
This guest bathroom remodel was not just a transformation of a space but also a journey of self-discovery. Home Depot and Kohler, you’re the real MVPs, and I’m thrilled with the results!