Master Bathroom Reveal

When we bought our home, we knew that virtually everything needed to be touched, starting with a new roof, and then the master bathroom.

 We actually started construction on the bathroom before we moved in and that helped alleviate some of the pain of living through the remodel.

For at least a month I drove back and forth, an hour each way to be on site and supervise.

Demo day was so exciting.  I couldn't wait to get rid of the old and see the space completely gutted.

This is why we took on the bathroom first.

It wasn't functional at all--rotten, moldy and poorly designed.

The shower was tiny, yet the toilet area was big.  

I decided to make the shower larger and shrink the toilet area, by turning the toilet.

Now we still have a private toilet space and a large shower!

There is even room for a bench.  

I chose carrara marble subway tile for the walls and basketweave carrara tile for the floor.

I especially love the shower niche with its two shelves.

Here is a before photo showing the vanity area and weird hollow wall next to it.

 After, a free standing vanity feels like a piece of furniture centered on the wall.

I painted the wall black to give it importance and highlight the white vanity.

A pocket door separates the bathroom from the bedroom.

I'm really excited about this etagere. 

It adds a touch of elegance and of course, more storage.

It was backordered for months which is why I didn't share the bathroom reveal sooner.

It completes the room and I knew all along how I would style it.

I love displaying pretty little perfume bottles, candles and orchids on the vanity, so the new etagere gives me one more display opportunity.

It was really fun remodeling this room, turning it from a drab and dingy bathroom into a bright and elegant retreat.

Sources:

Vanity:  Restoration Hardware.

Tile:  Carrara Tiles

Faucets and fixtures:  Newport Brass

Toilet:  Kohler

Mirrors:  Horchow

Sconces:  Visual Comfort

Chandelier:  Pottery Barn

Etagere:  Pottery Barn

Paint:  BM, "Black Jack"

Analysis Paralysis

Analysis paralysis:   "The state of over-analyzing (or over-thinking) a situation so that a decision or action is never taken, in effect paralyzing the outcome. A decision can be treated as over-complicated, with too many detailed options, so that a choice is never made, rather than try something and change if a major problem arises. A person might be seeking the optimal or "perfect" solution upfront, and fear making any decision which could lead to erroneous results, when on the way to a better solution."

A reader actually diagnosed my condition as "Analysis Paralysis!"

I can honestly say that's what I have.  Now that my contractors are pushing for decisions that need to be made, not just considered, I find myself not able to make a final decision. 

For example, I thought I wanted Virginia Mist granite for the kitchen countertops, but when I went looking for slabs, I didn't like the look.  

I thought it was supposed to resemble soapstone, but the slabs I'm finding look like they have clouds all over them and look grainy and too gray.

So now I'm reconsidering soapstone.  

I've read all the articles about the pros and cons.

My contractor even took me to a restaurant in the City, The Commisary, that has soapstone to see how it has held up.

After more than a year in a commercial application, this soapstone looks amazing.  Yes there are chips and scratches but I can live with them.

My contractor has been very patient, I have to say.  Here he is selecting the perfect marble for my bathroom vanity.  I'm thinking I should just leave these decisions up to him-that way a decision will at least be made.  

He doesn't suffer from "Analysis Paralysis!"

I did make a few decisions on lighting though.

Or at least I ordered a few lights.

This one came from Wisteria and is a potential winner for the cathedral ceiling in the living room.

At 37" wide, I hope it's wide enough to fill the space.  However, I'm still unsure about the look and am debating a huge lantern instead...

 I ordered two small chandeliers from Pottery Barn. 

This one for the powder room or master closet...

 ...and this one for the master bathroom.

If they don't work, I can return them.  Most lighting sites charge a restocking fee or don't allow returns, so I feel good about my purchases.

The one decision I don't regret making though is marrying this guy!

No "Paralysis Analysis" here!

33 years ago today we said "I do!"

Happy Anniversary to us!