Basement Bathroom Project Progress

We’ve made substantial progress on our basement bathroom project and I wanted to share an update with you.  I’m loving how it has turned out so far, but there are a few more steps to go until the project it is fully complete.

Phase one consisted of tile work, a LOT of tile work.  My husband probably put 60-80 hours of work into the tile installation on the shower walls and floor of the bathroom.   We used classic white 3″x 6″  porcelain subway tile on all three walls of the shower [the base is a molded base –  a compromise I had to make in order to get a DIY tiled shower], and encaustic ‘faux’ cement tiles for the floor.  I use the word ‘faux,’ because the floor tile is actually porcelain, but the pattern replicates the current cement tile trend. While I love the look of cement tile, it does have a few drawbacks that made me choose an alternate option for this project.  Cememt tile is more expensive [at least more expensive than the tile we used here], and  it was not as accessible to me in the upper mid-west.  To get real cement tile, I would’ve had to order tiles from the internet based on how they look on a computer screen, and a thousand or so Pinterest images I pinned during the planning phase.  While some people might be comfortable ordering that way, I really like to see and feel things, especially if they are big purchases [I was always that kid who asked if I could see something, but really meant I wanted to hold it].  Also, cement tile requires sealing after it has been laid, which isn’t necessarily hard, but can be a bit time consuming.  Here is how the floor tuned out:

The other major tiling project was the shower.  We have a tiled shower in the master bathroom, and really love it.  So for the basement shower I wanted to do the same, but instead of using the large 12×12 tiles like we have upstairs, I opted for the classic subway tile look.   Tiling a shower is a design choice that you don’t easily change [nor would my husband volunteer to do again], so I wanted something that would be neutral, look great, and wouldn’t go out of style.  For awhile, I debated between using subway tile or marble tile [well, actually porcelain tile that looks like marble for cost effectiveness], but opted in the end for the subway tile as I felt that would work better with the business of the patterned floor [which i was dead set on having].  Subway tile has clean lines, is versatile, and will stand the test of time as trends change.  Oh, and I’m also more than slightly obsessed with how it looks with the polished chrome shower fixtures [be still my heart]!

We installed the shower door once the tiling was complete.  We used a contractor for that part, as we figured it was a one time shot kind of thing [drilling holes into all that beautiful tile work ourselves was a little outside our DIY comfort zone].   We went with a semi frame-less door and side panel.  I would be lying if I said I was completely in love with the door however.  I sort of wish I would have gone frame-less to help highlight the tile work a bit better.  While this door is nice, I think the chrome frame detracts a bit from the tile itself; but, frame-less was almost twice as expensive – so we compromised.   Lesson learned and noted for future shower project: always go frame-less.  We also had the toilet installed, but I didn’t take a picture of it, because really, no one wants to look at a picture of the toilet, right?  But if you’re really missin’ it, no worries, I’m sure the toilet will make an appearance in the final reveal.

The second phase of the bathroom project is up to me.  The sink and cabinet.  I originally had a vintage dresser picked out that we were going to convert to a vanity with a marble top, but after looking at the space and doing some measurements I realized that it was just going to be too big.  So, I went on the search for a manufactured sink vanity –  and searched, and searched, and searched.  There are tons of options, yet they all seemed to look somewhat the same, and nothing stood out to me as the right fit for this bathroom.   With much reservation by my dear husband [who wants this project done even more than me!] I am back on the hunt for a vintage piece that I can convert.  This time however, I am looking for something smaller, and may substitute out the marble top and sink for a top mounted vessel sink.   Doing it that way might save me some time [and money] and would look something like these, but smaller and with only one sink/faucet:

Source // Royal Roulette

Source // Jersey Ice Cream Company

Phase three will lighting [we know a guy], and phase four will consist of the fun part, decorating.  Boom – done.   Hopefully, I can get this project wrapped up soon as I have other projects pending that are calling my attention.  Can’t wait to show you the final reveal!

Floor Tile: Home Depot // Merola Arte White Tile

Shower Tile: Home Depot // Daltile Rittenhouse

Shower Base: [Similar] Home Depot // Delta

Shower Fixtures: [Similar] Home Depot // Delta

Paint Color: Glidden Marshmallow White

Shower Door: [Similar]: Home Depot // Coastal Shower Doors