A Plum Job

So we are going down the list and checking it (twice) to make sure we aren’t missing anything in the bathroom. We’d hate to come in to do something and suddenly find we can’t because we forgot something.

Tiles is done, glass is in place, closet…… What else?


Of course. Sinks and a toilet. What every bathroom needs.

The toilet is a one-piece from Tecsun and bought at Lowes. It’s a nice-looking toilet with a more friendly yet still powerful flush. And it costs us around $129. We had to order it but that was easy, we just did so before we needed it (actually too early so it’s been eating up space for quite a while).
The sinks are from American Standard and cost around $170 each at Pacific Sales in SJC.
One of the problems with pedestal sinks (and having no medicine chest by the sink) is a lack of space to put your bathroom stuff on. We liked this sink because it has a bit more space. We chose a single faucet called fluid from SSi, so as not to take up too much room. The faucets were a splurge at around $230 each but Mr. R. liked the curve as it looked wave-like. Since we got an inexpensive toilet. And later inexpensive mirror, we are glad we got them.
It’s an individual choice, when you aren’t King Midas, as to where you are going to flash your money.

The toothbrush holder and waste bin came from Bed Bath & Beyond. It is nice to see toothbrush holders have caught up with the trend in fatter toothbrushes. We are gathering a collection of toothbrush holders that don’t fit the next house’s décor or which were bought when toothbrushes were thinner. We were pleased to see holders, which have larger holes so, plus size toothbrushes need not feel embarrassed or left out.


The shower control cover is on. The unit comes from hansgrohe and was also expensive ($240). What we like about it is that you use a lever to set the temperature of the water (by feel – more expensive models have a read-out) and it stays at the temperature when you turn it on. So no constant fiddling at the start of every shower. Worth $240? We aren’t sure about it but that’s what we’ve got so might as well enjoy it.


Also in place is the showerhead. It’s a Moen Refresh eight-inch rain showerhead bought from Lowes. I think it was about $59 although almost everything we bought from Lowes was 10%. This like so much we bought has been taking up space so it is so good to finally get it installed.
The down pipe you see is 18 inches long and had to be ordered as no one keeps it in stock. I guess there isn’t much call for 18-inch chrome shower pipes. Perhaps that’s why it cost $89! It needed to be that long so it wouldn’t spray above the glass.


A former clothes closet gets shortened and reborn as a toiletries and linen closet. Mr. Remodel made the cleats out of the wooden flooring he removed from the dining area. The shelves are from IKEA from the Pax range. They had to be cut down to size but it was easier and quicker than making custom shelves.


Former clothes closet gets made a bit smaller and prettied up with new cleats, clothes poles and shelves. It was a full length hanging space previously but now it is for shorter length items of which we have more than a few.


Just a little reminder that during this entire remodel, we have been living in the house and having to accommodate the work in progress where ever it is.


Here’s a clever idea. Using the floor tile for a baseboard (skirting board in England). Not our idea. Mr. Friend who came to see the progress suggested it.


The tile baseboards end (or start) just beyond the two closets. Inside the closets and on into the master bedroom are these natural-look finish baseboards.



These are louvre bifold doors from Reliabilt bought at Lowes. However, we didn’t want the bifold look so Mr. Remodel took them apart and made them into single doors. This was a big, big hassle, as they now needed another set of hinges. This was not as easy to achieve as may sound because the hinges had to fit the closet frame.
After hours of searching and trying to make it work, Mr. R had to use gold-coloured hinges while the door handles we wanted were silver.


A small glass and chrome shelf for extra stuff next to one of the sinks.


White and chrome hooks for towels inside the shower for easy access.

Well, it’s been another interesting journey, which seemed like it would take forever.



Here is where we started.


And here is where we finished. We are more than delighted about our new bathroom.