Bathroom Reno
I recently had a major plumbing problem and had to knock out a couple of walls to fix it. Now I need to do a bathroom reno and don’t want to spend a lot of money. I am also feeling overwhelmed by all the design, tile, and fixture choices. I have identified a handyman who…
I recently had a major plumbing problem and had to knock out a couple of walls to fix it. Now I need to do a bathroom reno and don’t want to spend a lot of money. I am also feeling overwhelmed by all the design, tile, and fixture choices. I have identified a handyman who can do all the work, but he isn’t a designer and will need guidance from me. Any tips for how to go about this? I have a general idea for a classic bathroom, but am unsure what will look good.
$12 a sf for basketweave? fugly and expensive….. you can get a large selection of granite tile for the floor, say 12 x 12 for 7 – 8 per sf, many nice porcelain floor tiles from 4 – 8 per sf. white subway tile works fine, cheaper at marino tile than home depot, add some glass trim somewhere around eye level that pulls up the floor color and you can have what you call a timeless bathroom that doesn’t make you think it’s 1940.
Pedestal sinks available online at faucet direct, and ira woods, as are faucets, shower bodies, etc.
tub and toilet are cheapest at lowes or home depot, if you stick with simple models.
Deda’s comments are great–very simple, timeless, elegant.
Also, you have a friend who’s good at this. Think about it, you really do. You have a friend who would enjoy doing this. You have a friend who has already done this, or if you’re young, their parents have already done it.
Tell them you want their advice. Make an evening of it. If you have something you’re good at that you can do in exchange (you can lay out their resume? You can set up their computer to be faster and better? You can cook them a meal? You can lend them your car so they can drive upstate for their cousin Jane’s wedding?)
White subway tile is super cheap a la home Depot. Marble basketweave can be found on Ebay for about $12 a SF delivered – it’s not the cheapest option, but isn’t terrible and gives the bathroom a little visual zing that makes up for the plain wall tiles. I like hex tiles too, but the white does get discolored. If you go the hex tile route, maybe try black with black grout instead? You can find a nice pedestal on craigslist with a little time. I also used some nice Restoration Hardware lighting from Ebay for under a hundred bucks. A light aqua blue ceiling looks super with the black and white combo. My tenant is so happy.
RFI: they said they “don’t want to spend a lot of money”.
The Interior Design Building on 57th (give or take) is a fun field trip and great for idea poaching. That and the usual magazines at B&N.
You can go to a place like Simon’s Hardware in Manhattan, or Restoration Hardware to take a look at hardware and fixture samples. They aren’t inexpensive, but the quality is good.
I’ve done some really nice classic bathrooms. You can see examples on my website at RickLaddBrooklyn.com Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Rick
Deda gave very good example of the classic and timeless bathroom. If you want to go a little further design wise, there are loads of websites to browse through examples as well as brownstoner reno blogs. Good luck.
Well budget determines design so once you set your budget you can have an idea more about the other things. That DEDA stated… tile, sink, fixtures, etc.