Hi Everyone!
Happy ORC Wednesday friends! We’ve made it through the first week and we have progress!.
Its been a very messy, busy week of demo and starting to build out some key elements of the design. We demo’d out the shower and floors,
took out the vanity,
started building the corner storage niche, and have begun rebuilding the shower.
But, it wouldn’t be a renovation without a snag now would it? Of course not. We ran into several smaller snags that took just some slight readjusting to make right, but there was one big one that wasn’t super fun: the tile.
In the design plan I shared in last week’s post I specified a large hex for the floor, penny tile for the shower, and 4×12 glass subway tile for the shower walls and ceiling. Well, unfortunately, the vendor didn’t have enough of the subway tile in inventory so I had to choose something else. Yeah….about that.
As I’m sure you can imagine, changing out even the smallest detail can have a big effect on the overall design of a space. Now when you have to change such a big visual detail like say…the shower tile in a bathroom…ALL of the things get affected. Sooooo I had to pivot just slightly. And by slightly, I mean completely. I changed EVERY tile selection.
The reason I wanted to go with the glass subway tile is because with a size of only 39×30 I wanted to make the shower feel as spacious as possible. Now let’s be clear…the shower is gonna be small no matter what. I can’t add any physical space to it, BUT, I dont want it to feel tiny, so I wanted the large scale glass tile for that reason. I also planned to have it installed on the vertical in a modern pattern like so:
The clean symmetrical pattern is perfect for a small shower becuase the lines draw the eye up and evenly around. Plus I just really love using a material like classic subway tile in a fresh and more interesting way.
Ok so once the subway tile was no longer an option I came up with a plan B. Still keeping with the goal of creating an ultra moody vibe I decided on an unglazed mini black hex for the entire space.
The idea is to have it go on the floor, in the shower, and around the tub so it creates a seamless look. Just as the large scale glass tile was a good option for a small space, so is this because by making all the details the same you are creating the visual illusion of endlessness. I typically wouldn’t opt for such a small scale tile in a small space, BUT, because it will be continued throughout and we will be grouting it black it’ll feel seamless. I was inspired by these spaces:
(source unknown)
Now, again as I’m sure you’ve guessed, this did trigger some of the other design elements in the room to change as well too, including the finish of the faucetry and the wallpaper. I’ll share more about those changes in the coming weeks.
Ok friends, we are headed into Week 3 and it’s going to be a big one. Tomorrow we start installation of the skylight and I’m over the moon! I can’t wait to share all the details about it with you next week. In the meantime I’ll be documenting lots of behind the scenes of the install process in my IG stories so be sure to check that out. IAnd in addition to skylight installation we should also be getting all of the electrical in place, installing the roughs for the shower and tub, pouring the shower pan, building out all the other niches, and getting all the hardie backer in place in preperation for tile. Oh and if that wasn’t enough, I’m headed to North Carolina for High Point Market on Friday and will be home on Tuesday just in time for the Week 3 update next Wednesday! Phew! I’m tired just reading all that.
A few people have asked how we are managing a bathroom renovation of the only bathroom in the house alongside work, kids, and life, and the answer is by hiring out as much work as we can afford to. Knowing that I would be doing quite a bit of traveling and have other work commitments during the timeframe of ORC I decided to hire out as much of the demo and prep work as possible to lighten my load and relieve the stress of trying to do it all myself in such a short timeframe. So I left the demo, rerouting of electrical, plumbing, preplacing the hardie backer, and building out all the niches to my contractor. I will then takeover and tackle all the tiling, installing the wainscoting, painting, vanity & lighting install, and finishing of the space myself. We are also working in phases so as not to completely lose all function of our bathroom for long periods of time. We’ve worked it to where we basically always have access to the toilet and bathtub the entire time even without a shower or sink.
Ok friends wish me luck! And make sure to make your way to the other designers’ pages below to check out their progress this week as well. And use #oneroomchallenge for the daily scoop across social media
Until next time…
Oona says
I so love this and so admire your stamina, Shavonda! Wow! I have almost your exact “before” bathroom – – without the separate shower. Ugly, ugly chipped fiberglass tub surround, weird little wire shelf-plus towel rack made to hold one hand towel. The depth you are giving to your own small space makes me want to get in there in mine with my sledgehammer right now!
Nadine says
Hi Shavonda! Love the switch up. Be careful to not use any cleaning product with bleach. Been there and ruined the grout around toilet.
Albertina || Mimosa Lane says
Great progress! and I love, love all your design inspiration images! the black will be sensational!
Karen says
I’m excited to see the end result! I love seeing something that is not white, grey and light blue lol
Shavonda Gardner says
Thanks Karen! Youre at the right place bc i dont do white, grey, or light blue! lol! With the exception of deep smokey grey. I do love that:)
Dabito says
Love the moody vibes! This is gonna turn out amaaazing! Can’t believe we’re headed to week 3 already! eek!
Shavonda Gardner says
I KNOW!! People werent lying when they said it flies bye!Headed over to check out your plans right now…
Erin says
Beyond obsessed with the new plan: that moody hex tile is going to make such a huge statement. Cannot wait to see that skylight go in!
Shavonda Gardner says
Thank you Erin! Im really really excited too!! Its so different than the original but im seriously loving it. Cheers to week 3 babe!
Zuli Ramos says
I Love everything ❤️❤️❤️❤️
celine @ aquahaus says
I actually love the pivot. The small tile throughout is gonna look amazing.
Shavonda Gardner says
Thanks Celine! Im totally diggin it! Now I just hope its comes across as I envision.
Andrea says
OH man, snags are the worst – great job on the pivot. Hope it’s all smooth sailing from here!
Shavonda Gardner says
thank you so much Andrea!!
Nancy says
You’ve got an awesome design plan….I love the black wainscoting and can’t wait to see the finished room!
Shavonda Gardner says
thank you Nancy!!
Amy says
Wow, what a crazy time schedule for this project! Good luck! I’m excited to see how it turns out. I love your other spaces, especially because your style is very different from mine, so it makes it fun to see how gorgeous your color and finish choices turn out!
Shavonda Gardner says
Girllll this time schedule is killer. It’s keeping me accountable like crazy, but man the pressure!!! Thank you so much.