Our master bath is in need of some major updating. We need to redo the shower since the tile is falling off and I hate the gold on the shower doors. Anyone have any idea how much it would be to have someone re-tile, replace the bottom of the shower, and switch out faucets? Also, please recommend some cool bathroom websites...I'm lacking in bathroom creativity! Here's the best pic I have right now of the bathroom. You can see in the reflection the separate shower and tub layout. 1st thing on the list to do is get rid of that ugly wallpaper and all the gold lights and faucets!
Fran M
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Re: Minor Bathroom Makeover...
Ohhh That Wallpaper
ddunne23
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I know! What kills me is that the house was built in 1991...were gold dressing room lights and nasty wallpaper all the rage???
Sonicstef
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Re: Minor Bathroom Makeover...
You can retile your bathroom yourself if you are so inclined. Tile work is actually one of the easier DIY jobs. You can buy all the materials and a pretty basic tile cutter and thats all you need to do a nice job provided you have a fairly straight bathroom. Once the tiles are up, you put grout over the whole thing, let it dry and scrub off the tileface - voila! New bathroom!
The cabinet and mirror and lighting can all be replaced with Home Depot stuff if you want to keep it reasonable.
ddunne23
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Re: Minor Bathroom Makeover...
It looks like some of the drywall behind our shower may have water damage. Is that a huge thing to replace or just like cut a piece to size and nail it up? I've been reading books on this stuff, but I still feel like I will mess it up somehow!
Sonicstef
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Re: Minor Bathroom Makeover...
Do you think you need to replace a large piece or just a few small bits?
If its small, you can buy the green sheetrock (meant for moisture prone areas like the bathroom) and cut using a drywall knife and screw into the studs. Then after its up, use joint compound to mend the seams. I think the generally accepted method is to put the joint compound up, let dry and sand smooth, put more on, let dry and sand smooth and do it one more time. It doesnt have to look perfect since you are tiling right over it anyway.
If you are replacing all the sheetrock, its a lot more work so you may need help.
ddunne23
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It looks like it is just around a couple of corners where the tile in the shower stops and where the wallpaper starts. Thanks for the help! I want to try to do it myself since I know it is possible and the $$ I would spend on labor I could upgrade all my sinks/lighting/fixtures with!
Fran M
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Re: Minor Bathroom Makeover...
Steph ... have you been watching DYI shows again? I am all for DYI projects but the one thing you have to remember to fator in is the cost of tools. Tha is assuming you dont already have them. I am in the process of replacing a few boards on a redwood picnic table. Cost of wood $10.00, wood screws $7.00, stain$2.50, not bad considering a new table would have cost me at least $200.00 But you have to add in Cost Jig Saw $50.00 still cheaper but you get the idea Satisfaction from doing it yourself - priceless
Sorry couldnt help it.
Sonicstef
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Re: Minor Bathroom Makeover...
Fran: Believe it or not, I have actually done this stuff myself before when I was about 16. (child labor i guess).
Its true about the tools, but a drywall saw and a tile cutter are both very cheap tools. I guess you need a spackle knife too which is as low tech as it comes. The only thing I would say would come in very handy when doing some drywall is an drill to screwn in the screws nice and tight. But if you dont have that, you can probably borrow one from someone in your family b/c most people have them.
ddunne23
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Re: Minor Bathroom Makeover...
Actually, my FIL gave us a whole bunch of heavy duty tools...we just haven't gone through them to see what we have! I think there was a jigsaw, screw drill and some other stuff. I'm on a mission now to do this project!
Claud2001
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Re: Minor Bathroom Makeover...
Once the tiles are up, you put grout over the whole thing, let it dry and scrub off the tileface - voila! New bathroom!
Just wanted to chime in here...having recently re-grouted a shower myself (along w/DH)....you MUST use a sealer over the grout AFTER the grout has dried. This is EXTREMELY important b/c if you do not seal the grout, than when you shower, the grout will wet and moisture/water will get behind the tiles and cause problems for your walls, floors, etc. This would cause a nightmare-ish amount of damage...just ask Wendy (she has experience w/this!)
HTH!
Sonicstef
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Re: Minor Bathroom Makeover...
Sealer is a good idea.
Although its not sure to cause damage. I did my fathers bathroom over 10 years ago and there is no damage whatsover. The grout is supposed to be what is protecting the sheetrock from the water...provided it is grouted properly, there should be no damage for many years. And you are supposed to regrout every 10 years or so too.
Although since you are doing it, you do it 'right'.
Claud2001
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Re: Minor Bathroom Makeover...
If you don't seal the grout, you are taking a chance, IMO. Grout is not water resistant. In fact, it stays damp for longer than you might think...(I don't know anyone who goes around touching their grout to see if it's still wet)
So even though you cannot see any damage yet (after 10 years), does not mean that it's not slowly rotting or deteriorating.
Sonicstef
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Re: Minor Bathroom Makeover...
Im sure sealer is the right way to go. Im sure its possible that there is damage behind the tiles.
I just didnt want everyone to think that if their bathroom is not sealed, then its a major problem.
ddunne23
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Can you gals come down to Texas and re-do my bathroom for me???!!! I need to brush up on my DIY skills!
tarakinspa
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Anyone try the do it herself classes at home depot? I really want to attempt to do my master bath I thought it might help?
Claud2001
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Stef - UPDATE - my DH told me today (as we were shopping for tile) that some newer grout compounds have the sealer already mixed in, so there's no need for the separate sealer step!
Apparently, pre-mixed grout is the kind that does need a sealer coat. I learned something new today!
michele31
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Re: Minor Bathroom Makeover...
I think a great gift idea is one of those huge, hardcover Basic Home Repair books. Scott got one about a month after we moved in, for his b-day. And a good drill w/bits. AThat will definately get its money worth in a home! You can also change out the light and that will make a huge difference. Believe it or not, a new facuet, light and towel rack make a huge difference in a bathroom.
bride082003
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Re: Minor Bathroom Makeover...
LOL, that looks like our bathroom when we moved in! (minus that wallpaper)
just some ideas I had when I saw the pic
- pull down mirror and light fixture and replace with cabinet/mirror that has lights on it
-put up a different framed mirror with light fixture of your choice over it (this is what we got, we got new vanity with matching framed mirror)
- if you want to the keep mirror, maybe try framing it out with some pretty decorative moulding to give it a new look
the faucets are very simple to replace and you could do that yourself! I never realized just how expensive there were until we went and looked
GOOD LUCK!!
ddunne23
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Re: Minor Bathroom Makeover...UPDATED!
Thanks everyone for your helpful suggestions. We have made some definate progress on this little project. I took off from work THur and Friday (more convincing that you really are sick if you take two days in a row! ) and decided I was going to tackling removing the wallpaper. NOT SO FUN! So I'm doing everything correctly and it is just not working right. It keeps tearing off the sheetrock! So I call DH at work and ask him to ask some of his co-workers what the deal it (he works for Sherwin Williams). Seems that the original owners never put a wallpapaer primer type thing on the walls before putting the paper up...so it went directly to the sheet rock. Bad new. So we move to plan B. They suggested just priming and painting over the wallpaper. So it took all day Sat to do that. I put some paint up last night and am a little scared of it! The one thing I don't like is since we didn't take the wallpaper down you can see the seams in some places. But I suppose that can be hidden with a picutre or shelf. I don't have any pics yet, but the wall where the mirror is in that little alcove is red and then the rest of the bathroom will be a beige. I think it will look good when it is all done with accessories, but I'm kinda freak out. Either way, it beats that wallpaper! I'll post pictures later. Keep the great ideas coming!
