If you’ve purchased a house as-is, you’re probably familiar with the classic Del Ray rowhouse bathroom — cracked and mildewy tiles, a tub that’s hard to keep clean, and not enough space for two people. And this is exactly what Sarah and Lee got when they purchased their house. Here’s a before shot:
Based on the deteriorating condition of the bathroom, Sarah and Lee decided a complete gut-rehab was the best option. They wanted a classic look for the new bathroom to keep with the style and age of the vintage house. For inspration, Sarah found these pictures of Billy Joel’s bathroom that matched the look she hoped to achieve.
And here’s how it happened. First, the bathroom was completely gutted.
The demo alone took two days. New pipes were added in the floor:
They installed a new cast iron tub and subway tile for the tub surround (Daltile Rittenhouse Square, special ordered from Home Depot).
And here’s the end result — classic, clean, and simply chic!
They chose a marble basketweave tile for the floor The design is similar to the original tile, but with much more panache.
The sink is an American Standard Retrospect console table. The toilet and fixtures are by Toto.
Sarah says the best move was opening up the bathroom by pulling the door out to the landing and getting rid of a mini-hallway that led to the bathroom. This was Sarah’s mom’s idea (she’s an interior designer). As a result, the bathroom door no longer blocks the tub when you are in the bathroom with the door open. The room feels so much bigger.
They replaced the linen cupboard from the landing with a Pax wardrobe from Ikea (with a shaker door). Not only does the wardrobe look great, it holds a lot of linens and bathroom essentials.
If it’s true that bathroom renovations are one of the best investments you can make in your house, then this one was well worth the time, money and effort.
Posted by Katie
