Our two bathroom renovation adventure! (Part One)

     It all began when we decided that it was time we did something about our very outdated bathrooms.  First, we had Lowe's install new vanity tops with built in sinks.  Got new faucets and replaced the old mirrors that came with the house. 

    

     Then, we had Lowe's install new tiles to replace the old ones that came with the house.  The tiles in the old bathroom originally ended after the tub/toilet area, with carpet covering the rest of the floor.  Also, there was vinyl flooring where the W/D were located.  When the tiles were removed there was tremendous water damage on the flooring and all the floor boards had to be replaced.

     We were fortunate that the master bathroom didn't have the same water problems as the guest bathroom.  Our toilets were also replaced and installed properly by a plumber after the tiles were done. 

To complete the look we wanted, we knew the walls had to also be redone.  I stripped most of the layers of wallpaper years ago and applied spackling compound on the areas that tore off the sheet rock.  I didn't bother sanding the walls because I knew I would use textured paint to cover up the imperfections.  I knew that all it needed now was a good sanding and priming.  But while in the process of removing the border, some of the wallpaper that was still left on the walls suddenly bubbled up when the wallpaper stripper was applied.  So I had to strip wallpaper again, spackle, and then sand before applying the primer.  

Before applying the primer, I decided to go ahead and give the ceiling a touch up.  But, lo and behold, the textured ceiling had begun to peel off, leaving us no choice but to strip it completely. 

When Johnny decided to take over the daunting task of stripping, sanding and priming the ceiling, I got started on the master bathroom.

Again facing the same problem as in the other bathroom, I knew that the painted texture on the wallpapered walls had to be stripped, spackled, and sanded before priming.  

I had to take a break after all the sanding I did because I had developed a respiratory infection. Had to get a cortisone injection, start a Medrol pack, and begin an antibiotic treatment.  I am highly allergic to dust, and all the exposure I had didn't help me one bit!  When I started to feel better, I primed the master bathroom while Johnny continued to work on the guest bathroom. 

After Johnny sanded and primed the guest bathroom ceiling, some areas were still not smoothed out enough so we decided to add some texture back.  

I am currently trying to finish all the trim work in both bathrooms.  The vanity cabinets already look wonderful with the new coat of paint and hardware.

Lowe's will install the new bi-fold mirrored doors that will close off the W/D area in the guest bathroom this week.  We are also setting up a day/time for The Bathtubman (http://www.thebathtubman.net/) to refinish the tub and tiles around the shower area.  I bought some paintable wallpaper to use on the bathroom walls to hide the imperfections.  I've never used this product before so I'm hoping for the best!  I will post more pics later as we get close to finishing our bathroom renovation project.