As we creep into March and Mother Nature gives us a few glimpses of rising temperatures, only one thing comes to mind every year… I have limited house project time left. You see, in the boat world, there is only a small window between November and March for this to happen. November and December bring the holidays, so we are caught up in that excitement. In January, we just want to lay low physically and financially. Then February comes, and BAM! The panic starts, and I know that I have a small window of time to make some much-needed DIY projects come to fruition.
Last year, we were customizing closets and a pantry area. This year, we are in the process of doing something I have wanted to do for about 10 years—our master bath. So, I have put away my Le Creuset for the past two weeks and kissed the long-braised dishes goodbye while I Googled how to paint and reglaze tile instead of a new way to use chicken thighs. Let me tell you, it has been a learning experience for sure, but now I get why people restore older boats instead of just buying new ones.
One reason is the cost. Last year, we got a quote on a professional remodel. It was for a complete gut of the space, removing dated wall tile and installing a new vanity. While I loved the design, I couldn’t justify the price for a space that no one sees. I would rather allocate that money to the kitchen when we are ready to tackle that project. And let me tell you… that one will be a doozy!
The second reason? Let’s all upcycle where we can. There is beauty and function in many things around us—they just need our time (and possibly Google) to bring them back.
So, let me take off my kitchen apron, throw on my paint-splattered flannel shirt, and walk you through the process of this update that cost under $500 (so far) and caused my husband’s blood pressure to elevate when he came home from a trip to this unexpected surprise.
- Paint over all the existing chair rail, high ugly tan tile, and tile in the same 90s decor design in the shower/tub enclosure. I found a product through my busy Google search that allowed me to do this without sanding, which was a win. There are two coats on the wall (one possibly splattered on other surfaces due to my unruly rolling technique). Don’t worry, perfectionists out there—it’s water-based, and I cleaned up my mess.
- Paint over the existing vanity countertop (again, brown tones) white with a faux marble finish. This came out surprisingly good until I got a little too confident that I was the next Joanna Gaines on Fixer Upper and decided more marbling was needed. I wasn’t, and it now looks like a 3-year-old did an experimental art project. There will be some light sanding and repainting today.
- Search for a good rain shower kit. I bought one off Amazon for cheap money, and guess what? It was a cheaply made product. That’s okay—my youngest wants it for his bathroom, so it will be repurposed. The ones we’ve been looking at require a specific skill set to install, so for now, the old system stays.
- Stay content with the older tile floor. I don’t have the energy or budget for new flooring in an unexpected overhaul, so a grout cleanup will be all that is done there.
So that’s it. I am calling my home improvement days over, and I am laying down the paintbrush to keep harmony in the house. Like an old boat, the bathroom may still be a little tired and need continued updates, and I will sometimes wish it were just a little bigger, but for the two of us, it works just fine. Quite honestly, it just needed a little TLC.
