Article:
Updating the Bathroom
By Shelley Anderson
April 2008
While remodeling our newly purchased 1964 era dated condo, the challenges were many. Since architectural plans were less detailed when this condo was built than required today, much of what we needed to know couldn’t be discovered until walls were opened up and plumbing fixtures were removed. This was especially true in the two existing bathrooms.
It appeared that a remodel had taken place in this unit’s baths some time in the early 1980s. I based my guess on the three fixtures in each bathroom that were either Wedgwood blue in the guest bath or mauvein the master. These were further complemented by color-coordinated laminated front cabinets. All of this needed to be removed and replaced with updated fixtures and finishes.
The challenge would be creating updated bathrooms which would function as well as non-space restricted master and guest baths would in new construction. The building is a concrete and steel construction, therefore any plumbing—either in or out—was pretty much set where the original fixtures had been. In other words, the new toilet had to be set over the same hole. Plus if any changes were to be attempted, the access would have to be through the neighbor’s ceiling below—not a great way to introduce oneself.
Our original wish list for the master bath included double sinks, jetted tub and a separate walk-in shower. But again the drain issues prevented us from having the walkin shower. After scouring the options for tubs with the drain hole very near the end of the tub—which had to meet up with the drain hole in the concrete floor—we did find a very deep air-jetted tub to work in the space. The second bath would have the walk-in shower.
As fixtures were removed and cabinets pulled out, it was apparent that the last remodel had indeed occurred. Extra runs of vertical piping which had serviced the original sinks were just hanging out in the walls. As this was cleaned up it was clear that the double sinks could be relocated, which would give us the extra space we needed to make this bathroom larger. The extra space was taken from a previously ill-planned kitchen layout.
The finishes were selected for style and ease of care. Slab granite countertops and the master tub deck were chosen from a “bone yard,” the area where leftover granite and marble is stored. It is usually priced at a discount. The mosaic tile above the master tub solved the dilemma of how to obscure the concrete column, which was exposed when the tub area was designed. It turned out to be a great accent to the floor and wall tiles in the room.
The guest bathroom also received a slab granite countertop, this time from a prefabricated resource that polishes three sides of the 2x8-foot slab. All you have to do is cut the length to your size and cut the sink and faucet holes which may not need polishing unless you are installing an under-mount sink. The walk-in shower was installed with a mud pan so that the drain would be able to be positioned where the existing drain was. It was finished with a frameless shower door that helps keep the room from feeling small.
Since both baths were without windows, lighting was an important aspect of the design. Fixtures with more lights were used above the sinks, and recessed lighting was placed in the shower and tub areas. Countertop portable lamps help with additional lighting and ambience.
We are very happy with the finished bathrooms. They are functional and restful. Having an overall vision of what the end result would be was important in a situation like this that required so much flexibility.
Shelley Anderson has been creating interiors in the greater Seattle area since 1990.You may contact her at (206) 719-6814 or email her at
shelley.anderson@shelleyandersoninteriors.com.