Tiny (42 sq ft) Bathroom update - Part 2

I am so fortunate to have a friend who is a master craftsman and totally 'gets' my style. I call him "Mountain Man". He is a backwoods mountain dweller that lives nearby. He harvested trees on his land and built himself a beautiful yet really funky (in a good way) little house on a mountain top. He is quite a frugal guy and very creative. Up-cycled freebies and thrift shop finds are given a new life inside Mountain Man's unique home. He made all of his furniture by hand and cut thousands of little pieces of wood and inlaid them in a beautiful pattern to create amazing wood floors. I call his little home a hobbit house. It is so masculine, like a creative artists man cave, which is just how he likes it, he assures me.

When I have a project in mind for my own home, he comes to help me and. he doesn't complain when I explain to him what I envision. He charges a beyond reasonable price for his work. He also is always recycling lumber and hardware and passes the savings along to me. I could not ask for a better or more awesomely skilled creative carpenter friend. Thanks Mountain Man! You rock.

 As you look at the pictures below, keep in mind the bathrooms width is not quite ten feet long/wide. It's three feet, nine inches deep, plus  a tiny nook making it a grand total of forty-two square feet. That folks, is VERY small loo. It's not as tiny as my tiny homes itty bitty bathroom, or my vintage Glampers micro mini bathroom but you can take my word for it -IT'S REALLY SMALL.

                                Claw foot tub entering the TINY bathroom's 24 1/2" doorway                     

Okay boys, I am glad you removed the door jam first.

                                                                             

Careful- just make a left turn now.

                                                                                 

Watch out for the paint. Don't scratch my tub.

                                                                     

Carrying it back out - to switch it the other way around

                                                                           

See guys,, I told you so. That will work so much better, now to make a left turn

                                                                                   

Attaching the legs and now to flip it over. Notice how small this bathroom is?

                     
                                                                                  

This is the bottom of my claw foot tub. It was made Nov 14th 1924. It stands about 23" tall on legs, 53"long, 30"wide

                                                                    

1-2-3.. FLIP

                                                                         

Ah..lets check to see if the plumbing fixtures will fit after we slide it in ????

                                                                

I think I heard s few curse words at this point

                                                                           
                                                                             

Now..to get out of here

                         
                                                                                

Whew.. It's in. Hallelujah!!!!.

                                                                     
 There happened to be a small 12" deep by 31" long nook on the left hand side of the bathroom where the last tub was able to fit. You gotta love old farm homes with all their nooks and crannies. Thank goodness for this little nook because it made it possible for my 4 1/2' claw foot tub to fit into place with a few inches left over to spare. Sweet! Now to have the tub plumbing installed.

You will notice on the right bottom corner of the above picture, a recessed spot in the wall which holds one or two rolls of toilet paper. I designed this toilet paper cubby to create a few more inches between my toilet and the wall. Every inch counts in a tiny space. It is convenient and within easy arms reach from the toilet. I liked it so much that I asked Mountain Man to make me just one more little cubby for my toothbrush in the wall next to my sink. He rolled his eyes and shared a few choice words with me before he cut into the already finished wall. He framed out a perfect little spot for my toothbrush and floss and at my request then added a tiny door to keep my toothbrush private and  sanitary. He then asked if I wanted any more mouse houses with doors before he put away his tools for the day. Of course my mind wandered, full of more ideas - but I decided not to push his patience.
                                                                 
I already had lots of items to decorate the bathroom with but I found a few more things that I felt had to make the final cut. My style? Well its pretty much just things that I like. But - definitely anything vintage, chippy, rusty, galvanized, farmhouse, or french-ish with pops of vintage bling and of course crystals in the mix totally win me over.  Now, all that in my bathroom might be a bit too much. Nah,   More- is the new 'less'. I don't need anyone's permission. So ..... let the fun begin.


                              Yes Please, This $3.00 frame, a thrift store treasure made the cut.

                                                                             

                                                                                                                                                \
Yes, yes I know -the below picture is terrible but you didn't need a caption to figure that one out. I don't remember if I was trying to take a picture of my dogs hiding from the noise of demo going on or if I was trying to get a picture of that ugly glossy black spray painted dresser. Obviously I had my eyes closed or something when I bought it and when I took the picture too. It had good bones and so I took pity on it and gave it a new home. It has a dark wood, wormy chestnut top, and I figured I could make it work. I chalk painted it grey but ended up painting it again as I was just not feeling the grey.

 

               
                                                                       

Still ugly...how much paint do I have left? I will paint the drawers white.

 Mountain man pointed out to me that this dresser/bathroom vanity was probably too short to use comfortably when washing my face or hands  or brushing my teeth. Darn, I hadn't noticed this when I had committed to rescue it. I was probably overcome by the ugly glossy spray paint it was coated in. No worries, Mountain Man can fix anything and he set to making 4 leg extensions. This is why I like the relaxed shabby chic style. I don't have to worry or stress about these kinds of things.

                                                          
                                                          The floating vanity/dresser                   

Add your own caption in my comment section below

                                                                          
                                                                            

After the extension was secured I painted it to match

This really old farmhouse medicine cabinet (below) SCREAMED my name when I first laid eyes on it at a flea market. It was $90 and way more than I wanted to pay. I walked away and then came back for a second look. It was amazing. It was really well made and was lined in bead board and the mirror had a wonderful patina to it. I could see that it would easily hold my most frequently used  herbal tinctures and bottles of homeopathy and essential oils too. It was chunky, and really heavy and the crackled paint, well that sealed it for me. After haggling with it's owner, I was able to take it home for $60.00. I really like this piece so much so that I may use it as a casket when I die. Well, I obviously could not fit in it but maybe my ashes could, if I get cremated? I am one with this little sweet cabinet.


                                           

When I got it home and further inspected it my curiosity got the best of me. The inside of the door was also made of bead board and I was so intrigued because this thing weights like a ton. The mirrored door was the heaviest part. I sat on the floor and took out every stripped tiny screw (added years later I am sure) hoping to find a treasure and that I did. It was lined with a vintage newspaper dated 1918 and named the Sharon Telegraph from PA. I had hoped to find a map to buried treasure, not quite. None the less, fun to imagine where it was made and by whom. That's the fun part about antiques, the stories you imagine they could tell. They all have a story unlike most modern pieces that probably have a story of child slave labor, or under paid folks or those who work in heavy toxic environments to create fall apart stuff. I prefer handmade one of a kind pieces that have a history.

                                                                            

I prefer aged mirrors with a history and the patina to prove it.

  Finally the dust has settled and I am at a place where I am content with the remodel outcome. Yes.. pictures to follow. Although there is a claw foot tub revival of sorts, It seems that most trade out claw foots for new fancy modern tubs. Then there are those who remove their bathtubs all together in favor of a large shower with the fancy faucets and shower heads. No thanks, I had enough of the rain in WA state and I consider standing in a fiberglass or tiled box as water trickles down on me just too close to those cloudy rainy Pacific Northwest days. Nope - I don't want a rainy day shower experience. Bless all of you folks who love that weather. Getting rid of my shower / tub combo and replacing it with a once crusty,  beat up mess of a tub was more in line with desires to simplify my life and relax more.

 Then there are people who remove vintage windows and install the latest vinyl, energy efficient double pane brands. Nothing wrong with that and probably smart, but I have always marched to a different drummer. I installed a free multi pane, window with wood grids that I found in a dumpster. . I put up chippy metal tiles as a back splash and re purposed vintage suitcases and a milk man delivery box to hold cosmetics, lotions and potions. A variety of items adorn my walls and while this bathroom on a budget is not everyone's cup a tea, to me this little bathroom turned out perfect.
   
 After shopping my own house and then adding a few more 'new to me' vintage treasures along with some new candles, and throw rugs with lace edging, it is what I had hoped for. This is what she looks like today (below).   This is only a sneak peek and many more photos are on the way.
                            
                                                         'AFTER' PHOTOS BELOW  

I don't like to look at appliances so I hid the wall heater with a vintage tin tile that is removed when I use the heater

                                                                               

The frame on the wall is the same frame I shared earlier, after I chalk painted it

                       IF you missed the before photos of my bathroom, just look at my last post.
                                
                                    Thanks for stopping by.Leave a comment if you care to.

                                                                  Remember it's never
                                                          to late to have a happy childhood.
                                                                              Tonita



































                                                                         

TINY (42 sq ft) BATHROOM RENOVATION

As most of you know, Almost three years ago, I closed a chapter in my life in WA state where I survived (vs. thrived) for fifteen rain drenched years. Ready for a new life adventure I purchased a 560' farmhouse in the Appalachian mountains, online having never seen it in person. I asked my realtor to send lots of pictures of this little old farm house so that I would have a good idea of what to expect once I walked inside for the first time. I've heard that pictures don't lie and while a home inspection said she had good bones, It was obvious she needed TLC, especially the TINY bathroom.

 No one seems to know how old this little house is but several Appalachian mountain old timers have at one time lived in or knew of this farmhouse as young children. With this verbal information and no helpful county permits or records, it is most likely that this home is a minimum of a hundred years old, and some have reason to believe it is much older. If walls could talk....hmm.
 
Many decades ago, way before this little house and I met, she had no plumbing, or electricity. That meant no bathroom, no running water, no sink, stove, washer, or dryer- well you get the idea.. In the late sixties or early seventies the homes occupants added indoor plumbing which was a much welcomed addition especially while raising two young children. Many years later an indoor toilet was added just off of the kitchen as in most original farm houses. Years later, electricity invited more changes for this old farmhouse. Not sure what century the bathroom was stuck in, but I hated it.


                                                       BATHROOM / BEFORE

This is what it looked like when I first moved in.

 

                                                             
OM(gosh) what a nasty UGLY, gross, crusty TINY bathroom it WAS. I could see great potential with the rest of the little farmhouse but the bathroom...oh, um.(head shaking back and forth) YUCK. I used to close my eyes every time I went potty or took a shower in there. It was more pleasant to go freestyle in the woods, if you know what I mean. And on more than one occasion I embraced my inner 'farm & country' girl and grabbed my bar of soap and a towel and went outside and showered naturally (no close by neighbors) in the NC summer rainstorms.. The only problem with that method, was getting stuck with shampoo still in my hair before the rain stopped. That would of never happened in WA state, due to almost never ending rain. But hey,, WA was way to cold for a hippie shower

                                                            BATHROOM / BEFORE          

Linoleum was used for the counter top and floor tile had nasty chunked out dirty grout. The ceiling seemed to be lined in cardboard tiles.

 Within days of moving in, I took a crow bar and began ripping out the nasty sink (above) and cabinet because I could not stand looking at it any longer. That presented a whole new set of problems but I am still trying to forget all the details of that situation. You can see the picture below. Enough said.

                                                        BATHROOM / BEFORE

Oh my... maybe I should of left that sink and cabinet alone? Ikes!!!!!

The bathroom remained a storage unit for about a year and a half after the sink area was destroyed. I just stacked totes to the ceiling to hide the even bigger mess that I had created. I then began to tackle about seventy eight other projects and I remained in denial that I just might have made the bathroom even uglier than it was at first glance. Just seeing these pictures sends me into a hot flash .Just when I thought they had forever ended.

                                                             BATHROOM / BEFORE

Another view of the green monster, I did have a functional toilet during that time

Normally I am not short on ideas on how to fluff up a nest but I was simply not inspired with this mess and at a loss with how to make this TINY, eight foot long and four foot wide bathroom work for me. I wanted a cozy, sweet retreat with a vintage vibe that would woo me in, to enjoy long bubble baths and soothing soaks at the days end.  My creative juices were short circuiting just like the wires in the above picture did.

                                                                     UNTIL  .........

 One sunny day...I was inspired, just like that. I was out walking one of my dogs when I spotted a dumpster outside of a home that was being renovated. Of course, I peeked inside to see what treasures might be crying out for salvation. My eyes lit up as I spotted two old farmhouse windows with glass panes intact. The metal tracks were perfect and they opened and closed easily and they came with window screens too boot. I actually only needed one but snatched both as one is a back up for parts. There was one small window in my bathroom that came out of a mobile home and was a horrible match for my vintage vibe. The window from the dumpster was almost a perfect fit, and with the help of my carpenter it was a perfect window with wood grids that matched the rest of my farmhouse windows. What a blessing. If I had passed that dumpster and not looked inside I would of had to order a custom made window for the bathroom which would of been very expensive. I was finally inspired to move forward with my bathroom renovation. Let the demo begin !!!

                                                               BATHROOM / BEFORE

I was delighted to find original plank walls behind the tile

                         
                                                                  BATHROOM / BEFORE

Here is one of two windows I found in the dumpster. A perfect match to replace the other window.

Further inspiration came days later when I spotted an amazing four and a half foot (hard to find) claw foot tub in an old barn. My bathroom is so tiny only a 4 1/2' tub would fit. Previously, this tub had been used as a gold fish pond for a dozen or so years and then retired yet again. It sat in the  dark corner of a barn for many more years, waiting to be used and loved once again. It called out to me and once I sat in it, I was in love. I knew we were inseparable. The tubs owner was willing to barter with me. After all, I really didn't need my king size iron headboard anymore and I have wanted a claw foot tub forever, so it was a match made in heaven. Wahoo. It definitely needed some love and attention, okay a LOT of love and attention, both inside and out. It was refinished and then moved into my kitchen until the bathroom was ready for this big ole iron hunk of love. Who cares if I may have to tear a wall out to get in in the bathroom? I think I measured the doorway correctly??????

                                                                 BATHTUB / BEFORE

It was love at first sight... A 4 ft beauty waiting to be loved once again

                                                                           

 

I jumped in to see if a 4 1/2' tub would work for my 5'8 height, it did and I fell in love on the spot 

Once used as a goldfish pond

Wait till you see the transformation

The bottom of the claw foot tub states who it is made by, the size 4 1/2 ' and the year it was made - 1924

                                                                               

The flooring and tub sat in my kitchen for weeks while work was being done in the bathroom. Oh, what fun it was. NOT!

I am a bath girl. I have never liked showers but was unsure about having just the tub option especially when washing my hair. I consulted with a friend that removed her shower from the master bathroom and installed a claw-foot tub instead. She washes her hair in the tub, with no problem and doesn't regret her remodeling choice. Since this tub is beyond comfortable I decided I too had no desire to have a shower option. I did choose plumbing that can later accommodate an extension pipe to allow it to be used as a shower as well as a tub should I change my mind.

I decided to use real wood for the bathroom flooring. The farmhouse has it's original yellow pine plank flooring that is very hard to match with its aged patina. I decided to order plank flooring from Lowe's and because it was a tongue and groove plank it was a special order. They left it out in the rain and it was wrecked.  I had to reorder a new batch. For my trouble they took a hundred bucks off of my new Koller toilet which was in my shopping cart and it was a total unexpected blessing. I wanted the flooring to look aged, so I did a stain, paint and top coat treatment on the boards to achieve a rustic farmhouse look and one I would not worry about when it gets dirty or scuffed up.

                                                                    

                                                                         

Once the wall planks were painted, the hand stained pine flooring was installed

                                                                            

Once installed I dry brushed the stained planks with  white exterior flat pain , and let it dry a few hours before sanding it

                                                                            

I used steel wool to sand off much of the dry brushed paint. Then I applied 3 layers of satin Polyurethane

                                                                           
Depending on interest or requests, I may do a separate post on my technique and product brands that were used to achieve this look for my bathroom floors. I forgot to mention how happy I was to find original farmhouse wood planks on my ceding under what seemed like some type of cardboard tiles.


                                                           BATHROOM   BEFORE          

These are the wonderful wood planks that were hidden under cardboard type tiles

                                                                        

The creative way they ran wire back in the day. Just chisel out a trench where needed.

 I painted the ceiling and plank walls with several layers of paint. New updated plumbing, a new wall heater and an exhaust fan were installed before the floor planks were put down. That was the invitation for the claw foot tub to FINALLY leave my kitchen. That was a perfect reason for me to pause and do a happy dance. I must say, even though the tub was measured 101 times by myself and my installer, it didn't look like it would go thru the 25" doorway. I held my breath..To be continued.

                                                                          

                           More to follow....Part 2 coming soon, really-I am working on it now.

                    Remember..It is never to late to have a happy childhood. Even when there is a
      bathtub in your kitchen and you barely have room to move about.. you must find a way to play.

                                                                                 Tonita