Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.
Designing a bathroom is a tough job, because you must pack a lot of function into a small package. In this final video in my three-part series on my blue bathroom renovation, I spotlight several things that I woulda coulda shoulda done differently. That said, I’m very happy with the bathroom overall. I’m not one to have regrets. Note, the titles were not loaded into the end of this video, we discovered after uploading it via vimeo. So, argh, please ignore that woman at the end panning in and out. We’ll fix it sometime soon. Maybe.
Ya know, you can still have a timer with some minimal re-wiring….wire the overhead light to where the fan is currently switched, then put a timer where the overhead light switch currently is. I’d probably move the double switch to be nearest the door opening as well.
Maryannasays
I love the blue and white you’ve chosen. Very mid century style without freezing the bathroom in a particular decade.
Marthasays
Hi Pam,
Loved your videos and your bathroom. Great tips. Thanks.
Gavin Hastingssays
I put the primary light switches of the bathroom next to the bathroom doorway OUTSIDE in the hall. I am all for the “safe house as you age” idea and it just made sense not to enter a dark, hard room in the middle of the night. Fortunately, I haven’t gotten to that stage of life….YET..
Don’t fret about your t.p. location-it is perfect for a house with children.
Gavin Hastingssays
Oh…and because this house sees alot of entertaining- I put the bathroom lights on dimmers. Just a thought to share.
Maryannasays
Isn’t this just *begging* for that prankster spouse of yours to turn the lights off while you’re taking care of business? Heehee!
I thought I was the only one with the bathroom light switch on the outside. Guests can never figure it out. But, since the tub and shower is right next to the door it’s the only way to keep from getting electrocuted.
Gavin Hastingssays
Bill- Originally they were pull-chain fixtures, which meant you really had to enter the room in the dark. Due to a built-in; the hall was really the only choice…but to me-it makes perfect sense.
G.G.says
dark grout is absolutely the way to go – went with it and haven’t regretted for a second.
It’s not that hard to move the switches- With a couple hour’s work you could easily put in a larger box by the door, get your timer installed and get the switches rearranged the way you want them. It might seem like a hassle beforehand but in the long run you would be glad you did it.
I think all the things you would have done differently fall into a category: Looks over function. I think you need to take the time to really decide how you’re going to use the bathroom. Frame out the shower and stand in it. Is it wide enough? Sit on the toilet and reach for the paper. I’m not sure why all of your switches are separate – wouldn’t it be easier to have the overhead and vanity on one?
Lots of good “think about it first” ideas here. Overall, your bathroom is very nice!
Andreasays
Hi Pam,
Your bathroom videos are a great resource…especially for thinking through those pesky details like light switches. I agonize over every detail of everything and in the past have sacrificed function for “style.” But when you live with small annoyances every day you soon realize no one else would care if there were four switches in a row!
I’m not completely renovating our turquoise bathroom but need to replace the tub, have some of the original tiles re-grouted, and replace a modern sink/vanity installed by previous owners with a more appropriate one (LOVE yours!).
Your shower gives me a lot of ideas— if I can match my turquoise tiles, it would be great to just remove the tub and create a shower like yours. Hmmm…
The videos were very timely—thanks for “catching me” before I’ve agonized my way into any decisions yet, so I can rethink it all!
wendysays
Great videos, thanks for taking the time to do them. The best tip I ever got was to test grout colors. Narrow your choices down to two or three. Glue 4 pieces of your tile to a scrap piece of plywood, leaving space for your intended grout line width. By pieces, I mean either 4 full pieces of your tile if it is small, or break one of your tiles into four pieces if you’re using 4 x 4’s. The edges don’t have to be straight, you just need to see how the grout looks with the tile. Set up as many as these 4 piece samples as you have grout colors to test. I was testing two grout colors, so I did two of these 4 piece sets on one piece of board, separating them by 8 or so inches. The glue you use doesn’t have to be anything special, just enough to hold the tiles on the board. Let dry overnight.
Next, mix up small amounts of each color of grout. You’ll only need a couple tablespoons of the grout, but be sure and mix it to the consistency of peanut butter. Grout each sample, and let dry overnight. Gently wipe the haze off the tile. As Pam mentioned, grout will dry to a different color, and never matches the darned card on the display. I did 700 sf of tile in a previous home, and doing this saved me from making a terrible mistake in choosing my grout color!
Where do you get just two or three tablespoons of grout? If you are working with a tile shop, just ask. They will probably give you some. If you are buying from one of the Big Box stores, buy the smallest boxes of grout available. A small investment to prevent huge regrets. To be honest, I took two tablespoons of grout out of each box, and returned the one I didn’t use. Bad girl!
Another tip: When you are ready to grout your actual project, mix the dry grout well before adding the water. You want to get all the different grout ingredients dispersed evenly so the color will be uniform. If you need more than one box of grout, this is even more important, as bags or boxes of grout can be slightly different, even from the same batch number. Mix the bags/boxes together. You’ll have more than you need in your mixing pail – just pour the excess back into the bags or boxes, then proceed to add your water. Small steps like these go a long way to having a great looking finished product.
Elizabeth Marysays
Hi Pam,
Love the videos and all the handy helpful hints you have given. I do have one thing to offer and it has to do with your worry/concern about all the wall switches on the wall being ugly. Did you think of covering them with your wallpaper? I have seen that done and done so well that they just fade into the wall.
Well, soon I am off to your neck of the woods today to visit my favorite craft show.
Elizabeth Mary
Guy H.says
Pam,
I love this one! This was my favorite of the 3 videos. The previous owner of my house was a senior citizen and we have grab bars in the shower. I actually find they are useful at any age.
I understand your comment about the grout. I actually prefer the really dark grout for the floor. It is MUCH easier to clean!
I love the waste paper basket!
Denasays
I’m surprised WHITE outlet covers weren’t used, instead of the other color (whatever it is). I think that would look lots better. And those could still be changed!
pam kuebersays
No, I believe in off-white covers. That’s what was used back in the day.
Franklin Smoot says
Ya know, you can still have a timer with some minimal re-wiring….wire the overhead light to where the fan is currently switched, then put a timer where the overhead light switch currently is. I’d probably move the double switch to be nearest the door opening as well.
Maryanna says
I love the blue and white you’ve chosen. Very mid century style without freezing the bathroom in a particular decade.
Martha says
Hi Pam,
Loved your videos and your bathroom. Great tips. Thanks.
Gavin Hastings says
I put the primary light switches of the bathroom next to the bathroom doorway OUTSIDE in the hall. I am all for the “safe house as you age” idea and it just made sense not to enter a dark, hard room in the middle of the night. Fortunately, I haven’t gotten to that stage of life….YET..
Don’t fret about your t.p. location-it is perfect for a house with children.
Gavin Hastings says
Oh…and because this house sees alot of entertaining- I put the bathroom lights on dimmers. Just a thought to share.
Maryanna says
Isn’t this just *begging* for that prankster spouse of yours to turn the lights off while you’re taking care of business? Heehee!
BungalowBILL says
I thought I was the only one with the bathroom light switch on the outside. Guests can never figure it out. But, since the tub and shower is right next to the door it’s the only way to keep from getting electrocuted.
Gavin Hastings says
Bill- Originally they were pull-chain fixtures, which meant you really had to enter the room in the dark. Due to a built-in; the hall was really the only choice…but to me-it makes perfect sense.
G.G. says
dark grout is absolutely the way to go – went with it and haven’t regretted for a second.
It’s not that hard to move the switches- With a couple hour’s work you could easily put in a larger box by the door, get your timer installed and get the switches rearranged the way you want them. It might seem like a hassle beforehand but in the long run you would be glad you did it.
Barbara says
I think all the things you would have done differently fall into a category: Looks over function. I think you need to take the time to really decide how you’re going to use the bathroom. Frame out the shower and stand in it. Is it wide enough? Sit on the toilet and reach for the paper. I’m not sure why all of your switches are separate – wouldn’t it be easier to have the overhead and vanity on one?
Lots of good “think about it first” ideas here. Overall, your bathroom is very nice!
Andrea says
Hi Pam,
Your bathroom videos are a great resource…especially for thinking through those pesky details like light switches. I agonize over every detail of everything and in the past have sacrificed function for “style.” But when you live with small annoyances every day you soon realize no one else would care if there were four switches in a row!
I’m not completely renovating our turquoise bathroom but need to replace the tub, have some of the original tiles re-grouted, and replace a modern sink/vanity installed by previous owners with a more appropriate one (LOVE yours!).
Your shower gives me a lot of ideas— if I can match my turquoise tiles, it would be great to just remove the tub and create a shower like yours. Hmmm…
The videos were very timely—thanks for “catching me” before I’ve agonized my way into any decisions yet, so I can rethink it all!
wendy says
Great videos, thanks for taking the time to do them. The best tip I ever got was to test grout colors. Narrow your choices down to two or three. Glue 4 pieces of your tile to a scrap piece of plywood, leaving space for your intended grout line width. By pieces, I mean either 4 full pieces of your tile if it is small, or break one of your tiles into four pieces if you’re using 4 x 4’s. The edges don’t have to be straight, you just need to see how the grout looks with the tile. Set up as many as these 4 piece samples as you have grout colors to test. I was testing two grout colors, so I did two of these 4 piece sets on one piece of board, separating them by 8 or so inches. The glue you use doesn’t have to be anything special, just enough to hold the tiles on the board. Let dry overnight.
Next, mix up small amounts of each color of grout. You’ll only need a couple tablespoons of the grout, but be sure and mix it to the consistency of peanut butter. Grout each sample, and let dry overnight. Gently wipe the haze off the tile. As Pam mentioned, grout will dry to a different color, and never matches the darned card on the display. I did 700 sf of tile in a previous home, and doing this saved me from making a terrible mistake in choosing my grout color!
Where do you get just two or three tablespoons of grout? If you are working with a tile shop, just ask. They will probably give you some. If you are buying from one of the Big Box stores, buy the smallest boxes of grout available. A small investment to prevent huge regrets. To be honest, I took two tablespoons of grout out of each box, and returned the one I didn’t use. Bad girl!
Another tip: When you are ready to grout your actual project, mix the dry grout well before adding the water. You want to get all the different grout ingredients dispersed evenly so the color will be uniform. If you need more than one box of grout, this is even more important, as bags or boxes of grout can be slightly different, even from the same batch number. Mix the bags/boxes together. You’ll have more than you need in your mixing pail – just pour the excess back into the bags or boxes, then proceed to add your water. Small steps like these go a long way to having a great looking finished product.
Elizabeth Mary says
Hi Pam,
Love the videos and all the handy helpful hints you have given. I do have one thing to offer and it has to do with your worry/concern about all the wall switches on the wall being ugly. Did you think of covering them with your wallpaper? I have seen that done and done so well that they just fade into the wall.
Well, soon I am off to your neck of the woods today to visit my favorite craft show.
Elizabeth Mary
Guy H. says
Pam,
I love this one! This was my favorite of the 3 videos. The previous owner of my house was a senior citizen and we have grab bars in the shower. I actually find they are useful at any age.
I understand your comment about the grout. I actually prefer the really dark grout for the floor. It is MUCH easier to clean!
I love the waste paper basket!
Dena says
I’m surprised WHITE outlet covers weren’t used, instead of the other color (whatever it is). I think that would look lots better. And those could still be changed!
pam kueber says
No, I believe in off-white covers. That’s what was used back in the day.