Thursday, January 21, 2010

Guest Bathroom Reno - Day 82

Yeah. That's right. I said it. Day EIGHTY. TWO. That's almost three months working in a runty room with no windows and a toilet, thankyouverymuch.

Okay, fine. I haven't spent half as much time in there as Kevin has.
No, on any given day of the week you'll find me working in my spacious (it used to be a master bedroom), yet undecorated, home office that has three, count 'em, three big windows.


(Here's a sneak peek of my office. I shot this photo the day of our Nest magazine shoot.
The room is much messier now.)


Truth be told, I think Kevin is starting to look at the guest bathroom sort of like it's his arch nemesis at this point.



Don't get me wrong, he is loving how the room is shaping up, and he can't believe that he is actually responsible for its so-far-so-good transformation- but after EIGHTY TWO days of back-breaking, stinky, dusty, wet, sticky, messy, seemingly never-ending work, and having to tightly strap more than one piece of equipment to his face at a time, he is definitely ready to wrap this puppy up! Plus, he's a big "natural light guy". I'm tellin' ya, the stuff seriously dictates his mood. There's nothing like a dimly-lit room to majorly mess with his mojo.
I just keep rooting him on and assuring him that all his hard work will pay off in the end! (At least I hope it does!) :-)

Anywho...as you can see in the photos below, we changed our minds about installing the beadboard ceiling. For some reason whenever I announce a design decision out loud, I always end up doing something different. Announcing things is like the kiss of death. That poor beadboard never had a chance. :-)
Instead, Kevin removed the drywall ceiling, and uncovered the original tongue-and-groove wood planks that were previously hidden above it...



The color of the wood matches the top of the farmhouse table, the new flooring and the new mirror (more on that next week) just perfectly.



Of course we had to document this part of the reno on video, so that we could watch it when we're too old to rip down ceilings and install crown molding anymore...



Happy Weekend!

Layla

73 comments:

TanyaLea said...

LAYLA!!! I just love you two! You're both so entertaining and you are such a hoot in front of the camera! :) Your blog is great for all the decorating fun it offers... but it's the pair of you that keep me coming back. I love the way you and Kevin love each other and interact...and it makes you both so fun to watch! Keep up the great work... Your ceiling turned out GREAT, too, btw!! :)

Hugs,
Tanya

Shana said...

I've just gotta second TanyaLea. You guys are so much fun to watch! Even my hubby gets a kick out of you guys, watching over my shoulder. My day just gets better when I see a post from y'all in my reader. Yay for Layla and Kevin!

April said...

Those ceilings are AMAZING. You're crazy lucky to find those!!

The Little Red Shop said...

Gorgeous ceiling, lucky you!

: )

Julie M.

My Cottage Charm said...

You guys are a hoot! Do you always keep your composure like that when you work.....my honey and are I usually debating all the way through a project. :) Love the ceiling.........think I like it better than the beadboard idea...can't wait to see the finished product. You think that might take another 82 days? (or maybe more with the subway tile project!!) OH MY! Well good luck and I'll be watching all the way!

Dreamy Whites said...

Hi Layla
I do love Lori. She is a real inspiration. I love your blog. I also love the name of your blog. My husband's initials are T.L.C.
Take Care,
Maria

Hopeful Housewife said...

I love the new ceiling! Just a quick question....Have you noticed that your home is draftier or that your energy bill has increased since removing a lot of the drywall back to the wood planks?

Charity said...

And to think you were going to cover THAT with a cheap imatation. I mean I love beadboard, would cover my whole house in it, but it is trying to give to a look and feel of the real stuff and this is THE REAL STUFF. Can you tell how excited I am for you. I wish I could find something hiding under my drywall, if there is something there, lets just go ahead and agree that we don't want to know about it.

Thanks for making me smile,
Cha Cha

Unknown said...

Love the planks way more than the idea of the beadboard- so much more authentic to the house! Great job Kevin!!

Carolyn {SweetTeaandLinen} said...

B-EAU-TI-FUL! The bathroom is going to be amazing.I love how you two make back-breaking work look fun! Way to go Kevin!

Ginger@cottageonrosewood said...

That ceiling looks GORGEOUS! You are so lucky to find that wood underneath. Now I love beadboard, but that stuff just gleams with pride from the TLC! Can't wait to see the end result.

Lori said...

I love watching your videos ~ you two are just so damn cute! It's hard to believe that you are on day 82 ~ I know that you can believe it though.... the tile transformation will be massive ~ can't wait to see it. Have a great week-end you two!

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Another great and fun video, guys! It's a lot of work, but Kevin - look how fabulous the ceiling is now!

You're both artistes!

duchess said...

That was a great idea. Love it much more than beadboard. Keep at it guys - you're almost done!?!

Chris Kauffman said...

I can't believe the luck of finding all those hidden gems behind your walls and ceilings , what luck , wish I could rip down some drywall and find a decorating dream too .

Teresa said...

Who needs beadboard when you've got a gorgeous ceiling like that!!

The Starr Family said...

Oh my lands... that ceiling is BEAUTIFUL! Just itching for the reveal!!

Megandvd@Beauty in the Attempt said...

That ceiling find is a LOTTERY win! I love it. It is simply perfect. Once again you point out the pleasures of an older home.

Cheers~
e

Shannan Martin said...

That ceiling is positively divine! No way you could have covered that back up!

Tiffany said...

It looks awesome!! Way to go, Kevin!

Suzanne said...

Omigosh, I have the same sheet that Kevin used as a barrier. That's so funny.

Another good job guys.

- Suzanne

Miss Obara said...

It is coming along nicely! I love the fact that you own up to changes...we all do it!! You're super lucky to have found those ceilings, but I have a hunch...you'll be changing your mind and paint them white....i'm just say'n!
Love your posts!

Unknown said...

The ceiling looks great! I am so glad you decided to bring it down rather than cover it up.

And you two have entirely too much fun. I love the "trained professionals" part. Hehe.

Jbear said...

The ceiling is gorgeous! I love the natural wood color. You two are adorable too!
Jill

Cheryl said...

Love it when you guys update the reno with a video.
Kevin, you are a real trooper. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel...I know you guys can too. Love the tongue and groove ceiling.
LOL about flushing the toilet. So glad it works and nothing leaks.
Have a great weekend!

Anonymous said...

I believe it's called "concrete board" & make sure you use it! We rent our home. Our owners currently have someone here ripping out our Master Bedroom shower. Whoever did the original construction of it, should be shot! They didn't use anything other than good old sheetrock in between the tile & studs. That explains the massive nest of carpenter ants that came out when the wall came down. We've just found out will be 2-3 weeks without a completed shower still because the old door could not be reused. I FEEL YOUR PAIN. :(

rmf said...

You guys are so great and that ceiling and trimwork looks amazing!

Melissa Miller said...

You two need your own show on HGTV! You are hilarious and are doing a fantastic job on everything you re-do.

The new ceiling looks amazing! Listening to Brian Adams was a nice touch as well. Thanks for the memories.

Have a wonderful day! ~Melissa :)

Kitty said...

Beautiful ceiling! You guys are so cute. :)

Roeshel said...

Wow. I like it when you change your mind after announcing your plans...it always turns out even more gorgeous. Great job you two! I love it.

Roeshel

BD said...

Your ceiling is beautiful. I am so jealous. I can't believe it's been 82 days. Time flies when you're having fun.

Beautiful Handmade said...

Um, YEAH use the original ceiling! Don't cover that up! Beautiful!

Lauren1964 said...

Hi-

The ceiling as you decided to leave it looks great! It brings just the right amount of contrast to the room. Good choice.

Lauren

annie said...

It's beautiful!!! Job well done.
Kevin, you'll be out of there soon and onto some SUNNY project...
There is ONE nagging question I have for you....WHY DIDN'T YOU DO THE CEILING AS PART OF THE FIRST PHASE???? (sorry)
annie

Laura said...

I have so much fun reading your blog and keeping up with you guys! We are currently adding a work studio onto our hours, and I love reading your blog for inspiration! By the way, the ceiling is GORGEOUS!

XOXOXO~
Laura

Laura said...

Hours?? I meant OURS!! :)

Anonymous said...

Layla,

Don't get discouraged at 82 days. With Thomas working 12 - 14 hours a day, five days a week, we are way past that number.
I love the ceiling! Much better than your original plan. It really pulls the floor and vanity together.
Your design skills truly are a gift. Thanks for sharing the gift with us.

Deborah

vanessa said...

I love the wood tone! Perfect surprise. And the molding style is perfect too! Can't wait to see it all finished!

Anonymous said...

Well, that is much better than the beadboard paneling! Real tongue and groove! What a find!

AngelaWalkerJewelry said...

Great job Kevin and Layla! I LOVE the ceiling :)
Health and happiness to you both!

Low Tide High Style said...

Having just finished a whole house remodel of our own...I feel your pain! While in the midst of one, it's like the little light at the end of the tunnel is a big black hole!!

Hang in there, or tell hubby to hang in there, and that ceiling "alone" will make it all worth it!

Kat :)

SeaWorthy said...

Hey, Girlfriend (and boyfriend) your bath is turning out SAwEET!

I could only be so lucky to uncover all that awesomeness, under NOT awesomeness.

Not only does this make me want to redo something, it makes me want to find my old Bryan Adams CD buried in all the 80s cardboard cd, and yes, casette box!

Love it!!!!!
Lisa

Erin @ The Impatient Gardener said...

Did you know that great wood plank ceiling was lurking up there the whole time? It's awesome ... definitely a good call to expose it. And, not to be weird, but how come you guys didn't start this project from the ceiling down? I was cringing every time I saw ceiling parts land on your new floors (although yay ... awesome durable floors!)

Cottage Dreamers said...

Oh my word! You guys are KILLING me! That ceiling is incredible!!!

h. m. settoon said...

what a beautiful surprise underneath that uly ceiling.

Kristy said...

I love that your crown molding is just simple straight pieces of MDF. I always assumed that it needed to be tapered or whatever at the end. Very cool!

erin said...

You guys look like you have so much fun together working on stuff. Where is the screaming... or is that just at my house?

By the way - can I move into that bathroom? It. Is. Gorgeous.

Molly {Eeny Meeny & Moe} said...

I covet your wood ceiling! Beautiful!

Bethany said...

That ceiling is beautiful! Great job! the video is awesome too!

Anonymous said...

Can I have Kevin? Nothing bad.....I just want him to move in for awhile and be my handy man. My husband will keep me in check. He is here all day and doesn't even own a hammer? :)

Folkman's said...

Who is lucky enough to have that under their sheet rock! And on the ceiling?! Looks great so far!

-Meleah- said...

I would so love to buy an old house with character but with my luck the only thing I would uncover would be electrical and plumbing problems, not a gorgeous ceiling like that! LOL! Love the ceiling! I really like the use of mdf board, too. It's the perfect complement to the ceilings, clean and not too busy.

Gail said...

I like this even better than the original idea to use beadboard! Great job guys!

Patina Soul said...

Of course another beautiful job! That ceiling and trim is fabulous!
You two are such a joy to follow! Can't wait to see the shower redo!
Gods blessings my friend!

vosgesparis said...

just catching up some reading here, I love your valentines idea post!
thanks for that.

Stacey @ The Blessed Nest said...

Love the "original" wood ceiling so much! Way better than beadboard would have been, IMO. And hey, doesn't every girl have the right to change her mind?! ;) Love seeing the updates, everything is looking beautiful!
Blessings,
Stacey

Kim @ Twice Remembered said...

What a GORGEOUS ceiling! I can't believe that was ever covered up to begin with....what a treasure to uncover!

Sandy said...

Great wood ceiling and crown molding Kevin! The result is just fantastic!

Teacup Lane (Sandy)

annmarie sheffield said...

Hello Layla and Kevin! Your ceiling is absolutely amazing. You are so lucky you have the wood underneath all that. GORGEOUS! Great Job!

Envious 80)
Ann Marie

Katrina said...

Wow, check out what you found on that ceiling! Loving it. I did laugh at the "seriously can wreck his mojo" haha..:)

Unknown said...

Are we going to see more T&G wood ceilings pop out in The Lettered Cottage after you finish this project? Love the contrast of the natural T&G with the painted walls and trim. Kevin, hang in there - it looks awesome. All the long dusty hours and your sweat equity will pay off in the end.

Pony Girl said...

Another great TLC video! I LOVE what you did with the ceiling (leaving the wood panels.) It's very cottageish (is that a word?) The crown molding finishes it off nicely.
p.s. Kevin's checkered Vans are groovy!

LesleySW said...

The ceiling is gorgeous. How exciting to have found it! Can't wait to see the final results.

DustyLu said...

I just love you guys! I am so happy I found your blog! You make things so fun! That was alot of work taking down that ceiling, it looks amazing. I can't wait to see this bathroom! Thanks for stopping by and commenting on by blog. Hope you stop by often, would love to hear your comments! lulu

Aimee Cotton Bogush said...

Oh, thank you for sharing. I too find announcing anything is the kiss of death -- and I seem to announce a lot, lol!

The ceiling you discovered is absolutely amazing! What a find! Looking forward to the big reveal.

Tammylee said...

kevin, what do you listen too on your ipod while doing demo? my husband's favorite is Drowning Pool

Caroline @ The Feminist Housewife said...

I love the Tongue and Groove ceiling...I wish I had some of it in my own house! I guess I will just have to settle for beadboard.

nell ann said...

It looks amazing! I am becoming more and more jealous that we live in a newer house and don't have tongue and groove to uncover anywhere. Boo. Keep it up -- the bathroom may end up the best room in your house!?!

Anonymous said...

I love your home, love the ceiling how it turned out. Living there must be like finding treasure all the time.

Anonymous said...

Love the ceiling! It's beautiful and much better than the beadboard could've ever been!

Renae Moore said...

You two...are just too too! Love it, y'all did a superb job, how's Kevin's neck from doing that? Such a great find in that ceiling!
xx

Ruth Amada said...

Wow, you know I just have to comment on how much love you can see in Kevin's eyes towards you.....the project is awesome but the best is the love between you both......

Rachel Elizabeth said...

Love the gas mask picture. This project seems like a whole heck of a lot of work.