Uptown: Powder Room Update

When I moved into my house, my plan for the powder room was to rip off the wallpaper and install a new faucet. Well, plans change.

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 powder room before

The powder room is now getting a full makeover. Oh, how I love a good makeover story! Progress has been slow but steady and I am really enjoying the full reno experience (minus the mess and constant clean up). To begin this makeover, I spent several evenings ripping down the wallpaper. Then I spent several more evenings (and weekends) scraping wallpaper glue from the walls.

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powder room – progress – wallpaper removed

It didn’t take me long to decide that I wanted a new vanity so at this point I handed the room off to my dad who, in addition to patching up a whole bunch of holes (thank you so much wallpaper glue) and rearranging the light source, removed the vanity and toilet. Once the room was empty, I decided that the vinyl flooring had to go so I ripped it out one Friday evening. I ripped it out without really planning what was going to come next but I was encouraged by a chat with Tia and a visit to Twin City Tile.

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 powder room – ripping out the vinyl floor

In between all of the destruction, I bought a new sink and vanity. I placed a tile order with Twin City Tile feeling only half-way confident that I could actually install a new floor by myself. After a mini-lesson from Silvano, I realized that I would need to install a new sheet of plywood over the subfloor in order to ensure a smooth installation of the new tiles. My dad and I cut a piece of plywood to size and the difference it made was pretty impressive. With the new flat floor in place, I went ahead and planned out the tile placement. I started with finding the centre point in the room and drawing lines to help line up my sheets of hex tile.

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 powder room – new subfloor ready to be screwed down

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 planning for the new tile floor

Over the period of 4 hours, I managed to dry-fit my tiles in the space, figure out how to mix adhesive to the correct consistency (not too soupy), and installed my tiles. I’m SO happy with the progress I made and I am incredibly proud that I managed to lay my first ever tile floor*.

IMG_6292top view of the powder room – new tile floor is secure!

I haven’t grouted yet. I’m going to try and get to it this week or upcoming weekend. I am leaning towards a grey grout. Then I’m going to build my vanity and figure out how to do plumbing**.

* Thanks to Silvano at Twin City Tile for a mini lesson, the Home Depot for offering a free backsplash installation workshop, and for the blogging community for documenting the tile installation process. I’ve learned so much from you all! 

**I’ll likely leave the plumbing up to my dad. We’ll see.

12 Comments

  1. Anita October 7, 2013

    LOOKS GREAT! and well done on you. Tiling, I am impressed.

    Reply
    • Jordana October 7, 2013

      Thanks Anita! I’m a little sore but it’s all good. I’m thrilled with how it’s coming along. You’re due for another visit.

      Reply
  2. April October 7, 2013

    Looks great, Jordana! Love the hex tiles — they’re my fave. Can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.

    Reply
    • Jordana October 7, 2013

      Thanks so much April. It took me zero time to decide about the hex. I love them too! Stay tuned for grout progress…next week maybe!

      Reply
  3. Tia October 7, 2013

    Great job! It turned out amazing!! Can’t wait to come check out your handy work. If you decide to tackle the plumbing and want a hand, just let me know 🙂

    Reply
    • Jordana October 7, 2013

      Thanks Tia! Come over this week or next. Come whenever. I am still in shock that I managed to do it. I’m going to do some plumbing research and then see how scared I feel.

      Reply
  4. sundeep @ designwali October 7, 2013

    looks terrific! well done!

    Reply
    • Jordana October 14, 2013

      Thanks Sundeep. It looks even better now that I’ve grouted. Stay tuned for an update.

      Reply
  5. Silvia Del Rosso October 10, 2013

    Impressive tile work, Jordana.
    Can’t wait to see it all finished.

    Reply
    • Jordana October 14, 2013

      You can’t wait? I can’t wait! I’ve grouted now and I’m eager to install the new vanity & toilet in the next couple of weeks. I’ll definitely post about the progress.

      Reply
  6. Lana October 11, 2013

    wow it looks amazing Jordana. You should be so proud of yourself. Reminds me of the original 50’s version we had in our old bathroom in Toronto.

    Reply
    • Jordana October 14, 2013

      Thanks so much Lana! It was fun and not hard. I just love the look of the hex and I’m glad I went with it. I’m soon going to get started on tiling the front foyer…there’s no stopping me now!

      Reply

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