bathroom renovation Archives - A Dabbled Dwelling

Taking the Bathroom from Gloomy to Glam: A Budget Breakdown

October 10, 2024 by kelsey.mackall

My primary bathroom was such a dungeon stuck in 2001. I couldn’t wait to take that bathroom from gloomy to glam. I lived with the dark uninviting space for 2.5 years while I planned, budgeted, and fantasized. After several projects in this house I was ecstatic when I finally had the chance to tear it all out. I took the whole bathroom down to the studs and partnered with several suppliers to create a glamorous, dreamy bathroom.

Rebuilding the Bathroom After Demo

My list of must-haves consisted of a spa like shower, a soaking tub (boy did I miss bubble baths!), gorgeous tile accents, and a stunning vanity. Doing the work myself saved me buckets of money and allowed me to get the high end fixtures and features that I wanted. Wait until you see the cost!!

Bathroom Budget Breakdown

I kept a running total of the expenses in this remodel and there may be some rough estimates in there but you get the idea! ceiling drywall was hired out because I loathe drywall and so was shower glass for obvious reasons. I deserved a teeeeny bit help after all.

Vanity: $3469
Tub: $1749
Faucets: $818
Tub Faucet: $729
Tile saw: $200
Mussel bound: $200
Backsplash: $800
Floor Tile: $175
Light fixtures: $300
Mirrors: $80
Pocket door: $250
Plumbing: $50
Ceiling Drywall (hired out): $400
Paint/Caulk/Mud: $200
Trim: $100
Arch Framing: $70
Cement board:$100
RedGard $50
Mortar: $25
Grout: $45
Adhesive: $100
Floor tile: $280
Caulk: $30
Wall tile: $560
Premade Niches: $200
Fixtures: $589
Window: $100
Pvc and Stone Trim: $175
Glass Door(hired out): $900

Total: $12,744

The vanity! That tub! My shower! This bathroom renovation is everything I dreamed of. It turned out absolutely gorgeous. Instead of inspiring doom and gloom, it inspires peace and comfort. It’s amazing how where you live can impact your mental health so much!

Natural Light Is the Best Light. How to Install a Window!

August 26, 2024 by kelsey.mackall

What can I say? I like nice things. My primary bathroom wasn’t cutting it for me, it was dark and dingy and dated. I ended up taking the whole bathroom down to the studs. The room felt like a cave, and one thing I really wanted to do was add a window. Dismantling my bathroom gave me the perfect opportunity to do that.

Searching For the Perfect Window

I looked everywhere for the perfect window. A picture window was what I really wanted, but it was hard to find just the right one. I ended up buying a window from Home Depot because I was getting antsy. The window made it all the way home before I decided one last time to check Facebook Marketplace. And there it was… Exactly the window that I wanted! It was a beautiful, large, picture window. I rushed to pick it up and get started installing it.

A woman in an orange shirt shows off a window in the back of a car

Framing To Install a Window

Windows are really not that difficult to install. Since the bathroom had been demolished I mapped out the place that I wanted to install the window. The shower provided the ideal spot for a new window. I started out by adding framing to provide support and hold the window. I placed the window in between the studs, but the space between the studs was a little too wide. So I needed to install a new king stud on one side.

I then attached the header to the king studs on either side with the bottom at the height I wanted the top of the window. The jack studs (2x4s) were attached to the king studs flush with the bottom of the header. They were attached to fit the measurements I took for the width of the window. Then we attached the sill plate to the jack studs with the top of the sill plate at the height of the bottom of the window. I measured down from the header to find the right spot to place that.

Then the cripplers(2x4s) were placed in the center of the window. One went on top between the header and the top of the wall. The other went between the sill plate and the floor. All of the new framing was secured with wood screws and framing nails. Then I cut the siding with a reciprocating saw using the framing as a guide.

A woman looks shocked at cutting into the siding on her house

A man and woman use a reciprocating saw to cut the siding out of a window frame

A woman in black pants and a gray shirt sits in the space allocated for a window

Time to Install a Window

It’s finally time to install the window! I put it in and… it didn’t fit. So I adjusted my measurements and tried again. It still didn’t fit! I adjusted again. And again. Finally on my fourth try it fit! I installed the window using wood screws to attach it to the framing. The inside was finished off using PVC trim attached with construction adhesive. I also installed a stone window sill, I’m already dreaming of plants in the window. After that was attached all of the seams were sealed using a silicone caulk that is just for bathrooms.

The outside of the window needed to be weatherproof. I live in the Houston area and we get our fair share of weather here. I started by using a high quality silicone caulk made for outdoor use around the edge of the window. Then I installed window flashing on top of that. Expanding spray foam was super helpful to fill any gaps, then the exterior window framing was attached. The whole thing looks fantastic!

A man in a green shirt applies caulk to the outside of a window

Construction adhesive is being applied to a window sill with a battery powered caulk gun

This Window is EVERYTHING

I am so glad I took on this project. Having natural light in my bathroom changes the whole mood of the space. What was once dreary is now bright and happy. It feels so much cleaner. If you were to ask me my favorite part of the bathroom remodel the window would be at the top of my list.

Woman in White shirt excitedly shows off the finished window

Easy Tile Install For a Gorgeous Bathroom Backsplash

July 30, 2024 by kelsey.mackall

A few weeks ago I tore my bathroom down to the studs. The bathroom was dated and old, because it was updated in the early 2000s. I finished the shower renovation using the Palisade click and lock tile system and it’s gorgeous. After finishing the shower I had a spot of trouble getting the bathtub in and then I tiled the floor. Once I got that done Hurricane Beryl came through and knocked out my power for a week. I put myself on a deadline with this bathroom and desperately needed to get the walls ready for the backsplash tile asap. So I worked in the dark to get the electrical done and the drywall up.

A Gorgeous Bathroom Backsplash With Peel and Stick Mussel Bound

I tore the bathroom down to the studs in order to move some outlets and light fixtures. There was also some plumbing to move, and a soffit to destroy. Thankfully the soffit didn’t hide any electric or plumbing so it was easy enough to remove. Hurricane Beryl did me no favors leaving me without power for a week, so I was stuck installing drywall in the dark. But I did it and go the backsplash area ready for tile! I have tiled several walls and floors, and I’ve used a few different methods of tiling.

Woman in pink shirt uses a drill to hang drywall in the dark

One of my favorite ways to tile backsplashes is to use MusselBound tile adhesive. MusselBound is a roll of super strong double sided sticky paper. I know it sounds sketchy, but it is really super strong. It’s so strong I actually stuck my baby to it once! I really love MusselBound for its ease of use and how fast the tiling goes.

Woman in pink shirt sits holding hands out to baby hanging on a wall in a box

Using MusselBound To Make Any Tile Peel and Stick

I start with a clean wall and work in sections. Spread the MusselBound in sheets in the section you’re working on. I usually start by peeling the back side and sticking it to the wall and then I peel the front side as I go. With the MusselBound on the wall, I stick the tiles on it. For this tile job I chose not to use spacers. The tile I used has slight variations that give it a more organic look and I wanted them to sit against one another.

Woman in blue top sticks musselbound to a wall

Woman in blue top hangs tiles on wall using musselbound

I continue tiling, exposing the sticky MusselBound when I am ready to put tile on it. When I get to spots that need a partial tile I use my sliding wet saw to cut the tiles to the size and shape I need. When using MusselBound the tiles need to be 100% dry so cutting them with a wet saw slows down the process a little. In some cases, cuts can be made ahead of time, allowing plenty of time for the tiles to dry before use. When I tiled my kitchen backsplash with MusselBound, I actually dried the tiles in my oven set to a super low temperature. Once all of the tile is up, it’s time for grout.

Finish It Off With Grout

Grouting is such a satisfying process. I use pre-mixed grout. You can use a tile float to get grout in the spaces, but I prefer to use my hands. After grouting all of the grout lines you use a wet sponge and go over the tiles to remove excess grout. Sometimes it takes a few passes to get all of the extra grout and haze off the tile. Once the grout is done, I always like to caulk the edges. Caulk finishes off the seams and seals the corners. Make sure to use silicone caulk made for bathrooms and kitchens.

The Most Gorgeous Bathroom Backsplash With MusselBound

I always love when I finish a project and this one feels even more sweet. This project has been a long time coming and I have really enjoyed planning it. The backsplash is beautiful and provides a perfect accent to my bathroom. I chose Zellige tiles in {} from Lowe’s and I couldn’t be more happy with how it all came together. The pros of using MusselBound are: ease of use, tiling speed, no waiting for mortar to dry before grout, and beginner friendly. There are few cons to using it. Once tile is on, it can be difficult to take it off and adjust. MusselBound is also a bit more expensive per square foot than using traditional mortar. I’ve loved using it for the projects that I have and will always recommend it as an option. I can’t wait to see how the rest of the bathroom shakes out. Follow along for the rest of my bathroom projects here!