First Fix

The bathroom begins to take shape

The new bathroom is taking shape. The old stud wall has been knocked down and new wall is in its place. All the plumbing and electrics are done. We decided to put insulation in the wall. Mainly for noise but it will improve heat loss a little too. Now the room is beginning to be plaster boarded.

I was really worried that the very expensive tap I had bought would be too big for the basin. I’ve made this mistake before in a previous bathroom, when I bought a water fall tap which used to regularly soak our guests. But I think I’ve got away with it.

It was a bit of a job hiding all the pipes for the tap and waste in the wall. My plumber had to buy some angled joints in chrome so it all looks neat underneath.

We’ve finally taken out the old toilet. As I am making dump runs on this project rather than pay for the waste to be collected, I decided to keep the toilet in the garden as a planter. I need to get a suitable plant for it. There was loads of rubbish under the floor boards including broken tiles.

We’ve put together the electric towel rail. I am really glad I choose the smallest one available. Even though we have increased the size by a third, this is still a tiny room. I wanted Victorian inspired tiles for the floor but my builder has advised against it. Apparently they always crack, even if you plywood board the floor first. I will take his advice. I will instead go for Vinyl tiles. I am thinking of going for Terrazzo inspired tiles.

I am hoping to get a mirror to cover one wall, if it’s not too expensive. Otherwise I will just make do with the old one. Or get one of eBay or Facebook marketplace. I must also put the pallet everything came on facebook marketplace as well.

Whist I have trade people in I am trying to get a few little jobs done. My overall aim is to just make the place look a bit less tatty, whilst not losing the charm. To this end I am replacing the brass handle on the bathroom with a chrome one. Everything else is chrome in the bathroom, including the handle on the window. I am also getting a handle with a thumb turn lock so I can get rid of the bolt. I tried the find a vintage one without success.

The handles I had my eye on were well over £200 which is unaffordable. I need five. The one I have chosen is very plain and cost effective but I still might go for something a bit nicer upstairs. I did want to put back a solid wood door on the bathroom but I’ve decided to wait. As it badly needs painting now seemed like a good time to change the handle.

Also I am getting the power sockets made consistent in the study and getting the mismatched skirting replaced.

I have also decided to modify the wooden door surround. As it was originally right up against the wall, so it looks a bit weird now as the architrave has been cut back. So I am replacing the architrave. It’s more work and extra cost. What started off as a small project keeps expanding.