Finished!

Sometime after September 11th, Walt finished making the vanity. I neglected my duties and didn't post photos of the completed project. So, here they are now.

Recessed Lights in the Ceiling


Bathtub with inset shelf

Vanity with granite top

Handmade dovetails!

We have wall tile!!!

Over the past two weeks, Walt spent time installing the wall tile.  It was slow going as this is the first time he's installed tile, and he wanted to get it perfect.

I think that he should go into the tiling business, but he'd rather stay in the counseling field. 

While the tile was drying, we were able to take showers using the wood and plastic shower protection that Walt rigged up.

To celebrate our tiling achievement, Walt made pizza.


Instead of using a pizza stone, we used leftover tile in the oven.


The next morning, it was tough to wake up.  Next step, grouting!

Rest in Peace, Dad V

Walt's dad passed away on August 23, 2005 at the age of 90.  Here he is with his girlfriend, Marie, and Walt on Thanksgiving 2003.

Lost track of the days!

We didn't get to grout til the next weekend.  Walt found that one of the tiles was raised one sixteenth of an inch - so out it came!



It took about one entire day to grout - we grouted the back half of the floor first.  We had to wipe up the extra grout within an hour and do a really good wiping within two hours.  So we alternated between the back and front halves.



Later that week, Walt continued working on the bathtub area - making sure that the tile lined up correctly around the inset shelf.



Progress!



Tom stopped by to supervise again and seemed impressed.

Day 93: August 13, 2005 (Saturday)

Today's the day to tile!

So, what does a girl do when the only bathroom in the house is out of commission?



Walt's enjoying his new tile saw (we'll be selling it after this job is finished - any takers?)



The first two tiles went down without a hitch.



And the rest seemed to follow. I'm guessing that we started actually laying down the tile around 1pm and finished up about 6pm.



Once we made sure the tiles were clean, we stopped for the night and made a trip to our second favorite store - Lowes - to pick up more grout.



The tile has to set for about 24 hours. Walt has a few more tiles to cut and install - near the bathtub and near the door. He'll take care of those today and later tonight, we'll grout!

Day 93: August 12, 2005 (Friday)

This photo deserves a bigger size than the rest! 

Here's Walt dryfitting the floor tile in preparation for tomorrow's installation.  We have to make sure that the grain goes in the same direction (this tile is porcelain, but looks like slate), but other than that, we're ready to go!

Day 92: August 11, 2005 (Thursday)

Yes, we have tile! Finally, finally, finally
The tile arrived on Friday night. The wall tile was fine - except for one box - the tiles were broken.



The floor tile was another story. A saleman here in NJ gave me the name/manufacturer of a tile that I was interested in. It was $2 cheaper a square foot at a store in Pennsylvania, so we ordered it from there (the same place we found the wall tile).

The floor tile was supposed to be gray with streaks of rust - it was white with streaks of gray!!!

I went back to the store in NJ on Monday and found out that the saleman had written down the incorrect information!! I don't know how I could have checked that - so we have to pay a restocking fee.

Anyway, we found gray slate-looking porcelain tile right down the road in Lawrenceville - and for a great price! I picked it up yesterday.



Over the weekend, Walt started to put up some of the wall tile in the inset shelf. It requires precision, a steady hand and a true level.






This Saturday, we'll lay the floor tile. Wish us luck!

Yesterday, our bathroom had another visitor - our friend, Tom. I think we inspired him to tackle some home renovations!

Day 84: Wednesday (August 3, 2005)

Tile Alert!!

We placed an order for the tile last night. The floor tile will arrive in the warehouse tomorrow - Walt will pick it up there. The wall tile will arrive in the warehouse Friday, so it will be delivered sometime next week!

Finally - light at the end of the tunnel??!! I'll believe it when I see it!