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Thursday, November 15, 2012

GUEST BATH REMODEL - Movin' Along!

We're moving along with the guest bath remodel.
This has been our first experience with the total tear out and remodel of a room
and I agree with so many that have shared their stories with me...
remodeling is NOT for sissies! 
We were so happy when the subfloor was complete so the bathtub could be installed...

Thin strips of boards are placed across the subfloor so the leveling process can be begin...


The leveling material has been applied and a 2x4 is being used to smooth the top surface...


 Once the floor was level and dry, the cement board was laid...yipee!  This means we are getting closer to laying floor tile!


The backer board is also being installed in the tub area and the niche has been added for storing shampoos, rinses, etc...

It was fun but also a bit overwhelming when the time came to pick out our counter top.
We knew we wanted polished carrara marble, but we didn't know it would take visiting 10 stone suppliers to choose it.
One issue was the size of marble we would need, our double vanity is 9 1/2 feet long.
The other issue was the marble itself.  Being a natural stone many slabs had deep pits which were a bit unsightly and would catch too much dirt, so no deep pits for us.  Then there were concerns with the polished surface as many slabs had long deep scratches in the surface that the suppliers would not be able to re-polish.  We figured that since we are paying a lot of money for this marble, we want it the way we want it...right?  Kind of like buying a new car, you don't want to drive off the lot with your new car already scratched up!  Keep looking...

Marble is beautiful and each slab was different in color and in the amount of veining.
This slab was very pretty but too much veining for what we were looking for.  Since we are also tiling the floors and walls with carrara, we didn't want the counter to be too busy.  Keep looking...


The small piece of marble on the floor in front of this slab is our flooring sample which we brought to compare to the slabs.  This piece was a bit too dark gray compared to our floor tile and had very little veining other than the amount on the far left side.  Keep looking...


The search got a little confusing too.  When asking to see each suppliers carrara marble they would bring us to stone labeled Carrara, Calacatta, Statuary, etc.  When we asked what the difference was between them the suppliers would answer, "It's all the same."
Hmmm, if all the same, why all the differrent names?  None of them could give an answer. 
Considering marble for your kitchen or bath remodel?  I recently found an article that helps explain the difference:
 HOUZZ - Carrara-vs-Calacatta - What-is-the-Difference?
This slab is called Statuary and was beautiful but, keep looking...

Here she is, this is the slab we chose!  The coloring looked great with our floor tile and the veining was very pretty without being too much.  Stop looking, it's perfect!

 Here is a closer view of the floor tile...

Ok, ok!  Ellie-Mae wants me to tell you that she has been helping.  Well, helping or hindering, she is my precious assistant and always close by...

Sleeping on the wall tile...


This is how she looks when I ask her to move off of the tile, she tilts her little head to one side as though she is saying,
"Really mommy...do I really have to move?"




Thanks so much for visiting, I can't wait to show you more...
Go here to check out DEMOLITION DAY!


12 comments:

  1. Hi Cindy,

    Thanks for stopping by!

    Looks like things are moving along. We went with Carrara .. that said, not sure it makes a difference. Your assistant is darling :)

    leslie

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  2. Very exciting Cindy!! The marble you choose is beautiful and so is your little Ellie Mae! Looking forward to seeing more!

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  3. I can certainly see why you picked the slab you did. It's absolutely gorgeous! What an exciting time for you!

    Cute pic of Ellie Mae!

    Pam

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  4. Hi Cindy, Love your slab choice! Adding one of the white marbles is the next step in our kitchen makeover. Thanks for sharing your experience!

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  5. That marble is gorgeous, and what a lovely bathroom you are creating--well done!

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  6. Your bathroom sounds like it will be well worth the headache of remodeling! I can relate about finding the perfect marble. When we I was looking for my kitchen counters I experienced the same frustrating search for the perfect slab.Even though it was a pain,it was the best decision I made. The other day I was thinking about how easy my marble countertops are and they always look terrific. I am excited to see your end result!

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  7. Hi Cindy,
    Wow I feel for you, not for sissies indeed!! You picked a great piece and Ellie Mae is a trooper. In the end the pain will be forgotten and a long soak in the tub will be sooo worth it:-)
    Good Luck!
    Hugs,
    Bella

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  8. Very nice post.The marble you choose is beautiful.

    By
    Paulo Trindade
    Bathroom Remodeling Arlington VA

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  9. Looks like a lot of work. It will be gorgeous though! Love the marble you picked. So pretty! Ellie-mae is adorable!

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  10. Thanks for stopping in at The 2 Seasons. We love our carrara marble. We have it on the floors of three of our bathrooms and on the countertops in the kitchen. You won't regret it. I wrote a blog a few weeks ago about why we chose it.

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  11. Oh my Gosh - this is going to be so gorgeous!!! Happily following you now - have to see the final outcome of this!
    Would love to have you follow back when you have the time!
    Hugs,
    Suzan

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  12. Hello Cindy - it looks like things are coming along nicely - love your marble choice and Ella Mae is precious! I will be sharing your post in this week's Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

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