Thirty years ago, Tom and Kathy embarked on a new chapter, purchasing their newly constructed home in Northern Virginia. Over the course of three decades, this house transformed from a bustling family hub into a quiet sanctuary. Four children grew, thrived, and eventually left the nest, leaving Tom and Kathy with ample spare bedrooms and a significant decision to make as Kathy approached retirement, ready to join Tom in their golden years. One compelling plan on the horizon involves selling their beloved home and relocating to Richmond, a move that would bring them closer to their favorite – and only – son: me! Indeed, the story you’re about to read is a heartfelt and practical account of my parents’ bathroom redesign project.
The prospect of selling the house where I spent my childhood prompted my mom and dad to acknowledge the necessity of a significant bathroom update. Bathrooms from the 1970s, with their often dated aesthetics and modest footprints, simply cannot compete with today’s expansive, feature-rich bathroom suites, let alone the budget-friendly yet stylish options now available. Their goal was clear: to infuse their bathroom with modern elegance and functionality, boasting features like fresh ceramic tiles, a sophisticated granite-topped sink, and an overall contemporary appeal that would resonate with potential buyers. This ambition presented a fantastic opportunity for my dad to delve into a range of new DIY skills, while my mom enthusiastically embraced the chance to flex her decorating muscles. Sherry, my partner, and I were fortunate enough to capture a series of “before and after” photographs, allowing us to proudly showcase their remarkable handiwork and the incredible transformation they achieved.
To truly appreciate the scope of this renovation, let’s begin with a look at the original state. Below is a classic before shot, focusing on the sink side of the room. It perfectly encapsulates the design trends of its era, highlighting the need for a modern refresh.
One of the most monumental tasks in this ambitious renovation was the complete re-tiling of both the entire floor and the shower surround. To illustrate this point, here’s a picture of the old hex-tile floor before the transformation. Unfortunately, we don’t have a photograph of the original fiberglass shower surround, as my dad, brimming with enthusiasm, had already initiated its demolition before we could capture its “before” appearance. His eagerness was a testament to his dedication to the project!
Now, for the grand reveal! After countless hours of diligent renovating, meticulous retiling, and thoughtful redecorating, here is their bathroom after its stunning metamorphosis. The contrast is truly remarkable, showcasing a space that feels entirely new, inviting, and utterly modern, a far cry from its 1970s origins.
Among the most impactful updates was the replacement of the outdated, builder-grade fiberglass shower stall with a magnificent floor-to-ceiling ceramic tile installation. This singular change instantly elevated the bathroom’s aesthetic, creating a sense of luxury and contemporary design. They judiciously selected a neutral, crowd-pleasing tile for the main surfaces, wisely accented by a striking stone border. This border, featuring a delightful river rock pattern, injects a subtle “wow-factor” and immediately evokes a serene, spa-like ambiance, transforming a functional space into a tranquil retreat. It’s worth noting that my dad undertook the entire tiling process himself – cutting, laying, and grouting every piece. This was his very first DIY tiling job, and through it, he acquired invaluable lessons, most notably the timeless wisdom of “measure twice, cut once.” He also strongly advises meticulous planning of your tile pattern beforehand. This crucial step ensures you avoid being left with tiny, awkwardly cut slivers at the edges of rows, which can detract from the overall finish. By identifying your center line and dry-laying your tiles before committing to cutting and grouting, you’ll achieve a balanced, intentional design that appears professionally executed, rather than lopsided or unplanned. This excellent tip from my dad is a testament to the practical knowledge gained through hands-on experience!
Further enhancing the illusion of space and elegance, Sherry assisted my mom in finding an extra-long shower curtain. The strategic placement of the curtain rod as close to the ceiling as possible works in perfect harmony with the fully tiled wall, visually elongating the space and contributing to the bathroom’s perceived height. This clever design trick makes a smaller bathroom feel significantly more open and airy.
For the floor, my parents opted for a ceramic floor tile in a complementary earth-tone palette. My dad innovatively laid these tiles on a diagonal. This design choice serves multiple purposes: it helps the floor “pop” against the horizontally placed wall tiles, adding a dynamic visual interest, and, crucially, diagonal tile patterns are widely known for their ability to make a space feel more open and expansive. This thoughtful detail contributes significantly to the overall feeling of spaciousness in what is inherently a more compact bathroom, a smart move for any home staging strategy.
To skillfully balance the inherent warmth of the new maple vanity and the selected tiles, my mom, with the expert guidance of Sherry and her invaluable collection of paint swatches, meticulously chose a cooler gray-green tone for the walls. The chosen shade, Comfort Gray by Duron, provides a refreshing contrast that prevents the space from feeling overwhelmed by warm hues, instead creating a harmonious and sophisticated atmosphere. While the “girls” were immersed in the delightful process of selecting the perfect paint and coordinating accessories – note my mom’s brilliant Target towel score, which ingeniously captures nearly every color in the room’s refreshed palette – the “boys” were tasked with the more hands-on job of reinstalling the toilet. This marked my dad’s inaugural toilet replacement project, making it quite a fun experience to lend my toilet-installation expertise to my old man, sharing some practical knowledge and ensuring a perfect fit.
In a continued effort to make the relatively small bathroom feel significantly larger and more luxurious, my parents thoughtfully selected a vanity that features an elevated design, sitting gracefully off the ground. This clever architectural choice allows the eye to perceive more uninterrupted floor space, which in turn dramatically enhances the feeling of openness and size within the room. This floating design is a hallmark of modern bathroom aesthetics, marrying form with function to create an impactful visual statement.
The synergy of their design choices is truly impressive. Observe how the cool gray-green wall color masterfully complements not only the sleek new brushed nickel fixtures but also the rich, elegant granite countertops. The interplay of these elements creates a cohesive and inviting space that radiates contemporary style and sophistication. There’s no doubt that this revitalized bathroom bears no resemblance to its 1979 origins; it is a testament to modern design principles and a shining example of how thoughtful renovation can dramatically transform a space.
We extend a huge, well-deserved virtual pat on the back to my incredible parents for their beautifully DIYed bathroom. This renovation, to borrow a phrase from the popular HGTV vernacular, is unequivocally “designed to sell!” Every choice, from the neutral tile to the granite vanity and the expanded sense of space, contributes to a highly marketable and desirable home feature. We eagerly hope that the real estate market experiences a swift recovery, allowing them to pack their bags for the sunny and scenic landscapes of Richmond sooner rather than later. And assuming my dad brings his newly acquired tile saw with him to Richmond, just imagine the exciting possibilities for our own bathrooms here! The skills he’s gained are truly invaluable.
I feel it’s only fitting to conclude this post with a playful disclaimer, something along the lines of, “This renovation was proudly paid for by the Committee to Get John’s Parents to Move to Richmond.” All jokes aside, the love and dedication poured into this project are evident in every detail. Love you, Mom & Dad!