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Young House Love » Reader Redesigns » Reader Redesign: Take Two

| By John Petersik | October 3, 2013 | 105 Comments

Reader Redesign: Take Two

It’s official – we’ve got bathrooms on the brain after our impromptu update over the weekend. And not just bathrooms, but closets too. Fortunately, Meghan and her husband Sean shared a double-dose of makeover-y goodness with us: their bathroom and closet. Go figure. So check out their recaps below while we try our best to resist shopping for tile…

I didn’t have a blog when you guys kindly featured our kitchen redesign, but you inspired me to start one and it has been a really fun way to document our adventures! I thought I’d share with you our bathroom renovation. It was extremely small, extremely dated (think 1960’s fab), and smelled extremely bad (no idea of what and I don’t think I want to know).

Meghan Bath Before

We opened up the space by knocking out a closet just outside the room, took the room down to the studs and replaced everything with carrara marble and white quartz (channeling my inner Candice Olsen).

Meghan Bath After

This was the renovation we were going to do 10-15 years after we moved in. When the kids were older we said. After 3 years of nothing but renovations and babies (in no particular order) my husband promised me we wouldn’t DIY this one (well not all of it anyway). Sean throwing his back out lifting the new window for the room sealed the deal.

I worked on the design and purchased the materials over the course of six months as things went on sale to save money.

Meghan Bath Vanity

I’m an accountant by day, so here is a breakdown of the project in terms of numbers:

  • 3: The number of general contractors we interviewed for the job.
  • 0: The number of general contractors we actually hired. We decided to play general contractor ourselves and sub out to trades on our own.
  • 6: The number of subcontractors we hired.
  • 9: The number of months it took us from start to finish.
  • 40: The percentage of savings for subcontracting ourselves versus using a general contractor.

Meghan Toilet

The new toilet is named Memoirs by Kohler. Seriously. I wonder if you need any special training or degree to name toilets. The painting is one my dad did for my boyfriend 10 years ago of the BF as a baby with his father (don’t worry he’s my husband now…otherwise that would be weird)

Meghan Tile

We chose a carrera marble scheme from Avalon tile and our installers were truly artists. I may regret the marble but go big or go home, right? We went with honed instead of polished marble because honed is supposed to be more forgiving. Marble takes maintenance and stains/scratches easily so I figured honed would hide the inevitable marks. I’m really glad I did. If you live in a house full of men like I do then you know their “aim” isn’t always perfect.

Because one renovation always leads into another… this turned into to a bedroom renovation too. We knocked down a wall to combine two bedrooms into one. This now-missing wall used to hold the rooms’ closets which meant we were left with none.

Meghan Closet Before

We liked the look of built in cabinetry (but couldn’t swing the price). We liked the look of the IKEA PAX unit (but have short ceilings and weren’t sure about the long term durability of the doors).  Compromise = Ikea hack.

Meghan Closet After

We cut down four 90″ Pax units from Ikea to fit our 80″ ceilings, secured them to the wall and added a hardwood frame over it. Then we took a crack at carpentry and built tongue and groove style shaker doors and painted it all out in Benjamin Moore Decorators White.

Meghan Closet Open

In order to break up the span of doors we added a bookshelf in the middle with a hamper drawer at the bottom. We finished the unit out with crown molding at the top and interior lighting. Thanks for letting us share! – Meg

Meghan Closet Details

Thanks so much to Meghan and Sean for sharing the inspiration. We love that they were able to achieve high end looks while still finding ways to save – like managing the subcontractors themselves for 40% off, and building their own shaker doors for the closets. You can drop by Meghan’s blog to get more details on their awesome bathroom and closet transformations. But feel free to play the favorite part game here first. Sherry’s in love with those roll-out hampers and that bathroom tile. And I’m digging the converted Ikea cabinets (so smart to cut them down from 90″ and frame them out that way).

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Filed Under: Reader Redesigns

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Comments

  1. Avatar for Lauren @ The Highlands LifeLauren @ The Highlands Life says

    October 3, 2013 at 2:41 pm

    Love this! My husband and I want to redo our 80’s looking master bath someday. I need to get rid of the black faux marble and gold finishes. Like NEED.

    Reply
  2. Avatar for Janelle @ Two Cups of HappyJanelle @ Two Cups of Happy says

    October 3, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    The cabinets are the showstopper for me too! The detailing on the doors is simple and pretty.

    Reply
  3. Avatar for Rene @thedomesticladyRene @thedomesticlady says

    October 3, 2013 at 2:48 pm

    LOVE LOVE LOVE this. love the mirrors in the bathroom!

    http://thedomesticlady.com/

    Reply
  4. Avatar for MelanieMelanie says

    October 3, 2013 at 2:50 pm

    I love the way the bathroom turned out and the cabinets. I am planning on Paxing out one wall of my master bedroom, and I love the roll out basket idea for under my window! It’s raised up enough that it won’t interfere with the register. This post was very inspiring. Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Avatar for Jennie S.Jennie S. says

    October 3, 2013 at 2:51 pm

    Um…
    How can I get my floors that shiny???
    And I’m frantically searching my house for a place to put a hamper drawer!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for bannonbannon says

    October 3, 2013 at 2:51 pm

    I love the hidden laundry baskets!! It’s the little things!

    Reply
  7. Avatar for JenniferJennifer says

    October 3, 2013 at 2:52 pm

    I am so in love with those DIY closets. I am in HATE with our tiny sliding door closets and am always looking for ways that we can change them without losing space in our bedroom. Those closets are so amazing.

    Reply
  8. Avatar for Amanda T.Amanda T. says

    October 3, 2013 at 2:52 pm

    SO gorgeous!!! I love the idea of having closets that look like built in cabinetry. So much easier to get to everything when you don’t have a wide closet with two skinny doors like mine. Stuff hides in those dark corners…

    Reply
  9. Avatar for Andi RossAndi Ross says

    October 3, 2013 at 2:54 pm

    We are starting to design our Master Bath and this is beautiful but I know I wouldn’t be happy with the amount of upkeep it needs with the marble BUT I am hoping to use some of your style ideas with the tile to create some interest! Great job!

    Reply
  10. Avatar for ValerieValerie says

    October 3, 2013 at 2:54 pm

    I’m with Sherry —I am LOVING the roll out hamper drawer! Our dirty laundry inevitably ends up strewn about the floor picking up the ever-present dust and pup-dog hairs, grr–major pet peeve. I especially love the gap so you don’t even need to roll it out to toss clothes in–genius. Who knew a hamper drawer would fire me up so much?!

    Reply
  11. Avatar for HayleyHayley says

    October 3, 2013 at 2:55 pm

    I’m digging that hamper. Like trying to figure out how I can get that going on in my room ASAP. Our current hamper is hubby throwing them on the floor.

    Reply
  12. Avatar for ErinErin says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:03 pm

    I just pinned the heck out of this post!

    Reply
  13. Avatar for LaurieLaurie says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:03 pm

    I love the hamper drawer too! And it holds the baskets so you can simply lift them and take them along with you instead of transferring to another holder. Awesome! It’s the little things people.

    I’m very envious of that closet. It is just beautiful and so smart to take advantage of the Ikea hardware and pull outs. Really beautiful.

    Reply
  14. Avatar for EmyleeEmylee says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:03 pm

    THESE CLOSETS ARE THE BEST THING IN THE WORLD! This is EXACTLY what we have been him hawwing around for the past year and a half for our master. I checked Meghan’s post but do you think she could give us a round about price breakdown for the wardrobe?? That would make my day.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 3, 2013 at 3:08 pm

      Hope she drops in for you Emylee!

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for MegMeg says

      October 3, 2013 at 3:43 pm

      Sure, we’re cheapskates and proud of it!! We paid around $900 for everything from IKEA and then probably another $500 for all the wood (frames & doors). A year later and everything has held up beautifully!

      Thank you John & Sherry for the feature and congratulations on your addition!

  15. Avatar for MaryMary says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:04 pm

    I am a SUCKER for some good laundry storage. Love those hampers! The shower is my favorite in the bathroom. I am always SO impressed how people come up with and execute such great design.

    Reply
  16. Avatar for JaneJane says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:05 pm

    Gorgeous Reno! But what i love best is the painting the father in law did for his son in law ;__; so sweet.

    Reply
  17. Avatar for CaceyCacey says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:07 pm

    Love the roll out hampers!!

    Reply
  18. Avatar for EmilyEmily says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:07 pm

    Sherry and John, if this has you thinking about your master closet do yourselves a favor and check out elfa at The Container Store. I’m a huge fan and have it all over my house. It’s a component-based system that’s completely easy to shift and change as your life shifts and changes (hello multiple wardrobes…regular and maternity!). They have an annual sale that usually starts around Christmas day and lasts through the first of the year. Worth checking out on their website (you can work with a designer via phone/e-mail) or in a store (closest one to you would be Northern VA, I think).

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 3, 2013 at 3:10 pm

      Thanks for the tip!

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for LeahLeah says

      October 3, 2013 at 10:25 pm

      I have the rubbermaid version of Elfa (you can get it at hardware stores — we got it at Menard’s), and I love it. We’ve used it in three apartments so far. I love flexible closet shelving solutions.

  19. Avatar for Elisa from CharmingDoodleElisa from CharmingDoodle says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:08 pm

    Amazing!

    Reply
  20. Avatar for KrissyKrissy says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:08 pm

    Ohhh, I’m swooning over here. At first, I thought my favorite part would be the tile. Especially the shower floor. But those built-ins… wow.

    Reply
  21. Avatar for AndreaAndrea says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:08 pm

    What’s the name of her blog??

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 3, 2013 at 3:10 pm

      We linked to it at the bottom of the post for ya :)

      xo
      s

  22. Avatar for oliviaolivia says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    WOW, swoon is right. What a GORGEOUS transformation.

    Reply
  23. Avatar for CatherineCatherine says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:14 pm

    Love the floor and tile work! It’s gorgeous.

    Reply
  24. Avatar for AngelAngel says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:15 pm

    Gorgeous bathroom – might keel over from awesomeness. Only thing that bothers me – the toilet seems like it should be centered. Instead it is crammed against the wall. Or maybe it just looks that way in the photo?

    Reply
  25. Avatar for AmandaAmanda says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:16 pm

    That ikea hack/closet situation is purrfect! Thank God Ikea is only 20 minutes away from me, so I can go window shopping until we get our first house next summer!

    Reply
  26. Avatar for Erin CErin C says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:20 pm

    Closets are uber fab! Definitely my favorite part but then again I’m an organizing junkie. It’s like crack…I think…never actually done crack. Okay, moving on ;)

    Reply
  27. Avatar for Holly P.Holly P. says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:21 pm

    The closet hack is exactly what we are wanting to do with our master bedroom. Can’t wait to show it to the hubby!

    LOVE the bathroom too! But I don’t think I’ll be seeing a bathroom like that for quite. some. time. BOO!

    Reply
  28. Avatar for MichelleMichelle says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:22 pm

    Wow all of this looks amazing!

    Reply
  29. Avatar for LeahLeah says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:26 pm

    Wow!! This is gorgeous. I love all the marble and that closet system is beautiful (although I would probably prefer a little more hanging space).

    Reply
  30. Avatar for SashaSasha says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:26 pm

    Love the IKEA hack, definitely my favourite part of this post. Those cabinet doors… WOW, so nice, wish IKEA made some like that :)
    I have seen a few online who have done this kind of hack, is it weird that I kind wanna try my hand at it? Maybe it’s the IKEA-fan in me coming out. I practically live IKEA, my family always joke that I know the IKEA catalog backwards/forwards/upsidedown… Not entirely true, okay kind of true. Hope I’m not the only one with this issue ;)

    Reply
    • Avatar for GaenorGaenor says

      October 4, 2013 at 6:09 am

      You’re not the only one who has “learned” the ikea catalogue – which is why when I saw this hack I thought – “but IKEA do a door like that!”
      The Hemnes door for Pax wardrobes is fairly similar in style. I guess it was hard to adapt for the lower ceilings though.
      :-)

  31. Avatar for Jenny@EvolutionofStyle[email protected] says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:28 pm

    Wow! Beautiful! Is it bad that I’m a smitten kitten for the laundry hamper drawer? So clever!

    Reply
  32. Avatar for DianaDiana says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:40 pm

    Got some major bathroom envy going on after seeing this!

    Reply
  33. Avatar for amygamyg says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:46 pm

    Those cabinets are the EXACT thing I have in mind for our master…but a little better than what I had in mind :)

    Thanks so much for this – now I have a visual to show my huz so he will listen to my idea!

    Reply
  34. Avatar for sarinasarina says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:47 pm

    So.. I like the bathroom for sure and I do love those hampers in a drawer. So much nicer than my habit of putting a hamper in my tub and being lazy and just tossing my clothes in it..lol

    But, making two bedrooms into one? I am pretty sure most realtors would say that is not a great idea to reduce the number of bedrooms in a home. I guess unless you have a ton of other ones or have an unfinished space you could change into one. I would think if you had all those other extra bedrooms your home would probably have a pretty big master to begin with. But if this is their forever home and it makes them happy.. it certainly turned out beautifully!

    Reply
  35. Avatar for JoanneJoanne says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:52 pm

    Love the built-in wardrobe and the hamper drawer! do you know where they got their hardwood flooring from?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 3, 2013 at 3:56 pm

      Hope she stops by with that info!

      xo
      s

    • Avatar for MegMeg says

      October 3, 2013 at 4:41 pm

      Lumber Liquidators!

  36. Avatar for SheilaSheila says

    October 3, 2013 at 3:59 pm

    This has officially solved my where to put the laundry issue in our master bedroom reno. Love that the hampers are right there but not. Thanks for a great inspiration post.

    Reply
  37. Avatar for KatharineKatharine says

    October 3, 2013 at 4:11 pm

    Love the hamper drawer!

    Reply
  38. Avatar for JoaJoa says

    October 3, 2013 at 4:19 pm

    Meg – if you pop in, I’d love to know the manufacturer / style of the sink faucets. It’s all beautiful!

    Reply
    • Avatar for MegMeg says

      October 3, 2013 at 8:20 pm

      Thanks Joa! We bought them through “Green Demolitions.” They sell kitchen and bath fixtures and donates a portion of their profits to charity (http://www.greendemolitions.com). We were able to find high-end Grohe fixtures for less than 1/2 the retail price. I found the fixtures I wanted on their website and they shipped them to my house. Great to deal with and the fixtures are a really nice quality (and we got to do some good in the process!). Hope that helps!

  39. Avatar for Lisa @ Double Door RanchLisa @ Double Door Ranch says

    October 3, 2013 at 4:34 pm

    Wow! That bathroom is stunning, but its those closets that really have me floored! I’m hoping to renovate my master bedroom closets this winter and this is incredible inspiration. Thank you!

    xo,
    L

    Reply
  40. Avatar for Erika KErika K says

    October 3, 2013 at 4:35 pm

    Um, can I pet the tile? It’s so gorgeous! I’m in love…

    Reply
  41. Avatar for RobinRobin says

    October 3, 2013 at 4:40 pm

    AMAZING! I’m usually not that excited for reader redesign posts (sorry), but this one hit it out of the park. The tile is gorgeous; I would feel like I was in a resort hotel when I entered that bathroom at home. I love that they used different shapes and sizes of the marble to make beautiful patterns all over. The center floor looks great, along with the shower, and even the marble around the bathtub. And then came the beautiful closet with hidden laundry baskets! I love it all.

    Reply
  42. Avatar for AmyAmy says

    October 3, 2013 at 4:44 pm

    What does the whole hiring subcontractors mean exactly? Sorry if this is a stupid question but I don’t understand.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 3, 2013 at 4:46 pm

      No worries, I had no idea what that meant a few years ago either! Then we did it in our first kitchen! It just means instead of hiring a team or a person who manages the entire project (coordinating the tile guy’s schedule with the cabinet delivery and the counter install and the demo and the electrician) you just do that yourself and interview/hire/coordinate each of the subcontractors (electrician, tile guy, framer, etc). Things can take longer and be stressful to do yourself, but it’s an amazing option to save money that way!

  43. Avatar for JulianneJulianne says

    October 3, 2013 at 4:48 pm

    What a beautiful update!! I’ll have to agree with both of you and say that it’s a toss up between the built-in cabinets and the marble. Heck, it’s all gorgeous! :0)

    Reply
  44. Avatar for TaraTara says

    October 3, 2013 at 5:04 pm

    Totally Gorgeous… What a fantastic transformation!! We have been dragging our feet on our master bathroom reno for over 4 years now….neither me nor the hubs is particularly handy but reading about this is inspiring! I moseyed on over to her blog but couldnt seem to find mention of where she got her vanity from & countertop & fixtures from? Hopefully she can help with that question here!! Thanks

    Reply
    • Avatar for MegMeg says

      October 3, 2013 at 8:24 pm

      Thanks Tara! The vanity is from Modern Bath (model Avanity Madison). We were wary of buying a vanity over the internet but was pleasantly surprised with the quality. Solid construction, soft close cabinets, etc. We purchased it without the counter and then had a quartz top cut to match the tub surround and shower bench. The fixtures are Grohe and were purchased at a steep discount through Green Demolitions. Hope that helps!

  45. Avatar for Morgan {Style Oyster}Morgan {Style Oyster} says

    October 3, 2013 at 5:06 pm

    I love the bathroom marble and floor. OMG. So pretty. And that vanity is perfection. Nice redo to the master as well! Officially J to the ealous.

    Reply
  46. Avatar for Michelle @A Healthy MrsMichelle @A Healthy Mrs says

    October 3, 2013 at 5:27 pm

    So pretty! What an update!

    Reply
  47. Avatar for Tricia | 724 South HouseTricia | 724 South House says

    October 3, 2013 at 5:37 pm

    That floor is awesome! I love the rectangular detail in the center. Great job!

    Reply
  48. Avatar for LaritaLarita says

    October 3, 2013 at 5:44 pm

    The bathroom tile is GORGEOUS, but I would happily crawl into that closet and never leave.

    Reply
  49. Avatar for Necole@seriouslysassymama[email protected] says

    October 3, 2013 at 5:47 pm

    Holy crap! That is a grown up master bedroom and bath. I wish I had one.

    Reply
  50. Avatar for HannahHannah says

    October 3, 2013 at 6:01 pm

    Woweee, that amazing built in wardrobe!! Looks so good with the doors closed and the shelves, and the laundry drawer!! And boy that shower is purty. Mmm tile.

    Reply
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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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