Ambition is a poor excuse for not having sense enough to be lazy. ~ Charlie McCarthy
Have decided to undertake home improvement project. The front bath is done, except it needs a new vanity counter-top. Unfortunately, the vanity in there is a non-standard size, so that means special ordering. Lo and behold, a new solid surface counter-top will run me about $500+. That price is not in my budget for the front bath so am determined to tile it myself.
I trudged to Lowe's (my second home) to purchase needed materials and found a lovely tumbled marble. However, EP soon tired (he has no endurance for home improvement shopping) and there weren't a lot of employees around, so we left before I gathered everything. Tomorrow morning I'll return and get the few remaining items so that I can start. I should have most of the project done by the end of the holiday - although my bull-nose end tiles are on special order and won't be available until Thursday...so I can't grout until after those are attached. I'll have before and after pics, so I'm going to see if I can post them here once it's all done.
Essentially this project is a trial run for the big one I've decided to take on - the master bath. The contractor's want to charge me $3,500 to remodel it and I choke at giving my money to them. It's not a difficult project essentially...rebuilding a tile shower, moving a little electricity (no biggie), tiling the vanity counter and building a wall with a door in it. It's not like I'm moving the plumbing or anything. It will take me a lot longer since I'll only be able to work on the project nights and weekends, but look at the money I'll be saving!! That's all money I can funnel into purchasing nicer fixtures, especially when that price doesn't even cover tile as I already have a crate load of travertine marble tile that I was given for free.
It's too bad about all the hurricane damage that the southeast is experiencing. Ed's become very philanthropic in his old age; so far this year he's donated money to United Way, Red Cross, Humane Society, and Episcopal Relief and Development. This recently (2005) developed urge of his is a curiosity for me, not that I think donating is a bad idea, I like giving my money away as much as the next person...
I trudged to Lowe's (my second home) to purchase needed materials and found a lovely tumbled marble. However, EP soon tired (he has no endurance for home improvement shopping) and there weren't a lot of employees around, so we left before I gathered everything. Tomorrow morning I'll return and get the few remaining items so that I can start. I should have most of the project done by the end of the holiday - although my bull-nose end tiles are on special order and won't be available until Thursday...so I can't grout until after those are attached. I'll have before and after pics, so I'm going to see if I can post them here once it's all done.
Essentially this project is a trial run for the big one I've decided to take on - the master bath. The contractor's want to charge me $3,500 to remodel it and I choke at giving my money to them. It's not a difficult project essentially...rebuilding a tile shower, moving a little electricity (no biggie), tiling the vanity counter and building a wall with a door in it. It's not like I'm moving the plumbing or anything. It will take me a lot longer since I'll only be able to work on the project nights and weekends, but look at the money I'll be saving!! That's all money I can funnel into purchasing nicer fixtures, especially when that price doesn't even cover tile as I already have a crate load of travertine marble tile that I was given for free.
It's too bad about all the hurricane damage that the southeast is experiencing. Ed's become very philanthropic in his old age; so far this year he's donated money to United Way, Red Cross, Humane Society, and Episcopal Relief and Development. This recently (2005) developed urge of his is a curiosity for me, not that I think donating is a bad idea, I like giving my money away as much as the next person...