The Ending of an Era

Remember a while ago when I mentioned that Chad was re-doing our bathroom?  And for some reason we thought it would be a quick process?  Well it wasn't.  But it is done!!!!

This is the ending of an era for many reasons- first of all, there is no trace left of the Brady Bunch bathroom that once infected our lives and our master bedroom.  I know Carol is grieving-- but no one else is!  Secondly, in order to do this kind of renovation, it requires your ENTIRE house to be covered in dust- construction dust- and no matter how  many times I dusted, and wiped, and sprayed and cleaned, the dust remained.  So I let it win.... for a time.  My sitters probably thought something was seriously wrong, and if you have dust allergies, be glad you didn't stop by- it would've landed you in the ER.  Seriously, it was that bad!  But the dusty phase is now over too.  And lastly, Chad can no longer say that he has never renovated a bathroom.  Because well, now he has!  We are done, and it is beautimous!

Our house was built in the 70's which apparently means the big bathroom is for the guests and the master bathroom should be so tiny that a pregnant woman canNOT fit in it. It also means that there should be no room for storage.  For the 2 years that we have lived  here, we have kept our towels in our closet and on the back of the bedroom door and the bathroom trash can was out in our room, beside the dresser.  So besides the shower and the sink, nothing else fit.  For real.

So let's start with some before pictures:

[caption id="attachment_1448" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="BEFORE"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1447" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The shower, in a lovely shade of green with accompanying faux glass doors, complete with mildew, mold, and fungus"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1449" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Our bathroom storage, courtesy of the over the toilet shelving from my college days"][/caption]

Now really, the original bathroom is probably just too much for you to take in.  You may even be wondering why we changed it.  I know, I know, a real tragedy to lose a masterpiece like this...

Here are some "during" pictures.... this might explain the ever-present dust and dirt:

Now, before I get to the grand finale, let me assure you that Chad has NEVER done something like this before- he learned every single step as he went, calling his Dad a million times, and asking some buddies a question or two from time to time.  We went to Home Depot and Lowe's 32,948,516,887 times- the cashiers know our children, and we had to return a thing or 20, too... BUT once you take a look, you're not going to believe any of that- you might even think a pro did it, but I assure you, the we... I mean Chad... did it.  It required late nights, and lots of ruckus, but it was all worth it for this:

(Unfortunately, the bathroom is still teeny tiny, so I couldn't fit all the way in to take good pictures... oh well!)

Now, I don't have to worry who else has been there.  Everything is spotless and we can keep it that way.  Our towels and trash and bathroom stuff all fit in the bathroom.  We love the color, we love the light, we love the shower, and we paid cash for every single bit of it-- yay!

So, do you think I should mention to Chad that I'm already planning the re-model of the boys bathroom.... or should I let him relish this finished project a bit more.....