Author: cathygill

A Step-By-Step Approach to Simplified Bathroom Remodeling

A bathroom remodel is easy if you know what you want and have help from skilled trades people. Also to ensure on time, to specification, and on budget there is a special need: an interior designer. The interior designer is the coordinator of all activities from planning, to shopping, to selection, to ordering, to installation. And it’s a bonus if the interior designer is knowledgeable about the construction sequence. I’ve included the sequence of events for one of my client’s master bath makeover.

Fortunately, for this particular job, my client knew her objectives and was able to verbalize them: color scheme and style, extra storage and better organization of the multitude of shampoos and soaps currently being stored in plastic baskets on the shower floor.

The Cathy Gill Design Step-By-Step Approach:

• Space plan. The same basic layout was repeated which made the task easier. Only closet sizes changed.
• Stone/tile selection & design. Since I knew her taste, I went to my tile store myself and collected various samples that suited her. (Some clients need to see everything and others get overwhelmed by the vast displays.) I presented 3 designs and fortunately she fell in love with one and we were off and running with all the hard surfaces: floors, walls, countertop. Tile was ordered from the plan because I work with an exceptional tile store and installer. Marble slabs were reserved.
• Plumbing fixtures. Next on the agenda was plumbing fixtures selection. I work with a knowledgeable plumbing rep at Fergusons who makes it easy. Ordered fixtures.
• Demo. To minimize time without a bathroom, demolition didn’t happen until tile and plumbing arrived. With demolition came a surprise (as there always is) that didn’t allow us to enlarge the shower but fortunately it wasn’t a deal breaker.
• Framing. Framing of tub surround and new closets.
• Electrical wiring, heated floor wiring and rough plumbing.
• Drywall.
• Final cabinet measurements.
• Order cabinetry. This was our longest downtime (length varies per job) because walls have to be closed for precise cabinet measurements.
• Install heated floor grid.
• Tile installation.
• Recessed lighting installation.
• Cabinet & medicine cabs installation.
• Shower enclosure installation.
• Installation of drapery, chandelier and towel bars.
• Take a relaxing soak in the new tub. (my client…not me)

The total time was 4 months from start to finish, but we faced stops and starts for holidays and vacations. My quickest time for a sizeable master bath remodel is 3 months. In that project everything happened with Swiss-watch precision and absolutely no glitches were experienced. My record for a small bath is 2 months.

My clients are now enjoying this beautiful master bathroom. By the way, I failed to mention that they had the guts to remodel a second bath at the same time. We discussed the pros and cons of simultaneous construction or workmen in the house for a prolonged period of time. This brave family of 5 chose to do both at once for a briefer yet more painful experience. All of them elbowed their way into the kids’ bath for 4 long months and came out in the end a stronger more loving family!

Keep Stainless Steel Appliances Looking Factory New!

Do you have a love/hate relationship with stainless steel? I sure do. There’s nothing quite as handsome as sparkling, stainless steel appliances. But when those nasty fingers prints and light scratches appear, a vision of beauty changes to an eye sore.

Stainless steel is a surface that requires attention and appliance manufacturers and household cleaners have heard the concerns and have taken action with cleansers, coatings and stainless steel alternatives. When it comes to stainless steel maintenance think of a car wax. A Home Depot expert recommends Stainless Steel Magic which minimizes fingerprints and gives a polished look. Simple Green’s Stainless Steel One-Step Cleaner & Polish is another good one.

A dedicated cleaner specific for stainless steel is the key. If you just take a damp cloth and wipe it down, you’ll leave streaks and do nothing for the fingerprints. Oil-based cleaners can dull as soon as the product is applied. Non-ammonia glass cleaner or water-based cleaners will clean and remove smudges but not give a great shine.

Whatever you use, don’t overdo it. Fingerprints, smudges and grease buildup come mostly from using too much cleaner. A lint-free micro-fiber cloth is better than paper towels.

Too much of a hassle? Consider faux stainless steel veneers or a coated surface stainless, however sanding is not an option for scratches.

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