Friday, September 19, 2008

Photo Story Friday

When we bought our house 4 years ago, it was what you would call a fixer upper. It was completely trashed! It was nasty, disgusting, foul. We spent 3 months working on it--cleaning and remodeling--before we even moved in. We had to remove a few walls, completely redo electric work and some plumbing, build a pantry, and of course paint.We also put in all new flooring, doors, light fixtures, and kitchen cupboards and counter tops. We also put a salon in the basement for me. It was a whole lot of work and we spent hours and hours every day working on it. (Thanks be to my family and to Matt's dad for helping us get it done!)

The rooms that were totally neglected in the whole process were the bathrooms. We ran out of funds and just weren't able to do them. Well, this year, I was able to do the main bathroom. Yeah!

Just a little background for you, I am very much a do-it-yourselfer. I hate paying someone any amount of money for something that I think I could do myself. I was raised that way. My dad was the fixer of things around our house. And if he couldn't figure something out, Grandpa was called in. I was also raised to not be afraid to get my hands dirty. In our house, it wasn't just the boys who were mowing the lawn, or helping with car repair. The oldest 3 kids were girls, and we helped with all kinds of projects. Just a few weeks ago we were helping my dad build his huge garage shed. And me and my sisters were just as involved as my brothers.

I like learning to do new things. And being involved, whether the task is big or small. I love the satisfaction of knowing I did something myself (or with help, but without "professional" help). When I look around my house, I see the handiwork of myself, my husband, and various family members. And I think for the most part, we did a dang good job.

Okay, enough rambling. Here are the befores. I know you will all love the pink!



Wasn't she lovely?!
Here are the afters:

I love how it turned out! And I love having an all new bathroom. Matt did all the demo. And with the help of his dad, the electric and plumbing got done.

Who did all that beautiful tile work, you ask? That would be me. Yep, all by myself. And I'm just a little proud.

I have a little bit of advice for any of you that might be using a tile saw in the near future:
1. Stand to the side of it unless you want your shirt to be completely soaked!
2. Safety goggles are a good thing! Especially if you end up needing to use a grinder.

Jaime Sig

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

26 comments:

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

Wow, you have some serious talent! Can I rent you out? Seriously, THAT should be on HGTV. WOW.

Anonymous said...

Nice work! I am actually proud to tell people that you did the tile. It looks great. I cant wait to be able to tackle our bathroom.

Matt

Jyl @ MommyGossip said...

We'll be moving back into our house next summer. Wanna come on over and apply your newly learned skills on our bathrooms? :)

tiarastantrums said...

this is so funny . . . I did the same thing in our master bath - took all the old tiles out (not the floor- those are ok) before my husband even knew what was going on.
AND - I HAVE THE SAME EXACT tiles in my shower!! I just put the little ones on the bottom - not the top!!!!!!

Rachael Schirano \\ Rachael Schirano Photography said...

wow, it looks fantastic!!!

Cecily R said...

Looks fantastic!!!! If I could pull that stuff off, I'd be a do it yourselfer too!!!

Claremont First Ward said...

Jamie,
You rock. The transformation is amazing. That you did most of the work is incredible. I can see why you LOVE it!

Killlashandra said...

Very nice remodel! Considering the amount of time we all end spending in the bathroom I agree that it should look nice and you should want to spend time there. :)

Rebecca said...

That's awesome Jaime!! You did an amazing job.

Dan and Melissa said...

You sure did a great job! I love how you did the tile. And the vanity for the bathroom looks like it has tons of storage...didn't remember seeing that when we were at your house. Good job!

Are You Serious! said...

♥ Right on!!! It looks so GREAT! :)

Jocasta said...

Wow - that looks great. You have every reason to be proud!

Tracy said...

I agree w/ everyone that it looks FANTASTIC. I'm slightly jealous. We really need some bathroom renovations. ahh - some day. I do feel inspired though.

Josh n Betsie said...

wow that is nice. Ineed you to come do our bathrooms. Well except that it costs money to do.

AutoSysGene said...

Wow, I can't believe what a huge difference some tile and a new sink and cabinet make. It really is beautiful. If I was able to do something like that I would brag about it, too!

Good on ya! :)

Anonymous said...

Very nice bathroom and I am very impressed you did the hard part yourself!! It looks awesome! I have always been intimidated by tools!

I am Arizona; a person, not a place. said...

I love the new bathroom! Remodeling is such tough work. My husband and I bought 3 fixer uppers during our lifetime and vow never to do it again. It looks great when its finished, but getting to that point is tough! The colors you chose for your bathroom give it warmth...looks really good!

Connie said...

That's awesome Jaime!! It looks wonderful. Go girl!

Chris said...

That looks great -- I really like the shower. We just moved in to a "new" house and I can't even hang the towel rack so that it will stay up.
Do you hire out?

Tonya Staab said...

Oh you sound so much like me. I LOVE buying fixer uppers. I love getting in there and doing things myself and feelig that satisfaction of learning how to do something and actually doing it without having to rely on somebody else.

The bathroom looks fantastic. You did an amazing job.

girlytwins said...

You go girl! I am a dot it yourselfer too. But that is amazing. You have a lot to be proud of. Are you for hire? :)

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

Beautiful new bathroom..... can you come over and re-do mine? :)

Jaysi said...

That looks amazing!! Way to go. I am jealous of your skills! My husband has jumped into the home improvement world, but I am usually just the assistant/kid entertainer. I need to upgrade and get myself a tool belt!

Stephanie said...

Ok I was going to say YOU ROCK, but Angie already did! Can I say it again? Beautiful tile work! We have our master bath and the kids' bath that has very dated tile...well, at least to my liking. I can't imagine where to begin with the whole demo?

You've got mad skills!!!

Debra said...

WOW. Are you coming to Nauvoo at any time in the next couple years? I have a kitchen wall that needs a tiled backsplash!

YOU ROCK GIRL!!!!!

I was raised the same way (1 of 5 girls.. no boys) When Michael and I wanted to put in a concrete patio in our backyard in FL, he wanted TO PAY someone to do it. My dad worked at a concrete company all his life (from high school till he retired) and owned a concrete pumping company. And my dh wanted to forkover $2500 to PAY someone. I about passed out! LOL

Laura said...

Wow what a wonderful remodel job! Great work. It is beautiful!