COTTAGE PATH,  Main Bathroom

Fixing The Old With The New

On to the main bathroom, but what we thought would be a quick update becomes an, oh no, wait. How do we fix this? The cabinet, as you can see, is up right next to the tub. Because of this, the cabinet has water damage and is too large for the space. Opposite the sink is two large cabinets that also take up to much space. But necessary for storage. The mirror has the issue of being so high on the wall that people that have vertical problems can maybe see their head only. And look at the towel hooks, don’t think I have to tell you the issue there. Oh, and the toilet paper holder is not suitable.


As the sheet rock came down, it uncovered the past. We found what was another doorway, a window, and the evidence of wall tile, plus a cutout for an in-wall medicine cabinet. So where we thought we’d find just shiplap, nope. The window cut-out was a change order when the cottage was first built. We know this because the cheesecloth and the original wallpaper were over it.

Under the plywood applied under the current tile, a hole was cut out because the vent pipe stuck out too far to be cover by the plywood. On the pipe, we could see the pattern of the mesh applied for holding the original tile.

Now the dilemma is what to do with the walls. The planned way is to remove the sheetrock and tile and paint the shiplap. Our shiplap is wider than most. The ceiling shiplap on most homes is nine inches wide, with the walls eight inches wide. Our walls are nine inches wide; they don’t make this size anymore. We came up with making our faux shiplap using 1/4 inch plywood by cutting it into nine-inch sections and putting it over all the mess.

Now we can start to put it together again.

10 Comments

  • Judith Minor

    I think it came out beautiful. Idea for toilet paper, have you ever seen the holder on the side of the toilet? Some I have seen are very elegant, but inconvenient to turn around. Just a thought. I know you all are working on one huge project. What fun this is. I love it. Keep the updates coming.

  • Julianne Drogin

    It sounds overwhelming to me. What a project! It is fun watching your progress. The bathroom: love how they squeezed everything in. “God is great, beer is good and people are crazy”.

  • Kathie Tedeschi

    Maybe I’m crazy but I thought it looked good the way it was if it’s mainly for a powder room/guesy bath. But I guess if its water damaged you’d have to change it. The mirror would probably bug me if it was just a head shot.Anyway, I am in awe “at our age” that you have the gusto to go for it Linda! Ha ha ha! “Moreguver” (“Is that what you call Tony?”) will create a dream bathroom I’m sure! Lol! xoxo

  • Kathie Tedeschi

    PS) Okay, second thoughts, yeah the hooks are an issue and geez they really crammed that vanity into a small space. Can’t wait to see the transformation!

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