World's Smallest Bathroom -- FINISHED!!

THE DISCLAIMER: 

First, let me just say that though I'm BASICALLY done with my bathroom project, there'll still be some tweaking for some time to come.  So if you see something not quite right, I'll get to it -- eventually.   

Also, I'll probably be changing out the decore at some point too.  But since this is a guest bath (and we never have any guests) I thought I'd try something a little fun.

One last thing, taking photos in this small space was very difficult, I hope you can envision things properly.

THE RECAP:

My husband and I bought our house about 12 years ago -- for $100!  That's because just the house was for sale, we had to move it.  So we moved it, worked on it, moved the family in, worked on it some more, took a pause to catch our breath (even though we weren't done), and never seemed to get back on track.  

So for many years, the space looked like this!  Actually, that's not true.  This is a cleaned up version once I had started my project.  The space was unfinished but the studded walls were there, and I did have a washer and dryer and some storage in the laundry area. 

 
Then, a couple months ago, I got motivated to "Get 'er done!"  So....

I did some wiring.

And I did some plumbing.

And I did some drywalling.  (don't let your vehicle become a stumbling block -- if you cut your pieces in the parking lot they'll fit easily into any min-van!)

And I laid down new flooring.  The space had flooring already but I didn't like it.  So to not spend a lot and to keep the theme of vintage simplicity, I had a sheet of plywood cut into strips (at Lowe's, so kind), stained, whitewashed, sanded, nailed it down.  It might not last forever, but for $12 -- who cares!  And so far -- I LOVE IT!   

Of course, I also painted, trimmed, installed, blah, blah, blah.  But let's get to the good stuff!

THE REVEAL:

This is the right-hand side of the laundry area as you enter the space.  Just enough room for some storage and a stacked (even if it's home grown) washer and dryer.

Or from the other direction, viewing it from the bathroom doorway.  I made some shelves, including a space to store my upright vacuum. 

Above is more shelving.

I was able to attach this rusy, chippy hinge to the wall between the washer and storage areas.  When I need to hang dry something, I simply lower the hinge and insert hanger into hole.  

Other side of laundry area.  Behind the opened door is more shelves for utility storage (light bulbs, gift wrap stuff, gardening stuff, etc.).  And on the wall is a little taste of what's to come.  "Ready for my closeup!"....

  

This framed instruction sheet was from the bundle that inspired my bathroom project.

I bought this cool piece earlier this year for a mere $10.  I love it!

A 7' tower to house a stretcher in case of a mishap at a factory.  The stretcher was still there, too, along with some signs.  

So, as you look into the doorway of the bathroom area (it's on a 45 degree angle), you can see the signs. 

And I placed the tower in the corner and added a hook to serve as a towel holder.

Cool!

And even higher up I placed the stretcher.  Not only is it cool, but now I can store things in the tower.  

I placed the stretcher really high to help with head room.  The space is really tight, and the stretcher is quite big -- it used up every inch of that back wall!

Now that you've got the theme, let's resume the tour!  The bathroom area has a doorway, but no door.  It is set on angle, so you can turn to the right or you can turn to the left.  This is the right!  

The shelf is removable because it tops the bump out area that houses some of my laundry hoses.  I'll probably accessorize it later, but for now I enjoy looking at the antique doctor bag mounted on the wall above. 

It's not just cool looking....it's functional!!

Moving to the left side of the doorway, I bought this vintage sink at auction for $5 several months ago.  This is probably what spurred me to finally finish this space.  I was able to find the vintage faucets at a salvage yard for another $5.  I might tire of the old fixtures in a couple years, but for now it's fun.

Came across this vintage medicine chest in one of my junk piles and placed it above the sink.  It seems to work.

So, like I said, I do have a bit of tweaking and decorating to do yet, but for the most part I'd call it FINISHED!!

Probably the only room that IS all the way finished, but I'm not going to stop now.  It kind of motivated me to keep going.  Generally, I'm much better at starting than finishing.  Proabably true for a lot of people.  I'll work on staying focused.  And more importantly is staying focused on what's really important:

     "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  ~~  2 Timothy 4:7

THAT'S the kind of finishing I hope one day to be remembered for. 

Peace.

Midge

I'm linking this up to Donna's Saturday Nite Special Party #93 at Funky Junk Interiorsfunkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com

A Sneak Peek!

I'm getting very close to being able to reveal my new

 "World's Smallest Bathroom"!...YAY!

But in the meantime, I thought I'd give you a sneak peek by showing you part of my laundry room --

I had to work on that, too, since you have to pass through it first!  

Who doesn't love a rusty little piece of hardware??  :)

So I attached an old hinge to the wall in the upright position.

This wall separates the washer/dryer from some built-in storage.  

(Wall space is limited, so I had to use every area I could!) 

Before screwing into the wall, I backed it with washers to give it a truer angle because it's not just cool looking....

it's functional!

A great way to have a spot for hanging a shirt or two to dry in a laundry that doesn't have room for extras!

Midge

World's Smallest Bathroom: Plumbing -- Cold's on the Right!

My husband likes to quote a plumber who once told him:
 "Plumbing's easy.  All you need to know is *waste (edited by me!) flows downhill, and cold's on the right." 

Well, it isn't quite THAT easy, but it is easier than you'd think.

And water supply lines are much easier than drain lines!

The pipes easiest for the DIYer is this CPVC available at Lowes, Home Depot etc. 

Most of the branches up to fixtures use 1/2" pipe like this one, while 3/4' is sometimes used closer to the water source or to accommodate greater water supply needs.

The great thing about this pipe -- it's much more flexible and requires less precision.

And it's much easier to cut (and more fun).

That doo-hickey is a pipe cutter -- just tighten where you want, and spin it around!

Connecting the pipes together is also much easier --

no worrying about sloping and angles.

 Water under pressure means it will push forward no matter if you go up, down, or round and round!  Choose whatever path you want to go from point A to point B.

You'll find you'll use mostly couplers, elbows, and tees.

But at the store you'll find a variety to suit your project -- and not very expensive!

The adhering together is the same as with the drain line --

first apply purple to surfaces being connected, then apply glue, then push and twist together to get a good fit.

Here's my bathroom project.

Because we had changed our design years before, the laundry pipes were in the bathroom area.

Since that's where my toilet's going, I had a built-in source of water -- literally!

I cut a small hole in the drywall to expose the cold water line (don't worry about the wall, I've got a plan).

Then, and this is very important, I SHUT OFF THE MAIN WATER VALVE!

Then I proceeded to cut the pipe using a very small version of a pipe cutter.  

Or you could use this type pipe cutter, you pinch it like a pliers.

Also, I had first placed a rag around the pipe.

Even though the water is no longer under pressure, it will be IN the pipes and will spill out a bit.

So my pipe is cut.

Hey!  Where'd my bottom go?.....

Actually it fell into the basement

(see what I mean, supply lines are much more free to do their own thing!). 

While I gave it a little push up from below, my husband duct taped it in place to keep it from misbehaving.

NOTE TO SELF:  Next time, duct tape FIRST.  Then it won't even fall through.

Then I just inserted a tee between the two cut ends.

(Whoa.  Looks like someone got a little crazy with the purple stuff.)

Glued a section of pipe into the tee.

And because I wasn't ready to add the valve yet, I added a cap to the open end. 

I gave it 30 minutes to dry and turned water back on.

YAY!  No evidence of leakage!

For my sink lines I started in the basement at the closest water source.

Okay, you might have busted me -- I didn't cut into these lines yet.

But they're ready to go, and I will -- eventually.  For now I just need my supply lines placed. 

So I just went over, turned with "elbows", and then, again using elbows, went up through the floor.

In the bathroom I used a special elbow that came with "wings".

That allowed me to attach to wall for a more secure fit.

Because the water was not "live" in these pipes, there was no rush to finish up.

So later, after putting up my drywall, I decided to add the valve.  

I needed the plastic adapter, the metal valve, teflon tape, and pliers.

Because the plastic goes into metal, you must first wrap the threaded section with teflon tape. 

This provides a kind of buffer between the two. 

Then you can screw the two pieces together.  Tighten with pliers for a good seal. 

Now you can get out the purple and glue again and attach to the pipe.

I even remembered to first slip on the round metal wall flange for a nice finished look.

(Of course there are ones that can go on after -- still)

And that's about it! 

Much easier than drain lines!

Don't be afraid to give it a try.

Just remember -- always shut off water before cutting a line, check for leaks before closing in a wall, and .... oh yeah....Cold's on the Right! 

Midge

Reflecting on some past projects!

I'm so happy to be making progress on my tiny bathroom, but in the meantime I haven't been getting many junking projects done.  SO....

to join in Funky Junk Donna's Linky Party, this post features some of my past mirror projects!  So if it seems like you've seen some of these before...you probably have!  

One of my all time favorites --

an old iron wheel thingy I got for $1 at an auction! 

Perfect frame for a mirror!

It's since been sold. Think there's any chance I'll find another? 

Industrial mirror made from the base of an old wind turbine.

I just love the industrial look!

Game. Set. Match! 

Old tennis presses make great mirror frames! 

They're easy to do, and you don't need expert glass cutting skills!

Another $1 auction find! 

Sure this old architectural piece is a bit beat up and chippy.  

But isn't that what makes it so awesome?  

This little mirror is made from a "pipe clamp" --

at least that's what the description said.

All I know is it makes a great frame for a rustic, industrial mirror.  

Midge

I'm linking this up to Donna's Saturday Nite Special Linky Party #89