More small bathroom inspiration: http://www.hometalk.com/b/705026/small-bathr...

#DIYChallenge was the perfect opportunity to create a simple, elegant custom mirror. The scalloped trim was inexpensive and added a graphic element when painted black. The project took less than 2 hours and is perfect for any beginner. I love the cottage detail that the trim adds! Click-over for a simple tutorial.

with tile (Lowes). Red paint, medicine cabinets from Pottery Barn (stripped and refinished to match the natural hickory cabinets) new rubbed bronze light, plumbing and door fixtures (Lowes). Glass enclosure (Arizona Shower Doors) I'm still trying to figure out what to hang in the large wall space above the tub. We now have curtain/sheers over the glass block. I will post that pic when I get the tie backs done. Also looking for a little shelf to put above the towel rack near the sinks for a little clock (keep me somewhat on time!) and collection of antique glass bottles. The contractor as Abe Gordoa - Sonoran Outdoor Kitchens & Entertainment Areas LLC (Surprise, AZ) He did the hall bath and our outdoor kitchen and fireplace as well.

Advice:

I would do the demo again. It saves about a $1,000.00.

I would stay home and ask questions of the products he is using and look them up on the internet to be sure he is using the right products.

I would check on out old references / projects he has completed over 6 months to year ago.

I would NOT go with a contractor who tells you verbally one price and another higher amount on paper. Invoices are their legal contract and maybe used against them.

I saved some money by doing the demolition myself which took 3 days. It would have gone faster if I rented a power jack hammer. I had a contractor and his plumber finish the project. Poor planning on the contractor part delayed the project a 5 days, his plumber was out of town for the holidays, the week after Christmas. Then I had to go back to work and the contractor finish the project while I was at work, Big Mistake. Do not let any contractor work while you are not at home, they will cut corners. He used a polymer based adhesive (mastic) instead of thin-set. I started having problems 6 months later with the tile shower floor. I called the manufacture of the adhesive and they said it should not be used in a wet environment such as a shower since the adhesive will re-emulsify (become liquid again) when it comes into contact with water. Mastic is a very good product for walls and floors but not for showers. So I had the contractor come back out and replace the shower floor at his expense.

Materials:

$567.44 - $0.00

When it comes to needing a bathtub in you home their are a couple different schools of thought. Traditional real estate agents will confirm that you need to have at least one bathtub to protect resale value. However the tide is rapidly turning to the opinion that a well done display shower can have many advantages. A person must first decide if they ever do use a bathtub or if they use it enough to justify the space a bathtub takes up in a bathroom.

The homes location will have an affect on which bathroom layout makes sense for you. A neighborhood with a lot of young families might require a bathtub for small children. On the other hand, in a more developed community with an older population having a bathtub may be a liability.

Finally when making the decision to keep or eliminate a bathtub many people overlook the value of enjoyment. If you plan on living in a home for five or more years the time spent enjoying a tub or shower will likely out way any perceived changes in home resale value. Bottom line is that there are no blanket rules of thumb.

As I contractor I most often hear we would prefer a shower but we want to protect our resale value. If so many people are saying where is there added resale value in keeping a bathtub?

made a major impact. Sheer curtains and other neutral decorations finished off the look.

Read more here: http://www.gingerlymade.com/2013/04/half-bat...