1960s-era bathroom upgrade

[twocutekelpies]

Our 1961 bathroom was looking a little tired, the never-used bathtub was pitted and the vanity drawers were starting to fall apart. 

     

Steps

Step 1

Over the course of a week, we gradually stripped out the bathroom, removed a few layers of flooring, including the old asbestos tiles (carefully), thankfully they weren't even stuck down, just a few nails, so we were able to bag and dispose of these easily. 

We also removed the hallway linen cupboard to get a bit more space.

    

Step 2

The bathtub was extremely heavy, we managed to get a couple of dollys under it and roll it down the hallway, through the lounge and out to the front door.  Then we used the old masonite from the walls to create a slide down the front stairs (high block house) and tow straps to ease its decent. It's now in someone's garden as an ornament. 

Step 3

And then I went to Vietnam for 2 weeks with my Mum while hubby played sidekick to a professional. 😎 They re-sheeted the bathroom with Villaboard, had the fridge power point moved because it was right where the niche was going and made lots of dust everywhere!

I came home to an almost complete bathroom and very happy with what they'd done.

    

  

Step 4

The shower floor tiles are the same as the main floor tiles, hubby cut each one cut into 9 squares to get the fall right. 

The shower screen took a few weeks to arrive so we were able to put up a make-shift shower curtain with an adjustable rod that works on friction, no screws needed.

My contribution to the project was this bench. I used a piece of Hevea board and bench legs from Bunnings, stained with One Coat Black Stain Timber Protect (3 coats to get darker look) then sealed with Monocel Clear Gloss Varnish Spray can (3 coats) (both from Bunnings)

Step 5

Shower screen fitted.

  

Bathroom now looking more "homely" and loving not having to step into a bathtub that was never used anyway. 

Ample towel rails on both sides of the bathroom. I've ordered a hook for the hand towel, I think I'll mount that to the side of the vanity, anywhere else might be in the way. 

[MitchellMc]

What a wonderful transformation you have achieved in this space, @twocutekelpies! The change from the original sixties layout to the fresh, modern bathroom you now have is absolutely amazing. The new wall tiles look fantastic and suit the room beautifully. You must be so proud of your efforts because the result shows how much care and thought has gone into every stage of the upgrade. It is a huge project to take on, and you have done a truly impressive job.

Well done!

Mitchell