Beginning our DIY kitchen remodel— gutting the bathroom… *VIDEO*
The strangest thing about writing a blog on the internet is feeling like you owe strangers an explanation for your life… then, after the explanation, some of these strangers will be aggrieved by your choices.
This is going to be one of those times.
We are taking out the half bath on the first floor; it is not original to the house, and there is NO PLACE else to relocate it that does not duplicate the same awkward design.
To recap the feedback I’ve gotten:
1. That bathroom is hideous. You MUST tear it out.
2. That bathroom is hideous. You MUST keep it; a first-floor bath is invaluable.
3. That bathroom is hideous. You MUST tear it out… and put it somewhere else; because a first-floor bath is invaluable.
Here is the explanation for taking it out… not that it will persuade you. I only offer it because I am legally required, as a blogger, to account for all of our decisions, so that my explanation may be ignored in favor of public derision.
We are removing the bathroom because we feel the poor location and horrible appearance outweighs its value.
Does that mean we do not understand the value of a bath on the first floor? No. Shockingly, we understand. AND YET we are removing it anyway.
Did we think of some workarounds? Yes.
Were they designs that would enhance the space? No.
They were ways of building half walls and pseudo mudrooms and moving the bathroom further into the kitchen… and just generally creating MORE UGLY to hide the EXISTING UGLY.
So we have decided to have NO UGLY.
To us, this entire space— the addition AND the kitchen— are going to look 1,000,000,000% better with windows on that wall, rather than a boxed-in toilet.
To us, one billion percent is a lot and we feel good about our choice.
I’m also compelled to say this:
This is an old house.
Old houses come with the necessity that you sometimes be willing to ACCEPT THE HOUSE… and sometimes that means choosing what is best for the house, rather than what is most convenient.
Okay… Now you may proceed with the cries of VALUE! Resale!
But you’ll have to do it while watching Paul and I take it out.
other videos to help you waste time:
bed to roof/through window,
how to move a grand piano,
building drawers inside the piano
October 6, 2015 @ 10:08 am
Good decision. That bathroom was HIDEOUS!
October 6, 2015 @ 10:22 pm
Excellent! It’s your house – you get to make all of the decisions. I like it that you are letting the house guide what should stay and what should not, and how things should flow.
October 6, 2015 @ 10:09 am
frankly, i’m thrilled that you took that stanky thing out. it didn’t belong there. it won’t kill anyone to walk up a flight of stairs to pee.
October 6, 2015 @ 2:44 pm
TOTALLY!!!!!
October 6, 2015 @ 10:11 am
Love the video! You two are so cute. I’m sure you’ve already debated this, but by any chance can you squeeze a powder room underneath the set of stairs to the second floor? Sometimes folks do that with what was former closet space (or just empty space) — realize this might not be possible bc of potential stairs to basement, but would love to know! Good luck, it’s looking awesome.
October 6, 2015 @ 10:12 am
I think you and Paul are the only ones that should have a say in the final decision. It seems to me like the both of you know exactly what you’re doing and I know it will look awesome! I can’t wait to see the finished result.
October 6, 2015 @ 5:22 pm
Totally agree! The people who own/live in the house are the ONLY people who get to make the final decision!
Resale value? Money isn’t the only reason to own a house!
In a year or two, if Victoria and Paul decide they really DO need a first-floor bathroom, they will come up with an elegant solution…and it won’t look like what they just tore out.
P.S. I have never seen a cleaner “deconstruction.”
October 6, 2015 @ 10:14 am
Totally with you on this one. That was the most awkward bathroom ever. It looked like someone rolled a port-a-potty in and built a wall around it. I guess it could have been even more awkward if that section was painted port-a-potty blue…… Surprised the previous owners didn’t do that with their love of color.
October 6, 2015 @ 10:20 am
I’m completely with you on this. No toilets in the kitchen!
October 6, 2015 @ 10:21 am
i don’t care what u do about the bathroom your house your choice. My fav are your dancing & Elvis. I’m a romantic!
October 6, 2015 @ 10:22 am
I LOVE THIS.
The bathroom was an eyesore and I’m glad it’s gone.
I read somewhere (maybe it was Tom Clancy?) that even the White House didn’t have a bathroom on the ground floor. So, you’d be in good company.
You and Paul are a delight. And. Where did you get that shirt? I need, like, a dozen.
October 6, 2015 @ 7:50 pm
Sandi, you make an excellent point. If it’s good enough for the White House, it’s good enough for all houses!
October 6, 2015 @ 10:23 am
I love it (and you both) and now I can so easily visualize those fabulous bookcases from last week’s post somewhere at that end of the room. They will reference your piano island perfectly and bring unity to the room as a whole. I am so impressed by the tidy way you accomplish demolition with, as usual, the perfect musical accompaniment.
October 6, 2015 @ 10:23 am
You go girl! Whatever you do, I’m sure it will look fabulous.
October 6, 2015 @ 10:23 am
Great decision! We made a similar choice in our home, especially after we realized most guests preferred to use the upstairs bathroom rather than the downstairs one which was placed extremely close to the kitchen and family room. We don’t miss the downstairs bath at all, plus I get a great workout going up and down all day!
October 6, 2015 @ 10:24 am
Glad you took it out. A bathroom attached to a kitchen is just gross!! As a child, I lived in a farmhouse where the only bathroom was in the basement. For 7 people. No shower, only a tub. We all have had “hardships”. Trudging up the stairs is no big deal! Then people will get a little tour of your awesome house!
October 6, 2015 @ 10:24 am
> Old houses come with the necessity that you sometimes be willing to ACCEPT THE HOUSE… and sometimes that means choosing what is best for the house, rather than what is most convenient.
YES. That’s it. Also: isn’t that the definition of love?
I’m going to use this quote the next time somebody tells me I should CARPET (!!!) the original, worn down, heartpine stairs in my 1740s house… instead of figuring out a non-destructive way to not slip on them.
October 6, 2015 @ 11:03 am
There is NOTHING wrong with old original floors that look old and original. Nothing at all! Although a carpet runner shouldn’t destroy them at all…in fact it would most likely preserve them. I too have lovely old worn pine stairs, mine aren’t “quite” as old as yours…my house dates to 1890, but still…
October 6, 2015 @ 10:29 am
Obviously Elvis approves. Love the dancing and the romantic dip and kiss.
October 6, 2015 @ 1:11 pm
That was my thought! If Elvis approves that should be good enough for everybody! LOL! Your kitchen is going to be Amazing!!???????
October 6, 2015 @ 10:30 am
Oh thank heaven! It was beyond ick. Upstairs bathrooms are better for fitness anyways. BTW it’s great to see Elvis at the end.
October 6, 2015 @ 10:30 am
You two are awesome!
A -love the choice beauty over function! Duh people !
B- Paul and you work so well as a team…dancing!? Really my better half and I would be not speaking and perhaps I would have walked away!
C- Wow girl those scrawny arms are strong!
D-love your conviction, this must go so I will kick it!! Lol
October 6, 2015 @ 10:30 am
Wow. I for one will be glad there will NOT be a toilet in the kitchen. Just think of the exercise you will get! We live in an old house, not as old as yours, but when it was first built the only bath was upstairs, of course over the years there have been baths added down stairs. With an old house you have to just adjust! I love adjusting. Keep up the dancing.
October 6, 2015 @ 10:31 am
Explanations unnecessary (says the woman who cried at dismantling the antique piano) It’s YOUR house, YOUR journey. Do what YOU like. Just keep sharing. I adore reading and watching you two display your phenomenal mojo!
October 13, 2015 @ 6:14 pm
Don’t worry about pianos that are more than 100 years old. They are no good for playing. Maybe someone want to remove the soundboard if it’s not warped but according to The Piano Book, co-written by classical/jazz master Keith Jarrett and Larry Fine, pianos only last 100 years max!
October 6, 2015 @ 10:32 am
Oh good heavens! It’s YOUR house! Do what you want with it!
October 6, 2015 @ 10:33 am
I don’t give a damn what you do with your bathroom, but I love keeping up with your house soap opera. And at least removing the bath gives you the opportunity for more GFT in that corner.