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 @ 11:27 am
The only thing you must do is what you guys feel is right for your space. It’s your home and that is the privilege of home ownership.
I am super impressed with how tidy you two are when you demo!
October 6, 2015 @ 11:28 am
Well, I think it sucks and you’re stupid. You’ve ruined the internet for everyone. Nice work.
You didn’t get a single hater and I didn’t think you should be disappointed. This was a no brainer… 😀
(Prrrfect Elvis placement by the way. Got the feels.)
October 6, 2015 @ 11:34 am
Awesome video. You are the best! I don’t care one way or the other about the bathroom. Love your blog, though. Paul must be a REALY good sport!
October 6, 2015 @ 11:35 am
Brava, to you both. I loooove your blog. We live in an 1850’s Folk Victorian. A bathroom was added in the 1950’s . We are currently removing the tub/shower so it will just be a powder room. Oh the horrors we have heard about our decision. Resale value and showering in our old age is repeatedly mentioned. We are stool removing. Stay strong with your remodeling skills.
October 6, 2015 @ 11:36 am
Hey, it’s your house you do what you want! LOL I’ve never liked a bathroom right next to the kitchen either, seems distasteful. You guys dance so cute together, do you like to go out dancing a lot?
October 6, 2015 @ 11:36 am
Hi
I agree with you in getting rid of the bathroom. The kitchen will look 100 percent better with
windows.
Regardless of people’s opinions what feels right and makes you happy is what counts.
October 6, 2015 @ 11:37 am
I’m in support of removing the bathroom, but part of me does wish you had experimented, however briefly, with removing and walls and sink but leaving the toilet and using it as a planter.
October 6, 2015 @ 11:37 am
We *really* need more gratuitous video of Elvis.
October 6, 2015 @ 11:50 am
More Issues Than Vogue. Love it. Loved the vid more. Thanks for making my day/week/month.
October 6, 2015 @ 12:08 pm
I agree, old houses demand compromise. I am a big fan of powder rooms and not a big fan of stairs (arthritic knees weighing in on that) but no powder room should be within hearing of a stunning grand piano island. Also, in a duel between beauty and practicality, sometimes it’s best that beauty wins. Hence, high heels.
October 6, 2015 @ 12:09 pm
You don’t owe anyone an explanation. It’s not what I would have done, but it’s the right decision for you two, and that’s all that matters! Great video, and the room already looks a lot better, even with a few unpainted lines down the walls!
October 6, 2015 @ 12:19 pm
A+++ video 🙂
October 6, 2015 @ 12:19 pm
For the potty on the first floor crowd, you can always put a port-a-potty in the back yard behind a tasteful bush… Myself , I want a bathroom on the first floor but not when it’s so ugly.
October 6, 2015 @ 12:24 pm
Can I just say kudos for the right way to do a demo? Watching people smash drywall into itty-bitty pieces on TV drives me crazy. Take it out in big sections! You’ll save yourself so much mess. Way to go! Plus, incorporating dancing and fistbumps and kitties into demo is also very important.
October 6, 2015 @ 12:28 pm
WOW! You two are impressive, you get IT done… and cute and fun! I want your tank top, btw. Well done.
October 6, 2015 @ 12:28 pm
That is the tidiest demolition I have ever seen. (OK, it’s the only demolition I’ve ever seen. But still.) Brava.
October 6, 2015 @ 12:34 pm
The rules: Your house, you get to do what you want. Plus, you have already made so many updates and improvements, your house value has to have gone up. You can’t base everything on resale value.
October 6, 2015 @ 12:37 pm
I have never understood the reason behind having a BATHROOM anywhere near a living room or kitchen. I mean, how awkward for your guests to have to do something that should be private and discreet, in view of everyone. Even if there is a door that’s shut, it’s still pretty vulgar because everybody knows what you are doing. My mother used to live in a house that the kitchen, living room, dinning room and entry hall were all one large space. There was also a door, just randomly along one wall and you opened it and it was a half bath. So whether anyone agrees or disagrees with the removal of the half bath and are basing it on the ideas of convenience or resale value or whatever, I whole heartedly agree with the removal of it because you are returning modesty, discretion and CLASS back to your house You, or your guests, don’t want to listen to the body functions of another human while talking or cooking or EATING. Just because you CAN put a toilet in your living room doesn’t necessarily mean that you should.
October 6, 2015 @ 4:19 pm
Hear, hear!
October 7, 2015 @ 1:33 pm
Agreed! I hate bathrooms located right off of a public, social space. It feels awkward for everyone, especially the one needing use of the facilities.
October 6, 2015 @ 12:41 pm
I agree it’s a million percent better. Only when you wrote that in digits you wrote one billion. I know because I homeschool and I have to correct my kids’ homework on place value all the time. Having said that, I like your mistake because “a billion percent better” is awesomer than “million” because a) it’s more accurate and b) you’ve got the alliteration thing going there. Love the dancing. I think it’s high time Paul wrote a guest post. His fan base is huge.
October 6, 2015 @ 12:51 pm
You two are such good dancers!!!! I agree the kitchen will be thousands of times better!!!!! I believe in making the house work for you, not the next owners. It is your home!