When painting the bathroom ceiling is exciting, you know you need a pick-me-up.
That’s what I realized yesterday when we primed the ceiling in the renovation-in-progress guest bathroom. I need a pick-me-up! Do you need one as much as I do?
During these stay-at-home days, we’ve juggled projects and made good progress on our old house, but I’ve really missed seeing family and friends. These days . . . and weeks . . . and months of limited physical contact are getting old. Next week we’ll miss celebrating Little Man’s birthday in person for the first time in his 11 years. And in April we missed Little Sir’s for the first time in his 8 years. I know some of you grandparents live too far away to see your grandones even once a year, but we’re “only” five hours away—and the last hug we had from those boys was in February. I don’t like it one bit! But I’m so very thankful everyone is safe and staying well.
So as we keep hoping for and looking forward to the day we all get back together, Renaissance Man and I will keep working to get our house ready to welcome everyone.
Our current focus is the guest bathroom.
This is the inspiration board I put together for the new space.
This is where we started . . .
2018 real estate listing featuring early 1980s design
. . . but this space started long before!
Tax records indicate our house was built in 1910, but I’m now confident it was completed in 1908. According to my deed search, no structures were listed on our property when the land sold in 1907 to E. F. Witt, but “buildings” were mentioned in the deed transferring ownership in 1913. I think tax records picked a date between those two and called it good.
So why do I think 1908 is the correct date? Because I’ve virtually seen it in print!
I wish I knew more specifics about our house between 1908 and the early 1930s, but I don’t—yet. Ours was a big ol’ farmhouse in the country just outside of town in 1908. I have a lot of questions!
But as we’ve peeled back the layers of “improvements” in what was originally the only bathroom, I’ve confirmed some things told to me by a neighbor who grew up in our house, including the layout of the space.
I’ve also confirmed that my neighbor’s Aunt Sudah (who took residence in the house in the early 1960s) liked pink! Sadly, the beautiful stained trimwork and doors were painted pink on Aunt Sudah’s watch—but she added the home’s first indoor bathtub.
In the late 1970s/early 1980s, our home got new owners and a corner of the bathroom was sacrificed. Thank goodness!
So to remind you, this is what the room looked like when we entered the story . . .
. . . and this is where it’s headed!
The room has been expanded and the tub installed. You’ll have to wait a bit longer for the “pretty”.
The original 2-over-2 window is now restored, primed, and waiting for me to paint it. In the process, I discovered proof that E.F. Witt was indeed the first owner of our home! It was common for the owner’s name to be written on items like windows, columns, etc. so they would be delivered to the correct location.
The plaster walls were repaired, original floor boards were harvested (and await their role in the Master Bath renovation), and the floor is almost ready for tile. Look at those gorgeous wide planks in the subfloor. It seems a shame to cover them up again!
Finally, here’s a peek at this bathroom’s wallpapers through the decades. The red (I’m guessing the earliest wallpaper) was a very last-minute discovery—and a total surprise.
So the ceiling needs another coat of paint, and then we can start tiling the floor . . . and then the walls. I think I know how we’ll be spending the weekend! I don’t think there’s a pick-me-up in my future for awhile.
I love this historical account and direction you’re heading!