French Bathroom Style

                     Bathroom

We worked on the bathroom project.

Last year, before I left for California, our bathroom was going to be reinvented. But because of family matters more pressing, the bathroom project went on hold. Yesterday we restarted were we had left off.

We started by scrapping off the paint from the old claw foot bathtub.
That has sat outside in our garden since last February.
"Doesn't the dust looked magical as it billows overhead against the crystal clear sky."
French Husband chimed in, "That is one way on looking at it. Certainly, it is lead paint you know."

He is a realist. I am the one with my head in the clouds, lead or otherwise.

                     Bathroom style
  

Next on the list of: "Things-We-Might-Do-By-Ourselves" was the floor tiles.

We carried the flooring upstairs.
I begged him, "We can do it ourselves… it will be fun…"
We sat on the cold floor ready to begin, the floor stretched out like the solar system before us.
Our knees, bottom and hands soon were frozen like ice.

                   Bathroom Faux wood tiles

He knows I am not a handyman.
I know he is not a handyman.
"Corey you do things by approximation…" and before he could finish his thought, I tossed in, "… and you do things by being exact."
We promised not to get mad, or frustrated or to quit.

                  FRench brocante

I was the cleaner-upper, the go-getter, the cheerleader…because after several tries of cutting the floor tiles I realized that each and every pattern I cut was backwards.
Being dyslexic does not show off in times like this.

                 Wood tiles for the bathroom

He methodically, systematically placed the flooring perfectly.
I was impressed.
He was impressed.
We laughed.
In the background 1980 disco music played. It kept our promise in order.
I cannot wait to dance on that floor, even if it is in the bathroom.

Note: This project is ongoing and I will keep you posted on the results.

P.S. French Husband's yogurt is interesting… recipe to follow when it is perfected.



Comments

33 responses to “French Bathroom Style”

  1. The flooring is beautiful…i would love a bathroom big enough to dance in…towel dancing; what fun!
    Happy New Year x

  2. Personally, I am impressed too. If you two can keep smiling through a bathroom redo, then you are amazing. My husband says there are people out there trying to make a living doing this stuff and he thinks we should let them. I tend to agree.

  3. Oh, yes, do keep us updated. Love old clawfoot tubs. They are the best for soaking in a nice bath. Had one last night as a matter of fact!! We are debating peel and stick in the kitchen- but I am afraid me and mine and just like you are yours. And mine is no handy-man either 🙂

  4. Corey, I can sympathize with you. I’m glad that you were able to get the job done without arguments. That’s the test of a marriage you know. The Farmer is totally un-handy and has a wicked temper when it comes to any kind of home improvement project. That’s why, for the harder things we hire out. Our son is very patient and him and I have tackled some large projects together, including laying 1,200 sq. ft. of porcelain tile in our basement. Yes, 1,200 SQUARE FEET. It’s not rocket science but as you have found, the cutting and figuring require a bit of geometry knowledge. HA.
    I’m wanting to see the final result…… in total.
    – Suzanne, the Farmer’s Wife

  5. Sounds like another fun day in France!!! Can’t wait for the final results.

  6. Yep. Just like Jeff and me. I approximate and he is exact. I can’t wait to see the bathroom!

  7. Love and hugs to you my darling
    Everything looks fabulous
    Love Jeanne ^j^
    Cannot wait for your husbands yogurt recipe.

  8. I love your writing style, Corey! Your stories are little slices of real life, just as it happens.
    Thanks for sharing!
    Blessings,
    BILL

  9. Wonderful story. It does seems the dreamers and the realists always marry, doesn’t it?
    I love your little soap dish.

  10. Corey, I am laughing because my husband always teases me that I think any place can be awesome with a little plaster and some paint. It bothers him if there is not electricity or indoor plumbing, I see it as a minor challenge. Perspective makes all the difference. 😉

  11. I am impressed! Good for the two of you. I will be your cheerleader from America. Hats off to anyone that can do home improvements themselves. Can’t wait for the pictures.
    Wasn’t it cold outside working on the tub?

  12. My husband says, “We support the service economy.” He says we do not have the time to learn such things (as carpentry and tiling). I know what he really means is that when it comes to projects like that we’re hopeless!

  13. You two are very brave tackling this together –
    We don’t even hang pictures together – he uses a special, lighted measuring tape, marker, special nails, exact hangar for the weight.
    I use a handy nail, hammer, eyeball it, and done!:)
    ————————–
    Hi Sunrise
    We sound alike.Our husband sound alike too.
    I bite my tongue alot yesterday. It paid off.

  14. OK Corey, I am confused. Is the flooring shown in the picture what you installed, cause it sure looks like wood to me.
    On the claw foot tub front, we installed one in our 95 year old farmhouse a few years ago. LOVE IT! It had set out by our barn for over 30 years tantalizing me with it’s promise of charm.
    ——————————–
    Hi Carol
    We are covering the tiles with Faux wood flooring. It is a new product.

  15. The photos are so inviting! I like your choice of music.

  16. wow! it is gorgeous! our bathroom is *very* tiny–one plank of wood would about cover it, LOL!

  17. Well, this certainly sounds familiar. My husband is the realist and I am the one with my head in the clouds. I am the “cheerleader”. I am the one who says “It won’t take long, it will be fun” or “we can do this by ourselves and save money”. In every turn, it usually takes twice as long as I thought and husband always is the one who has to do the measuring as I can’t seem to get that part of it right!
    But, we have finished many a project that way and learned something in the process. “Two old fools are better than one”. Him for listening to me and me thinking it is always going to be easy rather than hard.
    I’m anxious to see the results. Please keep us posted.

  18. You guys are so much more couageous than us. We offically through in the towel on our bathroom project and are calling in the La Peyre/Castorama special forces!

  19. …officially threw in the towel I meant to say…I can’t spell for the life of me.

  20. Okay, I’ll try and comment again, third time’s a charm?
    We’ve been trying to redo our bathroom ourselves but have given up after bad results and have called in the LaPeyre/Castorama special forces for help.

  21. You two should feel proud of yourselves – pat each other on the back, kiss each other on the lips, twirl across that new bathroom floor together!

  22. I HAD to stop by and visit after reading what Margaret said (on her blog Alice and Camilla) about your amazing blog. Just the day to day life in France. I’m hooked!

  23. You’re very brave…to work together like that!
    I’ve tiled a bathroom floor with my dad…but never with my husband!
    Very brave, I tell you, very brave!

  24. Ah, I have danced away from blogging over the holidays and I see far too many entries to catch up on. I shall seek a cold winter’s night and a warm cup of cocoa and read the unread.
    For now I will simply snicker along with you and recall how my hubby and I used to “fix up” the place together, but found that we danced with greater gusto when we sprinkled money like pixie dust into a trusted contractor’s bank account and watched for the magical transformation.
    : D

  25. Corey, those floors are beautiful! My husband and I are working together on a mass project right now, and we have those same conversations LOL. No getting mad!
    Looks fantastic! Can’t wait to see more.
    xo Isa

  26. SweetPeaSurry

    I’ve always wanted to try my hand at home improvements. Someone else would need to measure though, I’m horrible at mathmatics.
    Never forget … being cheered on is half the battle … SOO go go get ’em get ’em … OOh Aah!!

  27. Just remember……measure twice, cut once!
    and now I want to know…..what is that flooring made of? At first glance I thought you were laying old boards as flooring…it looks amazing!
    I am quite impressed at this endeavor!
    XOXOXO
    —————-
    Hi Lisa
    No, they are faux ( a pretty way to say fake) wood tiles.
    A bathroom with wood floors would be too much upkeep for me.

  28. oh good for you!
    I have come to the realization that not only do I want to redo our bathroom, but we really *need* to (the tiles that fell off during my shower gave that away, yuck!). I wonder if I can tile…

  29. Corey, absolutely beautiful flooring! My husband and I have completely remodeled 4 houses while we were living in them. I am still amazed that we still love each other. 🙂 I look forward to the finished product. Blessings, Kimberly

  30. My husband always has to do things like tile work as well as he is a perfectionist. I run out of energy and will do things any old way. We’ve never done a floor, just kitchen tile behind the stove.

  31. Julie Ann

    Joint DIY – you are brave ! Cant wait to see the final result, J.

  32. I married the type of man mother advised against – dear Bob who can’t hit a nail in the wall straight!! Did you get the feeling he’s no handyman when you met?
    So we too support local builders, tile setters, plumbers, electricians etc. whenever we need help. I used to do all the interior painting myself but now use a painter – my aching back, but more because I like the guy and know he needs the work. He’s hopefully coming soon to work on the dining room.

  33. AlenaMoss

    Corey, I love your choice of colors. Beautiful ! Can’t wait to see it finished. Makes me want to start redecorating around our house. Your living room is stunning!

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