Tarantula Arms Is Getting A Facelift

[compactelectra]

Well, since the market was slow and I got a new job close by, I have decided to keep Tarantula Arms. Since I am keeping it (Tania is very happy!) I have decided to do a total facelift. Furniture is out for reupholstery, carpeting is on order and all bathrooms are getting a make-over. For those of you who don't care, you can skip this thread. I have been getting questions though, so here is an update.

Most of the furniture on the first floor is being replaced or recovered. As that happens, if there is interest, I'll post pictures. Carpeting on the second floor is being replaced but not until the second floor bathrooms are finished with construction. One of the things I learned by putting the house on the market was that this place was somewhat dated - especially in this price range. The house is 25 years old. When my sister-in-law helped me put it on the market (she's a broker) she asked if I had gold plumbing fixtures. She was disappointed to hear that the whole house was filled with them. They really date the place. So when I decided to keep the place, those were the first things to go.

First to be done - the powder room - picture before. Gold fixtures and door hardware. All replaced with brushed nickel even the door handles. Corian counter replaced with granite. Don't even know how to describe that toilet paper holder. It went as well.

 

[compactelectra]

After - First Picture

Same vantage. New cabinet and door hardware, cabinet painted, new granite counter top and fixtures. Finally, a new paint job.

 

[compactelectra]

Next - Upstairs

Tania and Charlie's bathroom. Charlie had some specific requests. A before shot. I really didn't mind it, but now that I look at it OY! Welcome to the 80's. Here is a shot under construction.

 

[compactelectra]

And After

Black granite counter, white sinks and chrome fixtures. The floor was off-white and grey so grey, white and black became the theme. Tania doesn't like it, but I think Charlie does. The shower and bath in the next room is now done in white glass tile with a black inset. All new Grohe chrome fixtures.

 

[compactelectra]

Now

The major bath work - on my master bath. This one is a total gut job. Some before pictures.

 

[compactelectra]

And

The old whirlpool tub.

 

[compactelectra]

And

Shower. This is getting a total make-over and expansion.

 

[compactelectra]

Jerry

My adorable contractor started on the demolition. First shots. Cabinets - gone.

 

[compactelectra]

Shower -

Gone

 

[compactelectra]

Whirlpool Enclosure

Demolished - all this in one day.

 

[gusherb]

I love the transformation! The brushed nickel is a very nice choice, I've always liked it, but wondered if that's gonna go the way of Polished Brass after a little while too.

If you waited long enough Polished Brass would've been back in fashion!

 

[compactelectra]

So

My plan is for a Joan Crawford like shower. Multiple shower heads (6). This will require 3/4 inch plumbing lines to the shower. Now we know that 3/4 inch lines come up from the basement, but when Jerry opened the walls, only 1/2 inch lines. It required digging up the floor to find where the 3/4 inch lines were. This is what I am planning on the shower looking like after. Different tile though.

 

[compactelectra]

So

I got home today - second day of demo on the master. I guess he found those 3/4 inch lines. Yikes! Dig Dig Dig

 

[compactelectra]

Another Shot

Don't know what those corrugated tubes are except that I know they are hooked up to the heating/A/C system. Must be for heating/cooling the floor.

 

[compactelectra]

They Will Have to Go

I am meeting the contractor tomorrow. I am sure I will get an earful. Oh well, I could have asked him to put in recirculating hot water! More to come as we go along.

 

[gusherb]

The corrugated aluminum ducting is usually used for exhaust fans, do you have a bathroom nearby on the level below?

Oh one thing I wanna warn you about is that all shower valves since 2010 have built in flow restrictors that limit water flow to 2.5 GPM or lower, you may not get the experience as pictured! I don't know if there is any way to remove the flow restrictor built into the valve or not. The only work around now is to have multiple shower faucets.

 

[hooverboy81]

Fabulous!

Fred,
Looks like everything is coming along beautifully! I love the color selections and new granite! I wouldn't worry about having a contractor hate you, just about every one in a fifty mile radius hates me...I'm ok with that! The shower will be amazing! I have one similar to the one you shared. You DEFINITELY get the Joan Crawford feel when all of the shower heads are spraying at once! Can't wait to see the finished product!

 

[compactelectra]

Every Valve

Will be 3/4 inch. I used to remove the restrictors and will check these.

 

[hoovercelebrity]

Wow!  Everything looks fabulous so far!  Major congratulations are in order!  Robert and I can't wait to see it.  I absolutely love the Lawson/Voigt bathroom transformation... and your master is going to be incredible!  Will you break a bottle of champagne on the shower before its maiden voyage?? 

 

[compactelectra]

As I Told Greg

I'll have to be careful to walk in there after a few cocktails. The next thing you know is that I'll put my foot through the ceiling of the first floor!

 

[compactelectra]

BTW Fred

You guys can use the new master when you come for a visit in October. I have the contractor absolutely scared to death. He keeps asking me when this job needs to be done. I have told him that it absolutely needs to be done by the end of October. A small and nominal fee with be charged for it's use to offset the cost incurred.

 

[air-waycharlie]

The best part..............

is that Fred is having his regular, "bash", known as the annual fall get-together at Tarantula Arms.

All these updates on décor will be celebrated by Fred and several friends. We are certainly looking forward to a fun filled regular fall event.

Reporting live from London,
H. Lawson
(still alive, bitchy and well.........pass the Champagne. The serviced at the Dorchester isn't was it used to be.)

 

[gottahaveahoove]

It ALL looks great, Fred!

My sister has the "Joan Crawford" shower. She loves it.
Nothing will be left of the place since we were all there during the convention a few years ago.
I know it's a lot of mess, anxiety, and money.
At least your contractor hasn't declared bankruptcy, foreclosed on his house, and raced out of town,and left your house looking like a bomb went off in it, like my FIRST one did.
It looks beautiful, Fred.

 

[jmurray01]

The facelift seems to be going very well and I am looking forward to seeing the end result! Although I must say, I did like what I saw in the "before" pictures too...

 

[compactelectra]

BTW

Here is a picture of Jerry- the contractor. He is holding up the corrugated tubing. We have determined that it was put in to make sure that the pipes don't freeze in the winter. That shower and the pipes running to it are over the unheated garage. I guess they were safe so that I wasn't sorry (with busted pipes). He really laughed about it. I won't tell you what he called it, but it wasn't nice. He is actually a wonderful contractor. Moving right along. He knows the deadline and is terrorizing the cabinet and granite people because I am terrorizing him. He is a local fireman and does this on the side. He is very good.

 

[suckolux]

He looks capable, and then some

 

[danemodsandy]

Y'Know,

Fred - I think you've stocked your local Habitat ReStore for the next year!

 

[compactelectra]

Jonathan (Gusherb)

I discussed the flow restrictors with Jerry. He said if worse comes to worst he will drill them out. Let the water flow! Hope the city of St. Charles isn't following this!

 

[gusherb]

Fred

Just don't tell the inspector! Be interesting to see how that can be worked around. I'm sure St. Charles would be glad for you to be paying them a higher water bill every month! I know one thing you will be using up every last bit of water that 3/4" plumbing can deliver!

Can't wait to see more progress pics!