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Deuce Cities Henhouse

Bathroom Plan

Creating a vintage/modern/industrial bathroom
Welp, it’s 2016 and as mentioned over and over again, it’s time to start the basement bathroom project. As of right now, the basement has roughed in plumbing, cement board, dry wall, a newly poured concrete floor, and rough electrical. It is a blank slate and I’m super stoked to get at it. Before I actually do any of the work though I need a solid plan, and I have been thinking a lot about the design for the bathroom. It has always been our strategy to have the bathroom installation be my winter project. However, as we all probably know, sometimes life happens and things get put on the back burner.

Jeff and I had made it our most recent goal to get Gus (who was diagnosed ASD last year) into some extracurricular therapies. We’ve succeeded at that, and soon he’ll be seeing specialists five times a week as well as be going to preschool five days a week (!!!), and on top of that I still drop-off and pick-up Finn at school every day. So yeah, my life is about to become that of the stereotypical carting-kids-around-in-a-stationwagon-all-day-long mom (although in my version, The Killers will be playing on repeat). No matter the time/stress/craziness it involves, I’m thankful that we have these resources for Gus. Unfortunately (but fortunately) our out of pocket expense for all of Gus’ therapy cost us a pretty penny, and I’m so thankful that we have the ability to move the budget around, and accommodate those costs.

So I bet you can see where I am going with this. Well, the basement will have to be done on a tight budget and a loose timeline. My most recent calculations suggest that it will probably take a billion years to be completed. We’ll have to purchase tile, fixtures, sinks all very slowly over time as the budget allows. I have to say, a little part of me is happy that I don’t have to feel like I must do it all at once, and honestly I’m a bit excited about the challenge of saving and budgeting for a project – trying to make the most of every dollar. I always feel like those projects come together the best in the end.

I always find that the first thing one must do when starting a very budget conscious project is make a solid plan. One of the easiest ways to get off course is to get distracted by cooler and fancier things, because no matter how much money you have, there are always way cooler and fancier things. If you take the time to make a good, solid, beautiful plan from the jump, you’re much less likely to spend on fluff.

Today I’m sharing with you my plan as well as a few inspiration pics. I’m still in the air on whether or not to go with traditional 3×6 subway tile or shake it up a bit with the 6×6 square tile instead. The sink and Cedar & Moss pendant lamps are a must as we’ve already had the wall plumbed for the sink and the electrical boxes put in the ceiling. I’ll be scouring craigslist, ebay and local salvage places when it comes time to find the best deal on that Brockway sink. Subway tile is relatively inexpensive, and I can purchase it in batches over time. So, we’ll see how this goes, and how it all plays out. I hope that someday we can have a working bathroom in the basement, maybe even by the end of 2016.

For now, here’s the plan and inspiration:

3D rendering for basement bathroom | Deuce Cities Henhouse
I’m planning on using one of the antique mirrors over the sink, a ledge will work for toothbrushes and stuff, and a nook in the corner will be used for storing a few linens and toiletries. The plan is for this to be the boys’ main basement in the future.

Inspirational Bathrooms : Subway Tile, Black floors, and lots of natural texture
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domino | dwell

Inspirational Bathrooms : Brockway sink for a bit of vintage

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remodelista | design build la | dwell

Inspirational Bathrooms : White square tile in an offset pattern with black grout

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house nerd | fantastic frank

As you can see, a definite pattern emerges. Classic white subway tile, simple modern penny tile, reclaimed wood for texture and a few industrial touches.

13 comments
in Basement, Bathroom, Inspiration
12 comments… add one
  • Amy G. January 14, 2016

    I’m so glad to hear an update on your little guy — I hope the transition into services goes well for Gus, and for you and Jeff! Just in case you haven’t come across this before, MA or TEFRA might be helpful for some of the costs of therapies if you qualify — AND they open up other options, like support grants and such. I work with kids who have ASD in the area, and once in awhile I come across families who have never heard of those options, so I just thought I would pass it along (and if you have, and you’ve had the joy of dealing with all that paperwork, one thousand points to you for getting through it). Minnesota is a pretty ideal place to live if you’re seeking autism services, but its all such a crazy web to navigate…
    Also, I love the bathroom plans. :) :)

    • Scoops January 21, 2016

      Hey, Amy! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I am pretty nervous about the transition, it will be a lot of changes all at once, but as he begins to anticipate them we should be okay. Thanks for the info on MA or TEFRA, I will take a look at it in the coming weeks once things begin to fall into place (you’re right, there is so much to sift through already). Question, since you work kids who have ASAD in twin cities area, I’d be curious to know what you recommend for parents seeking out OT and Speech? Right now Gus is in Mpls ECSE and Fraser.

      • Amy G. January 26, 2016

        I can’t tell if I’m responding to this a thread or not! Anyways, Fraser definitely offers speech and OT — the clinician who works with him should be able to turn in a referral and then you will get a call to schedule an eval and ongoing therapy when there is a spot open. There are a number of other rehab providers as well – The Therapy Place, Family Achievement Center, A Chance to Grow…. all of them are going to have fun little waitlists as well. (Here is a nice little resource book — look on page 8 for the rehab options http://www.fraser.org/Fraser/media/Assets/pdfs/2014-Fraser-Autism-Directory-B-12.pdf ). With all the driving around, its definitely easier if you can schedule everything in the same place, so I would check in with your clinician and ask for them to submit a referral, and you can have them note what time he already receives services to see if there are open times before or after to save you a trip hopefully (however, being open to most times will probably help things move along faster, and then if spots open up at a better time, his schedule can be shifted!). 1-2 days a week is usually recommended. I hope this helps!!!

  • Melissa January 15, 2016

    I just laid black penny tile in my laundry room! I love it :)

    • Scoops January 21, 2016

      Oh good to know, did you go with black grout as well?

  • melbajo January 15, 2016

    i love the bathroom plans! i just completed my master bath, and i used many of those same inspiration photos! i debated the size of my subway tiles too – regular 3×6 or square 6×6 – and ended up going with an elongated subway tile – 4×12. it made the bathroom still have that classic look, but not look exactly like everything else you see all the time. i found a super inexpensive source too. i love how it turned out. i’d be happy to send a photo if you’re interested. :)

    • Scoops January 21, 2016

      Hey, Melissa! Did you find that the 4×12 was much more expensive 3×6 or 6×6. I love the look, but always figured it would cost quite a bit more as well too. Please send your source along, I’d love to check it out!

      • melbajo January 25, 2016

        sorry it took me so long to respond, i had to dig back through all my notes and receipts! i got the tile from buytile.com. i ordered 213 sq. ft. and the price was $2.08 per sq. ft. yes, that is more expensive than some standard 3×6 subway tile (the lowest price i found for that was $1.69), but for my project, it was like an $80 difference for all of the tile i needed, and for something i’m going to look at everyday, it was a no-brainer. another place i looked was builddirect.com. their prices were slightly higher (unless you need more than 300 sq. ft.) and the white didn’t match my sink as well (ikea sink), so i went with the buytile option. please let me know if you have any other questions!

  • Sheree January 20, 2016

    Love those bathroom plans! So nice that you have it roughed in at least, you really can do a little at a time. We’re starting our kitchen reno this winter and I really want to do black matte hex on the floor, but I’m worried about it looking dirty.. It’s a teeny tiny galley kitchen. WDYT?

    As for Gus, good for you Mama! These truly are the run around years. My husband and I have demanding jobs and couldn’t accommodate the running around during the day and eventually turned to Fraser Richfield. He could be bused to his EI preschool daily and he received all this therapies in one place so I didn’t have to run him around. Game changer! Keep up the good work!!

    • Scoops January 21, 2016

      Hey, Sheree! I think this post convinced me that black tile with black grout is okay, you should give it a read.

      Hey, tell me more about bussing to Fraser? We haven’t been offered any of that. Gus is going to be getting all of his therapies at the MPLS Fraser after his afternoon preschool. They didn’t mention that we could get therapies at the Richfield location, which is closer to our home. Have you been happy with your experience at Fraser? Thanks in advance! – It’s all so overwhelming to navigate at first.

  • julie~furnishMyWay January 22, 2016

    Love the look you have for this basement bathroom! The white subway tiles with black gout will be stunning! I personally think the 3×6 tiles look the best, but the 6×6 are neat as well. And love the industrial looks of the photo inspirations you posted! This will be a gorgeous bathroom when it is done! One of my cousins is ASD, and I remember how hectic it got for my aunt when carting him to and from therapy when he was little, plus the other 5(!) kids she had. He’s the second oldest, so I know it was rough. But, completely worth it. He’s 18 now and heading off to college soon! It was a blessing to see him grow from a child who barely spoke to a man who now cosplays and goes to comic conventions! I wish you and your son the best of luck! Please keep us updated, on both him and this beautiful bathroom!
    Julie~FurnishMyWay

    • Scoops January 28, 2016

      Hey Julie! I am super torn about the tiles, I like the 6×6 because it is new to me, but I know the 3×6 is classic, and will probably stick with me aesthetically the longest.

      Thanks for letting me know about your cousin, it honestly won’t get old to hear about kids (or teens) that have grown up and live pretty normal (although probably nerdy) lives with ASD ;)

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