A few loose tiles turned to this...

By
Home Stager with ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC

My husband, Tim, currently does home improvement/handyman work around Atlanta.  He's done various jobs for some of my home staging clients.  He also been referred by a real estate agent friend of ours who has given his name out to her clients who need quick repairs done from inspection reports.  He's also done quite a bit of work for our friend who is a contractor.

One day, while working at one house, he was called upon to stop by a neighbor's house on that same cul-de-sac to see if he could fix a few loose tiles in the shower of the master bathroom.  He said "no problem" and ran over later in the day to check it out. 

Well, there was a reason those tiles were loose

The shower was built out of sheetrock not concrete board---bad move.  The leak must have existed for sometime because the sheetrock was saturated and crumbled when touched and the tiles fell off like dominoes...the woodframe started to mold and there was a colony of teeny-tiny ants, as well.  {eww, I don't do bugs!}

So, the homeowner asked him to give him an estimate to fix it all and thankfully he was hired for the job!  Having assisted on this job, from the tile design, to demolition, to cutting, laying and grouting the tiles, I had the pleasure of meeting the homeowner and she said she was confident that he'd do it right!  The job took a few days longer than projected but he fixed all the unexpecteds so the job was done right.  =)

Ain't no lipstick on this pig! 

Roswell tiled shower

 

 

 

The homeowner selected stone-looking porcelain tiles along with a few decorative, accent tiles.  She opted for a darker 1"x1" mosaic tile for the floor and to be used as an additional accent.  Part of her updating included replacing the old brass shower head with an affordable bronze fixture. 

 

He custom built the shelves and the bench in the shower.  The rest of the shower will be enclosed with a frameless glass enclosure, with installation scheduled for later this week, by another vendor.

 

 

 

 

 

Roswell tiled Jacuzzi tub

 

 

 

 

The problem? 

It was going to cost over $600 to purchase bronze Jacuzzi brand fixtures for their Jacuzzi tub!  The existing fixtures were brass and in rough shape. 

The Solution?

He told her he'd paint them and for less than $10.00, so she was able to get updated fixtures for her tub for a deal!  She was thrilled with the end result! 

What he did:  after sanding them down (the waterfall and the faucets), he used Krylon Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint on them and finished it with 3 clear top coats. 

He also taped off the trim on the bottom of the mirror and painted that the same color because it was previously brass as well. 

 

 

If you caught my other blog post, Take 90's Brass into the New Millenium, we used this technique on a brass dining room light fixture and it came out great!  If you have a homeowner that can't afford, or isn't willing to spend, the money on new fixtures, spray paint can be your friend. 

Please also note that we have had trouble finding the Rust Oleum brand Oil Rubbed Bronze color but used the Krylon brand in that color this time around and it looked just as good. 

 

 

*****I don't have any Before pictures of this project.  But, it was all plain white builder-grade tiles with brass fixtures. 

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ALR Home Staging and Showcasing provides interior Re-design consultations for Atlanta area homeowners looking to make a few changes without breaking the bank. 

Affordable home improvement and handy man services available by Tim Reilly of ATR Home Improvement.

Special discounts are available for home improvement/handy man services by ATR Home Improvement for clients of ALR Home Staging and Showcasing.  Contact us for more information.

Comments (22)

Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Abby ~ The shower looks fantastic!  Great idea for renewing those old brass fixtures we see in many bathrooms ~ I'll remember this for future clients.  (BTW that huge mirror is in an odd place, in my opinion!)

Nov 19, 2008 03:15 AM
Abby Roselli
ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC - Staten Island, NY
Staten Island Home Stager

Hi Maureen, thanks for your comments.  Yes, it is but it's so very common around here.  I guess a big bare wall is bad?  I'd rather see a nice piece of artwork hanging there or an iron piece with candles...  That was already existing and they weren't looking to remove it.

I'm not a Feng Shui professional, but I remember being told once that mirrors over bathtubs are bad along with mirrors that reflect other mirrors.  From a practical standpoint, um, well, let's just say I wouldn't prefer to have that huge mirror in front of my tub if I were bathing!  =)  LOL!  Definitely not my personal cup of tea, that's for sure.

Have a good day!

Nov 19, 2008 03:45 AM
Michelle Finnamore
Toronto GTA, Alliston, Newmarket - Vaughan, ON
Preparing your property for sale

Hi Abby, great solution for the short term. Looks great. As you say, it bought the client to shop around and find faucets on sale at a later date when the budget allows.

Nov 19, 2008 07:00 AM
Kym Hough
www.Staged-to-Sell - Danville, CA
Staged to Sell East Bay - Danville, CA

Beautiful - i had a client last month who paid a fortune for a new shower and they used the wrong board. when I previewed the house I asked about the tiles and had a contractor come and take a look. when I told him the news he was so upset.

Homeowners need to check out who they are working with. Better yet, they need to call a professional Stager...we know all the best resources - ALL OF THEM!

Beautiful job.

Nov 19, 2008 08:19 AM
Abby Roselli
ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC - Staten Island, NY
Staten Island Home Stager

Hi Michelle, I'm hoping that she is sold on upgrading at some point because it would be worth it.  In the meantime, this really looks great...much better than the old cruddy brass would have looked against all the new tile work. 

Hi Kym,  I don't know much about anything, but I knew that was wrong!!!  lol...  It was a lot of extra work and expense but for the long run, it needs to be done right. 

Thanks for your comments ladies!  =)

Nov 19, 2008 08:28 AM
Kathy Passarette
Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY
L.I. Staging/Decorating

Oh Abby, please put this in Staging Crafts & Creatives!  What a great job he did; it looks fantastic!  I was wincing when I read that it was regular sheetrock behind those shower tiles. 

Nov 19, 2008 08:43 AM
Abby Roselli
ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC - Staten Island, NY
Staten Island Home Stager

Hi Kathy, thanks so much.  OK...I'm not sure if I'm a part of that group though...I'll have to look!  =)  I know, I did the same thing.  Even I knew it was WRONG! 

Nov 19, 2008 10:22 AM
Kathy Nielsen
http://atlantahomestaging.net - Marietta, GA
Atlanta Georgia Home Stager

Wow.  Tim is an absolute pro!  Based on your after pictures, I would hire him to do my master bathroom in a heart beat!

Kathy

Nov 19, 2008 11:39 AM
Kathy Passarette
Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY
L.I. Staging/Decorating

Thank you Abby!  What do you mean you don't know if you are a part of that group?!? : )

fabulousFeatured in Staging Crafts & Creatives Group

 

Nov 19, 2008 12:20 PM
Abby Roselli
ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC - Staten Island, NY
Staten Island Home Stager

Hey Kathy N, you're too kind.  Thanks!  {...but seriously, call him if you need him!!!!!  no shame in my game!}

Hey Kathy P, hahaha...I ran down my list of groups and was like 'look at that!  I am part of it!' and added it.  Thanks for the feature!!!  much appreciated! 

hahaha...my graphic word is 'whortleberry'...just made me chuckle!  =)

Nov 19, 2008 12:28 PM
Terrylynn Fisher
Dudum Real Estate Group - BuyStageSell.com - Walnut Creek, CA
HAFA Certified, EcoBroker, CRS, CSP Realtor, Etc.

WOW, creative solutions that make the client happy, save money and reuse items that work, but needed a face lift.  The ultimate in recycling.  Good job.

Nov 19, 2008 05:43 PM
Michele Hess
Simply Staged Inc. - Rockford, IL
Home Stager Rockford - Simply Staged Inc

It turned out beautiful Abby.  Your husband seems to be a talented craftsman. 

Nov 19, 2008 10:59 PM
Abby Roselli
ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC - Staten Island, NY
Staten Island Home Stager

Hi Terrylynn, Thanks!  I love giving things face lifts.  With our economy the way it is, I think we're all going to have to get back to being creative.  Plus, it's good for the earth! 

Hi Michele, thank you!  Yes, he is pretty talented, thank goodness. 

Nov 20, 2008 10:32 AM
Cindy Bryant
Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX
"Houston Home Staging Pros"

Great idea, there are so many gold fixtures in Texas it is ridiculous.

Nov 20, 2008 03:52 PM
Sandra Hughes
Redesigned Spaces - Northern Virginia - Fairfax, VA
Redesigned Spaces - Fairfax County, Virginia

Great bathroom and great idea on saving money on those fixtures.  Must be nice to have a husband that can help out with the staging like that - good teamwork!

Nov 20, 2008 11:38 PM
Wendy Timmons
Move Home Realty - Temecula, CA
Temecula Realtor

Great tips on the fixtures, Thanks! Your husband does wonderful work!

Nov 21, 2008 01:10 AM
Abby Roselli
ALR Home Staging and Showcasing, LLC - Staten Island, NY
Staten Island Home Stager

Hi Cindy, LOL...there's tons of them here too!  =)

Hi Sandra, this was more HIS job and I helped him BUT either way, it was a joint effort, which is what I'd love to see happen more often.  Thanks!

Hi Wendy, You're welcome!  Thanks for commenting!

Nov 21, 2008 01:21 AM
Margaret Oscilia
Creative Concepts-Home Staging and Contracting, Salem Oregon - Salem, OR
Home Stager, Salem Oregon

Thanks for sharing these bathroom fixes -- great ideas to remember!

Nov 21, 2008 03:30 AM
Susan Gonzalez Faux painting murals atlanta
Marietta Mural & Decorative Design - Atlanta, GA

Tim did a great and professional job on this shower! I love the choice of tile

There are many treatments that mimic metal. Tubs and sinks can also be painted decoratively with patterns,, or pictures to match the bathroom decor. They are treated with a durable top coat and can last 20 years.

If you ever need a decorative painter, please call me, as I service the Atlanta area

www.paintmywalls.com

Thanks Abby!

Nov 22, 2008 01:00 AM
Pangaea Interior Design Kitchen & Bath Design, Remodeling
Portland Oregon - Portland, OR

This is a great lesson in having an attitude of 'no job too small'. Wonderful that this quick stop-by to help someone turned into a wonderful job. I have that experience frequently, so I'm always very grateful even when I get a call for just an hour or two of consultation.

Very beautiful job! Great idea to paint the fixtures as a somewhat temporary measure. You can't always have everything you want at once.I see this post has been up awhile, but I'm a newbie to ActiveRain, so I hope you don't mind the late post. :0)

Jan 13, 2009 05:37 AM

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