Tuesday

 

Our contractor met us before 8:00, just as we were returning from walking Toby. He had two sinks to show us to choose from. The one above and a slightly deeper and wider version (by about an inch). Once we held the faucet up to it, it was clear that we needed the larger sink for better proportions. It's an undermount sink with the sides curving up to the countertop. The front and back are perpendicular to the bottom. The overflow is built in and hidden in the front. The stopper is integrated into the faucet handle.

The countertop fabricator arrived next. He discussed all of the options. We chose the same edges and corners as the kitchen countertop. The countertop is the same. I forgot to ask him when it might be ready because the plumbers arrived before he finished. He took our sink with him and stopped by our contractor's office to pick up the matching one. The countertop folks install the sinks at their shop before installation in the home. The plumber hooks up the plumbing and water supply, of course.

One problem had to do with the center electrical outlet. It's too low where it is. (The previous vanity was 32 inches; the new one is 36, the same as a kitchen countertop height.) With the current placement, it would sit level with the countertop, which is not a good place where there will often be water. It was designed to be inset in the 4 1/2 inch backsplash, but in order to cut a hole in the backsplash, they need at least 1 1/2 inches of quartz around the hole. He talked with the designer and came up with raising the outlet 2 inches.

The plumbers were able to install the tub and tub filler. Even though neither of us use a tub, we needed something to go in this space. Because of the window, we couldn't enlarge the shower in this direction. The space was too crowded for a traditional shaped tub. The entire point of the redesign was to break up the linear attachment of tub, shower, vanity. It was a blob of tile, glass, cabinet. The round tub really breaks up the linear lines and becomes a focal point. I think it will add resale value. 

As we were testing it, one of the plumbers noticed water running out of the seam near the top. I was so disappointed for them because I could tell the install was rather complicated. They shut off the water, mopped up, and took it apart again. They were able to find their mistake quickly and reattached everything. I could so identify. Every plumbing project I've ever tackled has leaked at first. The plumber was fairly sanguine about it and never panicked. The spout pivots if we ever needed to fill a bucket with water or if we wanted to flood the house.

The filler spout is enormous, and it also has a hand-held shower for washing and rinsing your hair. The tub has a built-in seat.

We weren't sure how to orient the tub. The designer came up with the general direction and placement of the filler. In the picture above, you would be sitting on the seat looking out to the bedroom with the faucet control within easy reach ahead to the right. Directly to the right is the window sill for placing shampoos and soap. We might need a towel hook on the wall in front.

The plumbers installed our new toilet with the bidet seat. I was relieved that the bidet seat fit the toilet even though it's considered a "full skirted" one-piece toilet. The plumber was skeptical at first, but I assured him I had done my research. 

We've been without a second toilet for three months and without a bidet for forever. It's not hooked up yet. The electricians will make their final appearance soon.

We have a lot of options to learn and experiment with.

Late this afternoon, a package arrived. I couldn't think what it could be. It was our new door stops.

It always requires more tools than you think.

But it was a simple installation.

New door handles and door stops.

A good day's work. What's left: shower controls, glass shower walls, countertop installation, mirror, faucets, shower shelf, shower hooks, hand towel hooks, electrical outlets, and various baseboards and louvered closet doors. Plus the closet organizer, which we will assemble.