Renovation Trifecta - 3 bathroom renovations
by Elaine Simcoe
Photography by Chronic Creative

     To move or to renovate - that is THE question! While it may sometimes seem easier just to pack it all up and move, that decision bears close scrutiny.

     After 10 years in their 'country-set' home, Janet and John Bell had to make that decision. They found that to move to a newer yet comparable house would shoot their mortgage up substantially and they rather liked the look of their dwindling present mortgage. So renovating was the decision. That was two years ago when they started with the kitchen and the sunroom.

This year the budget took on all 3 bathrooms on the main floor of their 2800 square foot bungalow. All 3 were original to the house - one blue, one yellow and one mauve! They had to go!

"This year the budget took on all 3 bathrooms on the main floor…
one blue, one yellow and one mauve! They had to go!"

     The Bells had an idea of what they wanted and a set budget when they contacted WC Potts '97 (Randy Mandelik, owner and designer). The main bathroom was a square space with the usual simple amenities. The starting line for the Bells was a whirlpool tub - they both wanted one and they wanted a big one! But, having a hard water problem, they were concerned that the minerals would clog the jets diminishing their effect. Randy dispelled any fears by ensuring their water softener was adequate and showed them how easily the jets pop out for a quick rinse with a little CLR. So far so good - no problems! Space constraints of the actual room toned down the size of the tub but on Randy's suggestion, the Bells chose an angled corner tub which gave them ample interior space without crowding the room. Because of its shape and positioning, it is the focal point of the room with the natural colour, marble-like ceramic tile floor rising up the front and sides to bright chrome edging that adds real sparkle to the room. Impressively large faucets and taps in brushed nickel with chrome accents grace the tub (sink and shower) and a hand-held shower sits alongside on the tub's edge - a great way to clean the tub as well as yourself!

     "The taps were expensive but I really wanted something nice and since John was getting his heated floor, I was getting the taps I loved," Janet says with a wry smile! In keeping with the angled corner treatment of the tub, Randy suggested a shower stall in the other corner alongside the tub. The angles of the shower echo the design of the tub and it doesn't end there! The toilet tank top is octagonal continuing the angled design on the other side of the room. The white shower stall (all the fixtures are white) picks up the sparkle again with chrome accents and has a built in light and fan - an option the Bells decided to indulge in.

"The angles of the shower echo the design of the tub and it doesn't end there"

     At Randy's suggestion they installed a shower hood to more easily house the light and fan and "ensure protection from steam and water damage to the ceiling. It also saves extra carpentry work to wire through the attic," Randy explains. Crown molding joins the hood to the ceiling giving it an elegant look. A honey maplewood vanity takes up the last remaining wall giving the Bells ample storage space with its 2 cupboards, 3 drawers and, you guessed it, an angular sink. A 3-part mirror/medicine chest with angled corners topped by a 5-bulb lighting fixture and a wonderfully warm, radiant heat ceramic tile floor completes this new bathroom to the utter delight of the whole family. With 5 people and a brand new whirlpool tub, the Bells decided to install an extra hot water tank for those long relaxing soaks!

"Wonderfully warm, radiant heat ceramic tile floor
completes this new bathroom"

     The master bath and back hall bathroom were next. A subtly interesting note on all three bathrooms: each one has its own shape - not of the room itself, but internally. The main bathroom is all angles, the master bathroom is all rounded (a shape that does well in a small space) - a large semicircular shower, a rounded pedestal sink topped by a single door, mirrored medicine chest with rounded corners, and a toilet with a rounded tank top. It all flows! And, once again a radiant heat floor. The 2-piece bath at the back door claims square as its internal shape. Simple and functional it has a square-topped toilet and a maple vanity with a squared oval sink. The floor is simple linoleum this time because "everyone tramps in here in their boots," Janet laments.

     Three bathrooms, three different looks, three short weeks for a great renovation that met their budget and stayed within quote. According to Janet, WC Potts is tops! "They're quick, clean and very pleasant to have around. All we have left to renovate now is the basement and there's another bathroom down there," she says with a laugh. Randy... start thinking of another good shape!