Bungalow Bathroom Remodel

Here We Go Now...

Bathrooms, Resources, Restoration Diary

1. Toto Promenade Toilet, 2. Schoolhouse Electric Hendrix Ceiling Fixture,
3. Schoolhouse Electric Sage Sconce, 4. St. Thomas Creations Richmond Pedestal Sink, 5. Delacora Double Handle Lavatory Faucet, 6. Randolph Morris Clawfoot Tub Package, 7. Plisse Extra Wide Fabric Shower Curtain,
8. Hotel Shower Curtain Rings, 9. Carrera Marble Floor Tiles, 10. Dal-Tile White Ceramic Subway Tile
Not pictured: Wall Mounted Shower Hoop in nickel

We have been talking about redoing our bathroom for years. When I say years, I mean 7. So when we decided to remodel the bathroom our conversation went something like this…

Me: I really want to redo our bathroom.

Husband: So, lets do it.

Me: Really?

Husband: Yes.

Me: Are you sure?

Husband: Yes.

This conversation took place over the phone during my husband’s lunch break. By the time he came home from work that evening I had ordered everything for the bathroom down to the switch plate covers and the shower curtain rings. The contractor was scheduled to start on Monday. I had set up interviews with electricians and plumbers for the following day. No turning back now!

Bathroom Before, it can only get better from here!

Comments { 20 } June 1, 2010

Our Favorite DIY Resources

Salvage Yards & Architectural Salvage in Los Angeles

Resources

architecturalsalvageSilverlake Architectural Salvage

We put together a DIY City Guide: Los Angeles of our favorite resources for our friends at Charles & Hudson.

Here is a little preview:

Favorite Salvage Yards & Architectural Salvage
Santa Fe Wrecking Company
1600 S. Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90021, on the corner of Santa Fe Ave and Olympic Blvd in downtown Los Angeles, ph: 213.623.3119.
They have a large supply of doors, cast iron tubs, toilets and sinks.

Silverlake Architectural Salvage
1085 Manzanita St, Los Angeles, CA 90029, between Sunset Blvd and Santa Monica Blvd, ph: 323.667.2875.
A real gem. Their inventory is constantly changing. They have furniture, built-ins, light fixtures, a large supply of doors and over sized windows, hardware, and bath fixtures. They will negotiate on price.

Pasadena Architectural Salvage
30 S. San Gabriel Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107, ph: 626.535.9655
Inventory includes mantels, lighting, stained glass, iron work, plumbing fixtures, door & window hardware and furniture representing the Arts & Crafts, Spanish Revival, Art Nouveau and Victorian periods.

Freeway Building Materials
1124 S. Boyle Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90023, at Opal St. between 7th and 8th Streets, ph: 323.261.8904.
This place was featured on season 2 of “Top Design” and is a favorite of Hollywood prop masters and set designers. Large supply of doors, stained glass windows, door knobs, old brick, flagstones, lumber and unusual objects. The prices are negotiable.

Olde Good Things
1800 S. Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90015, ph: 213.746.8600.
Architectural antiques, artifacts and oddities. It is worth a trip. I go here if I am looking for something out of the ordinary to decorate a room. I find their prices on the higher side.

Visit Charles & Hudson to see more recommendations!

Comments { 1 } February 3, 2009

Copper Screen Door

Products, Resources

Two years ago the cast and crew of Restoration Realities spent a weekend helping us insulate our front windows and build a period-appropriate screen door.

Since then I’ve managed to stick a rocking chair through the screen and also ruin the door jam. Everyday the tear in the screen seems to get bigger because now the animals have become accustomed to using that hole as a pet door. The screen door also frequently gets stuck in the door frame when the handle is locked and the door is slammed shut.

So after months of procrastinating, I’ve decided it’s time to finally restore the Restoration Realities screen door. The first thing we have to do is find a new screen. Heather has always wanted a copper screen in the door, and we’ve tried to find it locally but with no luck. So recently I did some searching on the internet and was able to find a copper wire mesh at Metro Screen Works which we will be ordering next week.

Comments { 3 } March 25, 2007

Antique Door Hardware & Lock Repair

When your lock is almost 100 years old, you need to make friends with a good lock repairman

Topics,

doorhandle

When you have a problem with an antique lock you can’t just call a locksmith.

Our 95 year old door handle has become a little temperamental in the past few years. On different occasions our lock has jammed, the door knob has broken off, and the door wouldn’t open from the outside.

I contacted Liz’s Anique Hardware, a Los Angeles institution, about our problem. I spoke with Bryan Wood and learned that he often fixes old hardware and locks in the West Adams area. Bryan has been out to our house several times and has gotten our door handle back up and running.

Bryan was just here last night. Hopefully, our door hardware will be good for another year.

Call Liz’s Anique Hardware 323.939.4403 and ask for Bryan Wood in the antique hardware section.

Update: If you are in the Los Angeles area, Bryan Wood can now be reached through email at [email protected] or phone: 310-880-0955

Comments { 6 } January 9, 2007

Bathroom Hardware

Tracking down vintage bathroom accessories

Bathrooms, Resources

We have purchased several items from Vintage Tub & Bath and been very happy with their products. They often have close outs, sales and clearance items so if you are patient you can usually purchase what you are looking for at a discount.

I have also purchased a Victorian decor tank lever from Fashion Plumbing.

Please feel free to post your sources for bathroom accessories and hardware in the comments section.

Comments { 1 } January 5, 2006

Antique Stained Glass Windows

Restoration Diary,

Have I said before how much I love eBay? I have had good luck finding antique light fixtures and hardware for the house. My latest eBay find is 6 stained glass windows that I intend to use on the back porch when we rebuild it.

group.jpg

Right now the porch functions as a utility area but it was originally open to the backyard and probably served as a covered outdoor sitting area. I’d like to use the space as a small sitting area off the kitchen, a quiet place to drink a cup of hot tea.

Something as grand as stained glass would not have been used on a back porch but they are from the period, will block an ugly view of our humongous garage, were cheaper than buying new wood windows or having them made and hey, they are pretty and I really like them.

detail.jpg

Comments { 2 } July 23, 2004

Garage Doors

Find appropriate garage doors for your bungalow or older home

Garages, Resources

Our garage needs an intervention!

Our garage needs an intervention!

I have read that a simple door upgrade can give your garage a whole new personality and that is what our garage really needs – a new personality (among other things)!

The following companies offer vintage inspired garage doors, although costly (think investment). But, how can you place a price on a whole new personality? Just kidding…



Image from Amarr Garage Doors

Amarr Garage Doors (Carriage House Doors)

General American Garage Door Co. (Presidential Series)

Overhead Door Corp. (Ranch House Collection)

Raynor (American Rivers Collection)

Wayne-Dalton Corp. (Wood Doors)

Comments { 7 } April 15, 2004

Replating or Metal Plating

Antique light fixture was replated and looks like new

Resources, ,

We purchased an antique die cut brass Art Nouveau chandelier on eBay for a very good price because the orginal plating was heavily scratched and worn away.

We sent the chandelier to Bungalow Metal and had it replated in antique satin brass finish.


Update
It seems that Bungalow Metal is no longer in business. From some of the comments I get the impression that Bungalow Metal functioned as a middle man and that Bliss Plating, Inc. located in Portland, OR, may have actually done the work. I will try them for our next project.

Comments { 2 } March 13, 2004

Wood Blinds

Found - Affordable window coverings

Products, Resources

We ordered 2″ wood blinds for our den from an online company called Just Blinds. For the money (i.e. affordable), we are very satisfied with the product. The blinds were custom made for our window sizes.

Just Blinds sent us free color samples so that we were able to match the blind color to our woodwork. The stain we chose is called Russet.

Comments { 2 } February 27, 2004

Living Room Resources

Paint, stain, and products

Resources,

:: Paint ::
Ceiling Color: SW 6387, Compatible Cream
SHERWIN WILLIAMS
website: www.Sherwin-Williams.com

Wall Color: HC-34 Wilmington Tan
BENJAMIN MOORE Historical Collection
website: www.benjaminmoore.com

:: Stain ::
Read all about the paint stripping and staining process, the stain color and stain recipes here.

:: Reproduction Casement Window Latches and Entry Door Strike Plate ::
HOUSE OF ANTIQUE HARDWARE
3439 NE Sandy Blvd P.M.B. 106
Portland, OR 97232
phone: 888.223.2545
fax: 503.233.1312
website: www.houseofantiquehardware.com


:: Switchplates and Return Vent Cover ::
REJUVENATION
2550 N.W. Nicolai Street
Portland, OR 97210
Sales & Service: 888.401.1900
Retail Store: 1100 S.E. Grand Ave, Portland, OR 97214 (503.238.1900)
website: www.rejuvenation.com

:: Register Cover ::
THE CRAFTSMAN HOMES CONNECTION
PMB 343, 2525 E. 29th, Suite 10B
Spokane, WA 99223
telephone: 509-535-5098
fax: 509-534-8916
website: www.crafthome.com

Register Cover: Metal Registers Style 1, Antique Brass Finish
They now offer nice Mission and Rickenbacker style register covers that weren’t available when we purchased our register covers last year. Although, I would still probably select Style 1 since it most closely matches the original wall register cover found in the house.

:: 1910 Arts & Crafts/Mission Chandelier ::
ECLECTIC REVIVAL, Fine Vintage Lighting & Decorative Arts
email: [email protected]
website: www.eclecticrevival.com

:: Wooden Electrical Outlet Covers and Deadbolt ::
HOME DEPOT
website: www.homedepot.com
Electrical Outlets had been added to our floors. I replaced the covers with natural wood ones that I stained to match our red oak floors. David found a deadbolt that is from The Craftsman Collection.

:: Furniture ::
CRATE & BARREL, Leather Club Chair and Sleeper Sofa
website: www.crateandbarrel.com

RESTORATION HARDWARE, Metro Recliner
website: www.restorationhardware.com

POTTERY BARN, Side and Coffee Tables, Henry Line
website: www.potterybarn.com

::Window Shades ::
SMITH + NOBLE
phone: 800.248.8888
website: www.smithandnoble.com

:: Paint Stripping, Wallpaper Removal, and Plastering::
J & C Home Repair
626.793.7091 ask for Juan

:: Floor Refinishing ::
DROR MENASHE
phone: 818.705.8799
cell: 213.798.9097

See Bungalow Living Room Before & After photos.

Comments { 0 } February 16, 2004