In perfect harmony

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 03/12/2016 (3235 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A two-piece bathroom renovation can be completed rather quickly, because it’s primarily aesthetic. It’s a DIY-er’s delight, because when the space slated to renovate is small, the various tasks often seem less daunting.

The first renovation in my current home was the main-floor bathroom. It’s a small, five-foot-deep by 32-inch-wide two-piece bathroom, which could easily have been mistaken for an oversized closet if it weren’t for the old toilet on the far wall… But with the toilet out of the way, the floors were easily stripped down to bare sub-floor, and the existing drywall was patched, sanded and prepped for paint.

A few major design choices for my house had already been made prior to the start of this renovation. Slate tile flooring and baseboards would be installed in designated areas throughout the house, such as the foyer and both the upper- and main-floor bathrooms. Specific to the two-piece main-floor bathroom, a narrow profile pedestal sink was essential for minimal intrusion in the small space. To complement the sink, a new toilet of similar design style was chosen. Beyond that, design inspiration had come to a grinding halt… For the time being, anyway.

Shortly after starting this renovation, I stumbled upon a storage bin while rummaging in the basement — it was filled with forgotten Coca-Cola memorabilia. And with this haphazard discovery, ideas for the main-floor bathroom’s decor emerged like a lost treasure. It would be a theme bathroom, with walls of red and white tile, like an old 50’s style diner, and would be littered, of course, with Coke stuff everywhere!

I’ve always preferred the taste of Coca-Cola. As such, shunning Pepsi light-heartedly has been an on-going source of jocularity for me, for as long as I can remember, and everyone in my circle knows it. As a reward for this firm cola stance from which deviation is impossible, I have received from friends and family throughout the years a plethora of Coca-Cola paraphernalia from all over the world.

Reinvigorated about the bathroom renovation, progress occurred rapidly from that point on.

The shut-off valve for the toilet and both valves for the sink were replaced. The walls and ceiling were painted using a glossy white bathroom paint-and-primer in one. The floor was tiled with slate, along with the baseboards. The walls were then tiled all ’round to shoulder height using four-inch square white tiles and red accent tiles in a pre-established design layout. Once the white grout set, it was time to populate the space with the functional essentials: the new toilet and narrow pedestal sink, the oval wall-mount vanity mirror, two wall sconces for main and vanity lighting, the hand-towel rack, wall-mounted soap dish, toilet-paper dispenser and an over-the-toilet cabinet.

Although the pre-ornate version of the bathroom was clean and pleasing to the eye, the real fun began once that box of Coca-Cola memorabilia was opened. One by one, each of the Coke items that had been hidden away for so long was given purpose — a permanent home on display within this newly renovated space. A Coca-Cola wallpaper border showcases the upper portion of the wall adjacent to the ceiling, and a block-mounted poster facing downward offsets the simplicity of an otherwise bland and bare ceiling.

It all came together, and better than expected…

Although this bathroom may seem cluttered and overstated at first glance, it’s both functional and the “most memorable room” in the house, or so I’ve been told. No matter the size of the space, a simple reno can create a big impact. And you guessed it — I was enjoying an ice-cold Coca Cola while writing this.

BossEnterprise@outlook.com