Phew! I think the worst part of our remodeling adventure is behind us. Most of the dust, chaos and loud noise has already happened. The exterior is almost finished. The new front porch is complete. The 3rd floor dormer has been built. Take a peek:
Now we're moving on to my favorite part - the design phase for our new 3rd floor bathroom! I've been having fun picking out materials over at our local green building supply store - Natural Built Home.
The bathroom vanity is custom designed from FSC-certified alder wood with a low VOC finish and is formaldehyde-free. On top of the vanity will be a Paperstone countertop with a backsplash of the pretty, recycled glass Blazestone tiles you see below:
The shower will be tiled in Travertine stone (below) with a border of the Blazestone tiles around the middle.
We've also picked out a dual flush toilet, we're putting in radiant in-floor heating and we've insulated the hell out of the walls.
It's going to be awhile before this project is done (big sigh!) but I can hardly wait to show you the end result!
Do you have any tips for creating a greener, healthier bathroom?
Just in time. We're remodeling a bathroom and are trying to do it as green as possible.
Posted by: Green Bean | November 03, 2011 at 09:30 PM
Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Veri Kurtarma | November 04, 2011 at 07:16 AM
Have fun redoing your bathroom Michelle (Green Bean)!! Let me know if you find some super cool, eco-friendly materials!
Posted by: Micaela | November 04, 2011 at 07:21 AM
Your house looks amazing. Love the recycled glass.
Posted by: Eco_novice | November 05, 2011 at 03:51 PM
Hi Betsy (Eco Novice) - thanks so much! I've been having fun working with the owner of the recycled glass tile company - love supporting small, creative businesses!
Posted by: Micaela | November 06, 2011 at 06:42 AM
Is Travertine considered eco-friendly? I'm just wondering because we are considering out options. I can't wait to hear about the Paperstone countertop.
For the vanity, I'm looking at some made from reclaimed wood but I'll have to get the hubby's approval. We might end up going your way with FSC wood.
Love the recycled tiles!
Posted by: Green Bean | November 06, 2011 at 07:09 AM
Good question Michelle (Green Bean) - I'm not sure if Travertine is necessarily considered eco-friendly but it is natural stone. I have found that many building materials have both eco advantages and disadvantages and you just need to find the balance that works for you. :)
Posted by: Micaela | November 06, 2011 at 08:52 AM
Your house looks beautiful. It's so nice that you have a local green building supply store-it makes such a difference to be able to touch and feel the products. I want to gradually switch over to dual flush toilets. What a great invention! You are almost there....and it looks amazing.
Posted by: Lori Popkewitz Alper | November 07, 2011 at 11:06 AM
I love the green glass tile! I woke up shivering this morning and as the weather turns colder I start to think about my own plans for my home. That radiant in floor heating sounds like a fantastic idea. I'm going to have to look into it.
Posted by: MaryssaGC | November 07, 2011 at 02:42 PM
Hi Maryssa - glad you like the recycled glass tile! I'm really looking forward to the radiant floor heating - I've heard it is fantastic in the winter!
Posted by: Micaela | November 08, 2011 at 08:53 AM
Your house is so beautiful! I have fantasies of redoing one of our bathrooms and I find myself always looking at tile, cabinets, and sinks when I should be doing more important things, so I love reading about what you're doing. The recycled glass backsplash is just gorgeous!
Posted by: ohkeeka | November 08, 2011 at 02:50 PM
Thanks Kiersten! Right now I'm thinking that dreaming of remodeling is a lot more fun than actually doing it - but that's just because we've been in the middle of this project for a LONG time now! I'll post photos when the bathroom is finally finished!
Posted by: Micaela | November 08, 2011 at 03:15 PM
You just need a good contractor if it's taking too long... Of course, they're hard to find. LOL
I just did an older home with 5 new dual flush toilets. Can you all repeat... "100,000+" gallons per year not going "down the toilet"? Of course, with 7 kids, the showerhead restictors are going to save them enough money to send 2 of the kids to college.
Good Job on the water conservation.
J.
Posted by: Tacoma Plumber | January 05, 2012 at 06:57 PM
Nice pictures. Hope everything went smoothly with the remodel. I wonder if you could find those types of building supplies in toronto?...
Posted by: Sally Johnson | July 26, 2012 at 08:39 AM