It is week 6 of the One Room Challenge Spring 2021. I have loved watching the progress on so many great projects. Things are moving along here at the lake house bathroom redo. We have definitely had some snags. One of the issues with remodeling projects in more rural areas is the skill level of the trades people available. Now don’t get me wrong we have issues in the city also, but they are different issues. In rural areas there seems to be challenges when you are stepping outside of the norm. I had selected a bainultra bathtub and Kohler freestanding tub filler both of which have very specific installation instructions. And, well, let’s just say the contractors might have thought I sent them the specifications just for grins or to help put them to sleep at night. Here is my advice to contractors, DIYers, and designers-

The tub was another issue. The contractors and plumbers NEVER looked at the specifications and assumed it was like installing any freestanding tub. It is not. I selected a tub with heated air jets, chromatherapy and remote mounted controls. The day came to set the tub and it was then they realized the motor had to be sunk below grade, the electronics had to be wired and there is a clean out system that requires an extra hot water line to be plumbed to the tub. So out the tub came and the jack hammers returned. I had serious doubts that my dreams of relaxing in bliss in my tub would come true. I was sure it was going to become a very large white sculpture in the middle of the bathroom that we could use for storing random things. My GC had some amazing guys that took it on to study how to set the tub and get it all ready so the plumber and electricians were able to come in and quickly get their parts complete. The tile behind the tub got messed up and the GC fixed it-ish. I am still not happy about it but trying to move on.

This is the tub I selected. For someone like me that really loves a bath it sounded like a dream.

The therapies in the tub create an bathing experience that promote wellness as well as really just feel wonderful.

The tub filler was a huge issue. The plumber was not sure what to do with the floor mounting block from Kohler so he would saunter in, make some excuses and disappear for days. The plumber said he had never seen one like it. We do have foundations here and no basements so plumbing through the floor is more complicated but he is local and I am pretty sure has not worked on houses with basements. Apparently they have often built a box instead of countersinking the block. It did eventually get installed and works perfectly, although the floor tile might have suffered a bit so I am trying to decide how I can handle this. It is behind the tub but if you are showering you can see it.

I had decided on matte black plumbing fixtures. I do think they are pretty trendy as is the yellow metals trend right now. I was very torn between the 2 but could not find options from one manufacturer in the yellow gold that had a freestanding tub filler, shower with handheld and vanity faucets that I liked. It is very hard to mix the yellow metals between lines. The looks range from a bright shiny gold to a satin brass look.  The matte black is pretty consistent between lines and accessories so it won out.

I chose the Kohler purist lines but changed out the shower head and handheld to another line.