We skipped straight to the countertop drama in the master bath before we showed you our tile business in here. Mainly because the floors weren’t done in there, so it was pointless.
When we picked out the tile for the kids bath, we were entertaining shades of gray (completely unrelated to the books) tile for the master bath.
If you are wondering what going on in the nook, remember they had to take out the framing and what not because I decided I wanted a claw foot tub. It’s just what’s left of the framing for the original drop in tub plan and pre sheetrock around that area.
They had to cut into the slab to move the pipes to install the tub. You can see the giant patch here. If you look real close you can see the small holes in the concrete where they pulled out the board for the drop in tub.
I digress. Back to the tile. We got a smooth tile option and a more rough version of the colors. We weren’t sure which we’d like more in the space – polished or slightly dull. I think they were all porcelain, but I can’t remember. We liked all 4 options, but I wouldn’t say we loved any. It was harder than the kids bath for some reason.
(Here I go digressing again. I do have a point. Swearsies.) About that time we headed to Austin for our maternity pics. We stayed at Hotel San Jose. It’s an amazing modern hotel. The room had polished concrete floors throughout. Just to remind you it was like 100+ degrees and I was hugely pregnant, so the concrete floors were cool and refreshing. Also gorgeous. They were gorgeous.
I had mentioned polishing the floors before the trip since we were thinking gray anyway. I was also thinking hey let’s save some money. The entire trip I kept telling Nick that concrete floors were the way to go in the bathroom. Maybe the whole house. He just told me to shut it. Jerk.
Then I got my way because ultimately it made the most sense to skip out on the tile and save a few bucks. I did have them patch the small holes where the old framing was. I knew it wasn’t going to look perfect, but it was better than having holes in the floor.
We didn’t have them stain it because we knew the floors would take the stain differently. Then add the patches in there. I was afraid it would get too spotty. It’s just sealed with a high gloss sealer.
Admittedly I don’t love the patches, but I figure with a rug I’ll like the floor a lot more. I don’t regret going with polished concrete. Not yet anyway I haven’t stepped out of the shower in the winter on those bad boys. They are more gray than this picture shows which is why I was so upset about the countertops.
Sorry I can’t show you how it looks in the whole bath. Every time I go to get a picture it’s an insane mess in there. I am showing you the absolute worst of the floor. It’s only uphill from this.
I think it was the best choice for the moment. Tiling once we get in is always an option. I feel like the home projects are piling up on us which is not what I thought would happen with a build. Apparently there’s always room for DIY no matter the age of your home!
Of course we did buy some major splurge tile for the shower, so I guess no tile on the actual bathroom floor offset that. If you loved this picture on instagram, you’re going to freak out when you see it down. I have been waiting for it to be completely finished, so we could show you. Unfortunately it still isn’t but fingers crossed that happens soon!
I have to say, I like the contrast of the concrete against the more “finished” look of the subway tile and the classic lines of the tub. Can’t wait to see what you are doing with the blue tiles!
Thanks Laura! I went to check this afternoon to see if I could have that post up tomorrow, but no dice still unfinished! When you look at the floors taking in all the other elements in the bathroom, it looks pretty good. Much better than the view of the patched areas.
I love polished concrete. My friend in Germany did it in her house and it looks amazing.
And I so adore those blue and white tiles!
There are a ton of modern houses on Desire to Inspire with concrete that look just absolutely incredible. I think doing the whole house would have been too much. We couldn’t go that modern, but maybe one day!
We always talk about doing concrete floors in our dream house. I think it looks great.
There is so much goodness going on in your house right now. If we ever build, I’m just going to direct our contractor to your blog!
Haha thanks Christine! If we would have made all these decisions from the beginning, there would have been no patches. I would have been a lot happier. We could have floated the floor to make it a consistent polish, but at that point it would have been the same cost as tile. Heck maybe we can DIY concrete floors. Eh probably not. I’m sure if you build you will be a better planner that we are!
love the idea of polished concrete! my friend just did her basement floor that way, and it looks great. and, yes, you can always do tile later if you want, so why not try it and see if you love it?
The tile we looked at was so similar to the one y’all bought for your master bath. That means I’m going to wait until you finish your remodel and completely rip off everything you do.
OHMYGOSH! i love the concrete! you can’t do that here in the north-ish. it would be fuh-reezing in the winter!!!
I can only imagine. I mean it’s cold here, but I’ve yet to see it in the negatives. YIKES!!
What a jerk 😉 Don’t they always listen in the end? Always an uphill battle there with defeat at the end. Always.
I dont remember seeing that photo on Instagram but dayummm! I’m in love!! Don’t mind me stroking your tiles in your shower. Howdy neighbor!
I think I just sound insane at this point
Never fear we have a few tiles left that we are going to allow people to stroke! I figure it’s for the best.
Make sure to get little Nicky some proper bath slippers to go with his velvet smoking jacket and that’ll keep his little feet warm! Honestly, I am stunned nobody has mentioned the best feature (well at least it is my favorite feature) of having concrete floors….NO GROUT LINES! And if someone did mention it I retract my statement:)
OH my gosh absolutely!! Grout is the worst! I am happy about that! Ecstatic really!
I love how your floors look, patches and all! I think it gives them character and helps bring some of the “old” into the “new” room. Looking forward to seeing those beautiful blue babies in place!
That’s true. We are building in character through our mistakes! Who knew! It’s weird to go through this process and realize nothing is ever perfect, so sometimes you just have to make the imperfections work for you!
That tub. Love it. The floors are pretty too. They wouldn’t work in the arctic tundra of Iowa which makes me like them even more.
I don’t know how many times I have to tell you to move South. You won’t listen, so this ones on you!
What are the dimensions of your home? It’s beautiful! I was trying to follow your blog from the beginning, but couldn’t find the main floor plan you decided on, can you post a link to it? 😉 TIA
The final square footage is almost 4,500. Here is the floor plan for downstairs. We updated the upstairs layout since our elevation left us with a lot of unused space that we turned into more square footage!
Oh I like that lots. I wanted to rip up the carpet in our basement family room and either polish the concrete or paint it (a la Vintage Revivals style). But Aaron said it was too bold. Now I’m going to prove to him that it is NOT. Because if the Wills can do it, the Crowders can too.
Haha take that Aaron! I do have another concrete spot in the house that’s going to get painted. I am waiting until we move in because it seems like it’d be easier to tackle then. Plus people won’t be walking in and out tracking all sorts of dust. Okay well people will still be doing that but it will be us and I can get onto Nick and Ramona for that.
I just love that you are going your own ways with this remodel. It is so much fun reading along on your decision making process. OMG I love that blue tile. I can’t wait to see more
It looks so good. It’s finished now but so dirty. I couldn’t post it like that!!
Love the polished floor!!
We do too says the couple that has yet to experience how cold they will be!
It’s alright winter will be over in Texas by the time we get in, so we’ve got a while!