Ways to save money during a remodel (ORC: Week 2)

I'll be honest, deciding to tackle two bathrooms at once was not an easy decision...until one of the contractors I interviewed told me I'd end up saving about 20% by doing so. That's a hefty chunk of change, hence my decision to dive right in (without the contractor though, I decided to take on that role myself).

Today's post is a great time to share other ways we've pinched our pennies thus far.  First up, I found our bathtub at a salvage yard. Actually, I saw it on Craigslist, fell in love but wasn't ready to commit since I hadn't created the new layout at the time. But as luck would have it, months later it popped up again!! I was super excited since I hadn't been able to get this tub's unique shape out of my head. When I inquired, it turned out to be listed by the owner of a local salvage yard. Score! I was thrilled to add a new resource to my list of places to scour. 

This cast iron beauty has a 1938 date embossed on the bottom along with a LOT of rust and daisy non-slip pads on the inside that were enameled over numerous times but still peeking through.

One side of the tub appeared to be covered in paper that someone had painted blue along the way. Luckily, it peeled right off. I made my best attempt at refinishing it myself but ultimately decided to have it refinished by someone who knew what he was doing.

Oh, looky there...a tiny sneak peek at it in its shining glory! 

Next up on the money saving list, was taking on the demo ourselves. While tedious, it was completely doable and saved a ton of money in the long run. I was nervous about ALL those mirrors but they came down much easier than I anticipated. (We're only staring 21 years of bad luck in the face. ha!)

Another money saver is offering to help your trades. I was very upfront that I'm very willing and capable to help out. So when your plumber starts telling you costs are rising, what do you do?...grab a chip hammer and tell him you'll find those pipes for him!

Don't you love how I'm knee deep in our foundation? That's Frugal with a capital F, friends. I told my plumber I'd be available for hire when we're done with this project. ;)

I'm SO over dirt and rocks but when you're reconfiguring a majority of the space, this is par for the course. 

I stumbled upon my next money saver by accident, but it's the best one yet! Once I finally decided on tile for the guest shower, I went to purchase it and realized many of the area Lowes were marking this as a non-stock item. That meant they were ready to have it off their shelves fast so instead of $7/sq ft, I scored it for a mere $0.87 sq ft.!!!

The only bad part was I had to drive to 8 or 9 different locations to gather the quantity we needed. I even had my mother-in-law pick some up for us on her way up to visit one weekend. Saving money is a family affair!

Okay, last tip...if your tile needs sealing, do it yourself. I painted sealant on all 800 of our tiles since they're concrete and pourous. I bet my tile installer was secretly thrilled that I took this job off his hands.

I'll leave you with one last glimpse...herringbone!

Don't forget to stop byThe One Room Challenge  to see the progress of other participants!

Austin Modern Home Tour, Part 1

Hello, friends! I had so much fun this weekend. My girlfriend and I went on the Modern Home Tour Austin and it was amazing. You know those houses you drive by and just wish you could see the inside? Well, these are those houses and I got to snoop around!!

Want to snoop with me?

Ahhh, minimalism...isn't it refreshing? This teen's room had no clutter! It was fabulous, just like that great chandelier.

Love the hanging mirror. Lots of variations of white tile seen in every house. 

 Eco-friendly and green were key words seen/used throughout all the homes on tour. Check out these stools. Funky, fun design and made of...

Cardboard! So cool.

Beautiful floors were not lacking. And, this wall 'o bookshelves did not disappoint either.

Windows, windows, windows. The angle of this one had me at hello! I'd be so happy living in the trees.

Did my brain go straight to a DIY project when I spied this awesomeness? Of course!

Once again, beautiful floors. I tell my clients all the time...no more square tiles, it's all about the rectangle now. 

Freestanding tubs were all the rage, as well as, frameless surrounds.

 BIG impact with walls of tile. Isn't it clever how they brought the outside in and used small mirrors to accommodate?

This tile had a fun iridescent quality.

One more tub. Notice the lack of art/accessories. Modernism is all about letting the hard finishes speak for themselves and be the star. Are you a fan or do you need the fluff?

Stay tuned for Part 2. I took way too many pictures to fit into one post!

I don't take baths...

but I might start if I had something like this to soak in. Okay, let's set the record straight. I don't take baths but I do shower often. Aren't you relieved to know that?

I've had freestanding tubs on my mind recently. I like to watch Sarah Richardson's design shows and I've noticed a trend in her bathroom remodels. She typically uses gorgeous tubs.

I've not had the pleasure of using one of these beauties in a remodel just yet but I decided to do the research so I'll be prepared when the time comes. 

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Know what research showed me? There's a reason I haven't had the pleasure of using a freestanding tub just yet. Yeah, something to the tune of over a thousand dollars each reason! And that's on the low end of the spectrum. Doesn't quite fit into my budget-friendly decorating philosophy.

But they sure are pretty...

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They also make a huge statement. Take a minute to check out those legs and appreciate the custom color.

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Full length mirror next to the tub? Are you brave enough? It's a fantastic magazine picture, but is it realistic?

Same tub, different setting...

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Freestanding tubs don't have to be fancy and ornate, you can also find sleek and modern options. Isn't this mix of rustic and modern great?

Okay, okay, so if I had a view like this I may be persuaded to splurge and stretch the pocketbook.

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Ahhh, becoming one with nature!

What do you think? Are you a tub lover that sees the value in paying thousands for a soak? If it's your refuge, it's totally a place to splurge, right? If the bathroom's "just a place to get things done," what other area would you prefer to stretch your budget?

Enjoy the weekend, friends.