It’s been a wild 7 weeks — a leaking shower, a whirlwind of tile debates, plumbing surprises, and way more grout talk than I ever imagined.

But we finally finished our bathroom renovation, and honestly, seeing it all come together made every bump worth it. I’ll never forget coming home after the holidays, feeling relaxed and recharged from visiting family in East Texas — only to notice something off.

A piece of wood along the baseboard near our shower had turned brown. I had just moved a plant to water it and saw the damage. Cue the dread. Four plumbers (yes, four!) and several days later, we discovered our shower was leaking — and not just a little. What started as a small water stain quickly escalated into a full-blown master bathroom and bedroom remodel.

Since the floor tile had been discontinued, we had no choice but to replace it all. Next came the tub tile — also discontinued. Before we knew it, the entire space had to be gutted. I’ve guided many clients through bathroom remodels, helping them select tile and plan layouts. But when it’s your own home — especially one you moved into less than three years ago — it hits differently.

The silver lining: A Fresh Start. The upside? I finally got to remove a wall that I never loved (and honestly, didn’t belong there).

Removing a pony wall completely opened up the layout, giving us the chance to reimagine the space into something more functional and serene. I partnered with a trusted contractor I’ve worked with before — and after interviewing several others, I knew he was the right fit. Luckily, we had leak coverage through State Farm, which helped ease some financial stress, even though it didn’t cover everything.

Balancing work, kids, and an unexpected remodel was intense. I was deeply immersed — from choosing grout and paint, to learning about plumbing, shower niche placements, and making every detail both beautiful and practical. We salvaged what we could, including the existing countertop, and upgraded the rest. I highly recommend the frameless glass shower — it not only looks sleek but also helps prevent future leaks!

The Ultimate Transformation:
The biggest change was replacing the built-in tub with a freestanding bathtub — a total game-changer. Choosing new hardware and faucets allowed us to make the space truly our own.

7 weeks. A leaking shower. Too many tile samples. And countless decisions later… we did it. And that first soak in the new tub? Totally worth every moment.

Create Your Own Spa Retreat at Home:
Thinking about upgrading your bathroom? You don’t always need a full gut — sometimes, a simple acrylic tray, a few calming accessories, and soft lighting can transform your bath into a relaxing reset button.

Shop my bath-time favorites here. Two Pages roman shade linked here!
Want help designing your own serene space? Let’s chat!

Now I want to know — are you Team Bath or Team Quick Shower?
Drop your answer below or over on Instagram!