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Onyx Solid surface wall panels. 

Benefit: A beautiful space personalized to their taste.

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Many customers have large dreams of a master bath remodel but have no idea of where to start.  Sometimes the answer is taking a trip to the tile store for inspiration, other times we take the project in multiple stages. 

one of my favorite sayings comes from a mentor of mine: “How do you eat an elephant”?  (answer) “take one bite at a time”! 

This is an example of a master bathroom in Woodbury we started with just the shower.  Later, we will get to the rest of the room but for now the shower is the most pressing  issue because we use it EVERY day and it is UGLY.

Master bathroom before picture. After Onyx shower only. Cappichino

This shower was made from the Onyx Collection.  Color is Cappichino and finish was in matte.  Shower door is rain glass and is semi-frameless. 

This shower was installed first, but later we can get to the floor, vanity, and everything else in the room.  The idea is just take bite-size pieces out of the project rather than trying to swallow more than you can chew.

Onyx shower After picture

After Onyx shower only

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Usually when we start a remodeling project, our customers have little or no idea of what they want, the one thing that is a given is they no longer want what they have.  The layout of this bathroom was awkward and outdated.  The centerpiece of the bathroom was a large jetted tub and old tile walls.  The jetted fiberglass tub was hard to get into,  after a few recent surgeries that limited the customers mobility, removing the tub became a priority.  We converted the tub into a beautiful and easy to use shower.

Tub to Shower Conversion

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Bathroom Facelift on Twenty-Second story Condo unit in Minneapolis designed by Andy Audette.

Before Bathroom Remodel

Working in Condos or Townhomes often have some interesting requirements for contractors.   This particular unit in downtown Minneapolis allowed the use of their utility elevator only from the hours of 10-4pm  and in order to do the plumbing for the vanity and tub Many of the units needed to also have the water shut off for the work to be completed.

Not only did this project turn out beautiful it was also done under a fairly regulated timeline.  This project from start to finish took only 5 days including drying time for the floor tile.  It was an amazing transformation in less than a week.

The customer was looking for a clean, bright, white appearance in her bathroom.  She was also concerned about cleaning because her previous bathtub and wall tile were nearly impossible to keep looking nice.

19" Acrylic Soaker tub "Hastings"

We removed the original steel tub and replaced it with a solid acrylic replacement tub.  These tubs are just as strong as steel, they are non-porous so they don’t collect dirt and they insulate water keeping it warm 3X longer than steel or cast iron.  We did a “white marble” wall system to keep it clean and white but the pattern offers a softer touch rather than everything being solid white.

Danner's Vanity and Onyx top

For ease of cleaning we also wrapped behind the toilet with the white marble wall and added a chair rail.  The vanity has soft-close hardware and was custom built by Danner’s cabinetry in Ramsey.   The vanity top is made by the Onyx Collection and the color is “Snowswirl“.

Vanity

Before Acrylic Liner Installation

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My name is Andy Audette and I am a  remodeling expert who has been designing and building bathrooms for three years with Luxury Remodeling.  This is My First Blog of all time!!!

I am excited that I am writing about this project first.   Not because it came without its challenges, but because the customers (John and Ella) were very easy to work with and they wanted to stay involved with many aspects of the job including purchasing the toilet and accessories on their own.

John and Ella first saw us at the MN State Fair.  After collecting several estimates from remodeling companies they came back to Luxury Remodeling because Onyx material was far superior to anything else they looked at and our installers(Steve and Marty) have installed more Onyx than anyone else in Minnesota.  Of course it probably didn’t hurt that I am so gosh darn charming!

The first stage of the project began by removing the tub, wall tile, vanity, toilet, medicine cabinet and lights.  Sheet rock was then put up and after the mudding and taping, the tub was ready to go in.

Prolux Manufacturing in Salt Lake City, Utah created the solid acrylic 3/8″ thick tub that fit perfectly over the top of the outdated, worn cast iron tub.  The new tub is much stronger, easier to clean and we did not need to throw the old tub in a landfill.

After Picture Prolux tub and Onyx walls

Onyx Manufacturing Company in Kansas built the walls which were installed after the tub was set.  We picked out the colors Indian Summer for the main wall, and Terra Cotta for the 3″ inlay stripe and 3-shelf corner caddy. Secure grab bars were installed on all three walls to ensure maximum stability inside the tub.  Each grab bar is mounted directly into the stud wall and they will hold well over 600 Pounds each.

I really enjoyed going back out to this job after it was all finished.  John and Ella could not have been happier with the result and the pictures do not even do it justice.

This project from start to finish took only 2 weeks to complete but it will last a lifetime!

Ceramic Tile Floor

Remodel Project in Circle Pines Mn from design consultant Tim Leininger 2/1/2011

Luxury Remodeling and Bath recently completed the project below.  Our customer in Circle Pines contacted me in October of 2010 with the need to update a tired canary yellow bathroom space in her townhome.

Our customer decided she wanted to convert her Tub to a Shower so as she aged it would be easier for her to get in and out of the space.

We will be proudly posting completion photos and customer testimonial soon.  Be sure to check back.

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CAD design of customers new bathroom

Before renovation

Luxury Remodeling and Bath utilizes a process known as a complete facelift to save our customers money on their remodeling project.  In a nutshell, if you take all of your old products out of the bathroom and replace with new in the exact same location (no significant changes to the plumbing, electrical or layout of the bathroom) your project can be completed in a shortened time line saving you a significant amount of money on the project.

Total Tear Out

Tub Replacement

Liner

245 Roselawn Ave E #35,

Maplewood MN 55117

We will also have one of our representatives contact you.

*Not affiliat ed with Luxury Bath Systems (Chicago)

There are 5 reasons you should consider a bath or shower liner for your bathroom remodeling project.

1. Less expensive than traditional remodeling.  According to industry averages a typical bathroom remodel could cost between $15,000-45,000 and you could be without the use of your bathroom for up to 6 weeks.
2. Can be done in a single day.  In most cases a bath liner can be installed in just one day and can be used within 12 hours.
3. No demolition needed. In order to replace a bathtub, the old one first has to be broken up using a sledge hammer.  The dust and noise can be very disruptive.  A bathtub liner installation is very quick and non-destructive to your home.
4. Very easy to clean.  The spa like acrylic surface stays cleaner longer than tile, and requires a simple wipe down with household cleaner.  No scrubbing with cleanser to remove mold and mildew.
5. Updates your bathroom quickly. The “wet area” in the bathroom is the most difficult part to update.  A new bath liner, with a fresh coat of paint, updated fixtures and a vanity will make even the most dated bathroom look modern at a fraction of the cost of traditional remodeling.

The type of product that you choose will make a difference in the beauty and enjoyment you’ll receive.

There are 2 approaches to acrylic liners:

1. DR Acrylic. It is specifically engineered for impact resistance, so it won’t break when struck or traumatized. But while this approach is great for football helmets, what are the odds that your shower or tub will be struck with a blunt object and with enough force to cause a break?  And while DR Acrylic makes the product more break resistant, it compromises scratch resistance and shine, making the product visibly less beautiful and substantially harder to keep clean and beautiful. It protects the installer, making their job easier, but it makes your job tougher and less satisfying in the long run.

2.  DuraCast XL Crosslinked Arylic. This product results in the most beautiful finish possible. And it offers the highest level of scratch resistance, stain resistance, ease of cleaning, durability, and Crosslinked Acrylic tub liners are fast becoming the favorite choice of homeowners looking to makeover their bathrooms.  They are quick (one-day), far less intrusive on your family, and considerably less expensive then a full bathroom remodel (less then 10% of the cost)

With acrylic liners you can also easily covert your tub to a shower or replace your old tub with a  walk in tub…or a barrier free shower.

*Not affiliated with Luxury Bath Systems (Chicago)

If you are tired of looking at your old, out of date colored, rusty bathtub, there are 3 ways that you can upgrade your old bathtub:

1. Refinishing the old bathtub is the cheapest of all of the remodel alternatives. This option involves a process of basically “painting” your tub with a special coating.  While this approach is cheap, you must be aware of the fact that it is also temporary.
Bathtub refinishing is subject to the same challenges as the original porcelain, but they won’t last nearly as long. You can expect a good refinish job to solve your tub problem for only a few years.  Of course, it won’t help you solve challenges that surround the tub itself. If this is all you do, the work can be complete in 2 days and you can expect to pay as little as $350.00 to $1,500.00, depending on how much of the surface you are finishing.
2.  Having a new tub installed is the second option, but if you are thinking about replacing your old bath tub with a new one, you have to consider that it can be very expensive and lengthy project.  The plan of just replacing the tub, ends up being a total bathroom remodel.  Why?

Because, new tubs differ in width from the old tubs, which means that before you can install a new tub, you need to remove the base molding, floor covering, and underlayment. Much of the tile on the walls will be damaged during the removal. They, too, will need to be replaced. There are many things to consider before removing a bathtub. In order to remove the existing tub, you’ll have to open up the three walls surrounding it. If the room is small, then the toilet, sink, and cabinet may also have to be removed.

When you get right down to it, one thing leads to another when removing a bathtub…but there is an alternative…

3. A bathtub liner. There are less expensive options available if you don’t want to go through the hassle of tearing out the old tub, remodeling your bathroom and installing a  brand new bath tub…

The one-day solution…If you want a new tub without the cost of replacing the old one, consider getting your tub fitted with a bathtub liner. This method of refurbishing an old bath without actually getting rid of it has become a popular and affordable alternative to restoring the condition of your bathtub.

Bathtub liners are made to fit perfectly over your preexisting bathtub. Usually made of nonporous and durable acrylic that does not dent or chip, these liners are also stain and fade resistant and finished to a high-gloss.  Compared to porcelain and ceramic tubs, bathtub liners are more resilient to acidity and because there is no grout and tiles to maintain, cleaning is much easier.

You’ll have to get your bath fitted first by a specialist. Usually this means having the specialist come to your house to make the required measurements so they can match your tub to a liner perfectly.  Installing the liner will take less than a day and once it is brought to your house and fitted you’ll be able to use it right away.

*Not affiliated with Luxury Bath Systems (Chicago)