2010 Reader Remodel Winner: From Blank Slate to Charming Cape

Laying the subway tiles, which we undertook after memorizing a This Old House video, sounds simple until you find out that John, who studied architecture in college, had to use design software to rearrange the rows 10 times so that the grout lines would line up just right. Finding hexagonal floor tile in the perfect beige wasn't enough; we had to create our own pattern by replacing some pieces with white ones.

Exhausted by the end, we exchanged our vintage-look showerhead for one with a massage option and put other projects on hold for a while.

Shown: Bathtub, Americast Cambridge, American Standard; Floor tile, American Olean; Wall tile, Daltile; Radiator, Runtal Radiators; Towel and bath bag, Home Goods