The finishing has begun

It's exciting when the first piece of something that will actually be seen after the renovation is finished is added. It's not much but it's big. The basement bathroom has received its floor and wall tiling.

We were given an evening's advance warning to prime the walls and ceiling, so it was a scramble to get the paint and materials and do the job. An added benefit is that the priming, with the tiling, provides a hint of what the room will look like.

We chose a silver metallic strip edge over the choice of white and black, as the use of silver is something we think we might use for an accent later, when we get to that part. Besides, all the plumbing fixtures, door and cabinetry hardware will be of that hue, as well as the appliances - at least those that have any colour at all.

We scored with the tile cost, finding it at Home Depot for about $6 per tile, each of which measure 1 foot by 2 feet. Laying them in a brick-style formation works well in the shower, especially when trying to determine where the niche (for holding shampoo, soap, etc.) should be placed, as the layout afforded more options. This pattern will look even better in the larger laundry, storage and entry sections, which will house the same tile.