Describes how to dress up even a basic fireplace insert with a mosaic tile surround that will look anything but basic. Perfect symmetry is key to a perfect-looking result, especially when using a contrasting grout color for extra pop. Read on for some mosaic tile wall install tips! Continue reading Fireplace Tile Surround
Describes the pros and cons of converting a conventional spare bath tub/shower combo to a walk-in tile shower. Has some added design advice and also features a cute pupper! Continue reading Converting a Tub to a Shower: WHY?
Explains the whole process of converting a tub/shower combo to a custom walk-in shower. This can be a very helpful and cost-effective way to help your home grow with changing lifestyles. Continue reading Converting a Tub to a Shower: HOW?
Describes the easiest and least invasive way to fix a bad shower floor. If the shower is properly watertight, then you can probably just tile right over the existing shower floor tile to fix any slope or other surface issues. Here is a detailed example! Continue reading A Shower Floor Re-tile
This project completely fixed a previously bungled 1930s Hyde Park bungalow master bath renovation. If you are searching for ways to make bathroom reno decisions to match the overall character of a historic home, then read on for an example! Continue reading A very BRIGHT Bath Do-over
There was a snowpocalypse in Austin in 2021, and it flooded homes all over town as burst pipes thawed out a week later. Here’s what to do if you have an unexpected freeze and then hear the sound of water pipes gushing. Continue reading EMERGENCY burst pipe DIY repair
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Explains who this blog is for and how it can help with your home renovation project planning.
Spoiler alert: This site isn’t monetized or commercialized. There are no ads or popups. Just straight dope advice! Continue reading Need Renovation Help?
Describes how to install patio tile for a lifetime crack-free guarantee. Daily heating and cooling combined with moisture and seasonal freezing can result in a cracked tile mess. Read on for perfect outdoor ceramic floor tips! Continue reading Outdoor Patio Tile Install
This post describes how to convert a worn out and outdated builder-grade shower and tub into a custom tile and bright practical garden tub master suite spa room. If you’ve got a 1990s master bath in need of a full makeover on a budget, read on for tips! Continue reading Shower & Garden Tub Re-do
Describes a full bathroom renovation that took everything to the studs for a full makeover. Replacing a tub surround is an opportunity to make an entire bathroom into a spa for marginally more cost. Here’s a step-by-step example that explains how! Continue reading Tub Surround Replacing
Describes the tile install and finish work for a custom spa shower renovation. This blog post has some tips and info for making perfect custom tile shower floors and stylish tiled niches with shelving. Seriously, this Michael Mann finish was pretty cool! Continue reading Custom Shower Upgrade: part II
Explains why even expensive previous tile shower installations can leak, and how they can be fixed. This project creatively designed around a glass block wall to bring a dank and leaky but forward-looking 1950s shower truly into the future! Continue reading Custom Shower Upgrade: part I
Explains how a simply inevitable tile tub surround replacement can add real lasting value to even a tiny home in Austin. This project made the most of a single bath bungalow reno by making the bathroom into a space age spa space! Continue reading Space-Age Tub Surround
Sometimes custom tile showers are badly done. Sometimes tile showers are old, musty, and leaky, Sometimes they’re all of these things and need to be completely redone. This was one of those times. Read on for historic home reno tips too! Continue reading Yes, GO to the Light!
This post explains how to waterproof a totally cool James Bond -style dual showerhead custom spa shower. Think your custom shower idea is too decadent to make real? Well, read this before you discount that idea! Continue reading Super Shower TWO: making the shower
Sometimes you can salvage a bathroom with just a makeover. But sometimes you have to nuke everything and start over to make a truly James Bond -worthy custom shower result. This post explains how! Continue reading Super Shower ONE: demo and framing
Describes how to replace a tiled tub surround on a budget but with waterproofing that will last a lifetime. If you don’t want to reno a whole bathroom but also don’t want to ever have a problem with mold, then read on for tips! Continue reading A Basic Tub Surround Redo
Explains how to make a completely waterproof shower that will last a lifetime, even using porous natural stone tile. This post also has some great cost saving tips for re-using custom shower glass. Continue reading Stylish Shower Replacement, part deux!
Explains why improperly waterproofed showers leak, and how to fix them. These clients got a truly custom tile shower redone for a fraction of what starting completely over from scratch would have cost! Continue reading Stylish Shower Replacement, part uno!
Explains how to convert a fiberglass tub surround insert into a custom tile walk-in shower. This project required some advanced jackhammer drain re-plumbing. But a project like this doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Continue reading Another Tub to Shower Conversion
Kitchen renovation projects can be very expensive and take a long time. So plan carefully if you want to work quickly and keep costs low. Here are some tips for kitchen renovations that won’t break the bank. Continue reading How to Save on a Kitchen Reno
Skilled labor is the biggest reno project cost. Here are tips for getting quality bids without inflated labor pricing.
Spoiler alert: Good contractors really like to work for organized clients with clear plans. Continue reading How to Save on a Bathroom Reno
Stone mosaic tile is a popular choice for shower and bathroom floors nowadays. It’s great for adding flair to a renovation design. Using natural stone mosaics can however result in annoyingly obvious seams. Read on for tips to install seamless tile mosaics! Continue reading The Seamy Side of Mosaic Tile
Tile can be expensive, and finding tile that you like can be hard. There are lots of retail options for buying tile but there are also lots of pros and cons for each option. This post has tips to guide you! Continue reading So, Where to Buy Tile?
Explains the differences between types of grout and the pros/cons of each. This post has all the info you’ll need for a clear and informed discussion with an installation pro about what’s the best specific grout to use for YOUR particular tile reno project! Continue reading Let’s Talk about GROUT!
This post explains why floor tiles installed on a concrete foundation sometimes crack, how to match and replace cracked floor tiles, and how to ensure that they won’t just crack again. Read on for DIY ceramic floor tile repair tips! Continue reading Fixing Cracked Floor Tile
The answer is always YES, definitely add some awesome! Niches are like wonderful stylish showering closets and can be great for leg shaving and foot washing too. Add good looks, value, and usability to your custom tile shower or tub surround install with a niche. Continue reading To Niche or Not To Niche?
Explains why tub surround ceramic wall tile can crack and shows how to fix the problem without having to start over from scratch. Want to save some money by repairing your shower instead of having to replace it? Then read on for repair tips! Continue reading Replacing Cracked Wall Tile
Art Tile & Renovation 