Welcome back to another update on our vintage modern bathroom renovation project in our old farmhouse. This week we focus on electrical and insulation!
Click here to check out our post on last week’s progress.
the bathroom renovation progress
This week’s bathroom renovation work has been focused on electrical work. Right now, we have the electrical work all done! We made the smart decision to do all of the difficult work while we had help on the weekend.
This was mainly fishing the wiring for the ceiling light fixtures and bathroom fans. We needed to fish wire because we decided to split the space into two smaller rooms. This meant that the light switch that used to work with both light fixtures in the back of the house only needed to work with one. We needed to run a new line from one of the light fixtures to a new wall in order to put a second light switch in. To do this, we used electrical fish tape and pushed it through the existing hole for the light fixture and into the ceiling. We found it as it came out at the wall, and then used that tape to pull electrical wire along the same path. This saved us from having to rip out the ceiling drywall!
We also hooked up the bathroom fan and replaced it’s vent hose. This required a lot of figuring out and maneuvering. The bathroom fan that we picked is super simple and clean, as I didn’t want it to distract from the design of the bathroom. I have noticed that there aren’t a lot of decor-friendly bathroom fans, which is something I had never thought about before.
hanging outlets and light fixture boxes
We nailed in all of the outlet and light fixture boxes, and then we ran the wire to all of them. Getting to choose where outlets and light fixtures go has been the fun part compared to all of the structural work we had been doing! With the outlets in, these rooms were ready for insulation! We have put all of the insulation in and are now waiting to get all of the drywall that we need.
These rooms are starting to feel like they are coming together, which has been really exciting. It hasn’t felt quite as stressful and existential as before. The feeling of knowing that we are coming to the end of the extreme projects is bittersweet. Even though these projects are very overwhelming and stressful at times, the process of redoing this house has been a really great experience. We have become much closer through this kind of trial while getting to create a home that fits us perfectly. As we continue finishing these big projects, we are filled with gratitude. We are thankful that God has trusted us to be the ones to care for this beautiful home.
bonus projects
In my spare time I have been working on planning some other projects that we want to switch to after this bathroom. We are thinking of putting built in cabinets into our bedroom for clothes storage, I am thinking about our downstairs flooring, decorating our office, and as always, some garden tasks. A little bit of everything! I have noticed that our garden is a few weeks behind where I would like it to be. But if we have learned anything in this project, it’s that in time, all will be well.
We also took some time to step away from projects and relax, which was so needed and very appreciated.
what’s next?
Next we plan to get hanging some drywall! We are so excited to get into the fun stuff of this project. In the coming weekends I plan to spend some time tracking down some finishing pieces for this bathroom so that I can have them ready. Check out our super cool wall sconces that have come in!!
We are also thinking about the tile and gathering supplies needed for that as well. We have already purchased most of the tile but will just need to pick up some other supplies to get that project done.
I am also finalizing paint and finishing details for each of the spaces in the back of the house. We hope that with all of the big struggles done, we will be able to finish this project soon!
