In this project, we will be completely renovating an older bath area, literally from floor to ceiling. Here's our starting point, and as you can see, it's showing its age, from the pink bathtub to the dark tiled wall to the floor covering that dates from when brand new episodes of Archie Bunker were airing on the TV down the hall. Along with altering these things, we'll be making plenty of other changes along the way; by the time we're done, this will be a whole new room.

This bath area also has an old suspended ceiling, and the walls outside the shower stall are covered will tile and grout far higher than the standard wainscot height before giving way to some truly awful, crusted wallpaper. Both of these elements will also be done away with.

The suspended ceiling is going to be removed altogether, adding some extra ceiling space and giving the room a less claustrophobic, less institutional feel. As the ceiling panels are taken down, one can see the overhead wiring, complete with exposed wires. This is a hazard that requires correction, and which will certainly be dealt with as the overhead fixtures are modified for the new ceiling.

Once the suspended ceiling and its grid have been taken down, the rest of the room isn't far behind. All of the old materials are removed: the tiled walls, the tub, the ancient floor... even the old glass block window has been removed in preparation for replacement (in the meantime, a piece of plywood covers the opening). After the debris is safely disposed of, it's time to inspect what's been covered up all these years.

Here, the older plumbing fixtures behind the tub and shower area can be seen. This is an area that can use some improvement before things get covered up again, and the improvements begin on the next page...