In case you missed it, I spent last week tiling around our masterbath tub with subway tile. And boy, and I’m glad to be done. Mind you, it really wasn’t a hard project, just took some planning ahead and figuring things out before I actually got started, but the planning paid off and it came out beautifully, if I do say so myself. This just might be my most proudest DIY moment EV-ah!
You’ll remember the view from the bedroom to the bathroom. Notice the faux marble backsplash that was there, which had to be ripped out before I started the tile project.
Let’s pause a minute before we go to the AFTER pics. Do you hear singing. Ah, yes, it’s my celebration song of joy that this is all done and I LOVE IT! 🙂
See through that doorway to that beautiful white subway tile, along with some decorative border pieces. I’ll tell you more about how I put it all together in a tutorial post. For right now, let’s just enjoy the beauty of this amazing tile. 
I have to say, it came out exactly as I had hoped. I spent 3 days of tiling and a couple of days of grouting, but overall it really wasn’t bad. It totally changes the look of our bathroom to something much more high end. Built in 1998, with all white tile, this was a cost effective solution to give this space a much more updated feel and look and I couldn’t be happier.
Yes, I love it. Paint color here is Kilz Magellan, found at Walmart. 
And I’m pretty darn proud of myself for doing this all alone. Hubby thought it turned out great too, but then again, he is used to me tackling things like this and I haven’t ruined anything yet. Thank goodness. 🙂 I added the rope molding at the last minute and I’ll tell you why on my next post. You probably won’t be surprised to know that I found that mosaic planter at a yardsale several years ago and it fits in here just great. 
Added back in this yellow yardsale basket, which works perfectly in here for holding some pretty shells and decorative items. 
This is the first area I started on and I took down the old row of tiles that were at the top of this ledge and that is where my new decorative tiles started. I’ll be sure and tell you all about the process in my next post, so you can see how it all came together. 
It’s not a perfect job, but I’m perfectly happy with it. Once you add the grout to a tile project, it wipes out the flaws that might have stuck out before that process. 
The corner pieces are the hardest with a project like this. I ran into the same issue when I was cutting the molding for my dining room. Those corners are tricky and I sure don’t have it all figured out. I just did the best I could and then filled in with grout. And you’d have to be this close to see it. I used non-sanded grout, which is the norm for small joints like this.
I took lots of pics, so you could see it from every angle. 
I love how it changed the look so much by getting rid of that old faux marble backsplash. Update!
You’ve seen this shelf in here before, but thought I’d show it again.
This was a $5 yardsale find, years ago and I hauled it with me when we moved. 
Perfect for a little bit of accessorizing in here. 
So, that’s all folks! I hope you enjoyed this project, I know I did. I’ve been dreaming of doing this for at least a year and talked my hubby into it. He swears I’m trying to get rid of more of his blue, but I’m really not. The tile just enhances all that blue.
I’m still planning to add some of the beadboard wallpaper to the front of the tub (hope it will stick) as well as add chair rail and beadboard to the toilet room. And now that I’ve done all this work, I’m going to go back around the tub and shower and recaulk and grout some of the tile that’s looking pretty shabby. Just regrouting an area can freshen it up.
Did you get inspired?? Would you ever try this yourself? I promise you, I am NOT an expert on all of this. I did help with some tile projects in my old house and did a lot of grouting there, but I never tackled anything like this by myself before. I wasn’t even scared though! Cause I know most anything can be fixed and I knew that I could do this. You can too!
And you can find me soaking in the tub. 🙂
If you have any specific questions, ask away. I’ll be putting up a tutorial of sorts next, so I’ll try to answer all the questions in that post too.
Added to Kimba’s DIY Day and Susan’s Met Monday.
You did such an amazing job! Can’t wait to tag along with you in March.
Hope you and your husband enjoyed the beautiful weekend!
Meaghan
GREAT job Rhoda you are something else girl……..I can tile but thank goodness I have a hubby that really loves to do all that kind of stuff….I get the ideas and he plays along…..lol
I love subway tile…….and I so agree it makes the BLUE standout !!!
Kathy 🙂
I am so excited to see the end results! WOW, WOW and WOW! I am so proud to be a woman right now, you make us look good!
Looks great…..you talented lady you!
Rhoda, my friend, you impress the heck out of me!! I am in amazement !! One talented,clever,do-it yourselfer. It looks amazing,what a difference, You should be verrrrry proud, shoot I am proud for you,Kathysue
I would love a tutorial on bathroom updates!! HELP!!!
Gorgeous Rhoda ! Job well done! All your hard work paid off. I absolutely love white subway tile and that border is so delish. Can’t wait for the tutorial. And I’m smitten with that blue on the walls. J’adore !
This looks wonderful, Rhoda! Great job!!
And this is inspiring. This is something I’ve really wondered if I could do. I’ll look forward to your tutorial.
All I can say is WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wow, Rhoda, I always read what you’re up to in my Google Reader, but had to come by and leave a comment to say, you rock, very brave on attempting this project *and it turned out looking like a pro did it, well I guess you are a pro!
and I love how you’ve tied all the accessories in
sarahx
WOW! WOW!! WOW!!!
Rhoda, I am seriously impressed. I am getting caught up on my reading and so enjoyed this post. You did a wonderful job. I am in awe of your talent and your enthusiasm is contagious. You are such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing.
It looks really great! I can’t wait to get to some tiling in my house…one of these years.
Very nice job! When we moved into our house, there wasn’t any tile around our tub. We had it tiled and it really changed the look of the room.
I like the subway tiles – wish I could have had it done like that too.
I am inspired indeed! I’ve wanted to do the same to my tub surround as well as try a backsplash in my kitchen. With my house going on the market in the next 6 months, maybe I’ll finally get to it. Can’t wait for the tutorial!
Gina
You did an absolutely fantastic job.
What a wonderful job you did on the tile, the before picture looked good, but the after picture made such a big difference. Now you have to get a good book, that glass of wine, and a few bubbles.
I just tried regrouting my shower stall, but now I think I got sanded grout. Oh well it is just temporary. Need this shower in working order so I can rip out the shower we currently use. Can’t wait for your tutorial so I’ll have an idea how to re-tile my shower.
Rhoda, this is beautiful! It made an all ready lovely bathroom just gorgeous! Congrats!
Rhoda, it looks beautiful! You did an amazing job, girl! 🙂 I love how the decorative tile at the top really “makes” it! Lovely, lovely!
Blessings,
Stacey
WOW! It looks amazing…..you did an awesome job!!!!!! What a big difference it made too!
~Des