Bathroom Project Week 9

With Cendy's party this weekend, the rush was on to finish the bathroom. There was tile placing and grouting, painting, electrical, new toilet, sink, faucet and vanity to be installed if the bathroom was to be usable for the ladies.

On Tuesday, it started with the tile. I was very grateful that my boss lent me his tile saw. Hopefully I don't break it.
At the last minute, we decided a 45 degree tile pattern would look nice. Although it was more difficult, we felt it would look much nicer.

I laid out the pattern without the mortar to visualize the placement and make sure we cut the first pieces correctly. We snapped a chalk line to make sure we kept a straight pattern.

The first tile is set.

There were more tiles that needed to be cut than not.
We're about a quarter of the way finished in this picture. These are 12"x12" tiles. Tile spacers are used to keep 1/4" gap in between tiles.
Almost there...
Done! It was about 4am at this point.
On Wednesday, I start with a little touch-up painting. Since no tape was used, a steady hand is needed. I am an ar-teest!
Next up - electrical! These are three 60w bulbs...bright! I think we'll downgrade to 40w. We didn't need a flash when this light was on.
GFCI and switches are done.
Shower recessed light and fan are installed.
Now that electrical is finished, it's time to grout the tile joints.
I work in sections, going back and scraping off the excess grout and wiping the residue with a damp sponge.

Grouting went rather well. The last step is to buff the haze off the tile a few hours after grouting is finished.

On Friday, we start with the medicine cabinet. It needed extra encouragement to fit, so this took way longer than needed. The opening didn't have any wiggle room.
I managed to not break the mirror while installing.
Now the wainscoting is glued in place and the trim is nailed to the studs. The 1x4 in the picture is holding the piece under the sink drain in place while the glue dries. The trim over the wainscoting (floor and chair rail) hold the larger pieces in place.
It's Saturday, the day of the party, and we're getting short on time. I started by putting a coat of paint on the wainscoting and trim.

Now onto the toilet. I don't have to tell you that scraping off the old wax seal ring was pretty gross. I wore rubber gloves for this part. I think I'll throw out that putty knife.
The new wax ring is put in place with new bolts.
Now that the bowl is in place, tank is prepared.
Cendy takes it for a test drive.
The ladies arrived as I worked on the sink. Sadly, a piece was missing for the faucet and I needed to make a run to the hardware store for a new drain, so I could not finish in time.

Here is our current progress.