Project Summary
This guest bathroom remodel in Cicero, New York transformed an outdated bathtub into a custom walk-in shower featuring one of the final Sterling cultured stone variations ever produced by The Onyx Collection. The project also included a Fabuwood Galaxy vanity, custom cultured stone vanity top, updated plumbing fixtures, and new accessories throughout. Although construction was briefly delayed after a cracked shower wall panel was discovered before installation, careful planning—and a little help from The Onyx Collection—allowed the homeowners to receive the shower they had originally selected instead of changing to a different stone variation.
Looking for the primary bathroom we completed first? Before beginning this guest bathroom remodel, we completed a full primary bathroom renovation featuring a custom Blue Pearl shower, Fabuwood Galaxy cabinetry, and luxury vinyl tile flooring. View the Primary Bathroom Remodel →
With their primary bathroom already complete, the homeowners turned their attention to the guest bathroom. Unlike the larger primary suite, this room didn’t require a complete reconfiguration. The goal was to remove the original bathtub, install a custom walk-in shower, refresh the vanity area, and create a bathroom that was just as functional and low-maintenance as the one we had recently finished elsewhere in the home.
As we began discussing design options, the homeowners were immediately drawn to Sterling, one of The Onyx Collection‘s cultured stone variations. Unlike bold marble-inspired patterns, Sterling offered soft movement and subtle depth that resembled natural stone without overpowering the relatively compact room. It was elegant, understated, and exactly the aesthetic they had envisioned.
There was one complication. Months before construction began, The Onyx Collection notified dealers that Sterling—along with several other stone variations—would soon be retired permanently. Once the remaining raw materials were exhausted, those variations would no longer be available.
Knowing that, we placed the order as early as possible. Even so, the project specifications acknowledged the uncertainty by listing Platinum as the alternate selection if Sterling became unavailable before production.
Fortunately, the order was accepted. Unfortunately, the story wasn’t over.
A Hairline Crack Changed the Entire Project
The guest bathroom installation began exactly as planned. The old tub was removed, the new shower pan was installed, and two wall panels were already in place when Shannon, our lead installer, prepared to install the next panel. Because every tub-to-shower conversion is custom-built for the existing space, every cultured stone wall panel and shower base had already been fabricated specifically for this bathroom before the crack was discovered.
Before every cultured stone wall is permanently installed, we inspect it one final time under different lighting angles. Small imperfections can sometimes be nearly impossible to see until light reflects across the surface, and replacing a defective panel before installation is dramatically easier than discovering the problem after an entire shower has been completed. As Shannon rotated the panel, a faint hairline crack appeared near one corner.
It was subtle enough that it disappeared unless the light struck it just right, but once it had been found there was no reasonable way to ignore it. Installing the panel would have meant knowingly placing damaged material into a finished shower, and that simply wasn’t something we were willing to do.
The project stopped while we searched for a solution.
The Problem Wasn’t the Crack
Under normal circumstances, replacing a damaged panel would have been routine. The challenge was that Sterling had already been discontinued.
By this point, the stone variation had already been retired from The Onyx Collection‘s catalog, meaning there weren’t replacement panels sitting on warehouse shelves waiting to be shipped, and there was no way for us to order it ourselves. The homeowners understood the situation immediately because we’d discussed the possibility months earlier when the project was designed.
Fortunately, they also had the completed master bathroom available, so waiting wasn’t an emergency. Although Platinum remained an option, Sterling had been their first choice from the beginning, and understandably they wanted to preserve the original design if there was any way to do so.
We contacted Luis at The Onyx Collection to explain the situation. After searching through their remaining inventory, he was able to locate just enough raw material to pour one final Sterling replacement panel. It was poured specifically for this project, finished, and freight shipped to New York roughly three weeks later.
Without those remaining materials, this bathroom almost certainly would have looked very different.
A Delay That Worked in Everyone’s Favor
The additional three weeks turned out to have one unexpected benefit. Originally, the guest bathroom renovation only included replacing the vanity top while preserving the existing vanity cabinet. With a little extra time to think about the room as a whole, the homeowners decided they wanted to complete the transformation and upgrade the vanity as well.
Once the replacement wall arrived, installation resumed immediately. The shower was completed without further issue, the new vanity and custom cultured stone top were installed, plumbing fixtures were connected, and the project was wrapped up with a final walkthrough.
Looking at the finished bathroom today, it’s impossible to tell that one of its wall panels didn’t exist for several weeks. This project is just one example of the custom bathroom renovations we’ve completed throughout Central New York. If you’d like to see additional shower remodels, tub-to-shower conversions, and full bathroom renovations, browse our complete bathroom remodeling portfolio.
Looking Back
The homeowners ultimately received the Sterling shower they originally selected, but only because a defect was discovered before installation, enough remaining raw material still existed to produce a replacement panel, and everyone involved—from the homeowners to our installer Shannon and Luis at The Onyx Collection—was committed to getting the project right instead of simply getting it finished.
Projects like this are a good reminder that remodeling doesn’t always go exactly according to plan. Materials become unavailable, manufacturing issues occasionally happen, and unexpected delays are sometimes unavoidable. What matters most is how those situations are handled.
For us, installing a panel we knew wasn’t perfect was never an option. Waiting a few extra weeks wasn’t the easiest solution, but it was the only solution that met our standards. Years from now, the homeowners won’t remember the delay nearly as much as they’ll remember ending up with the bathroom they originally envisioned.
Explore More Bathroom Remodels Near Cicero
From complete primary bathroom renovations to custom tub-to-shower conversions, every project has its own story. If you’re looking for additional inspiration, here are a few more bathroom remodeling projects we’ve completed throughout the Syracuse area.
- Midnight Tide — Cicero, NY · The primary bathroom we completed before this guest bath, featuring a custom Blue Pearl walk-in shower, Fabuwood cabinetry, and timeless design.
- Colonial Platinum — DeWitt, NY · A complete bathroom transformation centered around a custom Platinum shower and classic, enduring finishes.
- Morning Light — Manlius, NY · A bright, welcoming bathroom designed to maximize natural light, comfort, and everyday functionality.
- Boutique Spa — Cazenovia, NY · A luxury-inspired bathroom combining custom finishes, premium materials, and a relaxing spa-like atmosphere.
- Warm & Cozy — Manlius, NY · A comfortable, inviting bathroom remodel designed around warmth, practicality, and low-maintenance living.
FAQ
Why was this bathroom remodel delayed?
During installation, a hairline crack was discovered in one of the cultured stone shower wall panels before it was permanently installed. Rather than install damaged material, the project paused while a replacement panel was produced.
Why couldn’t another Sterling panel simply be ordered?
Sterling had already been retired from The Onyx Collection’s catalog. Replacement panels were no longer being manufactured, making this one of the final Sterling shower systems ever produced.
Can bathtubs usually be converted into walk-in showers?
Yes. Tub-to-shower conversions are one of our most common remodeling projects. In most cases, the existing bathtub is removed and replaced with a custom walk-in shower designed specifically for the space.
Why did the homeowners remodel the primary bathroom first?
Completing one bathroom before beginning the second ensured they always had a fully functioning bathroom available when the guest bathroom experienced an unexpected material delay.
Is cultured stone a good choice for a guest bathroom?
Yes. Cultured stone provides a grout-free, low-maintenance shower surface that is durable, easy to clean, and available in numerous coordinated stone variations and accessory options.
Leave a Reply