Bill and Jessie had just bought a home brimming with potential—a fresh start, a blank canvas to make their own. But before they could settle in, they had one major hurdle: the outdated showers had to go. They reached out to us in early November, hoping to have both bathrooms remodeled before moving in around Christmas. Normally, our schedule books up months in advance, but in this case, we found a way to make it work. For any homeowners reading this, we can’t always pull off that kind of turnaround—but when the stars align, it’s a great feeling for everyone.
This write-up focuses on the corner shower we installed on their first floor. For details on the second shower upstairs, click HERE.
At first, everything seemed to be on track. The demolition was clean, and the space was prepped without a hitch. But then, as with many projects during this time of year, we hit a couple of snags. A broken panel and an incorrectly sized door arrived, throwing a wrench in our timeline. And if that wasn’t enough, the week brought freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall. If you’ve followed our posts, you know how tricky it can be to cut and install stone in the cold—precision work becomes that much harder when you’re fighting against the elements.
Fortunately, Bill and Jessie hadn’t moved in yet, which gave us some breathing room. There’s nothing more stressful for homeowners than trying to live through a remodel, so in this case, we were able to take the time needed to get things just right without disrupting their daily life.
For this shower, the homeowners chose Samuel Mueller’s “Creme” cultured stone, a timeless, elegant choice that brought warmth to the space. We accented it with two matching stone corner shelves, perfect for keeping essentials within reach. The base was a mid-height cultured stone Onyx Collection pan in “Reed,” and we enclosed it with a sleek, 3/8″ thick glass enclosure featuring an outward-swinging door that added an open, airy feel.
When the project wrapped up, the shower looked fantastic, but there was a small trade-off. The homeowners had hoped for a slightly larger shower footprint. We installed a 36″ neo-angle corner shower pan, and while a 38″ pan was technically an option, it would have pushed directly against the vanity—likely requiring a full vanity relocation and plumbing adjustments. Since Bill and Jessie were mindful of their budget, taking on that extra expense wasn’t in the cards. Given the space constraints, we stand by the decision to go with the 36″ pan, ensuring a quality installation without unnecessary complications.
Homeowners, take note: While we’re always up for a challenge and no request is too big, every change can come with added costs and complexities. Expanding the shower footprint would have required moving plumbing and replacing the existing vanity, which was already at risk of falling apart once disturbed. Clear communication about priorities and budget from the start ensures we can provide the best solutions without unexpected surprises along the way.
Despite the challenges, we’re proud of how this project came together—and even with the unexpected setbacks, we still finished within our expected timeframe. This is exactly why we always estimate 3-5 days per wet space. It builds in enough flexibility to handle surprises while ensuring homeowners get the high-quality results they deserve, right on schedule. A few bumps along the way didn’t stop us from delivering a clean, stylish, and functional new shower. Now, Bill and Jessie can move into their home with one less thing to worry about—and with a beautiful new space to start their next chapter.