Can you just switch the showerhead to one that can convert to a hand-held one with a hose, and mount it higher? (just the head, I mean, which will move because it's on a hose)

I'm no plumbing expert, but I did work at a tile distributor for 2 years, and 2 weeks is just not going to cut it. There is SO much beautiful tile out there that you will really want to take your time looking at all your options before diving in to something just to get it done before you move. Besides that, depending on what tile you select, it could be there next day....or next month. I think the biggest mistake people make is rushing themselves on expensive decisions....so slow down and get used to your home for a bit prior to picking tile! (I can understand why you want to change the showerhead quickly though! Good luck!)

Oh no! Don't retile! That kind of tile is so classic and is quickly becoming extinct! Why not work with it (and repair the broken bits) rather than tear it out? You could have a truly lovely classic bathroom (and avoid making trendy mistakes that will drive you crazy in 2 yrs) if you focus on paint, lighting, and art instead. (Though actually that floor doesn't look original and could probably go, and my god, that shell-themed toilet seat--yikes!) Good luck!

that's a GORGEOUS bathroom!

CC

Yeah, I think most people are going to urge you to keep the tub and surrounding tile as is! It's classic and looks pretty clean and well-maintained too. Very tempting to keep the sink too since it matches. A sleek new floor (black?) and toilet would be great. Possibly improve mirror and lighting. You'll need some kind of addtional storage if you keep that sink - maybe some black shelving above the toilet? Lots of great possibilities for the wall color: green, turquoise, orange, or charcoal. Great room, love the window.

Our house had the same problem with the shower head. We were able to find an additional piece of plumbing that raised the shower head. It has sort of a "J" or "S" look to it. It comes out of the original location an inch or so, then adds approximately 6"-8" of height before angling downward. I'm sorry I don't know what it is called. My husband really had to look around for this piece after a friend told us about this simple solution. It also gives the shower head a more substantial prescence. I agree that you should live with the tile for now and decide later if you really want something else.

I agree keep that great tile. Wash it up a bit. Buy a better showerhead and brighten up the b-room with other creative elements

Agree the tile is great - classic. Change the showerhead, paint the dull white something that works with the warm tile, replace the toilet seat, which looks like a plastic shell (??). Congrats!

Wow...you guys must be incredibly tall--that shower looks pretty much like mine. If you're only worried about the height of the showerhead, you might want to consider using one like this: http://tinyurl.com/263ap2 I'm sure that if you shop around, there are some less expensive models and ones with adjustable arms.

Agree that the tiels are superb and it would be a crying shame to destroy them. Oh what folly is man!

As for the shower height question, you don't have to muck about with handhelds. We bought at Lowe's a nifty new arm (why isn't it called a neck?) for our shower head that raises the height a good 8" (in fact, I'd say ours is too high now, but my 6" taller husband probably wouldn't). It's kind of s-shaped, something like this: http://www.doityourself.com/invt/0117549

Good luck!

I am with everyone else. while you may want to fix the showerhead i would hold off on the re-tiling etc. live with the bathroom for a while. see what small colorful changes you can make to enhance it. it is a classic bathroom and most people would scream to have this in their home. i know i would.

As a Thrid generation "High End" General Contractor in NYC & NY State,I have seen the trend of the older style bathroom that you have come back around again,as they were always very classy whith white tiles balck borders and mosaic on the floos with pedestal sink and old fashion tubs.............
I renovate alot of Bathrooms throughout NYC,& NY State and mainly do White tiles railroad style or not with black borders,I have brought back a tradition of class throught the Boro's of NYC..Easier selling factor later on as opposed to colored tiles, ask any realtor...........WHITE SELLS EASIER>>>>>>>>
"GOOD LUCK"

You can find me at WWW.Angieslist.com

Kevin A Klepper
A-1 Home Improver Construction Co.

More black and chrome! I'd put up a black and clear striped shower curtain and a black frame around the mirror.

And for the shower head, get one that splits to keep the old one and adds a hosed head. We have the hosed one stuck as far back as possible two have a double headed shower. You can turn them on one at a time or both at the same time. We keep our shower closed so we don't care what the hose looks like. It feels fabulous.

I will literally cry if you destroy that tile. literally. In fact, that's how I'm trying to get my bathroom to look after it's original 50s tile was replaced with some horrible cheap stuff in the mid 90s!

Anyway, I had the same problem, and I bought one of these: http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=143525-324-JF7812HCH&lpage=none (except a MUCH better version by Hansgroehe). When you drill, just drill on the line in between the tiles, that way if you decide against it it's easy to remove and repair).

Good luck!

My partner is 6 feet 8 inches tall and we have always had to add an extender on our showers when we move. We have always found the simple chrome extenders at local hardware stores. They allow for the shower head to be adjusted since they have two long pieces and three joints; one joint at the base, one in the middle to form an elbow and one at the fixture head.
You won't need to spend any money on a plumber for this type of solution.

Don't do it! In two weeks you can probably regrout your tiles, put a new surface on the tub and switch out the sink, toilet and shower head (but not relocate the shower head). Renovations always take longer than you assume they will.

I agree with the general sentiments:

1) Tile work in the tub surround and sink wet wall: Keep it. That's classic tilework you'd be hardpressed to get today without shelling out the moolah. If it looks grungy and grey, I'd advise giving the tile a thorough scrubbing with a good, nonscratch cleanser. The other thing you can do to brighten the tilework is RE-GROUT. Its relatively easy if a little time-intensive, but its a perfectly doable DIY project. There's nothing like new, shiny white grout to freshen up old tile.

2) The tub - Keep it - Its a nice porcelain tub that seems like its durable and of good quality. Why waste the money just to get something similar in quality.

3) The toilet - Ohmygod, WTF is that?!?!??! Get rid of the shell seat - immediately. However, if the rest of the toilet is from the same series as the tub, I'd probably keep it, assuming its not cracked or broken. Its likely a decent porcelain toilet and if its original to the apt., it likely from the pre 1.6 gallon era -meaning it could be flushing around 7 gallons per flush. On the one hand, this is more wasteful (and leads to higher water bills) than a newer lo-flow toilet. On the other hand, some folks prefer keeping their older higher capacity toilets as they are less likely to clog and they get it all down in one flush.

4) Floor tile - Its hard to tell - the floor tile could be the same period as the rest, or it could be more recent, as others have noted. However, it could also predate the tub surround tile. From the photo, it looks a lot grungier than the tub tile. I'd start with a good scrubbing on your hands and knees with a stiff bristle brush, heavy duty cleanser, followed by a moping with bleach water. If it still looks stained, there might not be much you can do absent re-tiling.

5) Shower head - Don't start pulling down wet walls and re-routing plumbing - just get a new shower head with a swing arm or add an "S" curve riser. That shower head looks like its at standard height, so the issue sounds like its more that you guys are tall.

6) Window - You might want to rig up something with a piece of plastic shower curtain to protect that window penetration on the shower surround from wet rot, as I can't tell if the tiling wraps around to meet flush with the window or if its stops at the penetration.

We have a rain can shower head that has and adjustable arm so it can be raise and lowered.

For a fraction of the cost and the ability to change your mind try this designer trick:

I bought a condo with super ugly tile and my interior designer told me to install floor to ceiling curtains in front of the shower curtain so I would not see the tile while in the bathroom. I bought regular floor to ceiling curtains and hung them on a shower rod (or you could use those cable curtain rods). The curtains were white and sheer with a fun woven pattern allowing light to come through, yet disguised the tile. Don't skimp -- make them full (2 to 2-1/2 times wider than the opening) for a luxurious feel.

Behind the curtains I installed an extra-long white shower curtain on it's own rod. She was right, the tile "disappeared."

I added fluffy white towels and white shag throw rugs after painting the entire bathroom including the dorky vanity, ceiling AND equally ugly vinyl floor a deep Pratt and Lambert Shaded Clematis blue. A new but inexpensive vanity light and artwork completed the look.

I'd leave the "vintage" tile -- it always comes back in fashion. To my amazement and only two years later the two young women who bought my condo thought it was "cool."

BTW, installing a hand-held shower head higher allows you to place it where you want and makes cleaning the tile easier.

I am a huge fan of classic NY deco bathrooms. Which is why, frankly, I understand you might want to switch out your fleshy-colored square tile (ugly, in my opinion) for some PERIOD CORRECT white subway tile with black trim, and a black/ white mosaic floor tile to match. I disagree with all the voices telling you to keep this tile because it's old. I know that old tile can just seem, well, old. Why bother regrouting/ reglazing? It's not the mona lisa-- get rid of it! But I'd replace it with something elegant and deco. White subway tile is very cheap. You just need a good person to install it. And it will likely take more than 2 weeks to get that person. Anyone instantly available might not be working for a reason.

My advice-- go classic NY deco. If the floors aren't level-- get them leveled before they're retiled. I prefer a thin black band at the top of the wall tile, topped by a white half tile, but that's just me. Change out the shell-toilet seat cover for a plain black toilet seat. Voila.

YAY - I have the same color tile/fixtures in my master bathroom. We planned to rip it out & redo as soon as we moved in in 1999. I am glad I didn't because I would have been so tired of my "dream bathroom" already. Instead, I repainted the walls, got a white rug for the floor & white towels, new chrome light fixture (in period 1940's style from www.rejuvenation.com) and a new medicine cabinet. Also, as suggested above, I incorporated some nice artwork. OH and, I was able to find a new (non-shell-themed) toilet seat that matched the yellow toilet exactly manufactured by Bemis. Good luck.

Two weeks isn't enough time to redo the whole bathroom. I'd say 3 weeks, if you want to re-tile.

We re-did our bathroom that was in a similar style to this one when we moved in last year because the wall in the shower was rotting out. Old doesn't always mean good. I agree on the white subway tile though, that's actually what we used when we renovated.

Gretchen - I am curious why you think Deco would be "period correct". You have no idea when the building was built - heck, depending on when the building was constructed, Deco could be "period incorrect". The deco period was roughly 1910-1940, with a peak in the 1920s in its popularity.

This building could have originally been built in the 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1950s....

I'd also add, that even IF the building was built circa 1910-40, that doesn't mean it was necessarily originally outfitted in Deco-style finishes and fixtures. Replacing what is currently there with Art Deco-imitation finishes would be now more authentic, or just as artificial, as keeping what is already in place.

I used a matte subway tile (from Dal Tile, I think) in a color called "almond" (similar to the color above) with a white grout. For the painted areas, I used Benjamin Moore's China White. Not the most dynamic and colorful combination, but it gets lots of compliments.

You're all inspiring me to improve my older, white-tiled NY bathroom.
The bathtub has a few scratches/dingy marks I can't scrub away. Does it make sense to have it reglazed (if that's the right word), and how would I get that done?
And instead of re-grouting tile, I've seen a pen-like thing that's supposed to work like tipex/white-out when applied over the dirty old grout. Might that work, or am I just being too lazy?
And does anyone else's cat curl up in the sink? My white cat blends in so perfectly that he terrifies houseguests who are sleepily brushing their teeth in the morning and don't notice cat in sink till he opens his eyes. ok, that's not a home improvement question, just wondering.

Laurie, I googled "tub refinishing" in my neighborhood and a guy came and gave my super cool old teal tub a new shiny white life in only a couple of hours. It cost around $350. Shouldn't be too hard to find and if you like your tub just not its current look it is worth it.

I'm tempted to try a very toxic product - the easy off bam - to de-dinge and remove mildew from my bathroom tiles.
this could help you feel better about those great vintage tiles too, no? or maybe you could go even more toxic and try the muriatic acid stuff maxwell used in his bathroom.
let us know what the 'after' looks like.

Dave-- all your points are granted. I assumed the building was built between the wars-- I could easily be wrong. My point is that they can redo the bathroom in a classic style, and not feel guilty for ripping out the old tile. Sure-- that tile could be original to the year the building was built-- whether it was 1927 or 1941 or 1953-- but that doesn't make it worth saving if you don't like it.

I'm not hung up on authenticity-- I prefer good design and quality-- which has its own kind of authenticity. I like what I call classic NY deco because it looks good in so many different bathrooms-- whether you're in a prewar (me); a 60's white brick; or a 2005 steel and glass condo. In fact, the more classic design you can bring into a new-build, the better, I think.

My bathroom is very similar, only uglier. The sink and toilet are both white, though the tub and walls are a terrible color...instead of beige, the tile color is more "band-aid". At least, the parts that weren't haphazardly replaced with pink or beige. And there's just so much of it, it's non distractable.

I was thinking of trying a metallic copper brown paint on the non-tiled parts of the wall, to get the band-aid color to look better. This could very well be a horrible, horrible mistake. I'm lucky enough to have a big window in there, but have to cover it and its wall with a large muslin panel in order to decrease the number of visual elements in there to contend with.

I do like the regrouting idea, and know that small details like this can make a big difference, but am eager to hear what other suggestions there are here.

In two weeks? You would be very,very lucky to find a good contractor in two weeks. Live with it for a while, it looks as though you can do that. Do not make quick remodeling decisions. You live with your choices for a long time. Subway tile will date your remodel in the future if put it back on the market. Better to consider a re-do that is going to age better.

-New floor tile,
-change out the fixtures (new faucets, shower head)
-new toilet seat,
paint the white walls something that goes nicely with teh peach color.
-remove the built-in soap dish and toothbrush holder
-new mirror and light fixtures
-shine up the chrome.

Gretchen - True, but your suggestion presumes money is no object. As first time homebuyers, its entirely possible they scrimped and saved just to get into their unit. As such, budget is a concern. The problem with yours and others high-end suggestions, as I see it, is that its expensive if you want to get quality of finishes and fixtures equivalent to what is already there. When it comes to old fixtures and finishes, the older they are, the less likely they were built with planned obscelescence and more likely built to last. For example, to this day, if you find old pre-war GE appliances, you can usually get them to work without too much repair work.

Sure, you can go and find someone selling cheap subway tile, but its likely going to be cheap crap that is not going to last as long as what is already in place. In the area of finishes, you get what you pay for when it comes to durability and the lifespan of the product.

Add labor costs on top of the materials costs for higher quality finishes and the homeowners are looking at a nice sized chunk of change and they haven't even moved in yet.

Which is why its adviseable to start with some inexpensive DIY solutions first, live with it for a while and then see if they want to start on a re-tiling job, esp. for the floor. No telling what condition the old subflooring is going to be in after they rip out the tile.

Home Depot carries the 'S' shaped extender for your showerhead. Works like a charm.

I remember reading a while back about a service that resurfaces existing tiles and tubs, in addition to countertops and sinks. The website mentioned the turnaround to be very quick: a weekend or even a day. Unfortunately, I can't remember where or when I saw that. Was it this site?

Anyway, this service coupled with upgrading the showerhead and flooring should give you a desired result in that time frame. But I agree with the crowd: you should think about keeping what you have.

I have something like this http://www.amazon.com/Waterpik-NML-603-Pulsating-Showerhead/dp/B000GLKBFC/sr=8-1/qid=1169676636/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-0907230-9161564?ie=UTF8&s=hpc

the top two...

CC

Thanks so much to everyone for all of the feedback and ideas. We are meeting with a plumber on Saturday to discuss our options, but I think at this point we are going to go with the DIY suggestions. You guys are right. Redoing everything in this time frame is probably insane and more stressful than we need.
-Keeping the toilet seat was never an option, so we’re good with that one.
-The S-shaped extender is a fantastic idea. We’re on it!
-I’ll see about re-grouting, and we’ve already spoken to someone about re-glazing the tub. There are two quarter-sized gouges in the enamel, so they’ll have to sandblast it.
-We have a few matching tiles, so perhaps we’ll be able to retile a small area where the tiles are cracked.
-Redoing the floors will look nice as well. We’ll see what can be done in the meantime. I’m thinking a large fluffy area rug for now.
-The apartment building was constructed in 1939, for those of you inquiring minds out there.
-And, no, we are not giants. I am 5’5” and Ben is 5’11”. The showerhead is just ridiculously low.

Thanks again everyone! After everyone helped us out with our bedroom problems back in 2005, (http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/inspiration/carlas-dream-boudoir-002194) I knew just who to ask for help.

Have a gold framed mirror mouted on your wall, some yellow liht to enhanse the romantic and warm feeling of the bathroom. I wouldnt go with black floors maybe... terracotta with a motif in the centre (i say motif because i work with paint, and architecture and structural design not tiles :P and dont have a clue at the proper name) but I LOVE YOUR TILES. I had awful lilac and burgundy (like that ever matched) in my first rental. Think yourself lucky you have such a charming bathroom!!!

wow i cant spell... sorry

I also think it is beautiful as is. Perhaps upgrade to a bigger mirror and better (more) lights and black or clear glass shelves. The white paint is a little stark. Perhaps a soft cream or coral, or cream-ground wallpaper with a black or coral pattern. A black and white shower curtain.

My husband and I had the same problem. We installed a shower head like this one:

You can swivel the hinge up and get an extra 6 inches, easy.

Get a shorter husband.

the tiles onthe floor are fantastic. old classics. do not remove them!

This hinged extension (click on my name) is great for households with both short and tall people, since it can be raised and lowered.

Of course I say you should keep the tiles; replace the individual tiles that are cracked, even though they may be hard to match.

Fixtures in colors other than white are what people used to do in bathrooms like yours (click on my name to see how I dealt with my peachier bathroom in the "Loretta Loo" set of photos, or go to my House Tour), but the white is pretty nice in yours, and your tub looks original, and seriously, if your husband is tall and EVER wants to actually take a bath, you're going to at least want to keep that tub, because it's probably huge.

Anyway... I would, of course, either do a fun period wallpaper, or stencil one you find in an old wallpaper sample book on eBay. That's what I did, and I love it.

The previous posters above seem to have good solutions to the shower height idea.

By the way, have a look at my kitchen floor for a possibility of a new floor tile if you're just itching to change something, though.

By the way, in New York, "subway tile" is not Deco; even though it happened in the Deco period, the buildings it went it weren't Deco style, the ones like this with color were what was considered Deco.

I have the same bathroom in Brooklyn, but gray and black. I know that the super keeps extra orginal tiles in his work room to do repairs. Maybe your building keeps some of the tiles from past redo's. Worth checking into.

???? Don't listen to these fools.

those tiles are ugly, and you are right in your first inclination to get rid of them. Get rid of the sink too.

Are you going to get it done in two weeks? No. So take your time and have it done right, but all this "save the tile" talk is for the birds. It looks dated, and a square 4x4 tile is not exactly an endangered species

Don't be crazy...why on EARTH would you tear down beautiful old tile and put up what? Some boring, typical limestone-ish "contemporary" tile? Have you no design sensibility??? You have a beautiful "vintage" bathroom that appears to be in decent shape...get a height adjustable shower head that screws into the same spigot, have a pro come in to clean/refurbish any areas you are REALLY uncomfortable with, and thank heaven your tile isn't "Palm Beach" green and pink!! Have some respect for the apartments history!

(The tile is NOT ugly.)

Regarding the too low showerhead try this: Purchase one of those popular rainfall type heads with the elbow extension. Install it and adjust the elbow adjusted up and the problem is fixed. Ne need to do anything else.

I think you mught have moved into my co-op...we have almost the same exact bathroom! Anyhow, we updated the original (vey good condition) with a new med cab (all mirror/no frame), b/w classic tile floor (Home Depot...very reasonable, and we just installed it over the existing floor), painted our walls the exact same color as the tile (which is a golden straw color), and installed a black lacquer toilet seat and all black or white towels. Black bathmats, too. Artwork is all b/w as in photos..It is simply beautiful and classic...and the updates were cost efficient!

The shower head is an easy fix...above suggestions are all good routes to go....If you live on the LES, you are invited over to see our bathoom for yourself! Best of luck in your new home!

oops - forgot to mention important detail...clear, slightly frosted and prismatic vinyl shower curtain and some lucite shelving (Container Store) adds to the light and enhances the beautiful, natural light from the window...and after looking closer at that window, I am now convinced we are neighbors!

So funny, LBB212, we are actually in Inwood. (Park Terrace Gardens) I think it must be that prewar NYC look. Thanks so much everyone for all of the comments. They've really been helpful. Curtis, I love your apartment in general and think we will be taking a page or two (or seventeen) from your bathroom.
Thanks!

I recommend using Angie's List to find good, available tilers in your area. Here are a couple of other ways to search: ask at tile stores. I usually trust the less fancy ones more. They often have had the same tilers as customers for years. Or...find a church with a large Mexican congregation and ask the priest who he knows who does good tile work. Lots of immigrants have unused talents, and there's lots of tile expertise scattered throughout Mexico. Note: in addition to the time it will take to install the tile, you need to take time to remove the old tiles and fix the walls underneath with something waterproof. After installation, you need to leave time for the grout to dry--then you need to seal the grout. While this all takes time, I still think it's worth doing it before/as you move it. It'll be much less hassle than after you've settled.

Having said all that, I'd like to add that in the photo the colors look lovely. If you can clean up what you have--maybe regrout tiles and resurface the tub, I think you'd be pleased in the long run. Also, if you paint out the room a soft cream--one that blends with and doesn't fight the tiles, I think you'd find that the tile color will take on a new brightness. The suggestion of stencils is a great one.
Good luck!

I agree with the others posters on these issues. Live with it for awhile before you decide on any major changes. In the meantime, a major cleaning will do wonders for your perception of the room, replace the toilet seat, hang a black and white stripe shower curtain. A grout fix-up will make it look like "new".

And enjoy your classic and classy bathroom.

please don't destroy this classic, beautiful Art Deco bathroom!

Freshen up the fixtures, by all means, but DON'T take out that amazing tilework.

If you like the wall tile, do keep it--regrouting is an excellent idea, and will make it look so much cleaner. But I'd bust out that grungy-looking floor tile and replace it, maybe with small white hexagonal tiles with black accents? Putting white on the floor will give it some sparkle and help provide some relief from all that yellow. Even if you just use a fluffy or shaggy white bathmat for now, it will help.

I'd also replace the wall-mounted box medicine cabinet with one that's mounted inside the wall. It's amazing much of a difference doing that can make, especially in a small bathroom.

Congratulations on your new home! For this project I would definately not rush it. You may have other plumbing needs and it is better to get multiple bids for the work. I would research all the things you want done in the apartment and figure out what your budget is. Then you can make an informed decision on what to do. In the mean time I would spend $40 on one of those massaging showerheads with the hose so you don't have to take showers hunched over.

Good Luck!

I just saw an interesting shower head postioned on the ceiling pointing directly down to the middle of the bathtub. It was a large showerhead and couldn't be repostioned. You couldn't reach it easily anyway.

Of course, this design works only if your ceiling isn't too high.

Carla -- OH MY GAWD! That's my bathroom, this must be park terrace gardens. welcome to the hood!!!!
ok here goes. the bathroom reno sucked big time. we couldn't live in it for quite some time while it got redone. the wall tile is one thing, it's a floating mortar wall without wood studs. It's a color that doesn't exist anymore for the restoration fans and costs beaucoup bucks to have redone. we donated ours to the management company when they have to fix any non-altered apartments. And you have a bigger headache when stuff happens behind the walls (trust me they will) and you need to break a few tiles.

the floor is another, those tiles are direct on concrete, they don't pull up well... you'll need some slc (self leveling conrete). Or you can do the lazy way and tile over it.

Honestly aside from the size, that steel bathtub is LOUD and annoying. The showerhead MUSt be moved up b/c it's freaking ridiculously low. (ppl who think it's normal height, trust me, it isn't). And the HOT water is scalding hot and never mixes right with the cold when it's 2 separate supply lines. You really should get a single unit (new NYC building codes require a pressure or thermal anti-scald fixture).

The toilet. ah yes. it's a crapshoot (bad pun intended). If you do plumbing it's expensive as all hell, might as well redo the flushometer toilet. Most ppl on this board don't have to deal with this type of toilet so they DON"T know that it is the 10th circle of Dante's hell. I hear my neighbor's valve on the verge of a complete and utter shutdown. That size can't be found anymore except in commercial applications. But then it's too big, or has the wrong rough-in. The ONLY model that will fit is "American Standard Cadet 3" no joke. Check your door clearance... better yet, come to mine to see for yourself.

It may be expensive, but the bathroom is COMPLETELY worth it.