When we opened this reader email, our first reaction was disbelief — the photos looked so much like our yellow guest bathroom that we wondered if someone had simply recolored our tiles from yellow to green. In reality, Susanne was lucky enough to inherit a genuine green-tiled bathroom from 1956 and decided to transform it herself. Here’s her story.
Hi John & Sherry! We just finished a complete DIY renovation of our 1956 en-suite bathroom. Before the remodel, the space reminded me of your yellow bathroom: green tile everywhere — in three different patterns — and a tiny, poorly ventilated shower that made the whole room feel cramped. We tried updating the look with accessories, but it never felt like our style.
We’ve taken on big projects before — we renovated our kitchen in 2011 — but this bathroom was a different challenge. Leveling concrete floors was one of the toughest parts, and it’s something I’d prefer not to repeat. Despite the difficulty, we did the entire remodel ourselves, kept costs low, and worked through it together. The final result made the hard work worth it.
One of the most dramatic changes was replacing the dated tile floors with marble hex tile. The new flooring immediately brightened and modernized the room while adding classic texture and pattern. That small but impactful swap helped pull the whole design together and made the bathroom feel much more spacious and refined.
Another memorable detail from the old bathroom was a single tile that we decided to preserve. We framed it as a keepsake to remind us of the starting point and how far the room has come. It’s a small, personal touch that celebrates the history of the house while acknowledging the makeover.
The new shower deserves special mention. Gone is the closed, tiled stall that felt claustrophobic; in its place is a floating glass shower door that opens the sightlines of the room and lets light flow through. That transparency makes the bathroom feel larger and gives a contemporary, airy look. Small layout and fixture choices like this can make a big difference in how you experience a remodeled bathroom.
Throughout the project, the couple emphasized practical, budget-conscious choices. They handled demolition, floor leveling, tiling, and all finish work themselves. Doing this type of hands-on renovation requires patience and careful planning, especially when you’re working around existing conditions like uneven concrete. But tackling each step methodically allowed them to save money and retain control over the final design.
Material decisions balanced aesthetics with longevity. The marble hex tile is visually striking yet timeless, ensuring the floor will remain attractive for years. Fixtures and finishes were selected to complement the marble and to modernize the space without clashing with the home’s original character. The finished room blends classic material and contemporary function.
Susanne’s letter closed with appreciation for the transformation: “We did it all ourselves, on a budget, and together — the end result was so worth it!” It’s a sentiment many DIY renovators share: the finished space feels more meaningful because of what went into creating it.
If you enjoy detailed before-and-after photos, Susanne shared several on her blog, including close-ups of the master-bath details. The series highlights the progression from dated, green-tiled enclosure to a clean, open, and elegant bathroom that still nods to its mid-century origins.
So what do you think? Is your jaw on the floor like ours was? Favorite details include the floating glass shower door for its openness and the marble hex tile for its timeless elegance. Small, thoughtful changes can turn a cramped, dated bathroom into a bright and welcoming space without breaking the bank.
Thanks for reading and for considering our renovation story. — Susanne