In the heart of an 1855 home bought in the summer of 2022, a couple faced a bathroom so strange it practically begged for a makeover. What started as a water-stained eyesore dubbed “fugly but functional” became a restoration triumph. A leaking pink-era tub forced them downstairs—until that shower started dripping into the basement. Armed with plastic sheets and painter’s tape, they bought time, saved funds, and searched for a team who’d honor the home’s 170-year-old bones. The result? A revival that pairs period charm with modern resilience.

Tackling a Waterlogged Past

It began with a creeping water stain under the tub—a clear sign of long-overdue repairs. When the pink bathroom was benched, they turned to a downstairs shower, only to face a second leak. A plumber’s advice led to a temporary fix: a plastic-sheet splash guard taped up like a last-ditch bunker.

Yet finding a contractor who understood restoration, not renovation, was the real test—10 quotes from $5k to $40k leaned toward modern LVT over classic tile, frustrating their vision.

Chasing Character on a Budget

Eventually, they struck gold: a local tile-focused company with stellar reviews quoted $18k, offering timeless charm without blowing the budget. But wallpaper dreams hit a wall—no contractor in sight would touch it.

Determined, the couple teamed up with the tile crew to prep the walls and tackled the papering themselves. Three hours and zero regrets later, their bold DIY move paid off.

The r/centuryhomes crew applauded: “DIY wallpaper? Brave and brilliant!” Salvaging the original tub and smart sourcing kept the total to $21k—well under budget, despite mold dodges and plumbing fixes.

Bathroom That Shines with Pride

As the final strip of wallpaper went up, the bathroom radiated hard-earned pride. The once-awkward space now gleamed with vintage soul—classic tile, the reborn pink tub, and a vibe that felt true to 1855.

The subreddit responded with love: “That tub’s a legend now!” and “This gives me hope for my own disaster bath.” Their wallpaper-hanging swagger and careful choices turned a patched-together room into a point of pride.

A Legacy Polished Anew

For this couple, the bathroom’s rebirth is more than a home upgrade—it’s a chapter in the home’s long story. Their journey, stitched together with grit, savings, and style, encourages r/centuryhomes members to dig into their own fixer-uppers.

As this 1855 beauty stands a little taller, it’s proof that with patience and love, even the most “fugly” past can shine again.