Why We Hired a Contractor for Our Powder Room and Chose Faux Marble Hexagon Tile
Some projects are just better left to professionals. This powder room makeover was one of those moments for us. We originally planned to remove the old travertine tile and install new flooring ourselves, but after uncovering surprises and realizing the scope of the job, hiring a contractor was the smart choice.
Shortly after we closed on the house in April, renovation projects piled up. For a while I was convinced Robert and I could remove the vanity and toilet, rent tools and a wet saw, and finish our first tiling project in a weekend. Reality hit fast: we’re not experienced tilers, and this job quickly proved more complicated than it looked.
We called in a local pro to remove the existing floor and handle the install. Within a day the crew had exposed a large cavity where the tile used to be—and that’s when the house’s history revealed itself. This room had been a porch at one point, and underneath are old brick steps and uneven surfaces that required more than a simple plywood fix.
Instead of laying level plywood, the previous owners had poured concrete to level the space, which created additional challenges for us. That unexpected discovery, plus a shipment issue that left us short on tile mid-install, meant the project stretched longer than expected. Still, yesterday we finally reached the finish line: a new floor that looks beautiful and professional.
When planning the design, I wanted the look of hexagon marble like we saw in Chicago, but natural marble and custom labor would have been far too costly. Instead we chose a carrara-look porcelain hexagon tile that convincingly mimics real marble at a fraction of the price. Porcelain hex tiles are durable, budget-friendly, and perfect for a small powder room.
We briefly considered rectangular tile, but the hexagon shape had the classic look I wanted. It’s an affordable way to get a luxe appearance without the marble price tag—and it works well with an older home where underlying structure may require unexpected fixes.
Right now the crew is reassembling the room so we can use our downstairs bathroom again. At the moment our vanity is in the living room and the toilet is in the garage—temporary inconveniences that will be worth it once the space is finished.
This experience taught me two things: older houses often hide surprises that increase project complexity, and sometimes outsourcing a renovation saves time, money, and stress in the long run. Hiring a contractor was the right decision for this remodel—especially once we discovered structural oddities under the floor.
Owning an older home requires patience and a sense of humor. You learn to laugh at the surprises and accept that a few projects will be more involved than anticipated. We’re excited to share more updates, including a gray wash tutorial for the vanity, and behind-the-scenes peeks on Instagram Stories as the powder room comes together.
Progress Checklist
Where we stand on the powder room to-do list:
Paint bead board(Benjamin Moore Hollingsworth Green)Paint over orange wallPaint mirror frame(tutorial coming soon)Hang wallpaper(we used a black and white floral paper)Swap out light fixture(we chose a brass option)Swap out towel bar / TP holderPaint inside of doorPaint door trim and crown moldingInstall new sink faucetGray wash vanity(tutorial coming soon)Rip out tile floorInstall hexagon tile floor- Decorate!
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