For almost 30 years, Arciform has been involved in many bathroom remodels throughout the Portland Metro Area. When my husband Richard and I started Arciform in 1997 we quickly developed a passion for the whimsy and challenges that are part and parcel of bathrooms built prior to the 1980s.  Of course there are the obvious reasons why a 100 year old bathroom might need to be remodeled – the plaster ceiling has water marks and is peeling due to poor (or non-existent) ventilation, the space is freezing cold thanks to an undersized heating duct, enamel on the sink, tub and toilet is tinged a rusty brown because of corroding pipes, and the toilet uses so much water when you flush that your water bill is organizing a protest. Then there are the eyesores as well: stained and cracked tile, peeling paint at the window sash, and at the sink, that tiny crack in the sconce’s shade that obscures just enough light to be irritating. Last but not least, there are the personal needs and wishes of each homeowner. One prefers a shower instead of a clawfoot tub (which are hard to get in and out of, and have the annoying side effect of a cold, clingy shower curtain when the temperature imbalance creates a vacuum). Another would like a vanity in place of a pedestal sink. This one might want two sinks rather than one. That one would like more privacy for the toilet. Most would like the space to be heated, ventilated and properly lit, and almost everyone wants more storage. Sometimes the space was updated by someone who didn’t quite know what they were doing, and now the plumbing is leaking inside the walls, switches do not turn the lights on, or the fan vents right into the attic instead of the outdoors, and low-quality fixtures and fittings are failing. We’ve seen so many reasons why remodeling is the right next step for the homeowner to tackle, so we sit down and discuss what to expect.

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