The thinking that takes place in the bathroom is usually inspired, whether remodeled or not, a dream bathroom or not. It's a place where many are quite relaxed and in the privacy of our own homes, it is a somewhat sacred place.

In our home, when we moved in almost 10 years ago, I enjoyed the quaintness and structurally sound decor that was all throughout the house and didn't really need to be remodeled, although it was a big project just to move in. We went with using the painting and remodeling basics like white and beige on what we had the power to change.

Over the years, the reluctance to tackle a big project like a bathroom remodel has become an albatross. It is now time to Create our Dream Bathroom. What the Intro picture shows is our before picture.

This short and sweet remodeling project with a contractor we trust and in the price range that is affordable to Create Our Dream Bathroom continues with the Ten Tips to Remodel it Right.

Where we are now is at the 'almost action' stage. What I began 2 years ago was the process I am going to list as these Ten Tips.

ONE - Start with knowing what works and appreciating what you have right now. The bathroom fixtures function well, good water pressure, hot and cold water mixes well, toilet flushes regularly, window view is nice, mirror and cabinet gives space for stuff.

TWO - Visualize what you would prefer over what you currently have. Clarity of what you want comes from the contrast of what you are experiencing that is not ideal.

Make a list of things that you don't like on one side of a paper, and on the other side, write down the opposite: what you would like to have or see in your newly remodeled bathroom.

This is where it helps to get remodeling ideas a magazine or two or go online and look at pictures of all kinds of bathrooms. Without thought of cost to remodel or judgment about style, just browse and treat this as an experiment.

THREE - As you hone your preferences, you will start to see patterns and things will just come to you to share with others in your household about what they wish too. Opportunities for discussions with others - neighbors, friends, family, about what their project entailed could lend itself to your research too.

FOUR - Don't get discouraged if this stage takes longer than you anticipated. One of the most important things is to get clear on what you don't want so you can address all the ideas that will make your life easier because you took the time to think it through.

FIVE - I have heard it said and believe that Thoughts become Things. What you think about you can visualize. What you visualize, you can begin a plan for, what you plan for, you can measure and contract for, order and install. Your original thoughts therefore become the reality of what you planned.

SIX - Decide what you just can't live without. I know that our family will be unable to upgrade our main bathroom until we have another place to shower in the house. So, the first order of business is to put a shower stall in another bathroom that we have in the basement. My husband came up with that light bulb of an idea. He is brilliant and practical.

SEVEN - Now it's time to size the downstairs basement bathroom area. Price, purchase and present a timeline to our contractor about the shower fixtures and stall that will fit in that area. Also, decide on the flooring, whether carpet or laminate to put on the cement floor of the unfinished basement area.

EIGHT - Communication with our friend Bill the Contractor will be critical at this juncture so we know when he can begin and when the materials will be ready for him to put in.

NINE - Don't get sidetracked by magazine pictures of bathrooms and cabinetry that just won't work in your own space.

It's fine to mull over and fantasize about those bath remodeling of the rich and famous in the original stages of the bathroom project, now it's time to hone in on what will work best with the space, timing, budget, materials and labor available.

TEN - Once the shower stall is in place, then we can begin the bigger project. The critical part here is to keep communications open with Bill the Contractor, to keep on top of the delivery times of the materials so all can move to completion effortlessly.

It seems to me that this is a continuing saga, since we do not have our bathroom remodel project complete yet. So I'll revisit this hub regularly to update you on the progress and whether there will be more steps to this process of creating more Harmony at Home!

The contractors we hired are terrific guys. They are the best at what they do. I am very pleased with the start and finish of the first part of our home remodeling project.

What we envisioned is in physical form now! I'm pretty darn pleased to be on the other side of this small part of our project. The pictures speak for themselves.

From dirty and dingy to white, light, and clean. For how long, you ask? Well, my ways as a housekeeper beg for improvement. Now is the time to put in place a better system for maintaining the pleasant appearance, even after much use, especially by the Chimney Guy, whose bathroom it really is.

My intention is to keep improving my attitude and actions about keeping Harmony at Home my main objective, with keeping a clean and hospitable home at the top of the list.

Feel free to share any encouragement, tips, and ideas to do this! Appreciate your input as a participating reader.

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