Independence, IA Bathroom Renovation
From Dated Guest Bath to Warm, Everyday Retreat
A Full Bathroom Rebuild, Coordinated Down to Every Finish
This Independence, Iowa bathroom needed more than a cosmetic refresh. The homeowners were ready to move past the fiberglass tub/shower, oak vanity, cultured marble top, vinyl flooring, and dated lighting all at once — and reimagine the room as a single cohesive space.
The Fishsticks team rebuilt the bathroom around a custom Onyx shower, new stained maple vanity cabinetry, a freestanding soaker tub, updated flooring, matte black Delta fixtures, updated electrical, fresh trim, and a complete drywall and paint package.
Timeline
4–6 Weeks
Location
Independence, IA
Project Cost
~$36,800
Before: A Bathroom Ready for a Full Update
Older finishes and several areas were ready to be replaced together rather than handled one at a time — the existing tub/shower, vanity, countertop, flooring, light fixtures, and medicine cabinet all came out so the space could be rebuilt as a cohesive bathroom.
Dated Finishes & Layout Limitations
Dated Finishes Throughout
The bathroom's original fiberglass tub/shower surround, oak vanity, cultured marble top, vinyl flooring, and flush-mount lighting all needed to be replaced together — not one at a time — to feel truly renovated.
Awkward Layout
Closet walls and a wall between the shower and toilet cut the room into pieces. Opening those areas was key to a shower design that felt intentional instead of squeezed in.
Shower Rebuilt From the Studs
Removing the old tub/shower combo meant fresh framing, blocking for future grab bars, and a waterproof Onyx system built to last long past a typical tile shower.
Coordinating Every Finish
Cabinetry, Onyx, glass, flooring, plumbing, lighting, trim, and paint all had to speak the same design language so nothing felt like an add-on later.
The Design Process
After demo, the team removed closet walls and the wall between the shower and toilet to open the room and make space for a properly proportioned shower. From there, every selection was coordinated: Onyx wall and base in Glacier, frameless glass, stained maple Countryside cabinetry with an integrated Onyx top, Stone Peak floor tile in Tan, matte black Delta plumbing, and updated lighting.
Blocking for grab bars was added inside the shower walls even though the grab bar was part of the finished design — a small structural detail that keeps the bathroom safer and sturdier for the long run.
Features That Transformed the Bathroom
Custom Onyx Shower with Frameless Glass
The guest shower was rebuilt using an Onyx wall and base system in Glacier with a subway tile pattern, mid-height curb, integrated niche, and blocking for grab bars. A custom 3/8-inch clear tempered glass enclosure with ShowerGuard and matte black hardware keeps the room open while the Onyx and black fixtures take center stage.
Freestanding Soaker Tub
A freestanding soaker tub anchors the window wall with a matte black Delta tub filler and a small chandelier overhead — a quiet spa moment that turns a functional bathroom into somewhere you actually want to spend time.
Stained Maple Vanity with Integrated Onyx Top
New all-plywood Countryside cabinetry in stained maple with full-overlay doors, soft-close hardware, dovetail drawer boxes, and tower cabinets for real storage. The integrated Onyx Collection top in Glacier gives a clean, low-maintenance surface with no grout to fuss with.
Warm, Practical Everyday Finishes
Stone Peak Simply Modern floor tile in Tan runs the length of the room. Matte black Delta plumbing, updated lighting, fresh trim, and a full drywall and paint package tie every surface back to the same warm, practical design direction.
More Details
Electrical Updates
New outlets and switches, a new fan/light combo replacing the old fan/light/heater, and new fixtures above the mirrors and tub.
Matte Black Delta Plumbing
Freestanding tub filler, shower fixture, vanity faucet, and grab bar — installed alongside the soaker tub, sink, shower, and toilet.
Finish Carpentry
Vanity install, associated trim, mirror and accessory mounting, Onyx countertop and backsplash, and existing base trim reinstalled cleanly.
Drywall & Paint
Patched every area affected by demo — cabinetry, countertop, lighting, medicine cabinet, and closet/wall changes — then mudded, sanded, textured, primed, and painted.
The Complete Transformation
What started as a dated guest bath became a warm, coordinated bathroom the homeowners genuinely enjoy using. The Onyx shower, freestanding soaker tub, stained maple vanity, matte black Delta fixtures, and updated flooring all support the same design direction — a bathroom that feels custom without being fussy, and built to hold up for years to come. A project like this typically lands in the mid-$30,000s to low-$40,000s depending on cabinetry, shower size, glass, and fixture selections.
Ready to Create Your Dream Bathroom?
If your bathroom needs a new shower, better storage, updated flooring, fresh paint, or a full redesign, Fishsticks Flooring, Kitchen & Bath can help you plan a project that fits your home and your budget.
Schedule a Bathroom Consultation