What began as a simple plan to replace a leaky bathroom faucet has evolved into what neighbors are calling ‘a fascinating cross-section of home renovation history,’ as Dale Petrosky’s half-finished bathroom now features three distinct eras of unfinished drywall, two abandoned tile patterns, and a support beam that has become a de facto coat rack.
Petrosky, 44, insists the project is ‘almost done,’ a phrase he has reportedly uttered no fewer than 200 times since the initial faucet purchase in 2021. ‘I just need to finish the grout,’ he said, gesturing toward a pile of tools that has taken on the permanence of a small furniture collection. ‘And then the tile. And then probably the floor. And then, I mean, the ceiling technically still has that hole in it, but that’s more of a fifth-project situation.’
Local contractor Meredith Ashwood, who was called in for a two-hour consultation in early 2022 and never officially left, says she has stopped quoting timelines altogether. ‘At this point I just bring snacks,’ she said. ‘The bathroom has its own weather patterns now. There’s a spot by the window where it’s noticeably more humid, and I think that’s just because the project itself is sighing.’
Family members have adapted by treating the space as a kind of shared art installation, occasionally adding their own touches, including a sticky note that reads ‘temporary’ affixed to a wall since October 2022. Petrosky’s wife, Lauren, says she has made peace with showering at the neighbor’s house indefinitely. ‘Honestly, at this point, finishing it might ruin the whole vibe,’ she said. ‘It’s become part of our identity as a family. We’re the people with the bathroom.’
