It was a dingy disaster that got installed back in the cast iron plumbing days. Apparently not original to the house despite being there that long because there were indications it was an open space originally with a post for the steps and someone cut it out to put the powder room in. The sink never worked and it was a total mess, especially because apparently the previous owner used it as a room to smoke cigarettes in. If you’ve ever experienced that sort of mess, it’s a gut job kinda fix. Add in plumbing started leaking and it became a process of how can we fix this correctly but as cheaply as possible.
New fixtures came from an auction, pine trim, paneling 4’ up the walls. I spaced the trim off the tile and caulked the baseboards so the paneling can’t soak up any leaks. Tile was discounted when we got it, but that was as cheap as we went with the tile floor. I insisted on using Schluter Ditra mat for an uncoupling membrane so that any subfloor movement doesn’t transfer to the tile. Also went with Ardex X-77 for the grout because Ardex is the pinnacle. I refuse to compromise on some things, lol
I couldn't imagine the stench! I definitely agree that there are some items that are the standard, and anything else/less is not worth the cost savings. Just wanted to note the excellent use of the angle of the stairs and the wide light vs. a simple bulb, and I love how you managed to do the room with recovered items. Nice, man! 
