Let's start this one out with replacing the valve assembly on the family bath. Here I've opened up the back (inside a closet) big time because I had to get to the funky piping.

Here I've got the new valve in place but the tub outlet is cockeyed.  Part of it was due to the fact that the old setup had no supports.  Once I placed a 2x4 brace behind the valve, the valve trued up. Then I reheated the outlet and straightened it out too.

I made up a removable cover to go in the big hole I'd cut in the closet.  It's easier and quicker than plastering one in and it makes future access to the tub a no brainer.

Here it is in place.   Looks good.  It's screwed into the studs so its even strong enough to hold up the shelving.

And here's the new valve and spigot in place.  Lookin' good.

Boy, this looks familiar.  The third and final stair in this house goes to the basement.  They want the stain and paint treatment like the other two.

Except that for this one I get to paint the stairwell too.

Along with almost the entire basement.

The stairs lead to a pretty good sized landing.

The landing opens to a family room.

Off the landing in the other direction is a computer room.  Or a bedroom sized room that has a PC in it.

One of the doors between the family room and a kids playroom is split in half.

The goal is to refinish the stairs, patch and repaint all the walls and then remove all the carpet and replace it with a wood floor.  So I begin.

The stairs went pretty quickly - here the carpet is gone and the new oak flooring is on the landing.

Those stair treads are going to need a bunch of sanding to get them ready for stain.

And here they are stained up and looking good.

Back in the computer room, I've got the ceiling taped off and the walls washed and patched.

The white trim paint on the stairs really makes the treads pop.