Wow! I am dumb-founded by this but, after checking with Dawn at Sonoma Tilemakers, I've confirmed that these REALLY are their instructions for installing their crazed product in a wet enviroment. BUT, even after spending hundreds of dollars on the extra sealer and paying even more hundreds of dollars to have someone soak and towel-polish these tiles to prevent streaking, you will STILL have to keep a regular maintenance schedule to re-seal them every 6 months or so!!! I'll admit when I'm wrong, and I was wrong here. This manufacturer really does insist on a 5-minute soak in sealer for it's crazed tiles. Who would'a thunk? So, it would appear to me that this precaution is solely intended to give the manufacturer some legal "cover" as it does not extend any more lasting protection than a thorough sealing prior to and following the application of grout. Shaughnn

Katie, your house is waaay cool. I live in a house about 10 years older than yours, and I'd like to share what I've learned: The dark wood molding, with its many imperfections, has grown on me in the year we've been here. The dings that drove me nuts a year ago are now character and patina, and I NEVER thought I'd see it that way. I have had great luck with Farrow and Ball colors. Dorset cream in living room, mouse's back (unbelievable color, you really have to see it with the old wood to appreciate it) in the family room, and light stone in the dining room. I also have farrow's cream in the hall and stairway, but i think it was a mistake; dark wood can take much darker colors than you think, and they all look several shades lighter up on the walls. There seem to be a lot of strong opinions about custodianship, which may or may not be off-putting to you (disclaimer: I've got a foot in the custodian camp too). But look at it this way: from a resale standpoint, as the years go by, a well-maintained older home with original details will pull ever and ever higher premiums from buyers, so you will reap the rewards of your "custodianship" in very tangible terms when the time comes. So, to me, self-interest and good custodianship actually align. Also, you will sometimes save money while you're living there if you have chosen period appropriate finishes, materials, colors, and decor: because they are timeless. I was over on the kitchens forum, and people were moaning about their "so-80's kitchen" and how to make it less dated. If you do things to the original decade of your house, they will never look dated: only timeless. You will never need to redecorate when styles change unless YOU want too. Now that's freedom! Finally, I found, and you may find too, that the styles appropriate to your house grow on you. When we bought our house, the first thing we did was remove the bronze statue from our newel post so we wouldn't clock ourselves when we moved in. We NEVER intended to put it back up, and almost gave it away to a neighbor. Well, it has grown on me, and I look forward to the day that I put the other "lady of the house" back on the newel post. (Dh would probably tell you are days that he wants to screw my b... on there--naw we usually get along lol!) So, enjoy!!!!

Wow! I LOVE the choices! I see your concern about the wood tile being close to the walnut... If you put a rug down it will probably be fine. Otherwise a shade lighter on one of the two choices may help. I also see lots of nice bathrooms with dark vanities and dark tiles and they look fine so go with what feels right. I love the pebble. Is that going on the shower floor with the lighter tile sample on the walls?

Eld, IWYM about choosing a different floor for your town house vs country house. My finish choices take on a whole different concept in the country. (Anything a certain distance outside of Honolulu proper is considered country). I’m not only going after look and feel but durability is key. We rent the house word of mouth and even the nicest people can cause damage. And yes to regional availability. It took a long time for floor manufacturers to realize Hawaii isn't all about dark floors. I can’t believe the bathroom floor you show is not the Hayes Oak because that’s more what my sample looks like (with even less variation). I’ll go back and look at others, including Calypso. There is a good thread on Goldin Oak that also includes pics of Makkah Oak - who makes up these names? someone who couldn't get a job naming paint?? LOL. And I think I’ve seen the thread on Hayes which is what sold me on it in the beginning. Ally, that’s my concern - ending up with something that’s too dark. I initially wanted something that showed a lot of imperfections because…..damage. But it sounds like that may not be too much of an issue. As I mentioned, I will likely be limited to local stock. I fear if I special order I will have to wait until 2024 for delivery. I really appreciate these comments. Thanks so much!