"What did you do at the area where your doors will go?" Huh?, I was supposed to plan that? Shiiite! We have 12 X 24 tiles, the end walls where the doors will go are ~ 36" long, so two tiles cut to 18" side by side. Doors will go somewhere on the tile, centered on the sill. I know some of the many hundreds/thousands of dollars spent on tools/supplies was for special drill bits, so hopefully DH has that all figured out... Got the niche cleaned, asked DH to caulk all the edges so that I could take a pic, he figured he didn't have enough time before heading out to Karate, so the plan is to do it tomorrow night...now that we're on the home stretch, I'm not really needing to nag so much, the hardest part is over, and I think he's almost as anxious as me to have it all done. (He still needs to make the medicine cabinet, and I still need to design it, once that is done I can get the carpenter to make the storage cupboard for over the toilet. I want them both to line up exactly on the bottom edge, so can't order one until the other is made...)

would like follow up to this discussion we have older home in DFW area--getting ready to put it on the market shower and master bath need work shower is tiled but 25+ yrs old and probably sheetrock vs cement backed walls--could have some nasty stuff when it is torn out (as our contractor warned us--said he never regrouts older showers when doing remodeling--because most of them just have sheetrock and bad shower pans--but always goes down to the studs) counter tops and tub are cultured marble-- my husband thought to put in granite countertops and new fiberglass tub w/tile top and new tile shower our contractor gave us a fairly reasonable price except it does not include sinks, fixtures and the tile would be pretty basic... we had someone come measure for new cultured marble countertops and tub and also a cultured marble shower stall because most homes in our area have not upgraded their baths ... the cultured marble guy said that because the shower door is more narrow and there is a stepdown into the shower that they would probably have to cut the wall pieces and have a join/grout line vs having them the full length of the tiled walls I asked about having a tile insert line--like 6 x 6 glass mosaic sheets--which he said could be done... anyone have pictures of shower like that or have you done something like that yourself

Lenore, who is installing the granite slab shower? Start there and make your priority be hiring a VERY experienced tile professional - one you have vetted carefully to insure that their qualifications meet your design requirements and product selections. Stone slab installations are not for the B team, and especially in a wet area. Can it be done? Yes, depending upon the structure over which a solid surface stone is installed and the methods used. We install solid surface shower walls regularly, but from an empty cavity which we build to meet all specific design and installation specifications, including the pan. A solid stone slab cannot be supported by the pan (it is not meant to support a slab wall). A slab wall is pinned and tied so it is self supported, not supported by a pan. This is a very complex installation. A LOT to consider. As one example, the thickness of your slab? 2cm. 3cm? (effects the weight load on the space). And I could go on. After you have carefully vetted the qualified tile contractor, have this conversation with them. If you question or want to clarify their recommendations, check back or seek professional advice from other qualified sources. Please consult with a professional onsite. Good luck with your project.

I have had tile before and I think that is how we got on the subject. Our grout was such a pain to clean and the sales lady at the stone store stated that when you have tile in your bathroom tub/shower you really need to re-grout every 2-3 years. No thank you! LOL! Pinktoes - I remember standing in my shower for hours with a toothbrush trying to clean the grout. I remember using bleach in a spray bottle one day and having to go outside because I was about to throw up breathing it in. Allison - that is what I am thinking, more of a solid color. I do not know if I would like the marble effect. I guess it would depend on the color. I know I do not want a white or almond color. ralphv -Thank you so much for the pictures! I can see the marble and that does help so much! I adore the house and how big all the rooms are! Is that an arrowhead on the stone work?! My father in law would love to have that antique case in the living! The views are breath taking. I forgot how beautiful VA is! We lived in Manassas VA for a year and fall was my favorite. My sister is trying to find the address to the place where they went and looked at the cultured marble and granite. I am curious to see what they have!!!