Which one do YOU like? Seriously. You're the one looking at it every day, not any of us here. Imagine I told you that you couldn't have the first one and HAD to have the second one. Now, imagine the opposite scenario. Which scenario leaves you with regrets? Absolutely no difference? Take the cheaper one. Or take the more expensive one so you don't feel that you cheaped out. In other words, pick whichever makes you feel better.

(I still like the Grohe. The Rohl looks like it is about to fall over) However, and I know we shouldn't do this, but do you owe DH a choice on something or has it been 50/50 so far. If you think that you would be happy with either and if either would work and if he has a preference, give it to him.

Blfenton--LOL about the Rohl falling over! I can see that. I thought it echoed the tile nicely.

DH says he likes the Rohl, but now says he could go either way. So far, it's been all about my choices since I'M the one doing ALL of the work for the whole house. He used to care about every little item that we bought. Now he's too busy at work and seems to like all my choices so far. I do consult him when I'm stuck on a decision--like this one.

I like the rounder one with the round tiles :)

Cat--I don't even know which one I like anymore. I've been struggling with these faucets for over a year now. I'm REALLY tired of looking at faucets. That's why I'm asking for someone else to tell me which looks best with my tub and tile. I like your scenario of not having a choice.

The faucets are within $20 of each other so I don't care about the price. Both are much more expensive than I though they'd be.

Beagles--Thanks for coming over to vote!

I Like the first one. I think it iis more visually interesting. The second one seems more common. Even following your argument about repeating the circle, I go for the first one.

I like 'em both. big help - eh? lol!

I'd take a break from looking at them for a few days, a week or so. then pop back to take a quick look and see which one flutters your heart!

hi breezy..

I traveled ALL THE WAY over here to the bathroom forum to vote...because...well, you do sound desperate.

I like the Grohe because...well...I think it mimics your squarish looking tub.

Now...how do I get back to Kitchens?

KA:)

I honestly think the more angular one is a nice juxtaposition of the beautiful curves of the tile. However, either would look good.
Draw straws or put the choices in a hat and pull one out and don't give it another thought! ;-)

I know how you're feeling; I spent 30 minutes today sitting on the floor with my framer agonizing over 1/2" of length on my fireplace hearth!

Building/Remodeling is stressful. I just keep reminding myself that I chose to do this!!! And the end result will be worth it.

I like the looks of both but would choose the curved one (#2) because when I imagine turning the handles, the first one looks like the handles are too short to get a decent grip on them. Not that you need a firm grip, but I mean more like the end of the handle might poke into your fingers or palm when you take ahold of it. The 2nd one looks like it would have a much nicer hand feel. And when cleaning around the base of #1, I wouldn't like running into those corners, jabbing my fingers on them, etc.

I'm pretty exhausted, too, KA, traipsing over here....

I think what I would want to say has been said: the grohe mimics the lines of your tub; the rohl mimics the lines of your tile. The question is only which you want mocking you more. ;)

I squashed the type of my software down so that I could see all the pictures together on one screen, of tile, tub and both faucets. While I liked the *idea* of recapitulating the tile it sort of feels better to me to recapitulate the tub, as it were. You're in the tub, that's where you want to focus. The tile is an accent, not necessarily a theme; dunno, it just feels more complete to stick with the tub-lines in the tub.

Mind you, this wooly and utterly un-nail-downable line of thinking could only be permissible, IME, if it were truly the case that cost and someone's personal gut preference weren't clamoring for attention. All else being equal, I might then and only then consider such airy-fairy thoughts....

That is, I agree with the notion above (that we're 'not supposed to do?') that if it's a tossup to you, and not to him, then definitely give him this decision! But it sounds as if there's unanimity all around in the basic equivalence of these faucets.

And thus, the good news is: it doesn't matter. Either will be very fine. Spend zero more time worrying about it. If tossing a coin makes you uneasy, then take the first one you veered toward. Else, let gravity choose.

But there's one more pragmatic consideration: quality. Did you say they were equivalent there too? I've heard grohe exalted in the quality department, but I think it depends on the specifics.

Good luck! This one doesn't matter (you're already there having found at least one good choice; the rest is gravy and there's no right answer to be had).

I'm going to vote for the first one. I agree with mtnrdredux that it's visually appealing and KA as it goes with the tub nicely, plus it was your first choice. I think you like it, but are stuck in decision overload. That's when I need a Snickers!

I agree that they both look nice. I'd lean towards the Rohl... I like the softer lines (and it seems more timeless) BUT I think it depends on what you're using for lav and shower faucets. Have you decided on those yet? If so, post 'em so we can see ALL the elements together.

I am there with you on decision overload. I finally came to the realization that if I am agonizing so much over these small decisions, then in the end it won't really make any difference. If you truly can't choose one over the other (and like me, are just afraid of it not being the "perfect" choice), I am sure that a few weeks after it is installed you won't even remember why you were agonizing so much and probably won't even remember what exactly the other choices were. At least, that has been my experience. Pull your choice out of a hat. If way way way deep down you actually have a preference, you will know at that point. Once you decide to stick with your decision, you will feel much relief. And on to the next one!

I've seen them all and the Aquabrass one too. They are all good. I would get the one with the handles I liked (e.g. Volare).

Methinks the store person (or people) are spending too much time in this stage of the process: it can be gratifying to them in a subtle way, keeping you in a doubtful state. It doesn't mean anyone is pulling your leg, but i think it's time to tell them to erase the memory tapes and start afresh as if you just walked in with intent to buy and they knew nothing about you, your questions, your personality. They know how to close a sale when a stranger walks in to buy. That is also "being good to themselves". They don't need to stay at this analysis+advisory stage.

I am with aliris: the grohe mimics the lines of your tub; the rohl mimics the lines of your tile, so they will both work well.
What kind of faucets do you have for your sink. If they are squarish I would take the grohe, if they are raounder, I would go with the rohl.

Just be sure that first one can clear the edge of your tub if you are deck mounting on the tile and not on the edge of the tub.

Hey breezy. I still like the first one. Also check out your other thread. I posted on it earlier about my Vero.

Second, cause I am not a fan of the handles on the first.

Still the Grohe for me, because....(don't laugh!) the Rohl looks like a pull-down kitchen faucet to me!

The handles on the first one, the Grohe, are flat lever handles that are decent sized. It's just hard to tell from that photo I posted. They aren't tiny stick handles.

It was a hard choice as I do want everything to be perfect, the "right" choice, etc. I put too much pressure on myself. But the kind and insightful words from you all really helped me.

I asked DH the question that Catbuilder posed about pretending that one choice was taken away and you couldn't have it. He immediately, and surprisingly, said the Grohe! So that's it! We actually made a final decision! I love the matching lav faucet too so that makes it easy. I have to admit that just to back up his decision, I put the names in a bowl like Singingmicki suggested and the Grohe was confirmed. ;)

Since the Grohes were more expensive than we'd planned, we decided to stick with the Moen fixtures we picked for the shower instead of upgrading to Hansgrohe. I'm hoping that we won't be disappointed there.

Thanks again everyone! I appreciate the help more than you know!

Make sure the faucet is long enough to go over the tub rim to fill up the tub easily. Study the diagrams carefully. The hansgrohe faucet I picked would not even go over the tub rim. There is a big difference in the length of some of the spouts. I ended up with a Moen Kingley because it had a nice arch that covered the rim of the tub.

Look wise, I think either one would be great looking. Comfort wise, the second one looks easier to use.

So, my vote is for the second one.

breezy-
I'd recommend that you look at your Moen shower valve trim (the EXACT ONE) in person before committing. As you probably know, it's a lot more difficult to switch shower faucets than lav or tub, because the valve is inside the wall and not compatible with other manufacturer's trims.

We got a Moen shower valve for DD's bathroom and I was shocked when we installed it how unfinished it looked. You can actually see the raw valve stem and screws... it's not all beautifully finished like my Kohler stuff in the master. It looks cheap. That said, it's one of the less pricey ones they make, I think (Monticello) so hopefully yours is better.

I assume you're getting the thermostatic valve? I think that ours had the Moentrol valve. The issue is that the way this particular valve/trim combo works, you set the temp by rotating the handle, then pull it out/push it in to turn the water on/off. The center post behind the handle is fully visible at all times, especially when in the "on" position, and it is NOT finished. Not chrome, just what they call "stainless finish" which is really just a grey, raw-looking metal. Yuck. By contrast, the Kohler Purist thermostatic valve has one handle, then there's another for volume control. Both are nice, finished pieces.

I'd looked at the same style valve trim in the showroom, but for the pressure-balance valve, and it did not have this issue. So it was a surprise and disappointment. I'd gotten it on eBay for about 20% of retail, so I couldn't complain nor return it, but I would have been pissed if I'd paid full retail. So, I'm just saying: make sure you see the EXACT one you're getting in person and installed someplace...

Catbuilder is right--if you can't decide then it doesn't matter.

My motto is if you can't decide on features, they are equivalent and one get the CHEAPER one.

I agree with doonie that I like a handle that feels good in the hand. I turned down some styles cause they actually hurt my hand they were so sharp. I really like the look of the first one but the handle in the 2nd appeals to me. I like a crisp clean look and #1 has that. I don't care for the filler on number two and I think it is something that you will tire of quickly. Good design is timeless, like it today and like it tomorrow. #1 fits that description.

Without knowing the rest of the house, it's hard to say. I find the first more of a modern "edgy" feel while the other is more traditional. Both are lovely.

Perhaps a better question is what sinks are you using since I'm assuming you'd use the same faucets for the vanity?

Megatha--Already thought of that, thanks!

Doonie--I picked number 1!

Staceyneil--)))sigh((( I haven't seen the Meon valve IRL, but I'm sure I'll probably be disappointed. It's been nagging at me in the back of my head that since we will use the shower EVERY day, I should go with something higher quality there. It just bugs me that you have to spend so much money these days to get quality plumbing parts. Off to look at Kohler and Hansgrohe now!! My showroom lady is gonna die when I call her yet again...

Fori--excellent point. They are equal in price and quality and I couldn't really decide. When DH had an opinion in the end, I went with it.

jjaazzy--Yep, picked #1.

Gbsim--The sink is a Kohler Ladena, which is very rectangular like the tub. I was making the lav faucet secondary to the tub faucet choice. Luckily, I really like the matching lav faucet for the Grohe tub filler I chose.