Thanks, pepperidge farm :) Sounds like you have the response I always used to have when I saw mosaics before I started doing them...if you get started you won't stop, I'll warn you :) In this case, I got the tiles as seconds at Pratt & Larson (see above post), and then have just been playing 'organize-the-dishwasher' (as my family likes to call it--I'm a bit obsessive about that too :)) until I like what I see. Most of them have some degree of sparkle to them, opalescence, and I didn't use any crackle. I have three long pencil tiles going through each 25" span to keep some sense of direction--now that I see it I'm wondering if I should have put in more...not too late, actually, and I have some more...hmmm, it's not finished until they take it away from you, right? :) So mongo, I am waiting to order until I hear what your thoughts are--would you share? Or were you just curious whether I'd bought one yet? You know I will wait for your thoughts on any issue, so TIA as always :)

My dh came with a hot tub when I met him 15 years ago, and we've had them ever since. We live in central Alberta and have used our outdoor hot tub in temps as cold as -40! In fact, out hot tub gets far more use when the weather is cooler than it does in the heat of summer. Our current hot tub is sheltered in the three season sunroom; reducing UV exposure really saves on lid wear. Our maintenance is not extensive. Dh changes the water three or four times a year, and the filters get a good cleaning each time. We use bromine tablets in floating dispenser, and shock the water as necessary, especially if it is getting a lot of use. After owning a hot tub for 20+ years, dh has a good "feel" for what the water needs as far as chemicals. We live on an acreage with a low producing well and a septic pumpout, so we opted not to install a tub in the master bath (we have two other standard tubs, but I honestly don't recall the last time one was actually used for a bath...). I far prefer the hot tub where the water stays a consistent temp regardless of how long you sit in it. FTR, we are on our third Hot Springs Spa. It is our brand of choice - we also had a Calspa that I did not like nearly as much. Carrie

I, too, like it with the wall color. I think a whiter tile will be too stark with your paint. I think that white fixtures, in bathrooms and kitchens are more of a neutral that "go" with the finishes we choose more as decor statements. I never see a white tub or toilet as "clashing" with the other finishes in a bathroom. I think you are good. White tub with ivory tile examples

Three months later...Research has shown me that a pony wall with tile on one side and glass on the top of the pony wall is not very stable since I will not have a tub against the pony wall to stabilize it. I know the pony wall can be bolted to the concrete and one side wall. Some have put a metal rod or pipe in the pony wall. I have read that sometimes the grout starts cracking on the pony wall...maybe due to wall movement or the wrong grout? I originally wanted a pony wall to make the bathroom lighter since it does not have a window. Now, I am thinking about having a full height wall because the pony wall has a view of the toilet. Now, I am worrying about having enough light.