Banquettes rock! I think they're great for kids if you get removable mid or dark patterns covers that can be washed. I used to like hard chairs but found out that my kids sit much better on upholstery so I've given in to that. Not sure about the radiator issue but banquettes can provide great storage space if you use cabinets for seating (BESTA line probably has some good dimensions - their cabinets have finished tops). I helped my sister design the one below. She has made a lot of changes in her home, but this is the one that she says has made the greatest improvement because of how it has changed how they use the space. The whole family really loves to hang out there and the area feels warm and welcoming in a way that it didn't before.

A shower bench is a no brainer. The shower bench makes using the shower more enjoyable and does add to any romantic encounters you may have. If you have a wife like mine you better add two shower heads because mine steals all the water. I have a collection of shower bench photos that I show my clients to help pick a style. The shower bench detail can affect the placement of the drain so its wise to plan the build completely before picking or roughing in the drain. SHOWER BENCH DESING IDEAS - 150+ PICTURES another good source of info is here SHOW ME YOUR SHOWER BENCH AND HOW YOU USE IT

Thanks. On the wedi website I saw two methods for patching. One was with the joint sealant and the other was with the tape and modified thinset. Since we don't have thinset I decided to go with the joint sealant. This is what wedi had to say about the two methods: All excess wedi sealant is spread flat over all joints using a putty knife. Where needed, an extra bead of sealant is applied on top of the joints and spread flat. The joints should be covered a full 3/4” – 1” on both sides of the seam. ... Alternatively, wedi sealing tape can be used instead of the wedi Joint Sealant and applied in modified thinset. .... Please consider: sealing tape is installed in cement based thinset and can allow pressing water to migrate under the tape. The thinset holding the tape can also not provide protection against movement. Both challenges are addressed more efficiently by using wedi Joint Sealant. Happily I found the wedi fastners, joint sealant and corner putty knife on line so that is headed our way. -------------------------------------- We just heard from the solid panel company and they have a corner seat. But they recommend blocking behind the boards. So we will have to consider if we will remove the wedi, install blocking, and reinstall or just go with out a corner seat. It is a metal frame the screws into the wall and then the material fits over it like a clam shell. We may be able to get the blocking in through the plumbing access panel on one wall and get away with only screwing into the studs on the other wall. Or we could cut a chunk of wedi out, install blocking and then patch. ---------------------------------------- On another topic, we found the base distinctly crunchy. The base installation instructions say to set it in mortar and let it cure for 24 hours. The installer set it in the morning and was walking on it shortly thereafter, thus leaving small cavities under the material. Hopefully we won't notice this when the shower is running. I don't think it is structurally compromised so we will leave it in. ----------------------------------------- Samples of the solid panels should be arriving tonight. Hope we like the material.

Corian and other solid surfaces are the best material for this application. Tough, waterproof, beautiful, and repairable. I'd silicone it in place. As long as there aren't any field seams, a tile pro could easily do this installation. This is where coordination between the trades is most important and the details between them worked out in advance. The shower door guy needed blocking in the wall before the Durock was installed. The waterproofer needs to know the shower door guy isn't going to run screws through his waterproofing. The Corian guy needs to know the shower door guy isn't going to screw directly into the Corian.