Yes, this is very doable to have a tub deck out of stone with the sides wooden paneling. I'll give a little more info to ineffablespace's post. 1. Install an undermounted tub with a stone tub deck - just as you would an undermounted sink. The shower enclosure will sit on top of the stone deck. When you finish showering, squeegee the glass plus the stone deck. The stone deck will not be slanted to where the water will drain into the tub so you will just need to squeegee it. If it was me, I would also run a towel around the glass and stone caulk seam to prevent mildew. I would recommend that your contractor install a tile flange on the edge of the stone deck that meets the wall. The tile flange comes in two types, one in a continuous roll and the other long strips. Think of it like weather stripping. The tile flange is attached with adhesive to the stone along with a bead of silicone caulk. The cement board for the wall will be installed up to the edge of the tile flange. Nowdays, folks like to use a product called Kerdifix to fill the gap between the edge of the tile flange and the cbu. A moisture barrier such as Kerdi or Hydro Ban/Red Guard/Aqua Defense is put on top of the cbu. Then the tile is installed to where it overhangs that gap. The remaining gap between the edge of the tile and the stone is then filled with silicone caulk. You will need to maintain this bead of silicone caulk. You will need to order a tub that can be specifically undermounted. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the stone cut out and the tub installation. If there is silicone caulk between the lip of the stone cut out and the tub, then make sure you maintain that caulk bead also - just like a lav or kitichen sink. 2. Install a drop in tub where the lip of the tub will sit on top of the stone deck like the picture you posted. The glass enclosure will sit on top of the tub edge. You will then install a tile flange on the 2 sides that will be incorporated into the tile wall. Or you can have the tub manufacturer install a tile flange at the factory. The best way to go is to order a tub that has the tile flange made with the tub, called an integral tile flange. Companies like MTI and Hydro Systems can customize a tub with one to three sides with an integral tile flange. Don't skip installing a tile flange if you will be taking showers. The tile flange can be skipped if the tub is just for soaking, but definitely not for regular showering. It is a very pretty look. Just make sure it is done correctly so you don't end up with water damage. Ensure that your contractor follows these specifics because many contractors are not familiar or comfortable with these kinds of details, practices, and products. Take many pictures at all phases of construction. This post was edited by Anna_in_TX on Thu, Mar 20, 14 at 0:44

A universal tiling kit is a strip that the installer glues to the tub so that there is a vertical surface behind the bottom of your wall. You bring the walls down over it. Some contractors like it; some don't. It's used a lot in my area and I've never had anyone complain about it. As for the mounting area for a drop-in, you can usually come straight down at the edges. You only need that extra lip around the tub if you want a place to set stuff, or you like the look of a platform around your tub--but you might want to try to get a look at the installation instructions for the tub you are interested in, before you order it.

I've been spending hrs online looking for one I can use to replace the handles in my shower. I've found a few options but need to talk to the guy who last worked on it first. It went from a 2 handle to a 3 handle and I don't know why yet... 2 handles were fine with me. the 3 holes were there tho. I think. I don't know why there is now another knob. And I very plainly told him lever handles... he put in another set of those round clear plastic things. not only gross to look at but to clean and on my poor hands.

You can get a 5' "soaker" tub with wider stance and deeper seat for about $200. For a 5' jacuzzi (check out the one fifth on the list), it'll run you about $800. Both take only a couple of inches either direction than a "standard size" tub.