One of the reasons to *not* rinse/prewash dishes is if you use an enzyme detergent it needs the food particles to work better. It'll etch glass and stuff if it doesn't have the food particles. I can't explain it well, but it's easy research for a more thorough explanation. Most just recommend scraping the dishes (and really, who wouldn't?!) then into the DW. I haven't had a dishwasher for more than 30 years but I'm starting to miss it. I would get grossed out though when it left stuff on it. When washing by hand and using a good soap it gets clean. Sure, you just put it back in and rewash but it still bugs me. It also bugs me to see people leave dirty dishes in the DW for a week before washing them. Argh! If it takes a week to fill it, you should have a smaller DW or use a top rack only feature. This is what impresses me about the F&P Dish Drawers. And geez, I can wash a few dishes FAR faster than an hour or two for a dishwasher! LOL And when you compare the time to load the dishwasher vs washing, it's pretty close. Time's not a factor. It's the hassle of washing them. I soak my dishes and a quick swish, rinse in HOT water and into the drainer to dry. Putting them away is comparable to time in a DW. Oh, and one thing I found out quickly, the way you load it makes a big difference. You have to learn how the water sprays and make sure it's not blocked for effective washing.

It's very in fashion right now to have a contrasting grout with subway tiles but if you want to minimize the grout lines, then use the french vanilla. I have it both ways in my house - my kitchen has white subway tiles with white grout and my bathroom has white subway tiles with grey grout (I wanted to emphasize the pattern in there on the floor and wanted the walls to match) and I love both. It just depends on what YOU like but I would not use a lighter/contrasting grout on the deco strip. I have black trim tile in my bathroom and the light grey grout really pops the lines a LOT. I don't mind it in there but in your case it would be worth it to mask the deco from the field and apply a grout that will be closer in color to the deco so you don't emphasize the lines. I would do the line between the field tile and the deco with the darker grout because the lighter grout would emphasize any uneven edges of that listello. I'm also talking from the point of view of someone who has been remodeling her bath since last thanksgiving and just wanting to get it done. If you DO have extra you should certainly identify the worst and replace them though, no reason to not take advantage of that "easy" fix if it's available to you. The extra pieces won't do you much good just sitting around ;). In that long shot there is only one "bad" one that stands out to me, the 4th from the left on the bottom. The rest look okay and will look even better once grouted. Grout just kind of pulls the whole thing together. It seems like such a minor detail but it really isn't. Your color palate is gorgeous and warm, the decos are beautiful and rich looking. When the paint is as rich as the decos are I think you will be happy with the final product. You're just suffering from a bit of remodel fatigue and sick of looking at it all. I can't imagine you not loving it when it's all together.

larrylwill, I found Garden Web a little over three years ago because of a larger contractor problem with cabinets that ended up in court. It was nasty. It was costly. It was a time robber. I have been 'almost done' for months. I kept thinking I'd be done before school started back...or before school got out, or before my anniversary, etcetera, etcetera. This forum was such an encouragement and support on those nights when I just could not sleep. I don't know how those people in this life can go around screwing others out of their hard earned money can sleep, but they do. I know the government can, but I mean, individuals that you deal with one on one. You chose them for their talents and skills and they perform for a fee. When they do not perform, but show up, they still believe they command full payment. It's just not right. This business of being in business is not fair or regulated fairly by our courts. I'd much rather the press be free and fair like it should be without fear of true consequences when we are swindled, we can say we were swindled. When we are presented with a bait and switch scheme, then we can say just that without fear of another ongoing court battle about subjective subject matter in the eyes of the court. What is black and white in my eyes are purple polka dots in the courts eyes. When my contract is clear and precise, how can a court deem it clear as mud? I do not get it. There is too much politics in justice and too many idiots on benches. If you have the skills, buy the trim and finish it yourself. Don't pay another cent to anyone but yourself. BTW, Love the photo of the check idea. Drinking one for ya'. Here is a link that might be useful: My Days in Court with CabFiascoGuy I & II

I think it's actually better to install it quickly. My quartz was installed, but the guys didn't caulk along the edges as I was going to have a backsplash installed. So the quicker the tile goes in, the less water leakage you'd get. Probably even easier if your faucet isn't installed yet either (don't have to work around it or risk getting it mucked up by grout, etc.). I don't think you can install the faucet until 24 hours after an undermount sink is set if that's what you're goint with.