Well, the only reason I want to change it is because the tile goes out from the sunroom into the living room around the fireplace and the way the living room is laid out, it cuts it up with the tile. I just thought it would look better when both areas flow together. I never really liked how the living room was designed because the fireplace is on a wall that is on an angle. Hard to explain without you seeing it. I know some of my neighbors did laminate throughout the sunroom and living room/foyer area and much to my surprise, they took up the tile around the fireplace. I dont think that was a good idea at all. Looks nice though. Believe me, I'd rather not take the tile up but it's old and the grout that I had stained a while back is chipping. I'm still trying to decide what to do

Thanks so much for sharing about your floors Debbi. "I feel like it's almost bullet proof" - I'm hoping the white oak will be just as durable. My current red oak cabinets have been very tough and have stood up to lots of abuse and neglect which is what made me choose oak again for my new cabinets and floors. :) When I first started the search for HW flooring, I thought all I'd consider was solid. Then I saw some high quality engineered floors and was sold. I think the extra stability from the engineered core of the will make the floors more durable. The floor I'm likely getting also has a 4.5 mm wear layer. It's like a thick slice of wood. It can take up to 3 sandings (or so I'm told) so I hope they'll stand the test of time and last for decades. "Everything is expensive, but when we are buying, we're hoping to only have to do it once." That is how I'm justifying spending the gobs of money going into this reno...! I've been selecting higher quality materials that are (I hope) quite timeless so that this kitchen will only have to be done this one time.

I was also concerned about the marble tile (and now even more so) Thanks for pointing it out. (Especially since this is primarily the bathroom for two ten year old girls). Jamie - the bathroom is pretty small - approx 30sf. I am tiling the entire shower, the outside of the tub enclosure (using a drop in) and one complete wall (the wall with the vanity ad mirror). The opposite wall will be painted white. There will be a frameless glass door and There is one frosted window in the shower , so not that much light. I was hoping with the high hats, there will be enough. I actually love dark bathrooms (my next one will be a black bathroom) so that part, I don't mind. I'm just hoping it is light enough to capture the green. Dragonfly- thanks for the advice. So if we go with marble instead of tile, 8 x 8, polished black and honed white. Do you think that this would be prettier than cement matte? The bathroom is pretty small and I'd prefer not to cover up the floor with rugs and mats so if that's the only way to make it safe, I'd prefer to forgo the beauty of marble if I have to just cover it all up.

Velcro pups indeed! They keep their food source in full view at all times I bet. My pup does that too & I’m sure that’s the reason… Now having time to think on your question & reading the replies I changed my mind. I agree about going full length to stairs & I think with 12’ + that’s very doable. That full length will create a long & clean look - nothing choppy. So, although shorter lengths certainly work, the full length is best & that’s my vote!