Hi Bill, I have seen mention of this Mapei on other threads and did a google search and came up with a lot of foreign-language links. Who makes it? Or better yet, can you give me a link to a website? (Also, I sent you an email - did you get it? I noticed another tile installation disaster today. Our Master Bath floor has been covered for protection until today when part of it was exposed while the double vanity was installed. The large 16" square honed Calcutta Gold tiles are not centered on any of the walls, so there are really off grout lines at the center of the vanity. It is really obvious and when I think about it I literally want to cry :( . This is our forever house and everywhere I turn, a tile job is done badly. I could really use a good referal!)

msrose: I think you made a great choice with your floors, and other things. I really like your backsplash! You and others on this thread have me re-thinking tile. I've never had a tile floor of any kind. Anywhere. They scare me. I've only ever had vinyl in a kitchen (and asbestos tiles back in the day). DH would like tile and I've been holding out for vinyl in some form. But we were told that the LVT we've chosen is about the same price as some tile, so maybe I should take a better look. itsallaboutthefood: I was reading this on my laptop on my lap, blue merle aussie on the ottoman beyond my screen...I had to do a double take when I got to your post. jellytoast: Do you have a reveal thread or pics in general anywhere? We're doing natural cherry cabinets. We considered seafoam granite and currently have mesquite on hold. It's got a similar tone (in spots...also more white) but a different look. I'd love to see your cabinets with your granite.

We used Italian Edilcuoghi porcelain tile canyon musk for our mudroom. It has grays and some brown. I really like the texture so the kids won't slip. It does come in other colors too. Right now it's covered with cardboard and not cleaned since we're still in construction mode. We used Gazzini - Montecito Echo for 2 bathrooms. Some texture but not as much as the mudroom. I need to take some pictures but you can see it on my blog (Jan - tile) At the end of my blog there were 2 other beautiful gray tiles too - if you want more info on them I can search some more. Here is a link that might be useful: tile selection

Nadine, We had all of ours refinished two years ago - if your floors are old, probably what you are seeing is the orange shellac they used to use. It is not a stain and will sand right off. It is not a very hard finish and you can proably scratch right through it. We have red oak and chose not to stain it. The refinisher put what he called a natural stain/sealer over it before doing 2 coats of oil-based poly. The stain/sealer brought out the color and the grain and we love it. My son had a lot of stains on his floor and they had to put a darker stain on it to blend it all in. Just make sure you get a reputable person, someone who does this for a living. It is not that hard, but those machines can really cut into the floor if not used right. The floor in this pic looks darker and more orangey than it is. It is not orangey at all. When I had said I wanted stain, my refinisher brought in this natural stain just to try. The darker you stain, the less grain you will see. Good luck.