Thanks for posting that picture- I think it looks really nice that way.... is that much more work for you than just a plain vertical or horizontal set up? (sorry but I dont know the terminology-). And, does that look as attractive to others as it does to me? Is there any downside to doing it that way? as alway thanks and I would not be upset if anyone else had some pix to post.

I like the second one. It's more architecturally pleasing to the eye with the tile setting on the diagonal on the upper part of the wall and squared on the bottom. :) You may also want to consider using a large "metal looking" (kinkd of bronzy) tile for the center vs. the little onyx tiles. I saw it done in a Parade of Homes house and really liked it as it gave a little extra flair and focuses your attention on the detail with the decorative framing you've done. I looked, but couldn't find my photo of that particular shower, but I found 2 similar ones. Unfortunately, I couldn't get them to upload. If you'll send me your email, I'd be happy to send them directly to you. Another idea I saw was to have your cabinet guy build a decorative shelf for the area between the tub deck and the shower wall. You can then use it for a TV, stereo, towels, bubble bath and/or just pretty things to decorate the room. In the pic of your neighbor's bath that area seems to be a "dead space". I really like the way they used the tub deck extension to make the seat in the shower, however. That's really neat! Good luck tomorrow!

I am going to send this poem to my girlfriend. We were just complaining to each other how we are running around doing every. Our husbands buy the tree and the kids think they are great. We decorate the house, bake cookies, clean etc. and no one says anything. Thank you again this definitely puts me back in the spirit! Happy Holidays (I'm going to give my kids a hug - Daddy will get one too!) Cath

You wrote that you and your husband cook together. Please do a dry run of standing butt to butt - one at the range, one at the prep sink - in a 36" space to make sure this is sufficient room for you. Go through the motions of opening oven doors, trash pull-out, warming drawer, etc, as well. For instance, you won't be able to open the oven door on the right and go straight to an already opened warming drawer. The oven door will hit the warming drawer. You'll either need to open the oven door, set the dish down, close the oven door, then open the warming drawer or open the oven door, then open the warming drawer and then transfer the dish. If the oven shelf doesn't also hit the warming drawer, that is. If this is all okay with you, then you've got your plan! If not, make adjustments now. Paper changes are cheap. ;-) For instance, if the oven to warming drawer move bothers you, opt for a 27" warming drawer and put it next to the range in the 27" space. You likely won't miss the 3" of warming drawer space and may appreciate the increased convenience. A solution for the cheek to cheek situation is for someone to prep on the other side of the island. It would be a good idea to store prep items - measuring spoons, knives, etc - in a location easily accessed regardless of what side of the island one is on. Another suggestion: opt for a faucet mounted in the corner of the prep sink (make sure you buy a sink that allows this faucet location) so that the faucet can be used by people on each side of the island. I'm assuming that you'll store dishes, silverware and glasses to the left of the DW (and sink) because it would be nigh impossible to access the cabinets to the right of it. You still may run into conflicts when unloading, depending on what you store in the cabs to the right, but I'm betting they won't be items used as regularly as dishes, etc. Kitchens are all about trade-offs and only you can determine which ones you're willing to make but it's best to realize those now instead of discovering any shortcomings when the remodel is completed. Talls along the wall: this is when you put all your tall items - floor to ceiling cabinets, wall ovens, fridges, pantry cabs, etc - on one wall, creating one tall wall of storage. btw, the book I mentioned is not your typical kitchen design book. It's full of insider tips to avoid the "if only I'd known" circumstances. For instance, it talks about how French door fridges affect kitchen design unlike other fridge styles, how to deal with appliances near corners, how to avoid cabinet door/hood collisions and more.