I much prefer to stone the deck, then drop the tub in so the tubs' rim covers the stone. If you butt the stone up to the side of the tub's rim, then you need to work harder for a cleaner line on the edge of the stone. Account for the thickness of the stone when you pour your mortar bed to set the tub in. If you're going that route. If uncertain, you can dry set the tub on top of the stone, peak underneath, see how much space you have between the tub's base and the subfloor. Then pull the tub, mix and set your mortar bed, then reset the tub and get the rim down nicely on the stone. Then drink beer while the mortar bed cures. Several beers. Mongo

I bought a smeg double oven and I've had it on high temperature for about 1-2 hours each time to try and get rid of the toxic chemicals. I've done this about 5-6 times so far The second time I had all the windows doors opened but stayed in the room next to the kitchen for only about 5 minutes and the chemicals from the oven made me feel so sick. Even though the kitchen door was closed! It must have seeped through the gap! I had nausea and had to go to bed really early as I felt so sick. It's dreadful, I am so disappointed that we have to go through all this hassle with a new oven. I've just put a tray of water and lemons in both sections of the oven and put on high heat to try and help rid the smell and absorb the toxins Keep wiping around the oven and just having it on as much as possible before you cook. As there is something very dangerous about the chemicals they r using in the oven! Of all places! Such a good idea! Let's poison everyone! Keep pet birds or any pets out of the kitchen whilst you are de fuming as I read that pets have died because of this chemical smell. It needs to be stopped as I haven't been able to use my oven for weeks and actually feel scared to ever use it. Good luck with your new oven

I am a fabricator. catheliz - you are right in expecting the 2 corners to be the same. this is a mistake by the fabricator and they seem to be acknowledging it. it's an easy mistake to make. we've done it ourselves. A good fabricator can turn the radiused corner into a 90 degree inside corner. if the edge has a complex shape like Ogee or FV30 it would take an exceptionally good fabricator to make the corner look right. if it a shape like a flat or simple radius then it's very do-able. there will be dust and water but if the fabricator takes adequate care the mess should be contained to a very small area. my 2 cents.

Just got back from talking to the contractor. What I am leaning to is the matte 3"x12" tiles in a staggered pattern with one double row of the pewter glass tiles. Since the opinions seem to be mixed, I think that is just comes down to preference, and what can I say, I think I am a bling type of gal! Plus if I DON'T do it, I'll wonder how it would have looked since I just love the tiles so much. That is what I am thinking right now but ask me again in 5 minutes. I can't believe that this may be my final decision, whatever will I do with myself after this? red_lover - the rest of the house is more on the traditional side, but I really love contemporary. So the look I was going for was transitional so the kitchen didn't look totally out of place (I struggled with this early in the remodel process and got some great advice along the way here). The backsplash is the one place that I am letting myself lean towards more modern, and I am OK with that. jalsy - I was considering the sonoma creamy crackle subways, that was what originally took me into this tile showroom was to check those out. However, they only had them in a 3 x 8, although they are quite beautiful. When they heard what I wanted they brought out the 3 x 12 and I really loved the shape of them. Plus I really loved the price! If you look at the pics, the creamy crackles are on the left side (although in square) and the color looks too "bright" to me, but that may just be lighting. Christine - I just love your kitchen and how you used those tiles too, they are just so beautiful. I also was considering the Typhoon Bordeaux granite, so obviously I just love all of your choices!