This is such a great thread!! I really like the idea of vertical subways and then accent glass tiles running vertically in the shower to simulate the waterfall (I saw metalic ones this way in a video on the HGTV site). I have a small city bathroom so not much room to play with. My mind in dancing around this idea but if I did that then the only 'wow' would be that one vertical stripe within the shower. (All four walls will be tiled since the moisture situation makes this the only real choice so that leaves painting the walls outside the shower not an option.) If I go the traditional horizontal subway tile route with an accent strip all around the whole bathroom then the 'wow' is everywhere but the overall looks isn't as modern as I'd like. I really like the modernness of the vertical layout but how can I incorporate the glass tiles elsewhere besides the one vertical stripe in the shower? Anyone have any creative ideas?

The IRC requires that a guard rail along a stair run be a minimum of 34" above the nosings. Since the guard occurs across the path of travel (and is not continuous) I would consider it to be substantially the same as a balcony or"raised floor area" in terms of safety and would make it at least 36" high. The 34" minimum height assumes the path of travel is parallel to the guard rail and this is obviously not the case for your stair. Codes are minimums and often do not anticipate dangerous conditions that are not typical so you should follow your own judgement. I take it the winders are grandfathered. They would not be allowed by modern codes. Be very careful how you detail them especially the inside railing where the winders provide little to no foot space and falls are highly likely.

Thank you! (Just noticed that there's another poster with a similar name - suzieq07 - sorry, Suzie! I usually hang out at KT and usually lurk - and drool, here) Suzique

Anyone else have an opinion? I like board and batten in the right setting, but I'm not sure that it will look right for my style. To me, the simple board and batten that people are putting up has a craftsman vibe which my house is not. I also worry that it might already be a bit dated, I did install it in my old house seven years ago. I did consider doing a tall board and batten with fairly narrow spaced battens and beadboard in between to give a cottage style. But I'm not sure it's right. I watch a lot of tv programming from the U.K. and wall paper under the chair rail, or dado as they call it, is not uncommon. There is a general consensus that a chair rail is out of style, particularly in newer suburban homes. I would probably agree, but there is an element of practicality to having the lower portion of a hallway that is easily to repair as it gets scuffed and damaged from active household life. Even if I do beadboard I might have to do the beadboard wallpaper as I'm not sure I will be able to find panels of beadboard tall enough if I want to go higher than 48". So, why not do a printed wallpaper instead.