Like others, I too like the latest design better than the first. You wrote that you had looked at many pictures. I wonder if you have come across a 4-volume book, published in Japan, entitled Garden Views. One of the four is subtitled Water and Stream Gardens. Ravishing photos, many design ideas. You might need to visit a university library to find these books. Another designer worth checking out is Russell Page. He does interesting things with water sometimes. As for your design, much depends on the details, as is so often true of Japanese gardens. If I were you I would make the pond maybe twice or three times as big as you have it. Your guests would admire the koi, the lotus, the water lilies... You'd have to think carefully about how the tea house relates to the pond. You might consult some Chinese garden books and look at photos of Suzhou gardens, where teahouse pavilions look out over the water.

But lost wax casting is difficult to reproduce with great detail. And I'd agree with Casey that this does look like a lost wax casting. It's hard to get that level of detail otherwise. As to not being signed....my ExDH didn't sign his pieces either....that does not mean they're not wonderful....just not signed. It would be interesting to know what a gallery that specializes in lost wax castings would say about the piece. And I think it would be lovely for jewelry :) I was just searching for something the other day and dang she'd have fit the bill LOL I didn't see her anywhere, in original patina or not! Part of the reason I'm passionate about her is her beauty. If this was some cheap knock off from China, I could care less what happens to her...but she's wonderful, honestly beautiful :) I hope I didn't give a different impression to the OP.

I believe that experiences are shaped by experiences themselves. Especially in the medical field, weather it be human or veterinarian. I have just had so many problems misdiagnosed by vets that I've lost count. I have a memorable one. My Shepherd/Lab, Tara, about 10 years old had an off smell. Not a dirty smell, just an off smell. I couldn't figure out what it was, my regular vet wasn't concerned, and my dermatology vet said not to worry. Weeks past, and the smell got worse, plus Tara's coat was appearing very oily. Then one day she started to bite herself severely trying to relieve itching. She was literally damaging herself trying to get relief. My regular vet consulted with dermatology vet, and they both agreed that the dog had "fox mites" even though there was no evidence of them. Treatments that lasted about three weeks took place. In the meantime, the situation was getting worse. By this time, Tara had chewed off at least half of her fur and had severe infections. I was sleeping with her on the floor to comfort her. Because I was so concerned, I took her into dermatology vet and left her for a day for observation. Again, vet said that medication was working (even though I could see that it wasn't) and that we should continue with the medication prescribed. The next day the situation took a drastic turn for the worse, and I decided I couldn't take it any more, and the dog was suffering. I was so desperate that I called the Pennsylvania Veterinary School and was ready to take her there from Maryland. They told me that the best dermatology vet to be treating her was the one I had. The day I decided that things just had to end, I located another dermatology vet. I took in Tara, and the vet came up with a completely different infection for a diagnosis. In short, the treatment was taking place for the wrong problem for at least three weeks, new vet fixed things, and Tara lived for another 4 years. This experience and others prior and after, have made me extremely cautious when it comes to what is being done to my pets. I have also learned that if there are multiple vets in a practice, things can take place to increase revenue that simply should not be allowed. But again, when we who do not have formal training, we take our pets to someone who we think we can trust to fix things. I have come to rely heavily on all advice, weather it could be wrong or right when health issues come up with my dogs. When I get all of the information I can find in front of me, I weigh my decision, consult with at least 2-3 other vets, and I alone have the final say, as to what is going to happen to my pets. Just a thought. SG

So I let my GC know that I was a little worried about no backsplash and he called me right away. Offered to come out to the house to talk to us again. Said he would totally do it if we wanted to, he was just afraid I will not like the look. First we do not have bullnose tile and are using chrome, flat edge Schluter, which will go with the other chrome fixtures in the room. He was not sure I would like where the schluter edges would meet at the L and if I would like the edges going across. He also expressed the possibility that when the guys go to attach the floating vanity to the tiled wall that the a tile could crack. So I think I may have freaked out/panicked a little. He seems totally cool. Now I guess the ball is in my court and I just have to make sure I make the right decision. Do I run the shower tile behind the vanity or not?? HELP!