Thank you all for your comments. Our friend tells us that she visited someone who had granite in their bath and every time anyone used that bathroom, they were required to wipe down the counter lest water be left on it. Maybe the friend was extremely anal. The Bella Verde is somewhat dark but with a lot of white veins in it. Actually when I do a web search for it, the images I find look different from the small sample I have. It always seems to be this way with granite! I saw a Verde Esmeralda that was about the most beautiful piece I have ever seen (but too bright a color for a counter), but none of the online pics of that same color are as brilliant or as beautiful/ Anyway, I think we are going to have to visit granite yards to see the actual pieces we have to choose from, but I won't be overly worried about choosing granite for the bathroom. For the kitchen, I am a bit more concerned, since we are not the types to tidy up eveything right after cooking or eating.

Travertine is a very popular material for bathrooms. I've done many showers using it....and a countertop would look just fine. Does it require more maintenance/care than formica? Sure. What would you expect?

olychick, thank you for taking a look. :) I'm relieved to hear you think a white shower pan is best. I am heading out now to find porcelain marble look tiles for the shower walls to pick up the gray as you suggested. I want a shiny finish to the walls. Tell me if you think that's a misstep. I am avoiding marble as I have a marble topped vanity now that is pock marked with etchings. As far as seeing myself in the vanity, yes, I think I will be able to do so. I was planning on a black framed mirror spanning the vanity. My current vanity is 32 1/4" high (as will be the new vanity) and when seated on my vanity stool my reflection is seen up to my chest. The only issue currently is that my knees are pressed against drawers. I failed to mention that I was thinking of using absolute black granite for the vanity top for two reasons: one being cost and the other being to avoid etching. Will doing so deviate too much from my inspiration? Lastly, I had the idea of applying pieces of beveled mirror framed by black molding floor to ceiling along the back wall and continuing behind the toilet (similar to this only floor to ceiling with the exception of base molding & crown): [Traditional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by Northbrook Architects & Building Designers Michael A. Menn Thoughts? Suggestions? Thank you for reading this far. :)

I had my wiring for outlets, sconces, over head fan and ceiling fixtures all done before mirror, fixtures, vanity and cabinetry were added. I have a small oval tilting mirror that is only 24 wide over my vanity it was dirt cheap from lowes and they had rectangles too. Under 100 dollars. Your contractor should be able to drill with a new and properly sized drill bit to tile without issue and if it cracks the tile can be easily replaces. I know cause glass door guys broke a tile on their last hinge using a dull unchanged bit and my tiler fixed it is less than an hour. I can not attest to its quality but I love my cheap I mirrors function. This is similar to mine might be too short at 24 I think. https://www.atgstores.com/bathroom-mirrors/gatco-elevate-small-rectangle-mirror_12643290.html&ppc=2615&af=2615&cm_mmc=sce_google&s_kwcid=AL!4500!3!112410639507!!!g!189703215387!?gclid=CIyj4OfV0M4CFUMkhgodpYQGxw&ef_id=V2mUpwAABYlpJA92:20160820185548:s