Bee, A credit? That's like me saying if I opt not to get the optional option then I should be compensated. The black knobs "don't cost anything" because it's the default color and Bluestar can crank them out a zillion at a time. Anything beyond that requires someone to get the color, apply the color to the knobs, carefully hang the knobs, bake them, etc. If you get knobs to match the range color than they can combine many of those tasks, at least with the colored powders. If you do different colors it costs more. More powders, more cleaning, more effort. The million dollar robots that do everything at the click of a button are at the Toyota plant, I am guessing Bluestar doesn't have any! :-) Now, I can't tell you that $48 each is a far price. I'd figure maybe $100 upcharge for a set no matter how many you were doing but I don't run the company. My only point is that it's reasonable to charge something for it since represents real labor. -Stooxie

Hi Bill, I have seen mention of this Mapei on other threads and did a google search and came up with a lot of foreign-language links. Who makes it? Or better yet, can you give me a link to a website? (Also, I sent you an email - did you get it? I noticed another tile installation disaster today. Our Master Bath floor has been covered for protection until today when part of it was exposed while the double vanity was installed. The large 16" square honed Calcutta Gold tiles are not centered on any of the walls, so there are really off grout lines at the center of the vanity. It is really obvious and when I think about it I literally want to cry :( . This is our forever house and everywhere I turn, a tile job is done badly. I could really use a good referal!)

Mark - thanks for the link. I loved loving at your bathrooms with all their different decorating styles and choices. My original search was for shower niches, thanks trudymom. I don't really like the shower niche you show, but I love having the opportunity to consider it as well as the other specifics of your bathrooms. Just so you can tell what a person in the planning stages might be interested in seeing: Kohler shower bases vs. small grouted tile bold vs. bland countertops various tiling patterns and color use windows in the shower area tile vs. paint in the non-shower portions of the room

Skoo -- I hate to rain on your parade, but to prevent a future problem... Costa Esmeralda has simply got to be some of the prettiest granite on the planet. That is, many slabs of Costa Esmeralda are; others can vary from disappointing to downright frightening. So until you pick out YOUR slabs of Costa Esmeralda, you don't know if the slabs your yard will have when the time comes will be grey-green, aqua-green, mint-green, 'where's-the-green?' green, lemongrass-green, or puke-green. Which makes Costa Esmeralda a uniquely poor granite to plan colors around. You may be thinking "Well, I'll just buy these slabs now" to guarantee you'll get the colors you want (need). And if you have a place at your house to store the slabs until you're ready to use them, this is a viable strategy. You'll run the risk of the slabs getting damaged in multiple transits, or possibly cracking in a freeze-thaw thing. But if you have the slabs in a place you control -- then go ahead. But do NOT rely on writing your name on some slabs -- even if you pay for them now -- then leaving them with the stone yard or fabricator. Because slabs are sold out from under you SO OFTEN that it's more the rule than the exception. Do a search here for "They sold my slabs!" and you'll see what I mean. Here's some Costa Esmeralda: