Hi there. I used 12x24". I got my first look at these at a RBC showroom. I ordered them through Nebraska furniture Mart near me that carried some RBC tile lines. RBC only sells to the trades I believe. Nebraska Furniture Mart special order them for me from RBC. I DYI'd the tile job. If I had it to over again I would have used a larger grout space to hide my slightly uneven lipage.

I have a blend of Owens Corning Aspen and Bucks County, and I really love it. My only complaint is that there's a certain shade of purpley-brown in the Bucks that tends to repeat a bit too often. I may actually take a wire brush to a couple of them way up high, see if I can knock it back a bit. If you visit a decent sized dealer, they should have several boards of a given color to look at, and may be able to give you the addresses of homes in your area with a particular color as well. Most important is that the mason should be willing to come out and do an actual sample on your wall: that made all the difference for me. My first choice took on an awful salmon/pumpkin color when placed in the context of my siding and trim. The Aspen tends to look boring and homogenous in OCs own promo material, but has a great range of colors and shades in person. We used a natural stone for the hearths, color matches, and doesn't scratch the way the cultured can. Can you tell it's not 'real' stone? Yeah, probably. While there's a great range of colors, textures, and shapes of the stone, in larger areas it still tends to develope a certain rhythum that signals that this is a man made product. I don't think the casual veiwer will identify it as such, and I don't think it will be the sort of thing I notice more and more over time. I'd caution that the skill of the installers makes a huge difference.

I appreciate the feedback. Although I was kind of hoping to enjoy some kitchen and bath updates for the remainder of time that I am here...! ;) I have spent a lot of time planning and imagining how much nicer the house would look with a few updates. The logical part of me understands that it would be far easier to cut the price and let the next owner deal with the headaches, but the emotional part of me wants to see it come to fruition. So to clarify what all of you have said: See some open houses and talk to some realtors to get their opinions. At a minimum, remove wallpaper, paint walls/ceilings in neutral tones, clean well, repair what can be repaired, declutter, and focus on curb appeal. I assume that means not repainting cabinets or woodwork unless recommended by realtors? The house did not have hardwood floors, but we did put in engineered wood in the family and living rooms last year. Kitchen and entry have original brick floors. Only the hallway and bedrooms are carpeted now, and that carpet absolutely needs to be replaced. Fortunately, our area has weathered the economic conditions much better than other parts of the country. Homes are selling here, and those in our neighborhood usually don't sit on the market too long unless they are in really bad condition or have weird floor plans, etc. But many are smaller than ours with one car garages, small lots, etc. so are priced lower than ours would (hopefully) be. We live on one of the more desirable blocks with a little larger homes/lots, and the surrounding homes are well maintained. So even pricing it low to allow for updates, I think the asking price would still be higher than many of the others that have sold. I don't know if that higher price would deter buyers looking for a less expensive home or if the need for updating would deter those who are looking for something at a slightly higher price point.... Guess that is a question for the realtors. Other feedback is still very much appreciated.

Met with a rep from JC Penney this morning and I was determined to push back if she was too much of a hard sell, but long story short she was very nice, priced composite and wood, and wood came out less expensive. Going to get the living room and another bedroom with a smaller arched window. Price around $3500. Perhaps 5 years ago I had a local company that only makes composite give me an estimate on both windows and it was closer to $5000. So we feel pretty good about this. It could possibly be less expensive because I'm going with a different look than the typical Southern home: not getting a sunburst arch on either. Just splitting the window in two vertically all the way up to the arch. (Of course the living room will have a set below and then a set above that includes the arch. But the bedroom will just be two shutters all the way up.) Some had complained (if not here then elsewhere) that wood can chip and need repainting, but she said the paint has a lifetime guarantee.