I have been struggling with this issue, knowing that my practical side generally wins out after a lengthy struggle with my gemini twin that strongly values aesthetics! We will be building a home with concrete floors and radiant heat and plan to put in hard-surface floors throughout. Roughly 50% will be wood-look tile and the other 50% will be stone-look or stone/cement/not an exact replica of stone but a 'natural-ish' look. I have spent TOO MANY hours looking for porcelain tile that is "stone-ish" that I love, finding only "possibilities" when I really want a multi-piece "Versailles-style" stone floor or concrete "Peacock pavers". The multi-piece/multi-size layout alludes to the oldish-World look I vaguely aspire to ;-) Of course, the issue is acid, wine and grease stains in a hard-working kitchen. I don't want to have to super-clean a natural stone floor and reseal it every 2 years (or more often). My sister-in-law somewhat regrets putting in a stone floor, as it has required lots of regular cleaning and multiple sealings, every 1-2 years. I have some hang-up about tile that really tries to replicate a specific stone, particularly travertine, which makes it really hard to find something lovely and interesting, but not overly showy, like many of the newer cross-cut stone looks. -- Is there anyone who feels their stone OR concrete paver floor has been worth its effort? -- Or that used a great sealing product and has not had to reseal for many years? -- OR has installed a great-looking multi-piece "stone-ish" porcelain tile layout? -- I'm the kvetching type, so I'd like to keep the floor looking more or less stain-free. Perhaps it can look both pretty (not grungy and spotty) and well-lived at the same time, depending on the choice of stone? I would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone with an experienced perspective. Thanks very much.

I like a tile saw. Because of the water reducing dust. The type with the larger diamond wheel and a sliding bed are awesome. Tilt blade is a must sometimes for corners. That saw in your link is called a demolition saw, or like the actual description a cutoff saw, the kids making the digital ad may not know it. I have a Stihl version and its a beasty. It is all about the air filtration on the saw, but water hookups are also a big deal unless you just have the money for the blades, They wear faster working dry. One with a set of wheels or a dolly helps long cuts. I use a water pickup vacuum when I use it inside. Silicosis is a real and nasty thing. Some guys use a dry blade on block, or where water is a problem, but a vacuum helps then also.

Replace the metal gate with a classic Chippendale wood gate and authentic hardware. Plant in front of the stone wall a 3 or 4 foot border of farmhouse flowers like hydrangeas, daisies, peonies, lamb tongue, roses, etc. In the enclosed area arrange outdoor benches and maybe rocking chairs and cushions with a country flair. Nothing in a contemporary pattern. Make it “front porch” inviting with colorful pots of annuals ( I used geraniums, sweet potato vines of green and purple, and tiny starry flowers planted in classic pots ). Set the theme for the house before anyone ever steps inside.

I would try and find a remnant and replace the countertop. It is bossing you around, and you will be spending more money trying to decorate around it than if you just replace it up front. And, I for one, don’t think all your counters need to match. I see that as reading “I got a HUGE batch of XYZ countertop material and need to use it in all the bathrooms.” Each bathroom is unique. Price out all that you plan on doing to “match” the countertop vs. getting one new remnant/counter top. Do the math.