I am looking to purchase a TOTO alcove cast iron bath tub (modeL FBY1525). My problem is there are no showrooms near me to actually see the tub before buying. Is the apron on the tub just has smooth as inside the tub? I am asking this question because I have seen several Kohler cast iron tubs which their cast iron tub's apron (the front panel of an alcove tub) does not have the same smooth finish as the inside of the tub. I can only describe the apron finish has the appearance of an orange peel effect. Could any of you who has a TOTO alcove cast iron tub (looking like what I just described), please provide me with any feedback to help me in my decision. Brenda H

MLK, your shower is beautiful, and so is that floor outside the shower! We finalized our tile choices! I am going 50/50: First, glossy 2 x 6 tile (Heath Soft White) for the bathroom where the shower is rarely used. It gets direct sunlight from a window at the end of the tub. For the walk-in shower in the master, a matte 3 x 6 tile (Heath Muslin.) The floor of the shower will be 3x3 in Heath Muslin. (The only custom tile I'm going to need.) I'm so excited that I figured out a way to use Heath Tiles. I have it in my kitchen and it is such beautiful tile. It is particularly beautiful when the light hits it, because each tile reflects the light slightly differently. Their new line, Modern Basics, is much cheaper than their custom work, and best of all, there will be a 20% off sale over Thanksgiving-right before we were planning to do our bathroom. We are going to do unglazed white hex tiles on both floors. (I liked them so much better than the matte glazed ones, plus the square edges match the Heath tiles.) We just have to decide on 1 inch versus 2 inch, or maybe penny tiles or squares. I ordered one of each sample from Subway Ceramics to see how they compare to my local tile shop. (He only has small hex in the unglazed.) Sigh, I thought once I picked the tile that would give me enough direction that all of the other choices would be easy. We did decide on Biscuit fixtures, but which ones??? And then there's the faucets and such... LOL, my head still hurts. Here is a link that might be useful: both colors of Heath tile I'm using are here

Here are some pics of our tub surround although it's not cultured marble. It's from Onyx Collection. I would've preferred solid white but not with the white tub (too much white and never the same shade). The small soap dish was included and the larger one we bought as well as all the trim. We also got color-matched silicone which you'll have to think about if you decide on a different color trim. IMHO I think it would be tricky to pull off different color panels and trim without looking choppy or unintentionally striped but of course you'll have to decide how it looks in your bath. Maybe your room is short and different trim would draw the eye up to make the shower look taller? TorontoTim is right that despite very specific measurements, they sent the pieces a little too big so we had to trim. "We" means DH with me following directions lol. I guess a little too big is waaaay better than a little too small! Trimming was interesting because, while the actual trimming was pretty easy, the material started sagging if left for very long unsupported. So keep everything very flat (if your cultured marble acts the same)! It's also pretty darn heavy despite being 1/4" thick. DH had to get a very strong friend to do the back panel as I couldn't even lift it iwth DH. Also, we couldn't have moved any of it without the little suction handles. And, we borrowed some wall jacks for the panels while the silicone on the back (clear but bought from Onyx Collection to best match their panel material) cured. Anyway, I got the glossy finish for easiest upkeep and it has been that. We've had it for a several months now and I use 50/50 vinegar/water spray and squeegee to clean--easy peasy! Finally, the pics: Closeup of the cubbies: Closeup of the trim: For some reason, the color in this pic is off. The real color is as above. ps redshoetraveler: do you only have One Red Shoe?? HTH

Hi, Errang_gw. I suppose we could remove the faucet, but otherwise there's no way to peek inside the wall. Is that normal for a tub to be buried into the wall that much? When you look at the actual wall on the side of the tub, it's perfectly flush all around. There's bullnose tile that stops after the tub. We do have an old-fashioned hamper that's recessed into the wall a few inches, so I suppose there is space on that wall. You can see it in the photo below. (Shower curtain is covering most of the tub here, but it's the same shot of the tub section in the above photos I posted where you see the bodywash bottle.) Regardless, though, our best option would still be to get a 60 inch tub as opposed to something bigger? And it would be best to get one without an apron so we can tile the side, and if we have to have a sliver of tile to cover some of the gap, that would look more seamless? Thanks