Josh, I do have some Japanese Painted Ferns but what is shown is varagated Packasandra. Started with a few plants that take off from stem cuttings in the early spring. Now I have hundreds used as a border. Behind them Hosta Gold Standard and various common ones. Under a seedling Japanese maple tree. There is some mix-mash of wild ferns from our woods. Also a few jack'n the pulpit just for fun. Wait, in the first picture is a Japanese painted fern. You are right my friend.

Is the membrane you now have sloped? Or is it flat on the floor with "sloped concrete" on top of it? That point aside...if you are intending a true built-in bench that is closed underneath (like the one in Bill's post on Apr 16, 08 at 19:46), then I prefer the waterproofing come down the walls, be lapped over the bench, across the top and down the face of the bench, and then tied into the pan membrane. But that's me. Since your membrane is already in, have you considered a removable teak bench? It can be in the shower when you need it, out when you don't want it, and anywhere within the shower that you want. If you can;t find anything commercially made and you have a metal shop nearby, they could construct you the frame for a full-width bench, just like a Better Bench. It can be retrofitted into and hung off the existing walls just like a Better Bench. But it can be whatever size you choose. I've gone that route a couple of times.

Our shower is a similar size to yours. About 5 ft long and 4 ft wide. The bench spans the short wall and is 1 ft deep. Its about 18" from the floor. I plan to use it for shaving, bottles, etc. I will rest my foot on it for now, but I've heard sitting while shaving when pregnant is a must. If you picture the rectangle of our shower laying with 5 ft along the top and bottom and 4 ft sides going up and down on the left and right...our shower door is in the bottom left corner with the water controls to the right and then the bench is along the far right. The rain shower is in the center of the shower, but the handshower is mounted directly to the right of the door (between the door and the bench). HTH.

I appreciate oldryder's first post - why wouldn't we want to take care of our belongings? I even took care of my old, nasty laminate. I've always used large cutting boards and trivets, whatever protection was necessary for the job. I'm careful of contamination and cross-contamination and clean thoroughly as I cook. I am forever grateful to romy for turning me on to the Range Kleen pads and I don't just use them on the marble. I protect all my surfaces. I keep two out at all times, one next to the range and one as a beverage station next to the fridge. It works with our lifestyle. I've had our Danby several months now and I couldn't be happier with it. No stains, etches, or chips. We don't cover all the surfaces and we're still under construction so it's had its share of tool drops though I don't recommend that. I love the variation of very light to dark and of course the sparkle which is difficult to capture in photos. I originally wanted mostly white with gentle veining, but love the interest and texture the veining gives. I also have an antiqish (we're guessing 1930's) polished marble side table. It is still beautiful. It is not babied and does have water ring etching though you wouldn't know unless you're at an extreme angle and the light is just right. In fact, I did not know it had etches until I got on my hands and knees and looked for it. I've used it as en entry table with a chair next to it so it does get abuse-drinks, keys, drop zone. Patina in the upper left corner. I also agree with peony4s wise words, although I asked quite a few of my friends' early 30's kids (male and female), and my 20 something daughter when I was in the choices phase, and they all picked the marble and love it now. Christina222's quartzite and marble combo is gorgeous. Maybe that's the best solution for you, especially if you love polished.