Stacked Subway Tile

Day 1 - Set the Tile

Day 2 - Grouted and Beautiful!

Tales from the Tub

Here's a stock image of my bath vanity. I chose a different sink. Mine is white and modern. I like the combination of a stark white modern sink and the traditional, yet clean lines of the vanity.

Each day, I find myself learning more and more. The guys at the office laugh because I have added so many new words to my vocabulary. Some new things I've learned include:

1. Vinyl grout doesn't have to be sealed. Sanded grout does.
2. For a natural stone floor (marble), at a minimum you want your floor joists 16" O.C. and 3/4" plywood backing. Don't forget the backer board.
3. If you can't get all of your tile from the same lot, lay it out first.
4. Staggering is good.
5. Shop during the week and be patient. Activity at the stores are slower, so it is easier to find a manager. While waiting at the Expo Design Center, I read O at Home, Dwell and Domino. I didn't have to buy the magazines (saving $15) and got a 10% discount on my bath vanity.

Update

One of my work projects is dying a slow painful death. If you asked me two weeks ago, I would have told you that it was dead. It gained some legs and a new spin last week. When I completed my thesis defense, I remember being glad that I would never have to do that again. Yet today's meeting was eerily reminiscent of that day, with one exception - two more people on the jury. But I digress, ....

The paint is on order and the tile is going up as we speak. It looks fabulous. I'm sure there is more stuff going on, but I was already emotionally spent for the day and didn't look for more. Pictures to follow.

My Walk-in Closet

It doesn't compare to the closets in suburban homes (and the one I had as a teenager), but relative to the closets built in the 1920's...this one is huge! The rods and shelves are in. I'm keeping it simple, no fancy California Closets just yet.

Paint Update

Inspiration Picture

Yes, this is my life. After many test quarts and some free professional advice, I decided on some wonderful colors from Farrow & Ball.

• Borrowed Light for the Walls
• Pointing for the Ceilings
• Strong White for the Trim and Doors
  

Doors^3

Living Area

Status - New Garage Doors!

More deliveries, more visits to my neighbor to make sure that we stay in his good graces. So far, so good.

The bedroom and closet doors are hung and the baseboard is partially up. The biggest change is the installation of the garage doors. It is sort of dark without the row of windows on the top, but I have to remember that the power is not on and that windows cost an extra $250.

Dana took a look at my paint samples and likes Farrow & Ball's Borrowed Light. She thought Cake Stand Blue was too light and the other color was too dark. Her other recommendation was to paint the ceiling in the alcove the same color as the walls.

Just Say No to Popcorn

Wall texture. Decisions, decisions. There are those that believe that orange peel is dated, but when a smooth texture costs $250 more per room, you get over it. They sprayed the walls and ceiling this morning. The walls are a light orange peel and the ceiling is knock down. They were going to do the concrete block too, but I decided that I like them just the way they are.

They also finished, more or less, the balcony.