When shopping tile for my kitchen the explanation I got was because the tiles have a bit of a hump in the middle of them...and if you deviate from certain patters your joints won't have the same elevation. Not sure if that's the same for this tile, but is apparently the case for others.
wildwest to keep threads tidy, here is the bathroom vanity she wants: Don't ask me why anyone wants to have to clean under a vanity(the legs). Made in USA, so I don't mind a few extra bucks. All the combo sets I've found have Carrara Marble tops - which she is dead set against. The one I picked:
I like the one she likes. I rather like arborite counter tops rather than granite or marble but I think that is because of my age. Easy to clean and come in almost any colour you want.
I like the one she likes as well(actually it was one of the first ones I showed her - but she said was too much). If I'm going to spend $1k on a vanity, I think I'll hit up local builders - which is my plan tomorrow if time allows. When you start getting into custom money, I'd rather keep it local
That vanity will look good with headband if you are still doing that. I like a classic look that does not go out of style.
If you go custom builder for the cabinet then you can use a granite place for whatever top you want...I can't recommend an under mount sink enough.
I'm with you Jon, classic & timeless. The stuff she want's to "settle for" because of price is thermofoil particle board junk that will look like chit in a few years.
the only drawback to the granite with under mount sink IMO is the seam between them. It will collect crud. I would consider solid surface with molded in sink, very easy to clean. some of the new colors are very "pretty"
I put an open below vanity in our bathroom, I wanted to build a box under it set back a few inches from the edges and paint it back, to get the look of open below, with out all the cleaning and loosing things under it. Also wanted to put a register outlet in the "toe kick" to keep it off the floor. Well, the wife thought I would take to long doing that and vetoed my idea, told me to "leave it as it is and it will be fine. Well I will say my cleaning worries where just in my head, doesn't really collect a lot of dust or junk, 2 year old does loose toys under it now and then. BUT I wish I had just for the register, I wanted under the vanity to keep from stepping on it, but wife worried it wouldn't allow good air flow... she won that as well, and now it is uncomfortable to stand on with at the vanity... also the wife always closes it when she is fresh out of a hot shower, cause it makes her to hot, then forgets to open it and keep the bathroom cold, or hot in the summer with no AC. So if cleaning is your only worry, not really a big deal... but if there needs to be a register in that area, might think of the hidden box idea and keep it out from underfoot.
Thanks for the cleaning input. I stopped by the local custom cabinet maker, he sketched out some ideas. I was surprised he's actually quite a bit under most everything we've looked at - and we can get it in a custom size, solid maple frames with MDF beadboard inlays, and the feet she likes. Should give me some leeway on a granite top.
Yeah it can be surprising how well priced some custom cabinetry can be... but it can also get shockingly high in price and quick. Glad ya found something!
the vanity should be ready ~april 1st. too much time at work the past few weeks to even start the gut/remodel. may get some time to check granite remnants tomorrow for the top
I gave him a target timeframe of April 1st - The renovation probably won't start until next week, still haven't been able to pick out a top. she just picked a faucet, and of course the matching towel bars, TP holders etc. aren't cheap either. I bought the floor tile today and laid a few pieces to get an idea and it looks awesome
When I renovated our upstairs bathroom, I found a TP holder that the bar flips up to change the roll. Best TP holder ever. The down side though, was that the $50 matching towel bar was really flimsy. I filled the bar with caulk, just to give it more strength.