Kitchen and Bathroom Updates

We got a lot of work done on the bathroom and kitchen in the month of December but projects ALWAYS seem to take longer than you think, oh and cost more.  My suggestion is to pay by the project vs. by the day at this point.  Before, when we had lots of ongoing projects it made sense because we knew it would take days to complete.  But for this tile project, one tile contractor gave us the price for the project and said it would be done in 2-3 days.  Instead, we went with the handyman, it still isn't done after 4 days and we ran out of money so he will be back to finish grouting.  We REALLY like our handyman but in my opinion, you can't be an expert at everything.  P disagrees with me on this but it is almost done so who cares who is right!  Yay!!!

We finally decided on Honed Absolute Black granite mainly based on price and availability. We originally chose the edge with nothing added (so edge looks only as thick as actual piece) to it but it came like this and we are okay with it.

The bathroom tile is from Daltile and is 2 x 4" tile in white.  The black pieces are 6" as is the edging and corner pieces.  The 2 x 4" tile took FOREVER to arrive and many pieces came broken which made it harder to install, more cuts were needed. But we love the finished look and it was worth the wait.

However, the kitchen still needs a backsplash and the two pieces of granite that will flank the stove. So finished pictures will be posted when that happens. But here is a sneak peek.

Remember our Inspirations.

I apologize in advance for the lighting. 

Kitchen the day the granite was installed.  It has been sealed since.

Rohl faucet looks MUCH better on granite vs. plastic and boards

Spacers in tile

Shower - grouted - I LOVE my little shelf, it was a surprise from P!!

Shows you the 2 accent lines in the shower

Corner detail, obviously molding and outlet need some work.  We had to move switches up or cut hole in tile, we opted for moving up. 

Shows you wall to shower

Another shower angle

Where the floor and wall meet

The controls

Tub and tile

We ordered our tile today from Daltile store in Culver City.  Thanks to Chris for helping out.  He really knew his stuff, was very professional and had great ideas.  I can't say so much for the lady who couldn't even greet us when we walked into the showroom.  We got the 1" hexagon white tile for the bathroom floor.  We are going to randomly plug in black hexagons throughout.  P found the picture below and loves it.  I don't really get it but am willing to give it a try.  See, I AM accommodating!!  :)  On the walls, we are using 2" x 4" white tile as wainscoting 4' tall with a black 1/2" x 6" accent.  the tub/shower will have the 2" x 4" go all the way to the ceiling and will have 2 rows of the accent tile.  The tub will be framed in with a ledge with the tile.

Sample of random black in floor tile

Tile wainscoting inspiration

Mission Millworks will come out next week to measure our kitchen.  This I'm most excited about!!!

We are getting a new door for back door and was thinking of getting a custom door from Mission Millworks.  However, we want to get a dog door in it but I have looked everywhere and they are so cheap looking.  If anyone has any good recommendations for companies that don't have plastic white dog doors.  I'd like a dark brown one that blends with the door.  However, I found this company that builds them right into the custom door but I'm scared to get a price.  Do you think a wooden flap would their back?    http://www.vintagedoors.com/petdoor.html.