Showing up.
I've been feeling stalled, needing to bring somebody aboard to complete the punch list before drywall. Last summer's lovely crew has been working elsewhere. Tried one fellow, not a good match. Finally, I looked to see what the tasks really involved. Labeled plumbing and electrical and framing, I'd just assumed I needed someone with more expertise. "Hmm, wait, I know how to do this, and I can do that. Huh." The person I was waiting for to show up was ME. I'm now fully engaged in remodel mode, instead of walking in and feeling overwhelmed, the tasks are listed and doable. I'll still need some consultations, but I've shown up in the way I'd planned from the beginning. Trades phase is over ('cept for drywall), now it's time to get back to doing the labor so money can go into materials.Tile Decisions.
Shopping for tile has been insanely pleasurable. So many gorgeous tiles out there... Browsing all the colors and patterns is like playing in a candy store.
1. Add a Pinterest button so people can pin tiles they're considering on a single bulletin board, with the links to find them. Found it on one site, brilliant idea. Some of you have wish lists, some don't, but in the end, there are so many sites now I lose track of what I saw where.
2. Make samples available cheaply. tilebar.com has it nailed: $1 each if you choose 5. "A buck each, sure!" "Choose a whole bunch? Sure!" Not having to hem and haw over which one I really want to spend five bucks on, I can toss them in the cart effortlessly. AND every tile I've purchased were ones I've sampled. Put them in my hands, labeled on the back.
Played on TileBar, ordered some samples and Ahhhh-OOOoo! I think I found my shower tile! Ahem, let me say that again: I found my shower tile!
And that's where I'm at: deciding colors and finishes. The fun part. The scary part. "Ooo, I love that! It looks great! Blends beautifully with ___!" The little 'ping' goes off, and I know this will be perfect. It's so exciting! ---Then the next day, "have I looked at all that are available? Should I check back on the other websites? What if I find something later I like better?" Oh goodness. All that second-guessing can undo perfectly good decisions. Yes, I'll be living with this tile for a long time, but I've been shopping for tile for years now, I know what I like, so I'm gonna lean in and commit. :)
The green pebble tile purchased awhile ago, and (ta-da!) this is vertical tile will cover the curve along the outside of the shower stall. White and pale green, clear and frosted. Reminds me of bamboo. Echoes the pebble tile without competing. Will order it tomorrow!
In the same package, I think I found the tile for the inside of the shower! "I think" because it's so different than what I'd envisioned. Had been expecting to land on something like mother-of-pearl. This "Soft Satin" is much more colorful --and I can't stop looking at it. Sample Tile Hack: to see what it looks like with grout, smooth baking soda into the grout lines.
Really changes in different light! Was wondering if it might look dated in a few years, but I've loved iridescence since my first soap bubble. And ha! Just spotted how it picks up the iridescent colors on this vintage lamp going in the room. Mmmm!