What's going on in that brain, Piff? You remodeling, too?
I'm a carpenter's wife... we're in a constant state of remodeling.
So, you're loving your kitchen? It looks great -- that tile in a diamond pattern is my favorite. Very, very nice.
As for us... we have an ongoing project at our beach house and the countertops will be redone sometime in the next year or so. Currently the countertops are dark red tile set with grout that includes ash from Mt. St. Helens (due to a little bit of a mistake in how much water was added and a handy coffee can full of ash someone had given me as a souvenir). Because of the "historical" value of the grout and that it was our first tile job, we've held off on changing 'em, but it's near time. I want something light in color, totally durable and attractive. Is that granite?
Well it's not Corian. Granite is beautiful, but it also has some drawbacks.
Darn. I want the perfect solution, Swimpy!
Actually, the stuff I have in my kitchen at home (not at the beach) is nearly perfect. It is more than 20 years old, doesn't have a stain on it... just a couple of minor scratches from an old babysitter cutting directly on it. I can put most hot pans on it, though half my countertops are tile installed just for that purpose. Unfortunately, I've become bored with it though not bored enough to change it. Also unfortunately, I can't remember what it is. Not Corian though, it was too expensive for us when we were building.
Tile I love; it is grout that it the problem.
Silestone looks good! Thanks, Swimpy. I definitely want to avoid anything that needs to be regularly sealed. I'd forget someday and then they'd be messed up.
I really like my Corian. Maybe the same basic stuff varies in quality somewhat?
Mine is something like a dozen years old, cream-colored, flawless, and has taken everything we've thrown at it since we moved here without a whimper. (Sozlet drawing on it with marker -- hot pans -- dropping things -- and more.)
I edited something about granite countertops and it had a lot of negatives. Basically, it can be done perfectly and then there are still risks, but it often is done imperfectly and then all kindsa problems result.
I've enjoyed reading this thread. I just finished my bathroom remodel. If anyone's interested I can post some photos
The kitchen is next. I think I'll have to settle for tile countertops...so much cheaper. And new cabinet doors.
Yep, Sozobe, it is easy to keep coming back to Corian. I see that it is on sale through the end of October, too. I like the color "Midnight."
Hi Panzade -- I'd like to see the photographs.
Did you know (you probably did) that Corian started as a commercial bathroom material?
I didn't know that. You're a font Piff.
My countertops are not Corian brand, Soz. Maybe that's the difference. I can't remember what it's called, but it is supposed to be the same thing as Corian. Anyway, it has scratched just by putting a plate on it. The scratches are supposed to be easily removed by using one of those nylon pads, but I've not been able to budge them. No one else would see them, but I do.
Hey, panzade! I'm glad you joined int. Please post some pictures. I'd love to see your bathroom.
Since I finished the kitchen, I've been working on my home office. Got a new credenza and hutch, a couple of chairs and a rug so far. Still on the sage green kick. The credenza and hutch are an antique white, really distressed finish. The rug is wool in what I think is called Aubisson (sp?) style, though not authentic. I got a real deal on it. One of the chairs is an easy chair with ottoman in a sage green with a cream diamond pattern. The other chair is an occasional chair that's got a carved wood frame and upholstered seat, back and part of the arms. I'll post pictures if anybody want's to see. I still need drapes, a table or two and lamps. I'm going for a kind of eclectic look, as iff the pieces were found in Grandma's attic.
Haha, Pan... a font... Arial? S'true, though, Corian was originally for locker-room showers & stuff. But yeah... show us your bathroom, please. I need ideas!
Swimpy, I'd like to see your home office. Sage green is a great color! Are you distressing any of the furniture yourself? I've done a little of that. Paint it with a flat paint, let that dry; then lightly brush on stain and artistically rub it off. You can hardly make a mistake.
Piff, No I bought the credenza distressed. It's made of oak and has a thin whitewash on it so the grain shows through. Then they went at it with all manner of impements of distruction to simulate years of wear. I'll probably get a bookcase and try to distress it myself. I've distressed small things, but never any furniture.
I don't have any pictures of the whole room. I have individual pics of each peice of furniture, but I can't seem to find them all. Anyway...here is the cream colored chair (forgive the poor photo quality)
and the green one
The green fabric close up
I did take the tags off, btw.
Piffka wrote:Haha, Pan... a font... Arial?.
Ha Ha Piff. Font. Source, Fountain. You're such a kidder.
The bathroom was gutted when termites were found in the shower valve wall.
Seems the contractor had used regular drywall instead of Durock and the grout work was faulty so a leak developed. In Florida subterranean termites always enter a house where water is available.
You'll notice I took the opportunity to cut a large block window into an otherwise dank and dingy room.
The eaten studs were replaced by pressure treated ones to repel moisture and termites
The toilet and vanity were tossed and I rented a hammer drill to chip out the old floor tile
The window sill was removed along with the drywall wrap (yuck) to trim it out all in wood with rosettes and fluted casing
