This is the one waiting for me (BEFORE it got waterproofed, obviously):

I was toying with the idea of making a rough in niche and wrapping the waterproofing over top of my green eboard Hydro banned walls.

You're supposed to, anyway. I'll make sure to take a pic when I go in on monday-- the waterproofing is supposed to lap over onto the surrounding wall 6" in all directions.

Q: What is the number one reason Shampoo Niches Fail?

Poor waterproofing and lack of, or reverse, pitch to the bottom shelf.

Q: What is your preferred slope?

It's not preferred. It's REQUIRED-- between 1/8" and 1/4".

Q: How much wiggle room do you give yourself when planning the rough in dimensions?

Approximately 1/2" to all four sides from where I want to end up.

Another one I just finished--

Here's a snapshot of our installation of white tile:

I just finished my subway tile shower/tub combo. In the beginning I just kind of assumed I would use white grout, especially since I was a first time tiler. I figured I would need all the help I could get in disguising any mistakes. Once the tile was set, I realized that I liked seeing the pattern, and didn't want to mask it with the white grout. So I returned the grout I had already purchased and order Laticrete Silver Shadow from Lowe's. I'm very happy I went with the silver.

i think I posted it?
First from the top is bright white, then Sauterne, Pewter, and Smoke Grey.

--pip aka pipdog

Here is a link that might be useful: Original post with all the details

master bathroom

I was able to find a couple of venetian mirrors at 20" wide. Smaller mirrors were 15" wide and I thought they would look to tiny. A 20" wide mirror leaves 7.75" on each side for sconces. Is that enough space? We were looking at some sconces with very narrow back-plates (2.5"w x 4.5" H) but still the shades are 4" - 6" wide and my concern is the shade will be right up against the wall.

I don't want to do an overhead light. My other thought was to just place the mirror on that wall and put the sconces on the right entry wall and the far left wall, like in the picture attached. Which do you think would look best?

Mirror choice:
If we do the sconces on the side walls our mirror choices wouldn't be so limited. The mirrors I were looking at were an oval at 20"x33" and a rectangle at 20"x47". Since majority of the mirrors available are 22" or 24" wide. Do you think a 22"x48 or 24"x48" would look ok on a wall space only 35.5" x 68" high? Would they be too large? How about the 20"x47"...still to large?

I would appreciate any input. I seem to have hit a wall of indecisiveness on picking out mirrors and sconces.

I don't have any true "before" photos, but here was the tile floor beforehand. I tried about 15 paint colors in that room.

Paint - BM Nimbus
Floor - Marble Basketweave by AKDO
White subway tile in shower

Happy Holidays!

Here is a link that might be useful: slideshow of my kitchen

I'm pretty sure Mamadadapaige's kitchen is the same color, so if you can find photos of it, you'll see a larger sample.

alt="Photobucket">

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) pages contain helpful information about how to navigate this site as well as the world of kitchen renovations.

The Kitchen Forum Acronyms will help you understand some of the acronyms used frequently in posts.

The Finished Kitchens Blog has pictures and information about many GW members' finished kitchens. Not only can you see them alphabetically, but there is also a category list if you're looking for specific things like a kitchen w/a Beverage Center or a kitchen w/a mix of dark and light cabinets.

The Appliances Forum is very useful when you have questions specific to appliances.

To start off the process...take the Sweeby Test. Then, move on to Beginning a Kitchen Plan.

Other topics such as planning for storage can be found by doing a search on the forum.

Tips:

• Before posting a question, search the forum. There's a very good chance someone has already asked the question.
  
• When using the "search" function, be sure to use the search box on the bottom of the page, not the top!
  
• In the Subject, the site changes the inches indicator (") to a foot indicator ('). We don't know why. To compensate, use two single qoutes and it will appear as a double quote in the Subject. Luckily, the double quote works in the message box.
  
• When composing a new thread, you have a couple of options:
  
  • Have replies emailed to you: check the box offerring this option. However, you must have "Allow other users to send you email via forms at our site." box checked in your profile for this to work (see the "Your Profile" link at the very top of the page)
    
  • Insert a link: When you "preview" your message, you will be provided with two boxes for a link...one is for the link itself and the second is for the name or description of the link.
  
  
• When using the "Clip this post" option (far upper right corner of each post, small print), remember that only the current post is clipped, not the entire thread. Also, you are allowed a maximum of 50 clippings. Once you reach this max, you will no longer be able to clip or email posts.

How are the home page and the Forum organized? (from the FAQs)

The Kitchens Forum home page lists 30 thread titles, starting with those that don't yet have a response. Then threads are listed in order of most recent response. That first page displays the last 2 hours or so of activity. (If there is no response to a thread in an hour or two, an unanswered thread starts to drop down.)

Below that are page numbers 1-67 for the total 67 pages of threads available -- capturing maybe 2 months or so of threads, less when the Forum is busy.

Below that (and at the top of the thread list) is a space for you to switch to the Conversations or Gallery "sides" - these are set up similarly but not nearly as active.

Next down is a Search button -- very important!

Next is a place for you to start a new thread. And finally are some instructions and links at the bottom.

Kitchen Forum "Sides"

Discussions: This is the "side" you are on. It's for on-topic discussions concerning kitchens...renovations, use of, etc.
Conversations: This is the "side" where you can post off topic threads such as regional get-togethers and non-kitchen subjects.
Gallery: This is the "side" where members often post pictures...especially if you're posting a lot or a finished kitchen.

Posting a link

There are two ways to post a link:

Using the provided boxes below the "Message" box:

1. Insert the link in the Optional Link URL box
   
2. Type in the description or name of the item being linked in the Name of the Link box
   
3. If this is a new Post, then you won't see these two boxes until you "preview" your message.

To insert a link inside the "Message" box,

1. Copy the following into the "Message" box where you want it:
   <a href= http://www.XXX/>Description</a>

2. Next, replace the http://www.XXX/ with your link
   
3. Now, replace the Description with the description (words) you want displayed with your link.

With either method, you will see your link when you "preview" your message

Posting a picture from your photo hosting account (e.g., PhotoBucket)

First, where are your pictures? If on your computer only, you'll need to upload them somewhere on the web for the rest of us to see them. I upload pictures to PhotoBucket.

1. Open an account w/PhotoBucket or other photo hosting site.
   
2. Take a picture using a digital camera (or film camera but get them on disk when they're developed)
   
3. Resize your pics so they're approx 400x300 (resize keeping the same proportions so they don't get distorted...i.e., don't specify a specific size, use %-ages or similar)
   
4. Upload your pictures to your photo account
   
5. Find the label that contains the link to the picture
   

   (In PhotoBucket, it's the box labeled "HTML Code")

   
   
6. Copy that link and paste it into the "Message" box of a post.
   
7. When you "Preview" your message, you'll see the picture.

Posting a picture from somewhere other than your Photo hosting account

1. Copy the following into the "Message" box where you want the picture to be:
   <img src="http://www.XXX/image.jpg">

2. Next, replace the http://www.XXX/image.jpg with the address of the image.
   
3. When you "preview" the message, you should see the picture

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Layout Help

We often get requests to help with layouts. Many of us enjoy doing this but it would help if you can post a copy of your layout, preferably to-scale.

• The best place to start is to draw up your kitchen (to scale, if possible) either without cabinets & appliances if you don't know where to start or w/your proposed new layout if you have something to start with. Regardless, measure and label everything...walls, ceiling height, widths of doors & windows, distances between windows, walls, doorways, etc.

• If you cannot move plumbing or gas, mark them on your drawing as well.

• Mark all doorways & windows (w/dimensions) and label them as to where they lead. If they're actual doors, mark how they swing.

• It also would be helpful to see the connecting rooms, even layouts so you see how they interact with the kitchen and/or extend the kitchen feel and flow.

• Make note of traffic flows in and out of the kitchen

Make a list of things like:

• What are your goals? E.g., more counter space, more storage, seating in the kitchen (island? peninsula? table?), etc.

• Do you plan to merge two rooms/areas (e.g., Nook and Kitchen into a Kitchen only)

• Where are you flexible?
  • Can windows or doorways change size?
  • Can they be moved?
  • Can windows be raised/lowered?
  • Can any walls come down?
  • Does the sink have to be centered under a window?
  • Does it have to be under a window at all?

• Do you bake? Do you want a coffee/tea/beverage center?

• What appliances do you plan on having (helps to figure out work flow, work zones, and types of cabinets...upper/lower vs full height, etc.)
  • Range or Cooktop?
  • Single or Double or no Wall Oven?
  • Warming Drawer?
  • MW? (Advantium, MW Drawer, OTR MW/Hood, countertop, built-in, shelf?)
  • DW? Standard or drawers? If drawers, 1 or 2?
  • Refrigerator CD or standard depth?
  • Range/Vent Hood?
  • Other?
  Sizes of desired appliances (e.g., 30" or 36" or 48" cooktop; 36" or 42" or 48" wide or other Refrigerator? Counter depth or standard depth refrigerator, etc.)

• Pantry: Walk-in, Step-in, or cabinets?

***** Very Important *****

Is there anything you:

• Can't live without?
• Definitely don't want?
• Would like if you can find a way?

This information will be valuable to not only you, but also any Kitchen Designers you may hire or talk to. Additionally, if you've been haunting the site, you'll notice that we also help with almost all aspects of the remodel, including layout help.

If you do ask for help, then all of the above information will help us help you. Sometimes we stray from what you think you want to give you some ideas that you might not have thought of, but it's your kitchen and you can veto anything...we may argue for something (we're good at that!), but in the end it's what you want. And remember, we are just giving you ideas and possible layouts, in the end when you finalize your design it's whatever you want and decide on! After all, this is your kitchen! [Keep this in mind if/when you use a Kitchen Designer--it's your kitchen, not his or hers...don't let them talk you into anything unless you're sure it's what you want!]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

When your kitchen is complete, please submit it to the Finished Kitchens Blog! This way your kitchen will join others in inspiring and helping newcomers!

Add your kitchen to the FKB!

Again, welcome and good luck! The journey is wild, sometimes bumpy, but fun!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Links from above:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): http://kitchenforumfaq.com/
Kitchen Forum Acronyms: http://starpoohonline.com/wordpress/forum-acronyms/
Finished Kitchens Blog: http://finishedkitchens.blogspot.com/

Sweeby Test: http://starpoohonline.com/wordpress/2007/07/31/the-sweeby-test/#more-6
Beginning a Kitchen Plan: http://starpoohonline.com/wordpress/2007/08/03/beginning-a-kitchen-plan/#more-34/

Appliances Forum: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/appl/

FAQ: Adding Pictures and Links: http://starpoohonline.com/wordpress/how-to-use-the-kitchen-forum/adding-pictures-and-links/

Add your kitchen to the FKB!: http://finishedkitchens.blogspot.com/2005/10/faq.html#Adding