We then went to Pro Source in search of new tile for the bathroom. We knew that Pro Source is a huge showroom of tile from many manufacturers, and we hoped that we could find the perfect tile. We found a 12 x 24 all white tile with a subtle wave pattern that we thought would be perfect. Kevin, from Pro Source, found a couple of small decorative tiles that also might work with the main tile. We knew that Sarah was going to be working in her showroom, so we took the tile there to consult with her.
She liked the wavy tile, and she also liked the way the small tiles that she had originally chosen went with the wavy tile. We rejected the other two small tile samples from Kevin due to problems with color or with the shell material that one had. Sarah warned us that the shell was fragile and would not hold up well to cleaning. Great! We had a choice, or so we thought. Then we started to talk about the bullnose, which for the chosen tile came only in a 2 x 24 inch style. That did not work. The 2 inches is not deep enough to go tot he back of the alcove I wanted to put into the back wall. OK, we did not have a choice.
This morning we took the wavy tile sample back to Pro Source. We spent two hours looking for something else, and we came up empty handed. Were we crazy looking for tile that will cost us a fortune to install? Perhaps.
I was so frustrated that I wanted to cry. Rick just got angry. We started to think that perhaps we should go back to Swanstone (boring, sturdy, but heavy and hard to install) or even a Veritek (acrylic, flimsy, but cheaper and easier to install). We drove out to Pinellas Park to a Ferguson showroom to see if we could see samples of Swanstone and the colors. They did not have any in the showroom since all Ferguson dealers do not carry Swanstone despite that their web site indicated they did.
We stopped at Home Depot on the way home. They DO carry Swanstone, and we both agreed that the only color that would work is pure white. Fantastic. We are back to boring.
Ironically, we did find some DalTile at Home Depot that may work for us in the end. Go figure. We go to fancy showrooms and find what may work at Home Depot. We still are not sure, however, that we want to spend the money on tile installation.
At this point, we may put in the acrylic which we can do ourselves. It is about 1/5 the price of hiring someone to install tile. Since the bathroom shower is used only a few times a year, we may choose that option in the end. I can save a lot of money and just buy a nice shower curtain to keep it out of sight. In the end, that may be the best use of our resources.
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| A toilet paper holder and towel rack show progress. |
When we came home, Rick added the toilet paper hold and matching towel holder in the bathroom. We may not have a sink yet, but when we do, we will be ready with a towel! Each small piece contributes to getting this bathroom back together, and that is probably the only positive move we have made in the last two days.
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| Tiny red bracts are peeking out from the end of some branches of the bougainvillea. |
One happy side note: almost a month ago I fed my bougainvillea plants some nutrients called Bougain. This plant food was supposed to promote growth and flowers. Today, for the first time since I planted the bushes last year, I am starting to see evidence of flowers (actually colored bracts) on my bougainvillea plants. At least something is starting to bloom!
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