construction progress: week 21 + 22

here's what's been happening over the last 2 weeks at my new house:

i finalized the order for the shower tile in the girls bathroom. i was considering using a smaller tile, like a 3 x 6 or the one i decided to use in my sons bathroom, which is a mosaic 1 x 2 subway tile, but i thought that the smaller tile on the floor needed the contrast of a larger tile on the shower walls.

 the tile i chose is 4 x 16 white tile from florida tile, available through modern tile.

we installed all the backer board for the tile on the bathroom floors...

 (the girls bath)

(the master bath) 

 (my sons bathroom)

i also narrowed down the tile for the laundry room. 

 since i was using the black slate for my sons bathroom, i decided to order some extra and STRIPE the laundry room floors! (don't worry...i am not going stripe-crazy in the house! just the island and these floors will be striped. OK, i will probably sneak in a few more stripes somewhere, but probably in subtle touches like pillows or paint.)

 i knew i wanted high contrast, which i thought i could get with the same grecian white tile that i am using in the master bathroom...but i wasn't crazy about how it looked with the black.

i stopped by the dal tile showroom, and in their clearance area, i came across some 12 x 12 "chiffon creme" honed marble tiles for $3.25 a SF. how could i pass THAT up? i bought a sample and brought it home....

 and immediately made a call to purchase it! i like the high contrast, and i also love that both materials

are honed, and have a very simple, utilitarian look---but together, they are going to be fantastic!

 the tile started getting installed in the girls bathroom.

the elongated hex tile is totally worth the splurge! the soft whites, greys and neutral tones in the tile are so pretty.

 we installed the base trim and door casings in the rest of the main floor.

 AND, the master bathroom shower tile started.

i wanted a larger tile on the bottom half of the shower in an offset pattern, and the herringbone on the top half. we used the pencil molding to separate the two patterns. both patterns are outlined on the sides with a 6 x 12 band. can you imagine what the herringbone would have looked like if the pattern met in the corners? it would have been pretty BUSY looking. the banding frames the pattern beautifully.

we opted for a 6 x 6 tile on an angle for the ceiling.

we were initially planning on laying the tile ourselves, but decided to hire it out! a VERY wise choice, i must say. the "green stuff" is a waterproofing compound called "aqua defense" by mapei. our tile installed swears it is amazing stuff.

a detail of the tile.

on the outside....

 the front steps and side walls were formed, and the stone was put on.


the steps will be formed this coming week. we originally wanted to lay flagstone on the steps, but
it was too pricey...plus, when it snows, plain concrete is MUCH easier to shovel than anything else!



and the front retaining wall was started. it will also be covered with the same stone as the rest of the house.


another view of the front retaining wall.


here are the finished side walls at the front entry....they flare out slightly, which makes the entry feel wider and really welcoming.

i decided i wanted another touch of pattern in the master shower, and so i ordered some herringbone
mosaic tile for the back of the niche in the shower...

and here it is installed!
i love the extra little pop of texture!


the slate tile for my sons bathroom was installed, as well as the shower tile...

we laid the 12 x 24 tiles in an offset pattern. the smaller shower tiles were purchased at home depot and are made by dal tile. i am super happy with the mix of scale and color here! the floors will get a lighter grout, and the shower grout will be dark grey.

speaking of grout....

we are using all mapei grout colors.

a look at the almost finished master shower. (i am having that really white tile in the corner replaced. i love the variation in natural stone, but that tile felt out of place to me.)

and----ta-da!!

if you follow me on instagram, you have already seen a peek at these floors.
the 12" wide tiles were ripped in half, so that the stripes are 6" wide.
i am in love! i think i am going to be happier doing laundry while standing on these floors!

and, as always, there was cleaning to do.

LOTS of cleaning.
but i don't mind a bit.
(anything to get in to the house as soon as possible!)