More questions about tiling a bath.


I asked recently how high one tiles when only tiling “half-way” up in a bath. Your responses helped me pick an appropriate hight somewhere above the electrical outlets/switches and below the medicine cabinets. That’s great for 2 of the baths, but I’m still struggling with the master.

The plan is to use a 4×16″ calacatta tile in a running bond pattern. We will do the whole back wall against which there is a 4×3′ shower and the toilet and of course the 3′ section of the side wall where there is the side of the shower. I had wanted to do the rest of the room only half way up because I felt it would be somewhat referential to the older style of the house. The architect thinks we should do either all 4 walls completely or the back wall and the opposite wall where the door and vanity are leaving the 2 sides untiled (except for in the shower).

His argument is that not doing the whole wall with this kind of tile will look like we being cheap. I believe he actually used the word “poor”. Is this what I get for letting my husband pick a wealthy architect?

Personally I think floor to ceiling marble will be overwhelming. It’s about an 8×8′ room with no windows, but a large skylight and about 9′ ceilings. I think that much marble will feel like I’m at some kind of a spa or bath house.

Any opinions? Anyone cap their fancy marble halfway up? Do you think it looks half ass?

Categories: Tile
By ownhs | 02/18/2011 8:56 PM | Comment

How High to Tile a Bath


I’m at the point in our renovation where I’ve become brain dead, apathetic, and indecisive. We planned to tile the bathroom only halfway up the wall. We’ll paint the rest. The contractor is asking where exactly I want the tile to stop. What’s typically done? What was done in an old brownstone? Is the standard higher or lower than that nowadays? Can anyone run into their bathroom with a measuring tape and see how high off the floor their’s goes. Ridiculous, I know, but that’s what it’s come to. I’d appreciate any direction.

Categories: Tile
By ownhs | 02/01/2011 1:54 PM | Comment

Broker with ownership interest


I’m looking at a property in which I believe the broker has an ownership interest that they have not disclosed. Do they legally need to disclose this? They tend to say “I don’t know” in answer to every question and act like they cannot obtain answers from the owners. But I gather from property shark that they or a relative may own the place.

I wasn’t planning on using a buyer’s broker, but wonder now if one could help me get more info. I fell like I need another expert to advise. The lawyer I contacted (recommended often here) seems to charge a large fee to deal only with contracts/closing. He says he has no role in researching property, interpreting city records, or negotiating the offer. Not sure what makes him specifically a real estate attorney then.

Any advice? Opinions?

Categories: Brokers
By ownhs | 02/28/2008 11:25 AM | Comment