Information

[1grandma]

Most of you know that I am remodeling my master bedroom and bathroom. What I need help with is this: form, function, beauty or dated. My contractor wants me to use white mademade marble kind of sink counter. In fact, he wants me to use white tile, white fixtures etc. Nothing fancy, but I am sinking $72,000 into this bathroom, masterbedroom and I want really nice! Everytime I say I want xxx, he says, "that will cost more money." I think, "so, wth." Anyway, I am trying to pick out tile, fixtures, etc. Also, I am torn between a lovely stone or classier counter top. What do you think? I REALLY need some guidance here. I am willing to pay more. I just don't want to end up with something dated or not "WOW!" Help, please.

[Monroe1218]

I agree with you that it's your money - and you should pick out what you like, regardless of if the contractor likes it or not. White tile, white sink, white fixtures - all that white would make it seem so "sterile" to me. I like color. The upside to the all white though is that you can just change out towels, shower curtains, etc. to get a completely different look.

When we built our home, we took the samples of everything to the contractor and said this is what we like. He tried to change our mind by saying - do you really want that flooring throughout your entire house, wouldn't you rather have this carpet, etc.? We finally put our foot down and said this is what we want - and you won't be living here so if you don't like it, too bad. We are paying you to install what we like and if you can't do it, we will find someone who will.

[love2stamp]

I agree with Rebecca, you should have what you want. You are paying him to do what you want to do, not what he thinks you should do. You are the one that has to live there, so go with what you want.

[writerlady]

Bibi - are you updating to sell or to live with? For help narrowing things down - have you been to HGTV.com? or even to the bit box stores (Lowe's or Home Depot) online? They all have ideas and suggestions. Personally, I would totally go with what I fall in love with. Then, I would enjoy living with it. I find all white to be very sterile. I'm sure lots of other folks love it. In my home, I would not get all white. In fact, I love natural stone, and that's what I want in my bathrooms! Please follow your heart (unless you are selling!).

[oceanbreezes423]

They said it all, follow your heart. I all but never use white for the same reasons as above, I like warm, homey colors.

[debamas]

Time to do some homework and have your results presented to this guy. BTW, what color cabinets are you getting? Pull everything together that you want and see how it will all look together. I've not seen white counters in a long time and don't think I'd want them. Even the type of counters are differnet costs. Get online and look up pics of types, colors, styles, etc. Print out what you like. Or go to Lowes and see if they have something you like so you can show them. They want to keep it simple and easy for them. No they do not have to live with it, You do!

[killarney_rose]

I fully agree with Rebecca! It's your house, your money and the contractor should do it your way! Period.

I would add magazines to the list for ideas. I put my foot down with hubby and told him there were just some things when we built the house at the ranch I had to have. One was the master bath. I found magazines to show him in Lowe's. We'll find a contractor to do what I want and now he also wants after thinking about it for about six months. He came back after that time and told me my ideas made sense!

I can not wait to see the photos when your done!

[AnnOminous]

You hired a contractor, not a husband! Seriously, this guy saying no is bringing back bad memories of the con man contractor who took me for a lot of money. He would tell me not to spend the money replacing something that I wanted replaced. I guess he was worried that there would be less money for him to con me out of. Strangely he did keep pressuring me to replace the fridge, but I think he got a kickback from this frigidare place he wanted me to buy everything at. The dishwasher I did buy there just lost the whirly thing at the top. I really wanted a Maytag from Lowe's.

But seriously I would have it out with the guy and tell him to quit telling you no or fire him. Feel free to use my line and tell him you are hiring him to be your contractor not your husband and the customer is always right.

[butterfly843]

I'd go with what you want, I agree I wouldn't want all that white. Even if you break up the white tile a little with a strip of some colored tiles you like.

[MimaScraps/Lori]

I think that contractors can get "deals" on certain items and push them on their customers! Stand up! That's a lot of $$$ another contractor could make!!

[Queen Mum]

The contractor can give opinions - but ultimately, you, the one who is paying for all this, gets to decide what you want.

If you want the room painted green and purple and have orange polka dots painted on - that's what you should get to have.

[akgnere]

You are right....it is your money.
But - white will get you a better resell value. If you put in a color not standard you are going to have people offering you less for you home in the long run, due to having to factor in the remoldeling of the bathrooms. I personally would tell you to paint and decorate how ever you like, but keep the main items (toilet, sink and tile) in white.

[sherelm]

I think the deeper the wood (cabinets) and dark marble - the richer the look. Don't even ask DH, do what you want. They really don't care after it's in anyway. Trust me on this one. They complain until you have it installed, and then it's forgotten in five minutes. You could put purple on the walls with orange tile and they'd just go into the bathroom and not notice. DO WHAT YOU WANT.
I had dark marble in my home (that was in the flood) and was worried over soap stains, marks, etc., and it showed a LOT less than the white. I even had dark back splash tile.