<p>Beil, I’d say leave the hardwood floor—I don’t see that as a deal breaker. Don’t take out the only bathtub in the house, especially if the neighborhood is conducive to families. (Take it out if you’re in an over 50 community!) I would put in two sinks if there is adequate room, although counter space can be pretty important, too. Hmmm… I may have to weigh that one a bit more.</p>
<p>boysx3, tile all the way up is much more costly. Paint on the upper half is perfectly fine.</p>
<p>Agree with all the comments above. All of my bathrooms have stone halfway up the wall, then paint or wallpaper above. Gives a clean look…floor to ceiling would look like a locker, IMO. </p>
<p>We remodeled the master bath two years ago and after lots of experience dealing with various shower configurations, especially concerning upkeep and cleaning, we decided to get rid of most of the grout. We had the walls of the shower covered with large pieces of marble so it is seamless horizontally. Vertically, we have a chair rail at the mid point, so solid piece below, with 12x12 above with a different color stone and a ledge separating the two. The floor is covered in polished river stones…my favorite part. When the water drains it looks very natural, like I’m standing in a brook.</p>
<p>Wall tile seems to be very regional. I have never lived in a house with tile on the walls ( unless you are talking about the tub/shower surround). I have seen it in pictures, and in my college dorm, but never in a home around here. And homes in my area tend to be larger than 3500’ with 4+ bedrooms and 4 bathrooms so it’s not a budget issue…regional differences.</p>
<p>I’m over 50, but would never buy a house without a bath in the master.</p>
<p>gourmetmom, that sounds really pretty.</p>
<p>The numbers are starting to come in and they are not pretty (unless you are the contractors giving us the bids). H and I tried to figure out if there is anything we want to cut or trim–and the answer is, not really, because we are hoping we stay in this condo until we are too old to do so, and we are trying to do the condo in such a way as to make that possible.</p>