There was an additional truck in front of the house this morning and we could see a man in the garage as we turned into the cul-de-sac.
He was mixing mortar with a drill mixer.
This was my first view of tile as we walked into the house. The Russian was working along the big wall. He looked up and smiled, and then continued his work. I was very disappointed to see the color of the tiles against the color of the walls. Even though they are called “Light Gray”, they looked very brown to me. I did not like the effect at all. The samples in the design center looked good together. I chose the light gray because the tile I liked better was too brown in the design center. But, it was very gray in the house we looked at yesterday. I was upset, but it is too late now. I’m just going to have to get over it and used to it.
This man was busy in the dining room. I noticed that small stacks of tile were leaning against the walls all about the house. We stood and watched for a while; progress was fast with those large tiles.
The Russian was also making good progress.
The dining room man came into the little hall leading to the garage and cut a piece of tile. It was just like a glass cutter: he scored the tile and then broke it along the score. I was impressed with the work table.
We encountered the mortar mixer as we were heading back out. He set his bucket of mortar on a small dolly and rolled it the rest of the way in.
The Russian was struggling with that funny little wall that defines one corner of the dining room. He was on the foyer/family room side so we decided to walk around to the front door to watch him.
He was holding the tile over the space planning his cuts.
I noted the lines on the tile.
It did not work out so well and he had to start over with a fresh tile. Andy decided we should not look over his shoulder while he was struggling, so we moved on. The man in the dining room had his tiles on a dolly that he could wheel along with him as he moved along the floor.
Then he was getting fancy with the mud.
Then he was making squiggly mud.
We walked around the house outside and came in the bedroom door to find a third tile setter in the master bath. I noticed that he did not use nearly as much mortar as the man in the dining room.
We watched for a while and then moved on to the sliding door into the family room. The Russian was still struggling with that notched wall.
We stopped in Publix for a few things and went back home. Andy kept trying to cheer me up, saying he thought the tile looked great, but I wasn’t having any of it. I know that once we move in and have furniture and rugs in place, it won’t be very noticeable. But, I also know that it isn’t just right.
We returned to the house around five o’clock. The Russian said it was alright to walk on the tiles, but the other man said not to. So, I watched through the parlor window. He had a marvelous wave of mud along his work border. That is the white window sill at the bottom of the picture.
I took a picture of the dining room. It doesn’t look so bad.
The man in the master bedroom was almost to the back wall.
I zoomed to the bathroom. Even though most of the tiles look rectangular in these pictures, they are all square.
Dinata Misovec 
That paint vs tile color is the sort of thing that would make me nuts. I think Andy is right that once the furniture and rugs are in, it will be fine. Or you’ll paint some walls. When I’m worrying/obsessing about something I ask myself: in the scheme of my life, how important is this?
LikeLike
You are absolutely right Mala! I was nuts yesterday. Today, I am looking forward to covering half the walls with art and maybe a third of the floor with rugs. Then with the furniture as a distraction, I’ll probably never notice the wall/floor clash. If it still does after a year or so, maybe I’ll repaint the walls. Or, maybe not.
LikeLike
You’ll get used to the tiles. Andy was right about looking over the man’s shoulder
LikeLike
You are right on both counts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Dinata,
You guys have a LOT of money invested in that house. So the builder has a responsibility to make sure it is RIGHT… Take one of the tiles across to the other house and lay it down on the floor. If the color difference is very noticeable, take a few pictures (with flash) to document the difference. Then make sure you get some pictures of some of the tile boxes with a particular focus on the color and lot number information. Then be prepared to do battle with the builder, especially if the tile color on the side of the box isn’t correct. I remember you saying something about delivery screw-ups before. This wouldn’t be the first time the wrong tile was installed in a new home.
JR
LikeLike
They are the tiles I ordered. I’ll get used to them once the furniture and rugs are in.
LikeLike
Oh I forgot. They will give you the line about “there is always some variation, lot to lot… blah blah blah”. But they look “tan” to me in the pictures also!
JR
LikeLike
Yep, that’s what he said. I checked the box and they are the color I ordered, “Light Gray”. I’ll get over it.
LikeLike
You know, if you are unhappy with the tile/paint color combination after a year or so, paint is cheap. Changing the color, especially one wall or one room, would not be that big a deal. And you may end up loving it anyway, and you can change the color of paint an amazing amount with different lighting. Are you doing anything besides haunting the house?? Doesn’t sound like it! And I’m pleased the book is selling. Keep well –
LikeLike
I think that all will be fine once I get the furniture and rugs in. But, if not, I can surely repaint.
LikeLike
Double check the name on tile packages against what you saw in the design center to be sure they didn’t mix it up with other houses. Once you get the grout down it will take on a totally different appearance. What color is your grout?
LikeLike
I did check the boxes. It is the color I ordered. The man made it clear when we chose that colors may vary.
LikeLike
Maybe its the light, it may look different when its not empty space! I think your new home is beautiful!
LikeLike
I think it is the light. When I ge the furniture and rugs in there, it will be fine.
LikeLike
Very upsetting to hear you don’t like the tile color!!! You have to live with that for…forever!!! Maybe you should raise hell with the builder/contractor/whomever. Maybe they should give you a new paint job that will go better with the tile! It is NOT right that the samples do not match reality. “They” need to make it right for you somehow! Tell them to do right by you or you will “expose`” them all over Fb and beyond.
LikeLike
They made it clear during the choosing session that tile, paint, etc colors can vary.
LikeLike
I’m sure that once everything is finished, and you have furniture, carpets, pictures, etc, in place, the effect will be exactly as you planned. I think it looks great already.
LikeLike
I like it better already.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad.
LikeLike