[carli]

We just completed a major home renovation, and for slab, we found Amazon Stone on Miramar Rd generally has best selection and price. Also check Tutto Marmo off Miramar Rd (I think they’re on Cabot, but I’m not sure). They have beautiful slabs, and some unique stone/limestone/onyx.

For subway/mosaic tile, it depends on what you’re looking for…if you want standard 3×6 subway, there’s no need to spend much money. You can find lowest prices at Dal Tile, Home Depot and online. Check out http://www.costco.com as well for standard mosaic and subway.

If you’re looking for tile that’s a little more unique, the local sources I like best are: Euro Tile Art off Morena Blvd, Unique Stone Imports on Morena Blvd (they also have a stoneyard for with interesting slabs), and in No. County, you should check out Encinitas Tile.

I also went up to the Walker Zanger tile showroom in Tustin, where I found great ideas from wandering through their gorgeous displays and beautiful tile. They also have a large slabyard filled with high quality stone, and, surprisingly, the prices aren’t generally any higher than around here although your fabricator would have to go there to get it. W-Z expects you to be working with a designer, but if not, you can tell them you want contractor pricing (if your contractor allows you to take advantage of his discount). You should make an appointment if you decide to go there.

[carli]

I think that if you and your wife have enough assets to own a home together (and are thinking about having kids), you should set up trusts. Any attorneys on the forum, feel free to correct me, but that’s how we were advised to do it many years ago. In our situation, our home is owned in one-half interest in each of our trusts as tenants in common. Congrats on your home purchase…very exciting!

[carli]

I think that if you and your wife have enough assets to own a home together (and are thinking about having kids), you should set up trusts. Any attorneys on the forum, feel free to correct me, but that’s how we were advised to do it many years ago. In our situation, our home is owned in one-half interest in each of our trusts as tenants in common. Congrats on your home purchase…very exciting!

[carli]

I think that if you and your wife have enough assets to own a home together (and are thinking about having kids), you should set up trusts. Any attorneys on the forum, feel free to correct me, but that’s how we were advised to do it many years ago. In our situation, our home is owned in one-half interest in each of our trusts as tenants in common. Congrats on your home purchase…very exciting!

[carli]

I think that if you and your wife have enough assets to own a home together (and are thinking about having kids), you should set up trusts. Any attorneys on the forum, feel free to correct me, but that’s how we were advised to do it many years ago. In our situation, our home is owned in one-half interest in each of our trusts as tenants in common. Congrats on your home purchase…very exciting!

[carli]

I think that if you and your wife have enough assets to own a home together (and are thinking about having kids), you should set up trusts. Any attorneys on the forum, feel free to correct me, but that’s how we were advised to do it many years ago. In our situation, our home is owned in one-half interest in each of our trusts as tenants in common. Congrats on your home purchase…very exciting!

[carli]

We went through the same decision a little while ago when renovating our house. We found that the fabrication cost component of the thinner granite made its total cost about even with the thicker granite.

You should talk w/your fabricator to get a true “apples to apples” comparison w/the Home Depot quote because Home Depot (I believe) includes both the labor and material, but you seem to be looking at only the material cost component when you consider the thinner granite.

You also should ask a fabricator the cost differences between the various built-up edges that you’ll need with the thinner granite (you can choose any type you prefer – ogee, bullnose, eased, etc – but costs vary slightly between them).

We found that the thinner granite actually looks slightly thicker when the fabricator built it up with the typical edge detail.

Good luck with your renovation!

[carli]

We went through the same decision a little while ago when renovating our house. We found that the fabrication cost component of the thinner granite made its total cost about even with the thicker granite.

You should talk w/your fabricator to get a true “apples to apples” comparison w/the Home Depot quote because Home Depot (I believe) includes both the labor and material, but you seem to be looking at only the material cost component when you consider the thinner granite.

You also should ask a fabricator the cost differences between the various built-up edges that you’ll need with the thinner granite (you can choose any type you prefer – ogee, bullnose, eased, etc – but costs vary slightly between them).

We found that the thinner granite actually looks slightly thicker when the fabricator built it up with the typical edge detail.

Good luck with your renovation!

[carli]

We went through the same decision a little while ago when renovating our house. We found that the fabrication cost component of the thinner granite made its total cost about even with the thicker granite.

You should talk w/your fabricator to get a true “apples to apples” comparison w/the Home Depot quote because Home Depot (I believe) includes both the labor and material, but you seem to be looking at only the material cost component when you consider the thinner granite.

You also should ask a fabricator the cost differences between the various built-up edges that you’ll need with the thinner granite (you can choose any type you prefer – ogee, bullnose, eased, etc – but costs vary slightly between them).

We found that the thinner granite actually looks slightly thicker when the fabricator built it up with the typical edge detail.

Good luck with your renovation!

[carli]

We went through the same decision a little while ago when renovating our house. We found that the fabrication cost component of the thinner granite made its total cost about even with the thicker granite.

You should talk w/your fabricator to get a true “apples to apples” comparison w/the Home Depot quote because Home Depot (I believe) includes both the labor and material, but you seem to be looking at only the material cost component when you consider the thinner granite.

You also should ask a fabricator the cost differences between the various built-up edges that you’ll need with the thinner granite (you can choose any type you prefer – ogee, bullnose, eased, etc – but costs vary slightly between them).

We found that the thinner granite actually looks slightly thicker when the fabricator built it up with the typical edge detail.

Good luck with your renovation!

[carli]

We went through the same decision a little while ago when renovating our house. We found that the fabrication cost component of the thinner granite made its total cost about even with the thicker granite.

You should talk w/your fabricator to get a true “apples to apples” comparison w/the Home Depot quote because Home Depot (I believe) includes both the labor and material, but you seem to be looking at only the material cost component when you consider the thinner granite.

You also should ask a fabricator the cost differences between the various built-up edges that you’ll need with the thinner granite (you can choose any type you prefer – ogee, bullnose, eased, etc – but costs vary slightly between them).

We found that the thinner granite actually looks slightly thicker when the fabricator built it up with the typical edge detail.

Good luck with your renovation!

[carli]

A couple more suggestions –

1) Try http://www.costco.com, which has way more furniture options than you see in the warehouses. I haven’t personally bought furniture from them but I assume it’s decent quality and they seem to have quite a few things that are sold in sets.

2) Try Home Goods, which is owned by the same company that owns Marshall’s and TJ Maxx and has some decent furniture – not a lot of sofas but good selection of chairs, rugs, end/coffee tables, etc.

Good luck!

[carli]

A couple more suggestions –

1) Try http://www.costco.com, which has way more furniture options than you see in the warehouses. I haven’t personally bought furniture from them but I assume it’s decent quality and they seem to have quite a few things that are sold in sets.

2) Try Home Goods, which is owned by the same company that owns Marshall’s and TJ Maxx and has some decent furniture – not a lot of sofas but good selection of chairs, rugs, end/coffee tables, etc.

Good luck!

[carli]

A couple more suggestions –

1) Try http://www.costco.com, which has way more furniture options than you see in the warehouses. I haven’t personally bought furniture from them but I assume it’s decent quality and they seem to have quite a few things that are sold in sets.

2) Try Home Goods, which is owned by the same company that owns Marshall’s and TJ Maxx and has some decent furniture – not a lot of sofas but good selection of chairs, rugs, end/coffee tables, etc.

Good luck!

[carli]

A couple more suggestions –

1) Try http://www.costco.com, which has way more furniture options than you see in the warehouses. I haven’t personally bought furniture from them but I assume it’s decent quality and they seem to have quite a few things that are sold in sets.

2) Try Home Goods, which is owned by the same company that owns Marshall’s and TJ Maxx and has some decent furniture – not a lot of sofas but good selection of chairs, rugs, end/coffee tables, etc.

Good luck!

[Author]

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