Hi Kandi, if you decide to create a chalkboard wall, it's not difficult to change the look later. Just treat chalkboard paint like any darker paint color that needs primer for good coverage. (Have you seen the colored chalkboard paints? Oh, my! So many possibilities. http://www.hudsonpaint.com/)

Have fun. Your little ones will love it! :)

Oh, very important: Are you a Rate My Space user? If not, you may want to get some pictures together and head over to Rate My Space. http://www.roomzaar.com/rate-my-space/multigaller...
I guarantee you'll get lots of suggestions. It's a wonderful community of design enthusiasts.

Good luck! I hope that you find that the finished design is better than what you initially planned. I love it when that happens! And please post pictures on Rate My Space when it's completed so that we can see.

Also, you may want to post this question in our message boards - another helpful community who like to talk design. The link below goes directly into a Bath Design board.
http://boards.hgtv.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/5381030...
Cheers!

Hi Sue, I understand your conundrum. I think we could be seeing more and more retail outlets cutting back on their stock. So, if you find something you like, it's a good idea to buy everything at once if you can. But sometimes, I understand, that's just not possible. Sometimes the design plan for the room isn't completely finished yet or you're budgeting and buying as you can, and you're ready to tackle one element of the design and want to get started! That's usually me. :) If you've searched high and low and can't find your preferred tile, that's okay. You have some options here. It's tough to give suggestions without seeing photos, but my first thought would be to steer clear of granite, maybe stone altogether. Consider other materials. Perhaps a marine-grade wood surround. Do you have wooden cabinets? If yes, carry that look across to the tub. You may need to have it custom built, but it wouldn't be too complex a project. I would start there. I love wood in the bathroom - especially in unexpected places - so I am bias. :)

You're welcome! Thank you! :)

I would suggest starting with Designers' Portfolio since that is a special area of our site dedicated to showcasing the work of designers. We'd love to have all of you there. And in Rate My Space too, of course. Please feel free to contact our offices, and I can provide more information. Email: blogideas@hgtv.com.
http://www.hgtv.com/designers-portfolio/main/inde...

Oh, Annie. You just gave me goosebumps! What a precious exchange between you and your daughter! Grandmothers are so special, aren't they? It's wonderful that your daughter can get a sense of who your mother was by the stories you share and the beautiful creations she made. And who knows? She may just take after her and create her own one day. And if she does, you tell her Leslie said she must must must upload pictures to HGTV.com and share on Rate My Space. :-D People share all kinds of goodies they've made and rooms that they've decorated.

*Thanks for sharing your story., Annie. Now you've got me wondering about lily of the valley scent. :)

The best dates to plant certain veggies depends on where you are and your climate, etc. Our gardening section has many, many good tips for gardening all kinds of goodies. So you may want to do some digging :) and check out the next to last link in my post. A good place to start.

How cool! I love that. Thanks for sharing.

You're welcome! I LOVE your denim fabric flowers from the May 6th post. Really cool. Looking forward to delving deeper into your site. Cheers!

Hi Helen, kudos to your daughter and son-in-law! I can't imagine maneuvering a bike along the streets of Manhattan, but it would be awesome to have that kind of skill and fitness level.

Are you in New York? Walking there, I can do. With pleasure :-D