If you've ever worked a jig-saw puzzle, you know that the pieces must be placed together exactly so to create your masterpiece. Here, the artisans are using a tile saw (not elegant, but very cool), to create the intricate and precise pieces that are causing this puzzle to take shape.
In Turning the Corner with Tile, I hinted at the cascading effect of moving one piece. Look closely below at the precision needed to keep all lines straight. There's the tile spacers, the sticks of wood acting as braces up and down the edge, and there's even that little red shim used to get the spacing exact. Now think about doing that on a vertical surface, with adhesive mud backing the tile, with many sizes and shapes -- and -- not offering four letter words in front of the homeowner. Very impressive.
Our niche is one of the more interesting creations. Since we couldn't find the style and size we wanted in a prefabricated unit, we decided to design our own. (With our contractors' help, naturally.) Remember, this is the place for shampoo and other bottles, a soap dish and a wash cloth (when the bar is installed.)
But the most intricate of the entire process will be the floor. It's not vertical, but it does hold four unique planes, draining to the center, that must have lines, slopes and patterns align perfectly. Not for me... Check Please!
One more level of detail that might seem insignificant, but is equally as important: keeping track of the baseboard trim pieces so they can be touched up and reinstalled. By replacing only those pieces that can not (and should not) be repaired, we are saving considerable money. The final product will look just as good - but without buying, prepping, and painting a fairly detailed molding.
I've always said that when a final product looks flawless on the surface, it's a signal that considerable planning and execution went into it. We're seeing that unfold daily with a great deal of detail work being invested that is beginning to hint at what I expect to be a very spectacular finished puzzle.
In Turning the Corner with Tile, I hinted at the cascading effect of moving one piece. Look closely below at the precision needed to keep all lines straight. There's the tile spacers, the sticks of wood acting as braces up and down the edge, and there's even that little red shim used to get the spacing exact. Now think about doing that on a vertical surface, with adhesive mud backing the tile, with many sizes and shapes -- and -- not offering four letter words in front of the homeowner. Very impressive.
Our niche is one of the more interesting creations. Since we couldn't find the style and size we wanted in a prefabricated unit, we decided to design our own. (With our contractors' help, naturally.) Remember, this is the place for shampoo and other bottles, a soap dish and a wash cloth (when the bar is installed.)
But the most intricate of the entire process will be the floor. It's not vertical, but it does hold four unique planes, draining to the center, that must have lines, slopes and patterns align perfectly. Not for me... Check Please!
One more level of detail that might seem insignificant, but is equally as important: keeping track of the baseboard trim pieces so they can be touched up and reinstalled. By replacing only those pieces that can not (and should not) be repaired, we are saving considerable money. The final product will look just as good - but without buying, prepping, and painting a fairly detailed molding.
I've always said that when a final product looks flawless on the surface, it's a signal that considerable planning and execution went into it. We're seeing that unfold daily with a great deal of detail work being invested that is beginning to hint at what I expect to be a very spectacular finished puzzle.
2 comments:
It is incredible what you can achieve with a good tile saw. This has been helpful but I will keep looking to be able to compare the available machines. Thank you for posting this.
Eric,
This really was an amazing process. Based on your Tile Saws USA site, it appears you know a little about the process. You, more than most, can appreciate the art AND science that went into the project.
Thanks for your comment.
Dave
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