Hi folks -- a couple of thoughts -- 1) make sure your basement is not at all damp (install a dehumidifier if it is) if you are installing laminate. We put laminate in a bedroom and after being cleaned with a swiffer it is as slick as glass! Not sure we would do it again. I assume you are going to finish the basement off? If it is remaining a basement, for workshop, etc., there are some great rubberized paints that go over concrete and are easy on the feet, etc. You often see the industrial strength type in garages, but they do come in colors, if you want a little more style 2) we have a little mountain cabin and have terra cotta tiles in the kitchen. They don't seem as slippery as the ceramic and if they are damp mopped periodically they stay looking nice; a matte finish, but that is what we wanted (we are into tranquil) 3) We have a hardwood floor in the BATHROOM -- and it works great. It is 1 1/2 inch tongue and groove aromatic cedar. No stain, but I finished it with 4 coats of clear, satin finish Verathane (oil based) -- looks dynamite and works great. Not slippery at all and wet spots wipe up easily. Good luck you two C&H

KEVIN COSTNER!! Tell him start packing. :)

Angel, we worked out the pattern to reduce the cuts, but the entry hall from the mud room is the worst. Its 3-1/2 X 8 feet and no matter how I stair-step the tile, we're going to be making a lot of cuts. By stair-stepping the whole floor, however, and inserting the 2X2 tiles, what we will lose in labor to cut the tile we are going to gain with the "WOW" factor (which was the whole point of the tile and design we chose). Sim, he's convinced that he could take two weeks off, install all your travartine, and still have time to enjoy the sights! Besides, he resembles Kevin Costner so he really isn't too hard on the eyes. And you might want to look for Cesarstone too for the outside patio in your home. It is one of the hardest flooring substances known, can be cut into countertops or floor tiles. Its 90% quartz, and another gorgeous surface! S

LOL..S..! I bet he would like a vacation to Panama! We are going down in December to pick out tile so we will see how the prices compare.

Angel, I graphed out the design last week, and its still scary! lol

Sim, I just saw another house on What You Get for the Money - this was the $700,000 episode (I think). Walls and floor of travartine. Inside, and fucking gorgeous! And I just asked my tile guy about the expense. He said that while travartine is more money initially, the benefits far outweigh the expense. I told him where your house was located, his response was "wow, I'll be happy to install it for her!". S

I know there's another showing this week, but since I'm not home, I can't tell you the date or time. If I remember later today, I'll shoot you a message. S

I saw that show and thought it was awesome. Now if I can only find it again.

Angel, what's scary is that that is the type of tile we ended up with. Porcelain, buff surface, with small 2X2 tiles that will be decorative amongst the 12 X 12's.

Simba! Check out a show called What You Get For the Money. Its a real estate show that shows you what (for example) $500,000 will buy you around the country. The $500,000 show has a house in Miami whose entire outside patio and pool surround are aged travartine. OMG, it was F-ing gorgeous. It had aged to an absolutely beautiful patina! You'd be amazed. I think it would be well worth the priciness! S

NE, I just learned (in a class no less this morning) how to install a floating floor, using a product called Dipro (that may not be spelled correctly, my notes are in the car and I'm not). Orange bubble-wrap resembling stuff. I was pleased to see how simple the stuff is to use! S

I put dupont laminate in my kitchen a few months ago. We love it. They have some that looks like tile and some that looks like stone. It is not impervious to water if large amounts lay on the floor for extended times, but a spill will not hurt it. It is a floating floor and easy to install. We used the one that looks like gray tile, and it looks just like tile. You can also install it over old flooring which makes it nice. It comes with 1/4 inch foam backing. Check it out. It is dupont real touch. Home Depot runs sales on it like every other month.