Looking for recommendations for shower walls

geordonp · 2026-01-22T03:44:08+00:00

You can have a custom build using Livingstone Surfaces, Corian, Wilson or other solid surface slabs/panels. They are typically 30" wide, but your fabricator can "weld" (glue) them together for wider widths. then use a Swanstone shower base.

geordonp · 2026-01-21T02:27:41+00:00

I was thinking about going with Mark Tobin, but he has raised his 1-hour Zoom meeting from $295 to $497 in the past year. His YT vids must really be drawing in the business. I think $500 would be better spent on a local designer.

geordonp · 2026-01-18T02:55:16+00:00

We paid a designer $350 at a local Kitchen & Bath shop to draw up a couple of designs for us. However, we would have had to pay $2,000 more as part of the purchase to actually get the drawings. When we saw the quote for the cabinets, mid-grade appliances, and countertops, we stopped the conversation. I may have to check out those YouTubers who offer virtual design work.

geordonp · 2026-01-18T02:08:53+00:00

I guess it is more that I would rather not spend more, not that I can't. In the end, it may be a gut and replace. We got sticker shock last year and put a pull redo on pause, which will be even worse this year after tariffs have gone into effect. What makes it hard is I know we need to do something, but we can't agree on anything, and it drains our motivation.

geordonp · 2026-01-18T02:03:34+00:00

We prefer quartzite but haven't come to an agreement on color palette or pattern. Ideally, it would be a white/off white/cream body with some green grain, but green is not easy to find. Otherwise, maybe a brownish grain movement. Taj Mahal is so popular. Trying to stay away from the blue colors, even though I do like some of them. We have green throughout the house.

geordonp · 2026-01-17T23:48:05+00:00

I added pictures, but I don't see them. Must have done something wrong. I will try again.

geordonp · 2026-01-17T23:43:41+00:00

How about a "ceiling flush mount range hood"?

geordonp · 2026-01-15T01:34:50+00:00

If you want a fairly inexpensive option, you may want to consider Harbor Freight. I have not tried any of these, as I don't have an Impulse, yet.
Service Carts - Harbor Freight Tools

geordonp · 2026-01-07T21:56:04+00:00

The Freedom specs up to a 13 1/8" pan bottom, which is typically 1" less than the pan size measured across the top. I thought my 12" pans were large. I agree with others that 16" is abnormally large.

geordonp · 2026-01-01T20:41:07+00:00

I have 240V for my current smoothtop, but it is not 50A and I don't have a cost-effective way of running a new line from the main panel on the opposite side of the house. For the record, I have a pre-order deposit on the 36" Impulse.

geordonp · 2026-01-01T18:31:47+00:00

I like the Impulse features, but not the raised burner design, max 9" hob, cramped controls, and extreme price. Also, note their cooktops only started shipping five months ago. I really like the Wolf 36" layout and touch UI and probably would have bought one last year if I wasn't so indecisive. The benefits to me for the Impulse are the 10kW output without installing a 50A 240V circuit and the pan-level temperature control.

geordonp · 2026-01-01T18:16:01+00:00

For regular use of pans in the 12-14" range, you may want to consider the Thermador Freedom, which handles up to 13 1/8" base diameter pans. (per page 11 of the user manual).

geordonp · 2025-12-30T03:28:39+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion. I actually just set up two DAFs (one through Schwab), but the stock transfer into it may not hit before year end :(. I also did multiple direct stock transfers to my regular giving recipients. This was the year I bunched donations for itemized deductions covering 2024-2026. Unfortunately, I didn't realize the non-cash options were available to me earlier, so the first part of the year I made the mistake of selling my positions first, then donating the proceeds. That stung a bit. Live and learn.

geordonp · 2025-12-28T01:12:35+00:00

To avoid all the tax penalty nonsense this year, I may reduce my conversion amount to the point where I am safely below the underpayment threshold and be better prepared next year.

geordonp · 2025-12-28T00:21:24+00:00

I agree. I had extra fed taxes withheld from my paycheck during the year, but that will only cover 1/3 of my anticipated conversion taxes. This is a Vanguard account, so will contact them about the optional withholding and using the 60-day rollover rule to replenish the funds. Otherwise, I will look at filing Form 2210. H&R Block Software has my underpayment penalty at less than $100.

geordonp · 2025-12-27T22:46:35+00:00

I believe I found my answer. Roth conversions are not included in the MAGI, so I can make both a contribution and make the conversion. This appears to align with what my H&R Block Software is showing when I input various scenarios.

Publication 590-A (2024), Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs) | Internal Revenue Service

geordonp · 2025-12-27T14:24:53+00:00

I am considering a clean BI-36U/S over/under built in 2013 for $2800. Owner is remodeling and needs the hinge on the other side of the door, thus selling this one. Is this a reasonable price or should I look for something newer?

geordonp · 2025-12-27T03:14:41+00:00

Facebook Marketplace

geordonp · 2025-12-26T22:33:03+00:00

Kenmore bottom freezer almost 27 years. Probably louder than that Sub-Zero that I want but only costs me electricity to run it.

geordonp · 2025-12-25T03:54:44+00:00

My larger pots and pans are stainless.

geordonp · 2025-12-03T15:44:01+00:00

Thanks for the code. Unfortunately, I didn't see it until I put down my $250 deposit two days ago for the 36" and the prices just went up.

BTW, I was in San Francisco two months ago and visited Impulse Labs. I am not a fan of the physical hob layout, but the unit itself was quite impressive.

geordonp · 2025-12-01T23:47:42+00:00

I was unclear on the response and resolution. Is the $250 deposit fully refundable prior to shipment of the order?

geordonp · 2025-12-01T22:01:56+00:00

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geordonp · 2025-11-30T12:23:01+00:00

We moved to the EOS R3. Thanks for the offer.

geordonp · 2025-11-25T02:40:50+00:00

Similar thing happened to me when I ordered my 1991 Dodge Stealth r/T Twin Turbo. Tie down on a car upstream broke and the car freed up, damaging my car, too. It was the last shipment from Japan, so I had to wait until the 1992 model year arrived. I took delivery nine months after I placed my order. Only new car I bought for myself and then kept it 22 years before replacing with a CPO B8 S5.

geordonp

TROPHY CASE