Judith Collins Thanks so much - very helpful!

custom-tiles.com Helpful hint on tile/grout joint effect on tile installations - your 12x12 tile is probably NOT really 12x12, so if you want to figure accurately enough to size the installation including grout width: know that 'nominal' size (e.g., 12x12) is not the ACTUAL size. Ask or check written specifications for the actual size, try to find out what the average variance of tile size from this figure is. Tumbled tile typically varies the most due to the rounding and chipping at the edges. Tiles with larger variances from the 'average size' require a wider grout line to aid the installer in making adjustments to align the tiles.

Tara Bussema @winstondog, the chairs and sofa are not from Thrive. they are original vintage pieces from vintage stores on 4th street in Long Beach, CA. hope that helps! you can click on the photo for more info.

retters513 bought our 3 bedroom 1 bath ranch when my 4 children were of grade school age. 6 of us in the small space for some time. Then we turned garage into mudroom,2nd bathroom and laundry room,finished basement, and put a 16x32 great room addition on with 10 ft. gabled ceiling's and a huge wall of stone up to ceiling, with a fireplace. The room has 10 window's, 2 in the stone, and a sliding door. My husband being a mason contractor helped us be able to do it all. He and my young son's did ceiling, wood floor,wall's, and a full block basement under addition. This room has since been the best gathering place for countless large gathering's. I recommend going as large as you can and higher ceiling's.Picture is of Christmas morning checking out a remote flying saucer.