just cannot find this switchplate--please help...

18 years ago

For our master bath I've ordered some paintable wood flat-edged switchplates--the flat edge is critical since everything is flat edged in there, from the tile to the shower valve trim to the Jado Glance-knockoff faucets. But I need a metal switchplate for the switch closest to the shower--don't want paint that close, and it's on tile anyway so the paint wouldn't exactly blend in--and I just *cannot* find a flat-edged chrome switchplate. The closest I've come are the pewter ones from switchhits, (the "modernist chrome" one I waseven thinking of installing face to the wall so I could have no design on the front) but I was informed this morning that even they are beveled. They sure don't look it.

Does anyone know of any other places to check? I'll link the switchhits one so you can see vaguely what I'm talking about...thanks so much!

OH, there's one other possibility--the omnia modern--here's a link to that--I haven't found out if they're really beveled or not yet, although it sure does look like it:

http://www.homeclick.com/web/catalog/product_detail.aspx?pid=42709&cm_ven=Froogle&cm_cat=Hardware&cm_pla=Omnia&cm_ite=Omnia-Switch%20Plate%20Covers-42709&cid=B759C2C627FF72DE33B0CB540D4F8035

Here is a link that might be useful: I know it's silly, but details bug me

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Comments (10)

mahatmacat1
Original Author
18 years ago
Update: I am going to try looking for the aluminum ones, e.g. the cast aluminum at RH -- if it's not too wavy on the edges--it's got that handcut look to it.

Found out about them from apartmenttherapy--sometimes the folks on that site have done some good searching :)
les917
18 years ago
Did you look at the ones on Switchhits that are made to match granite, corian and marble? Is there something that would work with your tile, or does your tile source have switchplates to match?
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mahatmacat1
Original Author
18 years ago
OH les, wouldn't that be wonderful? I actually tried to think out how I could make it myself--if there's some sort of routing guide I could use to make it...I mean really I'd just need to do a rectangle and two little holes for the screws...hmmm...

Otherwise, I think I'd have to have it custom made from tile I sent someone, and at that point it gets to be more than I want to pay. Nothing over around $30 at most. The RH ones are $9.50, so beside the trouble of driving down there, it would be done and moderately o.k. I'd like to see the Omnia ones, though, before I decide--to find out if maybe they're not beveled. I did find some extremely cool switchplates for the master bedroom, made out of cross-sections of walnut, with the bark still on them--can't wait for them to arrive (from eBay). They were custom made for someone, but then somehow they found their way into an eBay seller's hands--he doesn't know who made them.

Now I'm going to think out more about making it myself...I have the tile saw, a sander to polish the edges...just need to figure out about the rectangle hole. The circular ones I'd be fine with.
lkplatow
18 years ago
This site has a nice closeup of the omnia ones - to me they look like they might have the slightest of bevels...

Here is a link that might be useful: Omnia closeup
mahatmacat1
Original Author
18 years ago
That's the best pic of the edges I've seen! Thanks! The others are all remarkably blurry...can't figure why Omnia thought that was acceptable to send out.

I got word on the baths forum that basically I can't make the tile cover without a waterjet, which is an advanced professional machine...not happening...so metal is my main choice, unless I want to get something vaguely color-matched to the base color of the tile. I think the chrome/aluminum would be better. Just wish I could see the Omnia in person but no one here seems to have it.
oceanna
18 years ago
I can see it now... on the Carol Duvall show... they're making that switchplate out of silver clay...

lol! You can bet one of her guests could do it!
mahatmacat1
Original Author
18 years ago
Stop it...

Now you've got me thinking!

Hmmm...how would I do that, oceanna? What material do you know of?
oceanna
18 years ago
All I can think of is that clay they're always using on that show. I'm sure I've seen them do gold and silver things.

Other than that, you could decoupage candy wrappers on it.

And you just *know* there is someone out there who could pull that off and make everyone go "wow."

Always thinking over here. ROTFLOL.
oceanna
18 years ago
... silver leafing one? Find the right shape in the cheapest cover you can find. Then silver leaf it. Then polyurethane it a few coats.

Though candy wrappers would be cheaper and more fun to collect. ;-)

Go ask at Michaels. And hope your Michaels isn't like mine where they hire sweet kids with no experience and even less imagination.

If you don't like the results you can always sell it on eBay. Someone will love it and you will have learned something.
mahatmacat1
Original Author
18 years ago
Hmmm.....let me think on it. I've already got the project of the final accent strip of rocks to do, substituting Oregon coast rocks for some of the onyx slices...but I don't want the handmade look in there *too* much...think I'll check RH first and see if I want to do another project just for a light switch...I've still got several on backorder to finish off the remodel anyway...

I do love your attitude, though -- I'm a DIYer by instinct as well :)