Thanks Art! I have to agree, this stuff is going to look fantastic once it's in place. We've looked at a lot of tile, and this stuff just seems the best match for the other existing fixtures...black appliances with stainless steel trim, maple cabinets, cupboards, chair-rails and baseboards and a granite countertop with flecks of the same kinda brown found in the tile and maple.
My wife even went so far as applying Venetian Plaster to the wall between the chair-rail and the floor. The plaster has a hard-granite look to it.
I have a dozen or so 16"x16" slate tiles, and a dozen 6"x6" tiles for the border that I've arranged in front of the plaster, just to get an idea, and it motivates the heck outta me to get started.
We've considered having our guy do the work, but there's just something about doing the job myself that is really enticing. When it's all done, to be able to say, "I did this!" is a great feeling!
As far as you helping, well, let's just say that, this job isn't gonna get done over a weekend. So, as long as I'm working on it, you're more than welcome to swing by...if you happen to be in the area, of course!
Semper fi!
Randy