Andy Hill wrote:
To be replaced with more oddball tiles, just of a different color. If I can't
find some that will fit the space (before I start demolition), then I go to Plan
B, which is cutting a piece of Arandis granite floor file (which should match
the Arandis deck pretty well) into pieces that will fit the space. I'm not real
crazy about that alternative -- I have my doubts I can keep a 1/2" wide, 3/8"
thick piece of granite from cracking during the sawing process (I've used this
method to make 2" square medallions, but 1/2" is pretty skinny). Plan C is to
"reglaze" the tiles. I'd rather not do that -- I've yet to see a tile
reglazing job I really liked

You are right, reglazing looks cheap, particularly because they
usually "paint" over some of the grout. I've never seen a good
job, but have seen dozens of crappy one's.

I have my serious doubts also about cutting granite that thin and
that long. And they may be too thick and stick out.

An easy alternative are the dozens of "border" or "liner" tiles
that can be found at a tile dealership. 1/2" is a common size,
and go up to 3" or so. They come in every color and even
gold or pewter or silver, even glass colors. You could probably
find a color/size/thickness that would make you happy.

Another alternative people have done when the border trim of a
bathroom isn't to their liking is to change the changable things
like towels, toilet seat and even the countertop to match or
"tie-in" to the trim color. Remember than many of the old
colors are now 'back-in' style, such as green, pink, and
other retro art-deco style colors.

As for removing the tile, I save my old dry cut 4" diamond
blades for such jobs. A worn blade will have very thin
diamond left, just perfect for cutting out the grout joints in
bathroom tile to isolate the tile pieces you want to remove.
Anyway, you need to isolate those tiles or you'll chip the
good one's.
One idea posted already is to cut down the center line of
the border pieces, then take a sharp wide chisel and
chisel out the borders, chopping _away_ from the
direction of the good tile. The border pieces will break
away from the good tile- inward toward the gap you've
cut out.

All and all this is not an easy job for a novice. It takes
a professional steady hand to cut out this much and to
chisel that much tile without mistake.
See if your wife can't be happy redecorating around
the border color.
What is the color she doesn't like anyway? Just curious.

thetiler