Blog | Premier Kitchens & Baths LLC

Tile, Onyx, or Both? Choosing the Right Shower for Your Bathroom Remodel

Thu, 05 Nov 2026 18:31:57 GMT

Tile vs. Onyx: Choosing the Right Materials for Your Shower Remodel

When planning a bathroom remodel, choosing the right shower materials is an important part of the design process. Appearance is certainly a factor, but maintenance, durability, and functionality are just as important.

At Premier Kitchens & Baths, two of the most common materials we work with are traditional tile and solid-surface products from The Onyx Collection. Both have their advantages, and there's also the option of combining the two, which happens to be one of my personal favorites.

Let's take a closer look at the differences and what you should consider when making your selections.

Traditional Tile Showers

Tile offers tremendous flexibility when it comes to shower design. With the variety of sizes, colors, textures, and patterns available, it's possible to create anything from a simple, timeless shower to something much more detailed and customized.

Tile also allows for design features such as accent walls, decorative niches, and contrasting materials that can really make a shower stand out.

The primary consideration with tile is maintenance, particularly the grout. While today's grout products have come a long way, grout lines still require regular cleaning, and some products may require periodic sealing.

It's also important to understand that tile and grout themselves are not the waterproofing system. A properly installed waterproofing system beneath the tile is essential for a successful, long-lasting shower.

For homeowners who prioritize design flexibility, tile remains an excellent option.

The Onyx Collection: A Low-Maintenance Alternative

For homeowners looking to minimize maintenance, The Onyx Collection offers another approach.

Onyx shower systems use solid-surface wall panels and shower bases, eliminating the traditional grout lines associated with tile.

One of the biggest benefits is ease of cleaning. Without grout throughout the shower, there are fewer areas for soap residue and buildup to accumulate. The joints between panels still require proper sealing and maintenance, but overall upkeep is relatively straightforward.

Onyx is also available in a variety of colors, finishes, and patterns, including options that replicate the appearance of subway tile and natural stone.

While there are plenty of attractive options, the design possibilities aren't quite as extensive as they are with individual tile. However, for homeowners who prefer a streamlined appearance and minimal maintenance, an Onyx shower can be an excellent choice.

Combining the Best of Both: Onyx Bases with Tile Walls

One of my favorite approaches to shower design is combining an Onyx shower base with tiled walls.

This combination addresses one of the biggest maintenance concerns with a fully tiled shower: the shower floor.

Traditional tiled shower floors typically require smaller tiles to accommodate the slope toward the drain. That means numerous grout lines in an area that's exposed to water every time the shower is used.

An Onyx shower base eliminates those floor grout lines while providing a finished shower surface designed for proper drainage.

Pairing that base with tile walls gives homeowners the benefit of a low-maintenance shower floor without limiting their wall design selections.

It's a practical combination that works particularly well for homeowners who love the appearance of tile but would prefer to reduce the amount of grout in their shower.

And with the growing availability of large-format tile, this combination has become even more appealing.

Large-Format Tile: A Different Approach to Shower Design

One of the developments in tile design that I particularly like is the increasing availability of large-format porcelain tile.

While 12-by-24-inch tile has been a popular selection for years, we're now seeing more options in sizes such as 24 by 48 inches.

The advantage isn't just the appearance. Larger tiles mean fewer grout joints, creating a cleaner, more continuous surface while reducing the amount of grout that needs to be maintained.

For example, using 24-by-48-inch tile on shower walls can significantly reduce the number of grout lines compared with smaller tile formats. The exact number depends on the shower dimensions, layout, and placement of niches or other features, but the difference can be substantial.

Large-format tiles are particularly attractive in marble-look and natural stone-look finishes, where fewer grout joints allow the pattern to flow more naturally across the walls.

There are additional installation considerations, however. Large-format tile requires careful planning, properly prepared surfaces, and experienced installation to achieve the best results.

When you combine 24-by-48-inch tile walls with an Onyx shower base, you get a shower with no grout on the floor and relatively few grout lines on the walls.

For me, that offers an excellent balance between the appearance and customization of tile and the practical benefits of a solid-surface base.

How Do the Costs Compare?

Cost is another important consideration, and there's no universal answer as to which material is more economical.

With a traditional tile shower, material selections, tile size, installation patterns, waterproofing requirements, and labor all influence the final price.

Onyx pricing depends on factors such as shower dimensions, panel selections, base configurations, and accessories.

Combining an Onyx base with tile walls introduces another option, and depending on the materials selected, it may fall within a similar price range to other shower configurations.

The best approach is to evaluate the options based on the specific project rather than assume one material will always be more affordable.

Finding the Right Fit for Your Bathroom

Ultimately, the best shower material depends on your priorities.

A fully tiled shower provides the greatest design flexibility, while an all-Onyx shower is an attractive choice for homeowners focused on minimizing maintenance.

For those looking for a balance of both, an Onyx shower base paired with tile walls, particularly large-format tile, is an option I highly recommend considering.

At Premier Kitchens & Baths, we work with homeowners to select materials that complement their design preferences while also making sense for their everyday needs.

If you're considering a bathroom remodel, visit our showroom in Greencastle, Pennsylvania. We have both tile and Onyx shower displays, giving you the opportunity to compare materials, finishes, and design options in person.

We look forward to helping you plan your next project!

Pay Attention Now. Plan Better Later

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 17:01:49 GMT

Why the holidays are the best time to notice what isn’t working

The holiday season has a way of making you notice things about your home that you normally ignore or brush off. Spaces that usually feel “fine” suddenly don’t. Not because anything changed, but because your home is being used harder than it is the rest of the year.

And that’s when design flaws tend to show up.

Suddenly there’s no prep space. Countertops are covered with cookies and ingredients, and you’re standing there holding a cookie sheet wondering where you’re supposed to put it while you scoop dough. Storage that normally feels adequate disappears fast. Everyone somehow ends up sitting in the same spot. Coats land on the bed because there’s nowhere else for them. Shoes are everywhere. And somehow, there’s always a line for the bathroom.

You start asking yourself questions you don’t normally think about.

See what I mean?

This time of year isn’t about fixing everything. It’s about paying attention and taking note, especially if you’re thinking about remodeling next year. The holidays put your home under pressure, and pressure reveals how a space really functions, not just how it works on an average weekday.

January is when things slow down, but the memories are still fresh. What worked? What became annoying faster than you expected? What do you never use? And what did you catch yourself wishing for over and over again while cooking, baking, and hosting?

Those thoughts matter. They’re not just frustrations. They’re information.

When we start with real-life observations, we can design spaces that flow better, function smarter, and support the way you actually live. The goal isn’t perfection or a picture-perfect kitchen. It’s a home that works with you, not against you.

That’s how the next holiday season feels easier. Less navigating around cabinets and clutter, and more time focused on the people in your space, not the things getting in your way.

If the holidays brought a few “why does this always happen?” moments, you’re not alone. When you’re ready, we can walk through what you noticed and start planning a space that works better for everyday life and for those busy seasons.

Reach out anytime to get started. Contact Us

The Thanksgiving Kitchen vs. The Everyday Kitchen

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 20:00:10 GMT

The Thanksgiving Kitchen vs. The Everyday Kitchen

Most kitchens are used the same way, every day.
Coffee. Breakfast. Dinner. Repeat.

But then there’s Thanksgiving.

That one day where the kitchen turns into controlled chaos.
Three people trying to cook. Someone hovering by the oven.
Kids parked at the island. Casseroles lining every flat surface.

And interestingly…
a lot of kitchens are designed more for that day than for Tuesday night dinner.

That’s not a bad thing.

While most families don’t host big gatherings every week, they know those moments matter.

They remember how it felt growing up.

And for me, Thanksgiving really was the holiday.

My mom had ten siblings, which meant around thirty cousins, and as many of us that could would get together every year. It was loud, chaotic, and a total hot mess… and it was perfect.

Fast forward to adult life, we still get together the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It’s a smaller crowd now, but somehow it carries the same feeling. Same energy. Same comfort.

That holiday wasn’t just a big dinner.
It was the foundation.

It’s where we talked about faith, shared testimonies, and listened to my grandpa tell story after story about God’s provision in his life. It’s where true gratitude for our Savior was made real — not just spoken, but felt.

And I think that’s why so many people design their kitchens the way they do.

They might not cook huge meals weekly.
They might not host often.
But they know, deep down, that when they do, it matters.

That’s why they want the big island.
The double wall ovens.
The extra fridge space.
The pantry that might feel “over the top.”
That long counter just for serving.

It’s not about daily use.
It’s about the moments when everyone’s there.

Most people don’t realize they’re designing for their busiest season, not their most common one.
It’s not practical thinking. It’s generational thinking.

Because the kitchen isn’t just where the food is.
It’s where people land.
Where conversations happen.
Where stories get retold every year.
Where someone always ends up doing dishes even after you tell them not to.

Ready to start designing your Thanksgiving kitchen?
Let Premier Kitchens & Baths bring your vision to life. Contact us today to schedule your design consultation.

Photography by Premier Kitchens & Baths. Design by Premier Kitchens & Baths, Greencastle, PA .

Some spaces exist for routine.
Some exist for memory.

The kitchen quietly does both.

And maybe that’s why people are willing to invest in them…
even for the days that only come a few times a year.

Because a good kitchen doesn’t just support daily life.
It holds space for the moments that stay with you.

Behind The Build: How This Huge New Construction Project Came Together One Space At A Time

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 19:43:49 GMT

Walking Through One of Our Biggest New-Construction Projects

New builds always look calm and effortless in photos, but anyone who has lived through one knows there is nothing effortless about it. This project started without a clear vision and slowly grew into something layered, thoughtful, and full of custom details. Every space had a personality of its own, and seeing it all come together was one of the most rewarding parts of my job.

Here is how we brought this home to life from the very first sketch to the final reveal.

This project did not start with some dreamy, Pinterest perfect vision. Honestly, it did not start with much of a vision at all. We went through round after round of preliminary designs, revisions, curveballs and window placements that were absolutely not where we expected them, before anything started to take shape. And even then, once the walls were up, we had to make a few more tweaks because real world construction never matches the blueprint exactly.

But that is the fun part.

This one was huge. It included a large kitchen, a hidden walk-in pantry, a laundry room, a fireplace surround, TV built ins, office storage, a walk-in closet with an island, a master bath with two full walls of cabinetry, plus two upstairs bathrooms. And do not forget the cutest little coat nook tucked off the back door.

It was a lot. And it was so much fun.

I treated it like each space was its own project. There is this old saying: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. That is exactly how I tackled this house.

The Great Pantry Debate

The pantry was one of the biggest discussion points. Swing the door in? Or do double doors that swing out? The “door swings in” team won — but then we had to engineer how to actually make that work.

With a single wall right inside the pantry entrance, we couldn’t do the typical hidden-pantry-look you see on Instagram. We needed a door that functioned like a real door but still looked seamless with the cabinetry. Enter our amazing cabinet builders at Conococheague Carpentry . They came up with a hidden bookshelf-style pivot hinge system that made the whole thing work beautifully.

Sometimes the smallest design problems turn into the coolest solutions.

The Homeowners’ Vision Comes Into Focus

Once I met the homeowners, their wish list came into play. And let me tell you… they had a vision once we got rolling.

They wanted:
• cabinetry to the ceiling
• a 36-inch range and a separate wall oven
• a long counter between the living room and kitchen for entertaining
• a walk-in pantry with a door that swings in
• a full-depth refrigerator recessed into the wall
• seating for 6–8 at the island
• glass cabinets with lighting
• a black hood that made a statement
• and a warm, traditional style with depth, texture, corbels, legs, and all the pretty details

Very different from my personal style… but that’s exactly what I love. Designing for them, not me.

Their original blueprint had a great kitchen layout, so we didn’t need to reinvent it. But the pantry and bathroom? Yeah, those took some wrestling.

Rethinking the Bathroom

Originally, the plans had a walk-through shower open on both sides. Gorgeous idea, but it did not work with the entire wall of cabinetry right beside it, it was going to be way too tight.

We closed off one side of the shower, reworked the layout a few times, and eventually landed on a design that gave them the storage they wanted without compromising the flow of the room.

Once the layout was locked, we finally got to the fun part: selections.

Countertop Moments

We used several countertop materials throughout the home, but two spaces stole the show.

The kitchen features Cambria Halewood — warm, timeless, and absolutely stunning in person.
The master bath has Cambria Hermitage, which brings this soft, elegant luxury to the whole room.

We did hit a few bumps along the way (RIP to the discontinued tile selections we loved), but everything ultimately fell into place.

Projects like this are why I love being a designer. Every space had its own set of decisions, challenges, and solutions, but watching everything come together into a home that fits the people living in it is the best feeling. From the bold black hood to the hidden pantry door to that sweet little back door nook, every detail played a part in the final story.

If you are starting a new construction project and want someone who can walk through each phase with you, one bite at a time, I would love to help bring your ideas to life.

Ready to start?
Let Premier Kitchens & Baths bring your vision to life. Contact us today to schedule your design consultation.

Photography by Premier Kitchens & Baths and Indie Elephant Productions. Design by Premier Kitchens & Baths, Greencastle, PA .

Starting From Scratch (Literally)

The kitchen kicked off with what I call a blind design, meaning our contractor Dwyane from Precise Construction Services LLC asked me to lay something out just to get the ball rolling before I had even met the homeowners. I took a swing at it, fully expecting it to change later, and wild enough, the final version was not too far off from that very first concept.

That is how the process goes. We try things. We try other things. We circle back. We flip designs upside down and sideways until everyone can look at it and say, yes, that is the one. I want my clients to know we leave no stone unturned and every idea, good, bad, chaotic or brilliant, gets its moment.

Selections & Style

The cabinetry finishes became the backbone of the whole home.
• Most of the cabinetry is Accessible Beige, lightened with 50% white.
• The hood and island are Tricorn Black with a distressed finish.
• The TV built-ins and office cabinetry are painted Greek Villa.

We added specialty features everywhere — the kind of things that make a house actually work for the people living in it.

The kitchen got a swing out pantry, several spice pull-outs, roll-out trays, charging drawers, and even pull-out storage inside the decorative sink legs. The laundry room has basket storage and pull-out drying racks. The master bath has a hot tools drawer with interior outlets. And the office has a pull-out designed specifically for the printer.

It’s the tiny conveniences that make life smoother.

My Surprise Favorite Space

Out of every room in this massive build, the little closet nook by the back door ended up being my favorite. It’s tiny, charming, and adds so much character to a space that most people barely think about. Sometimes these unexpected corners end up making the biggest impact.

A Fresh Start in Hagerstown: Transitional Design Meets Custom Craftsmanship

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 18:10:43 GMT

Explore this Hagerstown, MD kitchen remodel featuring Sherwin-Williams Interesting Aqua cabinetry, real brick veneer, and custom design by Premier Kitchens & Baths.

At Premier Kitchens & Baths, we believe every kitchen tells a story, and this one in Hagerstown, Maryland is about balance: style meeting function, color meeting warmth, and creativity meeting craftsmanship. What began as a cramped, awkward layout became a custom-designed space that feels open, intentional, and full of character.

The Challenge

The original kitchen layout was doing the homeowners no favors. The dishwasher and cooktop were nearly touching , making cooking and cleanup a daily obstacle course. A drafty downdraft vent let in cold air from outside, the refrigerator intruded into the walkway , and plenty of wall space sat underused. The homeowners loved their home but were ready for a kitchen that finally worked as hard as they did.

The Vision

The goal was a transitional kitchen, timeless yet current, with custom details and better functionality. The homeowners wanted warmth, color, and a touch of personality. From day one, they had one non-negotiable: a real brick veneer accent wall to bring texture and authenticity to the space.

The Design Plan

We partnered with JMG Fine Cabinetry and Home Co. to bring the vision to life. The custom cabinetry , painted Interesting Aqua by Sherwin Williams , brightens the space while keeping it calm and welcoming. To balance the color, Knotty Alder wood accents with a custom stain add warmth and texture.

We replaced the separate cooktop and wall ovens with a freestanding range, opening up counter space and simplifying the flow. The dishwasher moved to the left of the farm sink, creating a smoother prep zone. At the center of it all, a custom hood anchors the space above a blue floral decorative tile backsplash, a focal point that brings soft pattern and personality.

Smart Space Solutions

Great design is about the details that make daily life easier.

Pull-out spice rack and pots-and-pans organizer keep essentials at your fingertips.
A floor-to-ceiling pantry with roll-out trays replaced the old stick-built version.
A recessed pantry cabinet was built into the cavity beneath the stairs for additional storage.
Behind the refrigerator, a slim broom closet puts unused inches to work.

The Finishing Touches

A furniture-style sink base and matching coffee station bring a handcrafted look that ties the cabinetry together. Glass cabinet doors lighten the layout, while the brick veneer wall the homeowners insisted on from the start became the heart of the room — rich, tactile, and grounding.

The Result

The finished kitchen now flows perfectly. It’s bright, functional, and completely personalized to how the homeowners live. Every detail works together, from the layout and cabinetry to the warm color palette and subtle textures. It’s always rewarding to take a space that once felt awkward and turn it into something that feels intentional, comfortable, and truly one of a kind.

Ready to start your own kitchen transformation?
Let Premier Kitchens & Baths bring your vision to life. Contact us today to schedule your design consultation.

Blog | Premier Kitchens & Baths LLC

Tile, Onyx, or Both? Choosing the Right Shower for Your Bathroom Remodel

Tile vs. Onyx: Choosing the Right Materials for Your Shower Remodel

Traditional Tile Showers

The Onyx Collection: A Low-Maintenance Alternative

﻿

Combining the Best of Both: Onyx Bases with Tile Walls

Large-Format Tile: A Different Approach to Shower Design

How Do the Costs Compare?

Finding the Right Fit for Your Bathroom

Pay Attention Now. Plan Better Later

Why the holidays are the best time to notice what isn’t working

The Thanksgiving Kitchen vs. The Everyday Kitchen

The Thanksgiving Kitchen vs. The Everyday Kitchen

Behind The Build: How This Huge New Construction Project Came Together One Space At A Time

Walking Through One of Our Biggest New-Construction Projects

﻿ The Great Pantry Debate

The Homeowners’ Vision Comes Into Focus

﻿ Rethinking the Bathroom

Countertop Moments

Starting From Scratch (Literally)

﻿ Selections & Style

﻿ My Surprise Favorite Space

A Fresh Start in Hagerstown: Transitional Design Meets Custom Craftsmanship

Explore this Hagerstown, MD kitchen remodel featuring Sherwin-Williams Interesting Aqua cabinetry, real brick veneer, and custom design by Premier Kitchens & Baths.

The Challenge

The Vision

The Design Plan

Smart Space Solutions

The Finishing Touches

The Result

Photography and design by Premier Kitchens & Baths, Greencastle, PA.

The Great Pantry Debate

Rethinking the Bathroom

Selections & Style

My Surprise Favorite Space