Alcove Units – Best Solution?

travis-powers

ThisIsWeird said:

paperclap said:

Thanks travis-powers!

I don't think scribing over the tiles will ever look right, really.

So, thinking, I set the unit back 5mm, and make the top surface flush with the face of the chimney breast.

I doubt very much you will notice it.

So I'd personally still go for the size of unit I'd prefer, and not compromise over such a tiny detail. And, to my eye, having the units slightly forward of the breast looks best, even if just 25mm. It's also the design of the 'pro' example (tho' more than 25mm).

Surf for more pics if needed, but I'd take your cue from what you know will look best, because you'll have the evidence from having 'seen' it.

Do you know what setting the unit back 5mm from the breast will look like? No, nor me! :-)

Here’s a shadow gap, excuse the state of the paintwork, I didn’t know how bad it was till I looked at the photo.
I also sent the top past the corner, I personally wouldn’t finish the top flush with corner however it’s not my job or my home but try it and if you don’t like it you can always cut it flush.
I do agree with ThisIsWeird in so much as the tile scribe wouldn’t be noticeable but if it’s a detail that would bug you then I understand.

ThisIsWeird

That shadow gap is soooo good that I cannot see it

travis-powers

ThisIsWeird said:

That shadow gap is soooo good that I cannot see it

My computer skills are on par with my painting skills.

paperclap

I don't think it's a bad thing to have a shadow gap actually. Had never heard of it until this thread, but seems widely used in architecture and interior design, to purposefully differentiate two objects / surfaces / etc.

I'm just not sure scribing to the tiles would look right. I'd have to scribe inwards (toward the fireplace) by say, 2cm, to get it even both sides. That's not a problem. But where it'll look weird, is where the floor and fireplace tiles don't align. Don't know. It seems it's quite a unique situation, as can't find any similar images! Hard to visualise! 

travis-powers

paperclap said:

I don't think it's a bad thing to have a shadow gap actually. Had never heard of it until this thread, but seems widely used in architecture and interior design, to purposefully differentiate two objects / surfaces / etc.

I'm just not sure scribing to the tiles would look right. I'd have to scribe inwards (toward the fireplace) by say, 2cm, to get it even both sides. That's not a problem. But where it'll look weird, is where the floor and fireplace tiles don't align. Don't know. It seems it's quite a unique situation, as can't find any similar images! Hard to visualise! 

I always use a shadow gap if I can when two different materials ie plaster and timber for reasons I’ve mentioned.
 Can you do a mock up so you can see in real time what the finish item would look like just to help you visualise?

ThisIsWeird

travis-powers said:

ThisIsWeird said:

That shadow gap is soooo good that I cannot see it

My computer skills are on par with my painting skills.

Ah, now it appears!

Where is the shadow gap - I don't get it :-(

ThisIsWeird

paperclap said:

I don't think it's a bad thing to have a shadow gap actually. Had never heard of it until this thread, but seems widely used in architecture and interior design, to purposefully differentiate two objects / surfaces / etc.

I'm just not sure scribing to the tiles would look right. I'd have to scribe inwards (toward the fireplace) by say, 2cm, to get it even both sides. That's not a problem. But where it'll look weird, is where the floor and fireplace tiles don't align. Don't know. It seems it's quite a unique situation, as can't find any similar images! Hard to visualise! 

I'm struggling to understand the issue, tbh. Could you highlight with a sketch?

I am as certain as a certain thing that, unless you are OCD, you will simply not notice such a tiny detail down on the floor. You are certainly unlikely to be able to compare the two sides - folk just don't do that!

It's like when you sand and stain a timber floor - you can get fixated on what the small test patch looks like. In reality, people come in and see a whole floor, not a square foot of it.

travis-powers

It’s the space between the corner of the wall and the unit, it just a generic term!
It’s good practice in this kind of situation, never go flush!

paperclap

Thanks both. I see all your points. Not trying to get fixated or OCD about things, but I’m only going to do this once, you know 

I think if I think back to what the original goal was: to have it flush with the face of the chimney breast. It makes more sense to step it back (with the shadow gap by 5mm), then it does to step it forward substantially.

I’ll clear the space this weekend and try to lay out something visual to get a better idea. But, I’m leaning toward stepping it back with the shadow gap if I’m honest, as it’s more inline with what the original plan was!

ThisIsWeird

paperclap said:

Thanks both. I see all your points. Not trying to get fixated or OCD about things, but I’m only going to do this once, you know 

I think if I think back to what the original goal was: to have it flush with the face of the chimney breast. It makes more sense to step it back (with the shadow gap by 5mm), then it does to step it forward substantially.

I’ll clear the space this weekend and try to lay out something visual to get a better idea. But, I’m leaning toward stepping it back with the shadow gap if I’m honest, as it’s more inline with what the original plan was!

It can be stepped forwards by only 5mm too - it doesn't have to be any more substantial than a step back.

But 5mm might just be too small either way, and perhaps look like an error; folk might look at it and wonder why it ain't 'flush', thinking that was the intended idea (even tho' flush would be 'wrong'). And, if the wall isn't exactly plumb, the 5mm shadowline will certainly highlight any error.

Any chance of a close-up photo and/or sketch of the tile issue, so we can see if there is an issue :-)