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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Will I learn to love it?

111 replies

Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 16:42

Bathroom just done after months and months of planning.
Wood effect tiles and asked for same colour grout.

They've gone and put grey grout!

Didn't get a chance to see it until it was dry. Apparently this is the closest colour to their eyes.

So annoyed.
Have looked up changing it on YouTube but can't trust I won't make it worse.

First world probs I know. Literally no £ left to get someone else.

Have you had renovation disappointments you've learned to love?

OP posts:
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Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 20/06/2026 00:27

FeistyFrankie · 19/06/2026 19:05

OP it looks fab!! Give it a couple of days and see if you start to like it.

Thank you. I'm glad people don't think it's ugly as it was a risk posting on here.
Will give it time.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 20/06/2026 00:26

Frumpitydoo · 19/06/2026 16:05

It is not an immediate thing you have to do now. Save up and get it done further down the line? Having experienced shitty trades people recently i gave up and learned how to plaster, diagnose plumbing problems, paint and decorate to a decent standard and can now find my way around my power tools. Saved me a fortune, heaps of cash and so much stress.

Thank you. That's true, I have a tendency of wanting things done Now!
Don't have the £ anyway, so will wait and hopefully learn to accept it.

Well done on learning all that, sure does save on £ and unnecessary stress.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 20/06/2026 00:24

ChampagneCharly · 19/06/2026 15:51

I think it looks great, but also I’ve learnt over time, you’re just focussing on the floor at the moment as it annoys you so much, in time I don’t think you’ll notice it nearly as much when you take in the whole room.
As for the short fused fitter ….. be thankful you’re not married to him! Who could live with that full time? His household must be walking on eggshells! 😌

Thank you. True, poor woman married to such.
I'll try and not focus so much and think of the good bits.

OP posts:
MrsCarmelaSoprano · 19/06/2026 19:28

godmum56 · 19/06/2026 10:41

I hope you got the doors removed IMMEDIATELY

Show quote history

Too bloody right I did.

FeistyFrankie · 19/06/2026 19:05

OP it looks fab!! Give it a couple of days and see if you start to like it.

Frumpitydoo · 19/06/2026 16:05

It is not an immediate thing you have to do now. Save up and get it done further down the line? Having experienced shitty trades people recently i gave up and learned how to plaster, diagnose plumbing problems, paint and decorate to a decent standard and can now find my way around my power tools. Saved me a fortune, heaps of cash and so much stress.

ChampagneCharly · 19/06/2026 15:51

I think it looks great, but also I’ve learnt over time, you’re just focussing on the floor at the moment as it annoys you so much, in time I don’t think you’ll notice it nearly as much when you take in the whole room.
As for the short fused fitter ….. be thankful you’re not married to him! Who could live with that full time? His household must be walking on eggshells! 😌

godmum56 · 19/06/2026 10:41

MrsCarmelaSoprano · 19/06/2026 10:05

When we had workmen here a few years ago I came home to them hanging doors THEY had chosen ,they'd actually gone off and bought what they thought I'd like without even ringing me🙄😱 Of course they weren't what I wanted at all.

Pisses me right off you have to be on top of things so much and as suggested earlier you shouldn't have to employ a designer to organise what's going on,it's a bathroom not a Buckingham Palace refit.

I hope you got the doors removed IMMEDIATELY

Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 19/06/2026 10:10

MrsCarmelaSoprano · 19/06/2026 10:05

When we had workmen here a few years ago I came home to them hanging doors THEY had chosen ,they'd actually gone off and bought what they thought I'd like without even ringing me🙄😱 Of course they weren't what I wanted at all.

Pisses me right off you have to be on top of things so much and as suggested earlier you shouldn't have to employ a designer to organise what's going on,it's a bathroom not a Buckingham Palace refit.

Oh gosh, doors 😲!!

Probably some left over ones from a previous project. The cheek of it.

Agree, not everyone is able to be there every moment of every single day.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 19/06/2026 10:07

godmum56 · 19/06/2026 09:49

I have got proper wood flooring, real planks. As it has worn in over the last 15 years, that is exactly what it looks like where the dirt has worn into the joints. If you want it to look like you have wood planks, that is exactly right. As the poster above me said, I don't think lighter grout would lighten the room

Edited

Thank you, that's good to hear. Will have to suckling it up.

**Disclaimer/dripfeed alert:
Bath is also too small. I went for a 700 width when I could have gone for a 750.
So uncomfortable bathing and maybe im just sad about it all and easier to blame him. 😫

OP posts:
MrsCarmelaSoprano · 19/06/2026 10:05

When we had workmen here a few years ago I came home to them hanging doors THEY had chosen ,they'd actually gone off and bought what they thought I'd like without even ringing me🙄😱 Of course they weren't what I wanted at all.

Pisses me right off you have to be on top of things so much and as suggested earlier you shouldn't have to employ a designer to organise what's going on,it's a bathroom not a Buckingham Palace refit.

Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 19/06/2026 10:04

noshade · 19/06/2026 09:31

I really don't think lighter grout could make the room feel lighter. Do you have a bigger photo so we can see how the room looks?

Edited
Show quote history

Thank you, but am scared of him/partner finding this and knowing it's me.
Never thought I'd post about being scared of being outed. 👀

OP posts:
Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 19/06/2026 10:02

Flamingojune · 19/06/2026 09:28

It sounds like the pain of having him back is worse than living with the tiles. I'd choose the latter and chalk it up to experience

Thank you, it sure is, unfortunately. I'm counting down to 10 years when I can possibly redecorate. ⏰️

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Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 19/06/2026 10:01

Retro12 · 19/06/2026 09:28

If you asked for a different colour and they haven’t followed your request, then I think they should really change it at their own cost.
That said, just playing devil’s advocate — floor tile grout never stays the same colour anyway. Over time, washing and general dirt tend to get ingrained, which makes it appear darker.
So if fixing it is going to cost you time and money, I’d probably just leave it as it is.

Show quote history

Thank you. Possibly what's frustrating is not being listened to.
He had to out up a painting at a certain height, he did his own thing as apparently it looked stupid where I'd wanted it.

Not sure if he gets mixed up with other client requests or what as it has been quite a few things.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 19/06/2026 09:58

DeftWasp · 19/06/2026 09:20

I'm in the building trade, it looks good to me, the effect is of floorboards, where it is just dark between, if you used brown wood coloured grout that would look pretty crappy in my opinion.

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Thank you, great to hear from an experienced tradie.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 19/06/2026 09:56

broader · 19/06/2026 08:27

I think you might be able to get used to it. It looks great and is also easier to keep clean than lighter grout.

Thank you. Appreciating all the positive takes.
Currently away and all I can think of is walking back to that!

OP posts:
godmum56 · 19/06/2026 09:49

I have got proper wood flooring, real planks. As it has worn in over the last 15 years, that is exactly what it looks like where the dirt has worn into the joints. If you want it to look like you have wood planks, that is exactly right. As the poster above me said, I don't think lighter grout would lighten the room

noshade · 19/06/2026 09:31

Beingseenisneedy · 19/06/2026 08:15

Thank you, appreciate there is some grey in the grain but felt a lighter grout would make the room feel lighter too.
Wish they'd shown me first. Lucky you had good a decorator, as should be.

Show quote history

I really don't think lighter grout could make the room feel lighter. Do you have a bigger photo so we can see how the room looks?

Flamingojune · 19/06/2026 09:28

It sounds like the pain of having him back is worse than living with the tiles. I'd choose the latter and chalk it up to experience

Retro12 · 19/06/2026 09:28

Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 16:42

Bathroom just done after months and months of planning.
Wood effect tiles and asked for same colour grout.

They've gone and put grey grout!

Didn't get a chance to see it until it was dry. Apparently this is the closest colour to their eyes.

So annoyed.
Have looked up changing it on YouTube but can't trust I won't make it worse.

First world probs I know. Literally no £ left to get someone else.

Have you had renovation disappointments you've learned to love?

If you asked for a different colour and they haven’t followed your request, then I think they should really change it at their own cost.
That said, just playing devil’s advocate — floor tile grout never stays the same colour anyway. Over time, washing and general dirt tend to get ingrained, which makes it appear darker.
So if fixing it is going to cost you time and money, I’d probably just leave it as it is.

DeftWasp · 19/06/2026 09:20

Beingseenisneedy · 18/06/2026 21:30

Looks black but it's a dark grey.

I'm in the building trade, it looks good to me, the effect is of floorboards, where it is just dark between, if you used brown wood coloured grout that would look pretty crappy in my opinion.

broader · 19/06/2026 08:27

I think you might be able to get used to it. It looks great and is also easier to keep clean than lighter grout.

Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 19/06/2026 08:24

Blueuggboots · 19/06/2026 08:20

If the tiles aren’t even, you need to get them back.

The tiles are even, but the grout isn't. As in, some is thick, some is thin 😭.

OP posts:
Original poster
Beingseenisneedy · 19/06/2026 08:21

MrsCarmelaSoprano · 19/06/2026 08:08

I think it'll be hard to get him back now you've paid. I've had a really nasty plasterer before, he was recommended too- I can really hold my own but felt really uncomfortable so I know where you're coming from.

I think if you change the seal to match the grouting it'll tie in better ,at the moment the mismatch is drawing your eye the the grouting which you don't like.

Edited

Thank you. Sorry you've went through similar. Why do people recommend such trades!
What I didn't appreciate was the standard the recommender has compared to mine.
You never think of that, but now realise they may have been happy with a subpar finish or the builder has dropped his standards.
Edit: Will do the seal myself. Shouldn't have to but 🤦‍♀️.

OP posts:
Blueuggboots · 19/06/2026 08:20

If the tiles aren’t even, you need to get them back.