DD2 is doing a MBath remodel. DH did the demolition. Tile guy did the floor and shower floor (Daltile hex and dot), shower walls (Daltile 3x6" tile, shower 4x4x8), shower niche, marble pencil trim in shower x 2, marble tiles on shower curb, built shower curb - concrete since she's on slab, shower pan w/preslope, smooth and level floor, did the waterproof backer board on the shower walls (before tiling). Not doing anything around tub. He brought materials, but not tile. $3200. He's been working in her bathroom for 6 days. Will do the grout tomorrow. Works alone. I don't remember what sf of tile I ordered, but I got 9 boxes of hex and 5 subway. Hardly used any of box #5. 34 pieces of cove base (4 sides of shower bottom).

My first glance didn't see the border as "too much", until it was focused on. Then it did seem a bit large. I would live with this for a while and add details as others mentioned. You could play with the tile using contact paper to change tile size, add black trim ect. But even the inspiration pics, there are things I would change. Final thoughts are the pattern is is a bit large and yes to wider black trim. A half round black on top of the upper tiles would work as a detail and easy to install. Not sure painting tiles is the answer. Love the BW ticking shower curtain shown. I just finished my kitchen with BW tile and bead board to bring back the feeling of my little 50s house. It is great to know others are around that have some comfort with this style.

For some reason several notifications popped up today that I never knew were on this thread or a couple others. I thought it may be helpful to some who may read through this (and reassuring to those who were concerned) to see in first two photos the watertight way the shower was structured, then in last two photos are the colors of grout/what I ended up doing (per my original purpose of posting this question on Houzz) : ^^^This red/pink stuff is the waterproof material that was put all over the shower/in niche/etc before the tile went on. And as I had mentioned in prior comments, a large curb was always the plan as you will see in this almost-finished photo :) *Note: The unfinished window is a reflection and not actually in the shower Finally, for those who looked at this thread in search for answers to their own questions about grout colors, I went with Tec Dove Gray Sanded Powergrout on the floor and niche (wherever the hex was), and Tec Silverado Unsanded regular grout on the walls with Powerboost added (to make the unhanded grout a form of Powergrout) on the walls...choosing the lighter gray to soften the bright white so that it would work better with the warm white vanity. The Powergrout has posed no issues whatsoever in the last month since the shower has been used. We did seal the floors/walls for additional mold/mildew/stain resistance. This is a good representation of what the colors of tile and grout look like in reality...the Dove Gray appears a bit softer in person though.

Correct, the same, also in matt: https://www.tile-shop.com/products/tuxedo/tuxedo.html So happy with the outcome in our tiny bathroom after the original nightmare, thanks to the help on this site.