I like larger sizes on the bottom to "weight the wall" and so there are fewer grout lines where more water will land.

Patterns...

*12" 3/4 the way up, then border, then 6" the rest of the way...in various patterns and directions as below....

*12" block pattern bottom 2/3, then border of the 6" turned diagonal, then 6" block to ceiling
*12" block for bottom 2/3; 6" block border, 6" diagonal top

....and other variations of this.

I like diagonal a lot- it widens a wall. The height of border depends on the other elements in the room, like- will the tile continue along the wall outside the shower, ceiling height, and other strong room features you want to bring forward or minimize to attention. hth

i'm also debating on this. another question, if i put a four inch border on the wall in the shower in between the tile - is there an average height? I'm using 12 inch tile - thinking abut putting a 4' border of pebble tile....not sure how high to put it. Thanks.

I'm actually doing a shower right now that's very similar to what you describe, only instead of 6x6 in the middle, it's 2x2's. 3 1/2 rows of 12x12's set straight, 2 rows of 2x2's, and then back to the 12x12's above them, but set diagonally. It's pretty impressive looking. I'll get pics on monday and show you.

Thanks, Bill. I would love to see it. I'll look for your post Monday!

If you don't have any clear reason for a particular height for the border row, it coul dbe a good idea to put it at the height of a full tile; for example, if you have 12"x12" or 13"x13" tiles, run the accent row above four full large tiles. In both bathrooms we've just redone, I planned it out this way with the contractor; he figured out high and low spots and what small adjustments he needed to make it work -- you don't want to start with four full tiles and end up with a sliver or fat grout line somewhere because of an uneven floor or wall, so it may not work out to be exactly four full tiles all the way around, but the amount of cutting may be reduced and, more importantly, it looks like all full-size tiles below the accent row. I'm 100% certain Bill can make it look stunning with 3-1/2 rows ;) but my contractor's suggestion to go four full tiles up meshed well with my guestimate of the height I wanted the accent row, and we're happy with the results. Also think about where you want shower controls, wall bars, shower niches or any other wall interruptions as well, as any of these could also influence where you determine the best height for your break in the wall should fall.

-- Eric

This was taken yesterday, before grouting. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera with me today to get grouted pics, but that's okay-- they changed the curb top from granite slab to tile, so I have to go back on friday once the bullnose comes in, so I'll get finished pics then.

Thanks so much for the photo..I am planning something very similar..except I will have the bottom section with a row of glass tiles, then have the section above be straight again or diagonal.

Thanks again!

Bill, I LOVE that! And I was already doing a shower with 13X13 and 2X2, so I saved this photo!