I'm not sure if you plan to use the border AS a border or if you're talking about using it all over the floor. I like the onyx scroll border (in option 1 picture) and I like the one with onyx square "dots" (right side of option 2 picture).

I think both of those would look nice with the octagonal tile in option two.

I like the combination of wall/floor in the option 1 picture EXCEPT the main floor tile. Is the main floor tile beige? I don't think that would look good with white wall tile. I think the scroll border compliments the scroll border on the wall.

I actually think what you're describing sounds pretty low-maintenance, as long as you go with a dark grout. (You could use grey since there's grey in the marble.) The color variations in the tile would somewhat hide dirt specks.

kgsd, thanks so much for your opinions, they are very helpful.. I was planning to use the border as a border about 6" in from the wall. The square dots border is actually a large basketweave. I was looking at the border with the shell design on the left side of the octogon. I am assuming you didn't care for that one as much as the scroll design.

The option 1 wall/floor combo does have a beige-ish floor, sort of a limestone color. So you think the octogon marble would be OK maintenance-wise with kids? That is my big fear.

Any thoughts on a white hex tile with a black flower pattern and grey grout?

Ok, well, I agree a white tile with dark grout would look ok, and I used to have that and can confirm that it can be lower maintenance. I don't know if this is something that would be appealing to you and your DH, but I'm going to throw it out there as an idea anyway. Our .5 bath has a dark marble or travertine (it's been called both) that was installed before we moved in and we grouted it with charcoal grout. (I have a similar sink too!) It wasn't ever sealed :c( and doesn't have the luster of a new floor but it still offers a visual. I think something like this would look amazing with that white wall tile and it too is easy to clean. I'm having a hard time envisioning the onyx incorporated into the project, regardless of the floor, but either way, it's food for thought.

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lukkiirish, thanks for sharing that picture. It is beautiful tile and glad to hear it is low maintenance. I hadn't really thought of a dark floor, but will try to visualize it. The natural stone is so pretty. Here is a link to the hex flower floor that is also in consideration...

Here is a link that might be useful: hex flower floor

I wouldn't use the marble in a childs bath as pretty as it is. If you have a boy and he misses the bowl that will etch the marble as well as the result of an upset stomach winding up on the floor. Only takes a few seconds to etch it and it will be permanent until the floor is refinished which isn't cheap.

I like the white subway tile and border. You can do a vitreous glass 3/4" mosaic checkboard with it on the floor in black and white or a blue gray and white, and use a darker grout with it. You can design your own at susanjablon mosaics.com and the vitrous glass isn't expensive. It's opaque with a texture so not slippery when wet. You can even have fun with it and do a gingham or plaid floor with the tiles.

Blondelle, thanks for your help. I will check out the website and play around. So those glass tiles are OK for floors? Have you used them? Thanks again.

I haven't used them but they are fine for floors and very durable. You can also use them for borders and do your own designs there too, and even mix them with hex tiles. American Olean makes unglazed porcelain ones, and also mosaic tile in many shapes and colors to mix. Look on her website and you will see many examples of it used on the floor. It's also used in pools and pool decks.

http://www.hakatai.com also has pre done patterns. After you design your own at susanjablon, copy and paste it into a program where you can repeat the pattern square you made to see if it works and if it's pleasing before ordering it. At Hakatai it's called the classic line. At SJ it's called Spectralight 3/4" Opaque.

Have fun!

I'm planning a bathroom similar to yours, and I'm almost at the same stage. For us, we chose a neutral porcelain terracotta color tile, that has a little bit of a pinkish cast to it instead of orange. It coordinates well with the granite vanity top, and it's a breeze to keep looking clean ... we have had the same type of tile in 3 kitchens. In fact, this tile is the same as the one in our last kitchen, only in a 6 x 6 instead of 12 x 12. We use tan/taupe-ish grey-ish grout.

May I ask about your subway tile choice. I love the base trim on your sample board. It's classic, with just a touch of elegance ... perfect for the baths in our historic house. Will you share your source?

Thanks,
Connie

P.S. Just an opinion ... antique marble floors have the patina of use, which can be really attractive. Maybe marble in your boys' bath will get to be like that after a little while.

Hi Hartwood, the subway tile is from Tile Showcase in Massachusetts. I don't know the name of it, but next time I go, I will look. I found a few more tile boards that I brought home today, will try to post pics later. One is a faux travertine, one is a faux marble pinwheel with black centers and also white hex tile.

I think marble would be fine IF you're going for a certain look. I am using marble basketweave on my floor but the basketweave is honed (not polished) and I'm OK with the "patina" that will develop. I agree that you shouldn't put it in a child's bathroom if you prefer the polished look.

I don't care for the shell border - it looks too busy. (But I like a more classic, streamlined look, so that's just me.)

I do like the hex flower floor, but not with the onyx border - too many different colors going on.

I think the beige floor looks good with the onyx border, but not also with the white tile on the walls.

Hi kgsd, glad to hear you like the beige tile with the border, we are leaing that way again. I am not bothered by the beige with the white subway because there is white marble border on the onyx which I think would tie the white to the floor. Do you think that beige and white don't go well? I was thinking that the beige, which does have very subtle white "veining" would be neutral and light enough. What if I did beadboard instead of the subway?

Beenie, I love that flower pattern and have seen it used in some really nice bathrooms. For me personally though, when I've seen it used in a smaller bathroom, I think it tends to look a little busy. Same with the Onyx, it's beautiful, and would look lovely in certain applications, but I don't think it works with the other elements you've chosen, (but again, that's just me). In contrast, when I look at that pretty white embossed border along with that pretty white subway, it reminds me of Sweeby's bathroom. Understated and elegant. Which is why I think the darker marble would look pretty, as it also leans to the quieter side, and can offer some contrast. If you don't want a dark floor, I also think it would look really if it were cut into 3-4 inch strips used as a border with some sort of a white tile.

I had never thought of dark flooring as an option before either. When bought the our house it was a fixer in need of some love, the bathroom was so aweful to be honest, I didn't even notice the floor and to be honest, I was going to pull it out of there! However, after we fixed some wall and color issues, the tile definately grew on me. We ended up grouting it, and will do something in a few months to help the finish.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sweeby's bathroom

I would do either the onyx border OR the subway tile, but not both. They'd be competing focal points. If you really want the subway tile on the walls, then I'd recommend sticking with just carrara marble (whatever pattern) on the floor, without the border. Or do the onyx border and paint the walls a color that highlights the onyx (yellow of some kind).

Hi Weedyacres, that is good advice. Do you think the beadboard would be OK or do you think that would compete?

just a little update. I have ordered the onyx/marble border for the floor, but have not ordered the tile to go inside and outside of the border. I may try to look for a rectified porcelain calcutta look if I can find the right shape.

I think beadboard is subtle enough that it classes up a room without shouting over the sound of onyx.