I would think any marble or tile with some white in it would work and look nice. A mosaic with some white for the floor would also work, but I wouldn't use too deep a grout with the subways as you wouldn't want the grid pattern too prominent. You can even use any color solid flooring as long as you pick up that color in a liner or border somewhere else. I saw a gorgeous medium grayed brown marble the other day with some white veining in it. Would be stunning with an espresso vanity and a light counter. I also love the larger scaled subway tile for a more modern look, and those with a bevel for interest.

Hi. I can't answer all of your questions, but I have gotten quotes to remove our ceramic tile in entry, kitchen and hallway. The quotes run from $2.00/sq ft to $3.50 sq ft. We live in the midwest, so not sure how it would be in your area. Unfortunately, it is pretty pricey and messy, but should be worth it!

lauriec-I'm always surprised to learn how inexpensive some people get their marble for. I haven't had such luck. Just a word of caution, I purchased calacatta from buildersdepot and they looked terrible. Mabey their cararra is better. I have a sample board of calacatta from GBI tile. The only place in my area that carries their marble is United Tile (not sure if you have one near you). It is beautiful (more so in person) but it is around $29.00 sf. I know this is high but just thought I'd through it out there. I wouldn't concider it mega bucks...I think 40 dollars a sf and up is mega but to each their own. The cheepest yet still good looking marble I found was from Deko. GBI calacatta The lighting isn't so good here. You can see a beveled subway next to it. It's not bad at all. I think even though white subway is stark it has texture because of the grout lines. My husband likes it more than he thought he would. It is what we are going with, but not beveled. Have you checked out Thassos or Statuary marble? Different varieties, even tumbled, might be less expensive. And here is the icky calacatta. I'm not sure how icky it will show on the monitor. No offense to anyone who smokes but it looks like someone smoked sitting right next to it for 20 years. AND actually, the Deko calacatta is on top of the icky calacatta to the very right (the top two tiles on the right top of the icky ones)

Flo, thanks so much. I just got home from the tile shop. I like the basket weave with the black dot (not the dark grey I was considering) and the guy I’ve been working with at the shop suggested just buying field tile that matches the dot and use that as the liner on the rug (cut into 1/2” strips). His thought on the wall is to either use that same liner, to match the dot, or skip it. I’m leaning towards skipping it and letting the floor be the focal point. Do you still think this a tough tiling job? Is it the basket weave or herringbone subway or ...all of it together?. I imagined that the wainscoting would be easy. To answer your question, no I don’t dye my hair at home, but thanks for the heads up.