We used 12 x 18 tile with a 1/3 offset. We laid it out on the floor to calculate our rows, starting with the travertine base molding and working up 5 rows before starting our 4 x 4 accent tiles. This left us with about an 11" or 11 1/2" row at the top where the difference is hardly noticeable. We decided that it would look best, and certainly be easiest, not to try to bring this row around to the wall were the tall niche is. Instead, we cut a couple of very large tiles down to a size equal to the accent row so that we could maintain the grout lines. The tall niche was framed in but we didn't finalize the location of the shelf until we knew exactly where the rows of tile would line up. The smaller niche is in our pony wall. As you can see, we put a bullnose on the outside walls of the niches and then cut a tile to line up with it on the inside of the niche walls. I'd prioritize a deeper niche over avoiding a vertical grout line. As long as you have a solid piece, whether it be granite, quartz or tile on the bottom, I wouldn't be concerned about vertical grout lines in the niche. As far as the size of your shelves, I'd want to make sure that my largest bottle could fit with some room to spare. My niches were designed to accomodate my Costco size bottles and I LOVE them! (My son had just taken a shower before this picture was taken so the grout is darkened from the water... not mildew!) I hope this helps!

Mark - thanks for the link. I loved loving at your bathrooms with all their different decorating styles and choices. My original search was for shower niches, thanks trudymom. I don't really like the shower niche you show, but I love having the opportunity to consider it as well as the other specifics of your bathrooms. Just so you can tell what a person in the planning stages might be interested in seeing: Kohler shower bases vs. small grouted tile bold vs. bland countertops various tiling patterns and color use windows in the shower area tile vs. paint in the non-shower portions of the room

flwrs, if you really, really love the look, why don't you just use it decoratively? I like the look and idea of having oils and spices, especially in pretty containers, out on display, but I don't. I don't mean to put anyone down for not knowing this, but oils especially, degrade very quickly with light; then add the extra heat from a range and you're heading for a huge waste. I never buy oils (eg EV olive oil) in the tiny clear, (and expensive) jars because there is no way of knowing how long they've been exposed. I cook extensively and buy my EVOO in the 3 liter cans and fill a half liter decorative jar with a pour spout. I store the can in a lower cabinet below my prep sink and the jar in a pull-out next to my range. I use a LOT of olive oil, so keeping the jar out for 10-14 days wouldn't be bad, but keeping it it dark is second nature to me. If you only cook with these oils occasionally and leave them out, you may not notice the slow degradation. 6-8 months later you'll notice an off smell and possibly wonder why you spent so much money on such an inferior product! Along the same thought, have you noticed that whole wheat and other whole grain flours all say to store in a dark, cool place? Same reason: whole flours, unlike refined, contain oil which can go rancid. I don't use whole flours that much and used to be frustrated because I was always throwing out open bags. After I started keeping them in my freezer, I no longer had the problem. So what I' getting at flwrs, buy pretty condiments at HomeGoods or TJMax, or even make your own, decorate away, and keep the stuff you actually use for cooking stashed below or away from the light and glass flames. I also agree that discussing this topic over in the kitchen forum is a good idea.

Love the idea of green. What about continuing it around the entire room? It’d give a very cohesive, cozy, and sophisticated English library feel, especially with your nice wood trim and beautiful window.