fivekeils--Thanks for the compliment! It's a combination of Florida Tile's Renaissance pattern in 3x6 and 10x13 sizes in the color 'Grigio' with their Gold Sistine listello tile. The floor of the shower is the matching mosaic tile from the Renaissance collection in 'Grigio' with a border made from ~1/4 piece of the 10x13 tiles. The grout is the color 'Pearl'. The ledge & curb are both a marble sill from Florida Tile. For the niche sides and bottom we chose a turkish marble we got through Best Tile--the tile guy cut the tiles to our specs to make the bottom ledge in the niche. It was a very economically priced tile, but you do need to check around to get the best price--when FL Tile runs a special to the dealers, some pass the savings to the customer & some don't. Also, if you're using a tile guy to do the work, there should be a contractor's discount. Hope this helps! Here is a link that might be useful: Florida Tile Renaissance Page

I believe the "membrane" the OP is talking about going 6 - 8" up the wall is probably the shower pan liner. As long as there is a vapor barrier behind the durock, this may still be a perfectly acceptable shower install. If this is the case, telling the OP that a topical membrane on top of the durock is necessary is just plane bad advice. It might be good to ask more questions and make sure we actually understand the install before telling the OP the shower install is not acceptable. It is possible we are dealing with nothing more than a case of ignorance on the part of the OP and incorrect terminology causing confusion. So: 1. Was a layer of plastic(vapor barrier) installed behind the durock? Don't guess - ASK. 2. Is the membrane the tile guy spoke of a thick, typically gray, piece of rubbery plastic? If so, this is a shower pan liner and durock should be installed afterward and overlap it. 3. What sort of warranty does the tile installer offer?

It would be very helpful if you also answered CT's question about progress of tile job, and my question about what the scope of the floor installation. On this GW forum, it is more than just about color suggestion. We also look at the construction and specs of an appropriate tile installation. CT is a pro at this stuff. I am a DIYer. We don't want your project to fail. Sometimes us GW'ers are pretty specific and can be viewed as critical to a project. We each have our way of communicating. But if you stay with us, and don't shut down the conversation, you will come to a great solution that is right for you. A lot of the time the treads can deviate from the original post. This can be disconcerting to the OP. Within these deviations comes surprise and wisdom, lol. We really do want the best in these projects and the posters work hard at giving feedback. Thanks for listening.

More research...and estimates of cost. 1 wall 39" x 60", 1 wall 65" x 60", 1 pony wall 39" x 15", top of pony wall, 4" x 39". Durock- $155.00 panels 5 = 75 sf = $65.00 Screws 180/ $10.00 Fiberglass mesh Tape $8.00 (1 roll, may need 2.) Thinset adhesive over tape. $30.00??? Type 1 organic adhesive or latex modified thinset mortar Liquid membrane $55.00/gal (will 1 gallon be enough?) Kerdi membrane (plus Durock or drywall first??). $373.00 + (more work taping.) Kerdi membrane 75 sf $163.00 Kerdi screws 2 boxes? $25.00 Kerdi inner corners 2/ $13.00 Kerdi outer corners 4/ $26.00 Kerdi shower arm $8.00 Kerdi faucet $8.00 Unmodified thinset mortar $30.00???? Kerdi board (plus Durock or drywall first??) $379.00 + Kerdi board 6 = $222.00 Kerdi band $38.00 Kerdi screws 2/ $25.00 Kerdi fix $25.00 Unmodified thinset mortar $30?? ?? Kerdi inner corners 2/$13.00 ?? Kerdi outer corners 4/26.00 Wedi board tub surround kit $575.00 5 – 3x5 panels 10 oz joint sealant 1 box washers 100 ct 1 box screws 100 ct 2 flexi collars I know kerdi board says it does not need a backer board or drywall, but I am not sure about that. It also says it can go in front of drywall. Really don't like that. Do I need to waterproof the back side of the pony wall, too? Or just the tub side and the top of the pony wall? Did I leave anything out of the materials list? I couldn't get a price on the unmodified thinset so I guessed. Laticrete Hydro Ban boards- $???? Look like they are as easy to install as Wedi boards. Couldn't find any prices. Wedi might be more expensive, but it is easier and faster to do if I can't find a contractor who has used it. Even with no experience with it, surely he could install it. Maybe?? If he won't, then it will be a DIY situation. Has anyone used Hydro Ban boards? Are they as easy to install as Wedi? Thanks.