Hello Marcia, Sorry to come so late to this party. I know you said that your husband likes "uniform finishes" but I'd like to suggest a tile which I installed a while back and was very pleased with the results. There is a subtle pinstripe to the tile, but you (and your husband) may find that you like the variation better than a monochrome? It's a rectified porcelain from Walker Zanger called "Groove" and it's available in 7 colors in 18"x18' field and 4"x18" bullnose trim. Here are a couple shots of the project I installed. The color was "Lava", the darkest in the series. This first shot is a close up of the shower pan mosaic I cut down from the 18" field tiles. (The tiles are skewed because I haven't racked them into line yet) This next is a view with the white wall tile for contrast. Just thought it might be worth considering? Shaughnn Here is a link that might be useful: Walker Zanger catalog

Mamma dukes, I'm not quite understanding. Currently, on the wall left of the door are the broom hooks, which can move. On the other side of the wall are the integrated refrigerator and freezer of the new kitchen. Oh!! I get it now. That's what you meant--the outside. You meant to open up the wall? Couldn't be done anyway, because it's holding up the stairs. They couldn't even bring in a new outlet in that wall. Thanks for the idea, though. Dapitou, the slatwall is an interesting idea, but I'm worried it would just add bulk pushing into the center walking space without giving me much that I can't get from the shelving I already have. I can see that in a garage it's really useful for keeping the floor clear of feet, but how would you use it in a narrow space to make the most of the volume? B'more, I like the idea of hooks for the chairs. Maybe even bicycle hooks. I'd have to pad them, but I think that's better than just standing them on their sides. Rather than slatwall, there's no reason I can't put the hooks and shelves right into the wall. I don't know if I need differing depths of shelves, but it's certainly something to look at! I never even thought of a hook for the vacuum hose. That's a great idea. Actually...these slatwall and hook recommendations are making me think of things like hanging tools, as well. Over in the short area, I could put up hooks for the power tools, rasps and other assorted tools that I hate rummaging for since I use them so little. Mostly, I use the screwdriver and pliers that live in the bottom drawer in the kitchen. :) Eliminating the tool box makes more room for the chairs and uses a difficult piece of wall. Just an Osterizer (assuming you wouldn't want to use the Cuisinart), but it needs a home too! It's currently in a box on the floor in the kitchen. But...I could just put the margarita maker in the pantry, or even unbox it and put it in a drawer... :D

UPDATE: The foreman came back with his lead plumber and another worker today. They removed the shower trim to check the valves from inside the shower and didn't see anything so they cut into the wall behind the shower to look at the pipes and valves. They found a leak from a loose connection between the pipes. (It was the pipe that goes to the handheld shower.) The plumber soldered the pipe. They are hoping that this is the fix to the leak. The team did not open the ceiling to look at the pan, drain, and plumbing since they found the leak in the other location. The foreman agreed to replace the ceiling though. I'm hopeful, but a couple of things seem odd. The leak happened after almost 6 months of use and the leak is not constant. It's only happened a few times even though we use the shower every day. Once we became aware of it, we noticed that it happens after the shower is turned off. Also, as I mentioned above, I noticed a wet area above the seam in the tiled shower entrance. Today, I noticed another wet area near the previous one and it I noticed it a couple of hours after the shower had been turned off (and after work had been done on the shower). Here are pictures of the plumbing and the new wet spot on the tile.

I had the same issue with my kitchen, where to stop the backsplash. I was very concerned about the blank wall above the counter. Although, my concern is different than yours, these decisions are difficult. Then, without consulting me, the tile installer finished the job. It was a condo remodel in Naples, FL and I live in IL. It was during Covid and I had no way of being there. As it turned out, I’m happy with the way it turned out. I guess the installer is knowledgeable where to stop it. I would agree with the idea of not putting tile to the ceiling. Good luck.