I never got a detailed invoice but when I talked to the tile in-house designer originally, I remember she checked prices and it was about $5 a tile. I got the floor and ceiling tile from them also and because the talavera was an accent and we didn't order a large quantity, I didn't price it anywhere else. Thanks for the ideas.

I actually ended up going with 1/4" which I regret because it's a lot of grout look, very rustic. I wish I'd gone smaller, but that would have meant A LOT more cuts in the tile. I think the 1/8 would have been perfect. I used unsanded because I used glossy ceramic tile. I've not had any trouble with it, and it's been about a year. My only problem was two edge pieces came off, but it was because they'd not been stuck to the mastic appropriately. I used black tile with black grout. I DO like the look.

Regarding the grout, if you're doing a grout color that is in line with the color(s) in the tile it shouldn't look too busy in any size. I saw a stunning photo the other day of a pretty busy granite, light splash tiles and super dark grout so it doesn't all have to be super muted to blend. As for what the lady said, if you love the 6x6 more than the others, do it. I have short splash on both walls of my kitchen due to cabs and a window so 6x6 would never work but I like the looks of them and didn't realize it was a trend, but what do I know? It's not like squares are some fancy new, trendy shape. ;) Maybe someone else will have better advice on that. Here is a link below. Here is a link that might be useful: Mostly 6x6 backsplash tiles

I don't see a slope on that ceiling. And every shower curtain I've ever seen has been mounted on a rod that is connected to the wall at either end. So if they had 3 hooks in a sloped ceiling, then that might be the reason for the water damage. But yes, if you're doing a hex pattern on the floor, I think that's probably what I would put in as as the backsplash. And the reason for the pencil liner is to finish off the edge of the tile. Most tile nowadays doesn't have a finished edge or matching bullnose. So you need some kind of trim piece to hide that where it doesn't meet a wall.