Just to give you and idea of what I am considering is maybe something like this one in Ash or this one in Snow Pines. Here is a link out my current plans.

Pro: On the walls would be novel, and it might look interesting if something simple and complementary was going on the floors.

Con: A lot of people are putting in wood-look tile, and my feeling is that it is getting to be overdone and may look dated in 10 years.

I was considering 8" gray hexagon tiles on the floor--see link above in current plans.

My brother used wood look porcelain tile on the walls in his bathroom. The tile he used is very similar to one in the Snow Pines brochure, the Weathered colorway. His bathroom is not large, standard 5x8, he has converted the tub to a 60" walk in shower. The shower has a glass door on a track like a barn door. The vanity is painted or solid stain with no wood grain, espresso. It looks lovely but, to me, it is out of place with the rest of his house. The bathroom has a very woodsy, rustic feel. I feel like I am in Texas, but I am in Queens. I am not sure you can escape a rustic vibe with wood planks on the walls if this is what you want, then go for it.

Hmmm.. good points localeater and kudzu9. I was looking for a tile with some texture and warmth to it. Maybe the Ash or something similar done in a herringbone versus a traditional plank? Will keep looking, since we really like the walnut vanity we picked out.

Why are you considering changing from your original plan? I really liked everything in your original plan. If it is for additional texture, dont forget that the grout lines in the subway tile do add texture and another element. You dont see that when you look at one individual tile.

Thanks. I am just not sure if I will like the subway tile continued behind the vanity or not. Its all plain... was wondering if I needed to add a pattern or something. The pattern was going to come from the white wainscoting the marble mosaic inset, but now I just don't think it will look right in the space.

What if you got smaller gray hex to use as the accent instead of the marble mosaic?

Its not the mosaic accent that is the problem, it is the wainscoting. The bathroom is so small that I do not think there is enough wall space to really see it. The other issue I am having is that it would in effect divide the room in half on the vanity side. Instead I thought it would look better if I could run the same tile in the shower and behind the vanity to make it look more cohesive.

OK, I've reread all(I think) of your posts now and I see your point about the wainscotting not really being truly visible in such a small space.

You have options, but I really think the wood plank is not the way you should go, it is very far from what was your original inspiration. I am not sure it will make you happy.

I think I would do the wainscotting, scaled down to fit the space. Layout/draw specifically the layout for each wall segment, the 36' toilet wall, the long wall next to the toilet, the sink wall. This is homework that will make the difference. The marble inset band needs to be fairly wide, maybe 6", it would be just at the level of the sinktop. Carry the marble band around the pony wall endcap, you could continue it around the shower, but I think you said you didnt want to. Top the pony wall with a marble sill. My only doubt in the cohesiveness, the peacefulness of this plan, is the two cabinets you want to put over the toilet(assuming I am remembering that correctly), I think they will make it heavy. So I would want to hold off on those until the space is complete and then decide. I think a chrome(I am assuming your finish is chrome) train shelf might be better to hold towels, yes it will not provide as much storage but perhaps it could do. I think this gives you the classic look you were inspired by.

I agree that the wood tiles is not a look to pursue. I think it's too contemporary and too textured for the walnut floating vanity. I like the look of the pony wall with the thick band of marble mosaic wrapping around, making a pretty alcove for the sink. I'm sorry to see you give up the mosaic and wonder how you'll bring a special touch in without tile. Since you're using a plain mirrored medicine cabinet, I think that wall needs a nice tile.

Thank you Localeaters and Mayflowers!! I truly appreciate all of your insights. I agree I think the wood look would either be too contemporary or too Colorado ranch. Neither which I am going for. I think the wainscoting would work BUT ONLY if I did a pony wall, which I thought I did not want...partly because of the extra cost to have a custom glass shower door AND partly because it may may the small room feel even smaller. I think to move past, I think you are again right and I have to get out some graph paper and color pencils and draw this up! THANK YOU! :)

I meant to add that I liked the cabinet you originally posted, or maybe I saw it in your Ideabook. I like that it's flush against the wall and fills the wall. I've even shown it to DH as a possibility for our powder room. I know it's not deep enough for towels, but I have a thing against using towels on trainracks over toilets. It seems unsanitary to me.

This one:

Historical St. Paul Renovation · More Info

I still like the above cabinet better-- but not sure how to build one from scratch that would match the walnut vanity. So I was hoping the contractor could use the two matching walnut ikea cabinets to sorta recreate the above? I don't know. I purchased the cabinets, but I can always return them if need be. I would also prefer the cabinets to be white-- even the vanity- but DH and I did not care for the Godmorgon vanity in white.