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Subway Tile Herringbone Layout - Shower Corners

8 years ago

Renovating the entire master bath. Shower is about 50" x 40". Three sides tiled wall - one wall will be frameless glass with the door. I picked out and white subway tile in two sizes - 4 x 16 which will be laid out on the bottom third in a staggered pattern. For the top two thirds, I picked out 3 x 6 tile and I wanted it laid out in a herringbone pattern. The two sizes/patterns will be separated by a small rail piece.

All of this was explained to the tiler and he did the actual ordering once I picked out the tiles. But now he says he would rather not do a herringbone pattern because he doesn't think he can match up the pattern nicely in the corners. I've seen some pics on Houzz where it looks like this was done. Is this a legit concern?

Instead he offered to to do a framed (with the rail pieces) herringbone pattern with the rest of the wall in the 3 x 6 tile in a "standard" staggered subway pattern. I think that will be OK, just not what I originally visioned. I'm going with all white, and just changing up the lay out, because I want a clean look, but think the change in pattern will give it some texture. Shower floor is a gray 2 x 2. The rest of the room's floor is the same except in a 12 x 24. The rooms walls will not be tiled. Vanity is a dark gray and the counter is a solid white quartz.

What do you think - should I go with the tiler's suggestion or push for the whole herringbone pattern top?

Featured Answer

enduring

8 years ago

I am very glad this is happening. I wish you the best on this project. Keep us updated.

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Comments (18)

enduring
8 years ago
Did he not consider the corners when you consulted with him originally? Boy, I wouldn't know what to say now. What style is your bathroom. I always think of the framed herringbone as a Tuscan look. Like in a kitchen. Have you looked through houzz for backsplash corners? Backsplashes would be common enough I would think to see how it can be done.
enduring
8 years ago
here

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I really appreciate all of the input, suggestions and questions. The room is a big, ugly shell right now so now is the time for all major design issues to be addressed! John, thanks for the info on the drains and the flood test. Waterproofing is definitely a priority since our project has been complicated by uncovering evidence of water leaks that were previously unknown. We're in Michigan, unfortunately, too far away to take you up on your kind offer! I know that our door situation isn't ideal but it's one that we feel we can live with. We had considered using a pocket door but we're not able to relocate electrical switches to allow for it. I didn't try too hard to work around that issue though because I'm not a big fan of pocket doors personally. I'm definitely going to plan for niches right away, before the framing and plumbing is done. Emknc, thanks for posting a photo... You have a very spa-like room and I love your accent tile! Jglassdude, thanks for your input. I know that a 3rd sink would seem to be overkill but we (ok, mostly my micro-biologist husband!) prefer to wash our hands inside the lav area, before opening a door to come out and use a sink. Originally, the water closet fit within the square outline of the room and once we realized that we could bump it out and orient the toilet in the new space, we then added the sink where the toilet was planned to go. It's funny that you mention a bidet because we just tore one out... I used to use it for in-home pedicures and as a mop-sink for the floor! Lol! I should have mentioned that the shower head and control were shown on our drawing prior to the decision to hinge the door on the right. She correctly put the showerhead on the little corner piece because we can't run plumbing on an exterior wall but, as you pointed out, it angles straight at the door. We were thinking of instead having the NE corner of the shower built to accommodate a shower head that could angle more straight across the shower, especially since the door would swing away from it. It would seem that our controls then would be best on the south wall of the shower. Could you explain what you mean by "double acting door intent"? I'm not planning to hang towels in the tub area but there are raised areas on each end of the tub where towels can be placed while we are bathing. We've designed towel niches on either end of the tub step for extra rolled towels. We're planning to put a Runtal Solea towel warmer on the wall between the water closet and the shower. This is pretty much what the room looks like now... You can look right down into my kitchen and my dining room(!) The bifold door to the left of the ladder is my old linen closet door and will be walled off.
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PRO
User
8 years ago
The herringbone pattern will just wrap around the corners similar to a diagonal pattern. Takes a little more time but no big deal.
MongoCT
8 years ago
It's a bit of a tough situation.

Wrapping herringbone is not all that difficult. You'd want a symmetrical pattern, but like big rock wrote, in a lot of ways it's just another day at the office.

The fact that your tiler is raising concerns, that's the issue. If he thinks it's beyond his capabilities, I'd hate to encourage you to force him down a road he doesn't think he can travel.

I'd recommend having a good conversation with this guy about the specific layout and how the corners can be handled since he already bid and accepted the scope of work.

He can try the herringbone and succeed. He can try and bugger up the installation. He or you can opt out and you can get someone else to do the work.

Or you can change the pattern and he could give you a beautiful installation. Or he could still bugger it up.
kmcg123
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks everyone! Talked to the tiler this morning and I agreed to go with his idea of doing the framed herringbone. I had laid out a couple different patterns on the floor and also left him some pictures from Houzz of the herringbone corners and also with a framed pattern. We went over other things as well. Mongo, I felt the same way, as I didn't want to force him to do something if it was outside his comfort zone and wasn't going to look good. I knew I would still get something nice and would give me the same overall feel. He did a nice job with the shower and bathroom floor and I know he has lots of experience and has a good reputation and I totally trust my GC who hired him.

Just got a call from him while I was at work. He said he tried the framed herringbone pattern and wasn't happy with the way it looked with the bottom half of the tiling (chair rail and framing pieces too close) and he would have to order more of the trim pieces to do the frame. He said he would be happy to do the top half all in herringbone the way I wanted. He said he can do it, it just takes more time and he wants me to love it! I'm sure he won't be able to do this until tomorrow. Fortunately, I work only a few minutes from home, so it's easy to run home and check on how things look. And fortunately, he hasn't hesitated to call me and ask me if I can swing home at lunch to collaborate. Today I was in the shower with him talking about shelf placement - placing one low as a shaving perch and he wanted to make sure it was the right height for me so I didn't bump my head on a shelf above or the wall if I had to lean to far down! I do appreciate all his questions. After all he has a lot more experience than I do!
weedyacres
8 years ago
This gave me pause:

Today I was in the shower with him

Bwa ha ha!
MongoCT
8 years ago
weedy, same here. I read that and thought "wow, they're getting along well!"

kmcg, I'm glad the tide has turned and you're getting the pattern you wanted. And maybe a little more on the side. lol
Errant_gw
8 years ago
Yay! Be sure to post pictures! My plan was to do the same, but my eyes are often bigger than my skill set ;)
kmcg123
Original Author
8 years ago
haha! We're getting along but maybe not as well as you all think! wink, wink. Here are some photos of the work so far. Not grouted yet. I'm going with white grout. I think it looks great so far and the corners look great too!
Master Bath Reno · More Info

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enduring
8 years ago
That looks perfect. I am so glad you got this the way you wanted it (and not the token framed herringbone :)
kmcg123 thanked enduring
Oaktown
8 years ago
Beautiful.
kmcg123 thanked Oaktown
kats737
8 years ago
That looks really nice.

just make sure to get some high quality grout that resists stains for years to come.
kmcg123 thanked kats737
daisychain Zn3b
8 years ago
Good gosh, that looks great! Sure you don't want to do a light grey grout to highlight that pattern just a little bit? So gorgeous!
kmcg123 thanked daisychain Zn3b
angelaclaire48
6 years ago
I am using this for inspiration in our master bath renovation! Do you have any photos of the finished job?
kmcg123 thanked angelaclaire48
kmcg123
Original Author
6 years ago
@angelaclaire48 I'm so sorry I am just seeing your question now. Here is a one photo...I'll take some more, if you like.
Master Bath Reno · More Info
angelaclaire48
6 years ago
Thank you so much, @kmcg123 ! It looks awesome! Your herringbone tiles are 3x6in, right? We were going to try it with 4x8in herringbone and 4x16in subway brick to save a little money on the labor since our shower is 6x4ft. I was hoping since it's a larger space and the same ratio it would turn out ok! Fingers crossed, it will still look this good! At what height did you start your chair rail?
Blondina
6 years ago
Love the herringbone. Nicely done. :)

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