What shower tile (and possibly sink backsplash) with slate floors?

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

The tile around the tub/shower has been leaking far worse than we expected, so I'm in need of some help. We'll be ripping out the tile as soon as possible to fix it, but since it's our only shower for a family of 5, I'll need something that's easy to find and preferably something easy on the wallet as we're working on an addition currently and this bathroom will eventually be torn out, but not for the next few years.

The current tile in the shower is pretty ugly, so I'm not sad to see it go. I'm not in love with the slate, but it stays along with the wall color, toilet, tub, and vanity. The toilet and tub are Eljer Platinum which is a light grey color and the furniture style vanity is dark brown color with a bright white top/sink. The trim and doors are bright white.

I can't get my pictures off my phone for some reason so this is the best I can do right now.

The current slate tile has colors similar to this, with the majority being dark grey and rather plain.
https://i.imgur.com/vFHeh5a.jpg?1

Wall color is a paint match to the Dutch Boy color Ironed Gray. It's pretty neutral but has the tiniest touch of blue.

http://imgur.com/MQbC5hJ

The vanity is similar in color and style to this but with a white top and maybe a touch more trim/detail. I have no idea what to do for a backsplash. The mirror has to stay pretty low so the kids can see.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/St-Paul-Ashland-36-5-in-Vanity-in-Chocolate-with-Stone-Effects-Vanity-Top-in-Baja-Travertine-and-Wall-Mirror-AL36P3COM-CH/204366750

And here's how the bathroom is laid out.

I'm not overly particular, but I don't love standard subway tile, 12x12 tile, and I'd prefer no more slate. Nothing that stains and must tolerate standard bathroom cleaner or bleach on occasion.

Featured Answer

localeater

8 years ago

The floor is a little rustic, and the vanity is a little modern. I would probably do a large rectangular porcelain or ceramic tile in the shower, you could do it stacked if you wanted to go more modern.

You didnt mention a pricepoint. These are very reasonable at HD in a soft gray that would look great in your bath.

Weather Gray Tile

I also like the idea of bringing out the gold in your tile floor, this tile on Overstock had a great picture of the gold glass with big 6x6 white squares.

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Comments (6)

Mrs. Mortarmixer
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi Local! I'd like to stick with a more traditional/transitional feel, since most of the house is pretty traditional as a whole. I'd like to stay under $10/sq. ft. if possible, just because it will be a fairly temporary setup. I think the grey porcelain will probably be the way to go then. I had looked at several already online, but hearing someone else say it makes me feel more confident.

I'm sure I'll be back soon. I've got two more bathrooms to do!
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I think Bill is right - it will be alot of work, but it sounds like it would be a real labour of love. I'm not sure a sealer would prevent the flaking problem. How many slate roof tiles do you have? Can you pick and choose and use only pieces that aren't flaking? I read here once (I think)that slate doesn't really need sealing as long as it is good quality. Sealing it will bring out the colours though. You can scrub it to get the dirt out of all the nooks and crannies but it seems to me that the grease and stuff from the cooking area might be alot harder to get off (not to mention I don't know how hard it would be to scrub your backsplash). I would still be inclined to do a surface that is easier to clean around the cooktop at least. I suppose if it was on the roof for that long it can stand up to a little water so the sink area shouldn't be a problem. Good luck. Louise
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You didn’t know what you didn’t know. And that's pretty much the rule for every project where a home owner works with a professional. If the home owner knew everything, they wouldn't have to hire anybody. If the professional asks an ambiguous question, and then deliberately skips the industry-standard step of visually confirming the layout with the client, then it's inappropriate to blame the client for not communicating well. This is a question that comes up with literally every single job the fabricator does. They should know how to verify instructions. We have had all sorts of counter tops installed over the years. Every single time, the fabricator would come to the house to do precise templating. And then they'd require that either the home owner or the general contractor sign off on the template before they'd make the first cut. These processes are in place exactly to avoid this type of issue. Yes, there have on occasion been mistakes. But when that happens, the professional eats the cost or finds a way to fix things that is acceptable to all parties.
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localeater
8 years ago
Mrs.M I was pretty excited to see a post from you. I hope you and the family are all doing well. Did you even do a backsplash behind your range?

I think the grey porcelain tiles will be a great choice. What size do you think you will go with, so many options. You could do a square, a square in a diamond layout, or the long plank like look that I posted. Are you leaning any direction??
Mrs. Mortarmixer thanked localeater
Mrs. Mortarmixer
Original Author
8 years ago
I was surprised to see a familiar name! How is everything your way? We're all doing pretty well here. Seems like we're busy all the time anymore.

Not even a backsplash behind the range... I just haven't found anything that I love. I do still look and I think I might repaint the kitchen (again!) Maybe that will make picking tile easier.

As for the porcelain, I'm thinking maybe something 12x24 or a longer plank style, but I'm not set on anything in particular. I just don't want a ton of grout.
localeater
8 years ago
There are still some old names around :)

I know what you mean about the grout in the shower. I think its important to not use white grout too. We are redoing our masterbath-finally- and we are going with 8x20 glossy(not matte) white plank tiles. Matte seems to be the more popular choice, but I have soft water and we never have any spotting, and I want the reflective quality.

What size tiles are in the floor, if the floor tile is 12x24 in the slate I would do a different size in the shower or I think it will look off.
Mrs. Mortarmixer thanked localeater
Mrs. Mortarmixer
Original Author
8 years ago
The floor is 12x12 with matching charcoal (?) grout. I'll probably do a grey grout close in color to the wall tile as well. Do you think a 12x24 will be too similar? Should I go with a plank instead?

What shower tile (and possibly sink backsplash) with slate floors?

localeater

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What shower tile (and possibly sink backsplash) with slate floors?

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