I've always envisioned your bath with large format floor tiles - ultra modern. I think with what looks like mosaic tile in the shower and around the tub, it could get busy with the hex tiles.

Thanks ck squared! That's what I was afraid of. Argh! Back to square one!

This is palimpsest, I could not reopen my old account.

What did the house have originally? Ultimately the house is mid 20th century, not of this century, so "busy" or not, if this house would have had 1" or 2" square mosaic or 2" or 4" hex, or even text pattern, it would still look right or appropriate in this house. There is nothing wrong with large format, especially in a contemporary house, but since it didn't exist 50-60 years ago, it is still going to dilute the original spirit of the house somewhat to use something that it so 21st century.

Thank palimpsest! This is an addition. The previous baths had mosaic tiles and square tiles (like subway, but square) for the baths/showers. I don't remember what the floors were but I think they had been redone. I don't know that I want mosaic tiles. Aren't they hard to maintain?

I had mosaic tiles in a fairly large bathroom and I decided "never again." Grout lines were always a struggle to keep clean, and there was a look of overall busyness. When we did a makeover, we put in 2' X 2' porcelain tiles on the floor and have been happy with the zero maintenance and the cleaner, fresher look.

I love the look of 8" hexagons. Have you seen photos using them? It's not busy at all.

OT: Welcome back Pal!

Yes welcome back Pal! Hi Mayflowers! Yes, I did see pics. I was thinking with a white grout they wouldn't look busy? But with a black or grey grout they might, for a long bathroom?

Designer Bathroom Project · More Info

Neutral Bay House · More Info

I think if you used a light to medium gray grout it would not look busy. I would not use white grout - you might as well go ahead and put marble on the floor! You will be scrubbing with a toothbrush on a weekly basis.

I would vote no on the hex in large quantities for your bath. Maybe just the shower walls? But I'd probably look for something else. The hex is neat, your house is fantastic, but to me this is a bit like lemonade and ice cream.

Thank you! Then the white grout is out. Oak town, do you have any thoughts on what might work? I have been to three tile stores and I am not coming up with any ideas.

What flooring are you using for the rest of the house, concrete? I would seriously think about continuing the flooring into the bath. Do you have pool tile? For walls do you like mosaic tiles or terrazzo tiles or plaster? Can you somehow work in red rock? (ok the last probably is over the top)

I have pretty boring tastes, and I picked our permanent finishes based on what I thought the house wanted. :-P

Menlo Park Eichler Addition/Remodel · More Info

Montecito Mid-Century Bathroom · More Info

Thanks oaktown! Those are great pics. I very much appreciate your thoughts!

I am reconsidering keeping the concrete floor. But I am worried that the concrete will stain with constant water exposure. Also, if there ever is a water main leak, it might be easier to hide any sawcut marks by replacing tile. The other reason I was thinking of tile, is I want to do the whole house in the new concrete flooring. This will be very expensive and may have to wait for a year. It might put off finishing the bathroom until then, unless I do tile.

Rockybird, I love your floorplan. It looks great. Personally I like a large format tile. (less grout and I love tile) Anything you pick will look great in that bathroom.

It's Clodagh Shield. For some reason, Houzz won't always let me edit my posts.

Here's a close-up, though I like the dark grout in both examples.

Clodagh Shield 4 x 4 Tile · More Info

(Wow mayflowers, that is very pretty.)

@mayflowers Yes, very pretty! Thanks you for posting those pics. I am going to check them out tonight on the ann sacks page.

@ Karensb, thanks! :) I cant wait to start on it. Just waiting for final plans from the architect.

Ok so just to update. I have decided against the hex tile on the bathroom floor. I think I will go with a large format tile - either a matte white (if I can find it) or fake marble.

Modern urethane grout should ease your mind regarding upkeep. I really would reconsider using something more appropriate to the age and bones of the home. Small mosaic tile in a tone one tone blend would be my top choice. Or plain 4x4.

Or look at the Thinner line from Florida tile. Or Crossville's Laminam. Or Neolith from a local stone fabrication. Extreme large format porcelain.

Rockybird, have you seen the Daltile Bee Hive line? It would cover both large format and hex that you've previously mentioned.