Why not do a plain 12 x24 porcelain tile in gray for the floor , shower walls and use the cararra for the vanity top and maybe an accent in the shower if you like that look and a smaller tile for the shower floor in the same gray.

Porcelain tile all the way!! Its much more durable, and I have done several homes in that price range with porcelain tile. The way I see it is you can save on the field tile by going with a nice looking porcelain then invest in other cool parts of the bathroom like a more expensive mosaic or nicer cabinets.

I'm in the process of selecting tile also. I had an honest moment with myself and accepted that my habits and my desires mean porcelain tile. I want a space that I don't have to baby, worry about, be beholden to constant cleaning and resealing over time. We have well water and I've seen how it discolors the toilets and don't want to invest in tiles that will be stained, etched, force me to clean when I want to be enjoying life. I'm a little disappointed because I love all the marble mosaics but I'm sure I'll find something else that will look beautiful.

You're right, it's a personal choice. Just be honest with yourself about your own habits.

Some thoughts from another thread: https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5189061/question-on-refinishing-marble#21840981

Abbas, which brands of porcelain look as good as marble? I've had the same experience as the OP, where the faux looks faux.

HMHouse, I have the same dilemmma. I like the easy-care of porcelain but haven't found brands that look as good as marble. (Suggestions anyone? Would love to hear them. I fell in love, online, with crema marfil, if anyone knows a good copycat). We used a lovely marble counter when we redid the guest bath years ago--it was a remnant of a slab used in a fancy hotel. So maybe remanants are an option?

Does your realtor have an opinion on finish materials? FWIW, I heard quartz is the rage right now, so if resale is a concern, one option is quartz counter and then porcelain tiles that aren't attempting to look like marble.

While the "Look alikes" will not ever be the same as real marble, we found the Roca Carrara collection to be as close as we've seen. It's a lovely product: http://rocatilegroup.com/collections/carrara-marble-look-tile/

I did a Carrara marble in my master bath and a Carrara porcelain tile in my guest bath. Yes you can tell the difference if the baths are next to one another. I have had no one go into the guest bathroom and complain about the fact that I used porcelain tile. Now for my opinion but think about which one you would choose if purchasing in a house with a MASTER BATHROOM, one finished in real marble or one finished in porcelain to look like marble. If you as master of the house isn’t worth marble, who will be? And the only issue I have had with the marble is that we have very hard water. When I had my carpet cleaned, the guy had a steam cleaner and he does the floor of my shower in about 20 minutes. I then resealed the grout and off I go for another year. I also think the spa thing is over done. Get a good large shower for two with hand wands, good lighting and perhaps a pulsing head and call it a day. You simply don’t use jets in a bathtub and all that stuff and its a waste. Go with everyday function with luxury over added bells and whistles.

Forget the faux look get a simple one color porcelain and then add the real marble for an accent and the counter

@girl_wonder- The tile I used in that picture was Pamesa-Quarry in lappato blanco, link: https://www.pamesa.com/product/leviglass/quarry-75x75-37-5x75-60x60-30x60-leviglass/s65xse583 I also used Pental calacatta extra lappato & Vallelunga & Co. Calacatta tile (this one is unique because it comes more of a honed finish, which is not common of porcelain tile.) The large format in all of these will give it a great natural look because the veining will be contiguous.

As for crema marfil- the best match I've used for a counter top is Cambria Fairbourne, and the best match I've used for a tile was Pental porcelain crema marfil.

Hope this helps you!

Abbas

Another thing to consider when looking at flooring: Put it on the GROUND and step back 10 feet! Yep. Do NOT hold it to your nose....put it by your TOES. Now stand up and look at it.

A 'faux' finish floor starts looking a little better when it is kept at a distance from your face. Because that's where flooring will live - at a 'distance' from your face.

Now, if you habitually find yourself nose first on the floor, you have bigger issues that need to be addressed.

I guarantee the "faux" products look MUCH BETTER when placed at your feet.

@Abbas, thanks so much for your commments. That tile is amazing. My home is a 1940 cottage, so I was thinking of 12x12 tiles, to keep a more consistent look (and also, in case there are any problems with my floors/walls being less than perfect. I heard the large format tiles do best when the surfaces are consistently flat). Maybe marble-look isn't even the way to go???? (When I remodeled the guest bath 10 years ago, I put travertine floor tiles, a marble counter and hand-molded tiles in the shower surround to keep the feel of the older home. Not sure if that was a design faux pas). Thanks for your help.

In a 1940’s cottage I would look at classic floors like basket weave.

At 1.3 million dollars, with that kind of budget do what you want. Marble would be my go to.