I have a very similar hex tile on my bathroom floor and a square floor drain,because I have a zero-entry shower pan and I wanted a back up in case of overflow. My floor drain has a tile-able cover and so my contractor ran the hex tiles right up to the edge, tiled the cover. and grouted. Before he finished the bathroom, the grout along the edge had crumbled a bit and he redid it. We leave the cover on at all times, yet the grout has crumbled a bit at the edge again. So... I don't have an answer for you! But I am interested in answers you get! I do love your tile, though.

I am not a designer and am just a person with an opinion. I like any of the three floor patterns, but each has a different “vibe.” The stacked one is very modern. The running bond (yes, 50/50 staggered) is classic, but in a large format tile it will seem modern, too. The horizontal/vertical layout resembles a zig-zag a bit and I think it can break up the length, but at 7 ft wide and with fixtures like a vanity and tub, I wonder if the pattern will look apparent or simply random in your bathroom. You may want to get some graph paper, draw the floor of the room with the fixtures in place, then “lay out” your “tile” on the drawing’s floor to see where the individual tiles will go and if you like the pattern it makes. Try starting the layout of the tile from both ends and see if it makes a difference. Don’t bother with spacing in grout lines, just draw each individual tile. See what the floor would look like. I agree that a simple white counter will be best. Or gray. But look for solid color or minimal veins so that you do not have to compete with patterns elsewhere.

"The tile guy says this is not a problem with how the shower was constructed or tile was installed-- just says "it happens" with new homes." Ah, yeah. Maybe "it happens" in their new homes. And maybe "it happens" with their construction and tiling methods. But obviously, it's unacceptable. If you have a string of communications, gather them, and present them with the the opportunity to have the shower redone. Your shower has failed in the past, and it appears that it will insist on failing yet again with their repeated band-aid attemptd at repair. They may be :making repairs". But they are not addressing why the failures are happening to begin with. If moisture has not escaped from the shower waterproofing, then that's a huge win in your favor, as your house may not have suffered damage from that slow trickle-type of leak. Failures in the grout can be from movement below, or from the wrong materials used. Or even the right materials installed inappropriately. A third-party analysis would be best. But that will cost you money. And it might be money you want to spend. Having the same guy do the same thing with the same failed result, versus having someone in to do it over. A good outside tile mechanic will likely not want to do a repair on a shower that has repeatedly failed. Why would they put their name on someone else's failed work? A good mechanic will likely do an analysis of why the floor has repeatedly failed, then make a holistic repair. On your side, you have certainly given your builder ample opportunity to make things right. They have failed to do so repeatedly. And it's important that you gave them the opportunity over and over. My first choice would be for the builder to pay for a contractor of my choosing to make the repairs, whatever they may be. Like most jobs, you can get three estimates for repair and present them as a package. If he balks, small claims court could be an avenue. Or arbitration, if that is available in your area. Regardless, it won't be an easy process.

I believe the difference in color is too great with the white and brown. Why? 3 reasons 1. The products that are cemented to the building you will not redo anytime soon. Messy , dirty, expensive and just not worth the trouble  2. When you add a product to the building structure. Windows , floors they must last a long time. Durability, wear and tear, and STYLE. All equal a story of when the home was designed.  The look over a period of time 10 years + and the home will become "out of date" Needs a face lift . 3. The homes we admire, the Museums, Churches, Libraries, Opera House have one common thread. At a glance they are timeless. Built in 1940, 1990 etc  The crystal clear item is not seen  For this reason I would not go "trendy". Generally our first choice is the right one. Simple and elegant  How do you change this ad time moves on. Color Bedroom a change of bedspread. Bathroom towels become a dark navy or  deep forest green. Yellow for spring  Paint a wall blue, hang a piece of art  The change is simple and your money well spent for resale  Take a moment to do another board  Remove the brown and replace with a neutral. Try an Odegard runner - There are so many options  Enjoy