Thoughts on hex tile choice for bathroom
Hi - we finally have a start date for our gut-reno of the kids' bathroom and I think we have the tub/sink/toilet decisions made. Vanity will be a light gray with a white top. Tub is going to be a low-profile cast iron (probably a Kohler Bellwether or Villager).
I had posted a while back about not tiling the walls and asked for backsplash advice but now we're back to tiling the whole alcove tub/shower surround plus halfway up the other walls. I think we're going to keep it to white subway for all with a contrasting pencil line much like this renovation here: [Before/After bathroom photos[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/before-and-after-reveal-hall-kids-bath-dsvw-vd~2304182)
Instead of the basketweave they used, though, we were considering this hex tile [Bardiglio Hex Flower [(https://www.houzz.com/products/7x8-carra-bardiglio-hexagon-porcelain-floor-and-wall-tile-set-of-35-flower-prvw-vr~104041322)
that we saw in a store, but I'm having trouble finding good images of it in normal-sized bathrooms (i.e., not the 800 sq ft style magazine bathrooms). In the store it was in one of those mini displays.
So, looking either for photos of it in use or for honest first reactions to this tile when it's laid out in the full pattern, keeping in mind that our bathroom is 8'x5' including the tub and the tiles are ~ 8". So it will take roughly 8 tiles by 5 tiles to cover the open floor space, and some of that will be hidden by the vanity and the toilet. I'm trying to decide if that will be overwhelming in our small space? Or somehow less busy than seen here?
Thanks!
Comments (14)
Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
Meg W
5 years agoHi - thank you! I actually went to a plumbing supply store today where they told me about the Kohler cast iron plant fire issue. I *think* we're in the clear - Home Depot still had the regular Bellwether according to their website and they let me order it for store pickup. I think the ongoing issue is with the 60" x 32" ones right now, but we'll see if my order goes through. Toto is on my list as a plan B. I don't want to do acrylic because I have a kid who's tough on things, and I really really don't want to have to replace anything any time soon!
We considered the wood or other colored vanity because I know what you mean about all the gray/white/black. We're partially biased against because the vanity was a terrible wooden one when we moved in that I painted white as a temporary fix. But we are also planning on Sherwin Williams Tradewind for the walls that aren't tiled,
Mulsanne Drive Master Bath · More Info
and some color in the bathmat / shower curtain / towels (and general kid paraphernalia!) so hopefully that brightens it up.My husband is on board with whatever we choose as long as we replace all the current terribleness - here's the current claustrophobic pink and almond state:
But I like getting additional unbiased opinions about my ideas. So thank you.Related Discussions
Will hex tile look weird in a 1940's house bathroom?
Comments (5)I would consider using hex but not in a white color and not with the flower pattern. After the 1920s, the more popular colors are pale greys and pastels. (Technically 4x4 would have been more common than 3x6 by the 1930s too, but the brick shape is in such common usage now, I don't think this matters). If you are not using rectified (flat edge) tile, look at Daltile, they also have a 2" hex which was more common later. Look at American Restoration Tile for period colors and other patterns. The Pentagon and Block Random patterns (under "Spiral") would be very appropriate, and there are alternate hex patterns as well. Here is a link that might be useful: American Restoration Tile...See MoreBathroom tile choices, vintage
Comments (11)Penny-tile could get very busy in a larger bath. And too much grout to clean! A simple, grid-laid floor of the right solid-color tile would be appropriate for your home -- no need to lay basket-weave or herringbone or any other pattern. Possibly 4x4s or 6x6s on the floor, with matching rectangular tile in a running-bond pattern for the wainscot. We used Seneca Tiled handmold series for our powder room and will probably use it again for another bath remodel. It's a simple, but very rich look, very much like the local art-pottery tiles from the turn of the century, with lots of variation in the surface and glaze -- definitely not mass-produced. Good trim pieces, too. And the tile is nice and thick, for good durability. Pewabic is also still in business, making reproduction tile. Our 1927 former home had Pewabic in all the main baths, all simple 3x3 or 4x4 squares in a grid pattern. There were some impressed accent tiles, but they were used sparingly. I'm sure there are other small potteries out there with their own lines of reproduction tiles. Here is a link that might be useful: Seneca site -- look at the handmold tile...See MoreBathroom tile help! Are my choices too much?
Comments (29)I used Whisper Gray Tile Shop grout and it's perfect. It is the lightest gray available. I grouted a demo sheet myself first to check it out. Great $20 spent to try a grout color before you commit!! You aren't supposed to use Sanded Grout for Polished stones as it could scratch them. We ended up doing it anyway (not heeding my own advice I guess) but our Tile Guy was very careful with a sponge and delicate. Sanded grout holds better than Unsanded also. On our honed floor we also did sanded. So for my master if I have this dilemma, I would go Epoxy grout. More $ but best choice. My bathroom I'll share pictures of will hardly be used (off a bonus room, not any bedroom)....See MoreIs a marble hex tile too high maintenance for a bathroom floor?
Comments (13)Thank you for all of your thoughts! Cpartist, your bathroom is gorgeous! The honing will definitely help with the appearance of etching. Unfortunately I think the tile I'm looking at is polished marble. Unfortunately I think the dark grout may be mold. It's only in areas of the shower where there's a lot of water. Everywhere else is still an off-white color. I think the grout has worn off over time from scrubbing because when I look at it closely, there are areas that look like there's empty space. Would it be possible to just regrout that particular section? Or do I have to regrout everything?...See More
PROBeth H. :
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoI think the tile will be fine. I"ve seen cement tiles in small sized rooms and they work out fine. (and they are 8x8)
here are a few small baths w/patterned floors so you can see how it might look
I do like your choices and think the black pencil liner will off a bit of contrast. instead of doing a gray wall paint, try bringing in something w/ a bit of color. or, if you notice in the photo above, they brought in a warm wood element to keep the room from being too 'gray and cold'. You might also consider doing the gold faucet element like they've done in the first pic. Tones down all that gray.
However, doing a nice wood vanity (RH) w/a marble top, really looks great w/your choices you've picked
Anna (6B/7A in MD)
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
PROSkyShine Contracting
5 years agoI just installed these 7X7 hexagon tiles In a bathroom I renovated last week. If you are looking for something with a little less pattern these are a great option. Grouted with White epoxy grout. I believe these are from Sarana tile. Hope this helps!
Meg W
5 years ago- PRO
Beth H. :
5 years ago 
PROBetty Wasserman Art & Interiors
5 years agoptreckel
5 years agoMeg W
5 years ago
Cindy Kuba
5 years agoWe are the process of remodeling the bathroom and I also decided on Hex tiles. A little different than what you have but I also have a small bathroom and I think they are very pretty and it doesn’t look too busy. I think you will be happy with your choice. We still have to tile the floor and the tub is going to be in front of the hex tiles to make it a focal point of the room.
Meg W
5 years agocpaul1
5 years ago
Emilie W