Yes, the mosaic is bordered by a thin limestone pencil tile. The white tile is thinner than the mosaic, so the pencil tile makes a nice transition between the two. This is not our tile, but it's the picture that inspired what we did with the pencil tile. Laying the tile out on the livingroom floor, just a single tile width, really helped to visualize what pattern we liked. I was going to do a full sheet of masaic (12") as the stripe, but when I laid it out it looked like too much mosaic. We played with the widths of the mosaic by cutting one sheet into 3" rows and adding or taking away sections to make different width strips. Doing this, coupled with taking the width of the cuts neccessary for the white tile into consideration really helped to visualize the look.

It all starts taking shape..))I must say I spent like 10 min trying to see the cream tile you found...)) Finally discovered it, lol As for the back splash-my contractor wouldn't let me get away from some sort of back splash..especially it's not a tiny powder room, since it has a bathtub..Activity will go there, the wall should be protected. Unless-another possibility-you take your mirror right to the top of your vanity counter. Not everybody's a fan of this look, but it is an option. As for mosaic question, I'm really not sure..color wise might be fine, but I've no idea how two different materials will work together in application..one is porcelain(or ceramics?), other is stone..I'd be hesitant to order at least until I talk to the tile guy. It's not only color, it's texture, width, who knows what else.. They didn't have bigger tiles in this soft cream, the ones you were contemplating, 4 by 10, right? Still don't know why I prefer this size in your place..maybe more modern look, less grout? Are you going to use a shower curtain or a glass surround for a tub?

Dottie - I could not have done this without an educated designer - it's not just about the design choices although I would never have come up with design choices as my brain isn't hardwired in those kinds of visually imaginative ways. I can appreciate things but I don't know how to pull them together and I wouldn't have the ability to figure out where to even start in terms of the sea of vendors. I am good about researching appliances and functions but get lost in the sea of visual possibilities :-) And I can't even imagine dealing with codes and such since Los Angeles is code crazy - I wanted to move some floor electrical outlets up a bit from the floor as I found it difficult to reach them when I had some hip issues so I was thinking about for the future - I was told that if I move a plug, the whole thing has to be rewired back to the panel box. And the darn kitchen sink has to be approved by the UL LOL - who would think a kitchen sink could be dangerous.

My opinion will be biased because I have very similar tile in my master we redid 12 years ago. 4" squares on the diagonal for the shower floor and 12" squares on main floor and up the shower walls. Coincidentally we are in process of redoing my kids' bath the past few weeks (it was also redone 12 years ago) because a hard-to-find leak in the tub prompted us to consider replacing it....which then brought about the issue of replacing the tiled tub-surround that would be damaged...and we would also have to try to retile some spots on the floor because a new tub would be a smaller footprint leaving some bare spots once old tub was pulled out. My point is that we also had to figure out the whole, "do we do an updated 'patch job' to save a lot of money, or do we just gut it and accept the cost as the price of being at peace with it/enjoying a new look and improved function. Right or wrong...which is always a very subjective thing....we gutted it and I'm thrilled. I was not interested in painting my cabinets just to have them have peel-issues due to steam, and we also got rid of the tub altogether and opted for a stand-up/walk-in shower for my older kids. Resale was considered on this issue...but by the time we move, someone can either love it as we've made it, or we will price the house with an "allowance" in mind. The old space had hot-chocolate colored walls and 'slate' porcelain floor and tub surround...an overall warm and cozy feel but also tired and dated. The new space is a porcelain 'marble' hex with white subway walk-in shower that is awaiting glass doors...an overall calming feeling that is also bright and fresh. I now actually wish SO BADLY that I was able to redo/retile MY whole bathroom (tile similar to yours). And there's nothing wrong with my bathroom, and a planned paint job on the walls will help me like it even more...... In my kids' bathroom, however, even unfinished with the floor and shower tile installed just waiting for the rest to come together (waiting on backordered tile base moulding) ......... I walk in and just smile and breathe deeply because of the way the space now makes me feel :) So my very biased vote is to gut it ;) ;)