If you’re out of funds, put up a big shower curtain until you can save up the 10K to have the whole ripped out and redone correctly technically, and aesthetically, with reframing the walls addressed. Hire better workers next time.

https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/homeowners-guide-to-hiring-qualified-tile-installer

It's been a long time since I had any tiling done. Would it be an affordable, slight fix to change the grout to match the tiles rather than contrast with them?

In theory, the individual tile patterns would fade and the overall look would be more like three horizontal stripes.

Also, many already assembled mosaics are glued together haphazardly with incorrect spacing and crooked pieces. They will never look good installed, unless you pay someone to cut the sheets apart and correct the spacing. No installer wants to do that.

I will commit to memory three truths:

A simple and inexpensive concept can be made beautiful.

The smaller your resources? The less complicated a design for anything should be.

Money spent on expert install can make an inexpensive product look like a million bucks, and the most expensive product can be ruined with a hack installation .

Write it down..........." " keep it simple"

Knock the trim off the niches and silicone 1/4" solid surface over the walls. Done, beautiful, waterproof, and very little demo.

Sorry that our shower didn't turn out how you envisioned it. Until you can afford to change it, an inexpensive temporary fix may be to change the grout colour to match the tile, as suggested earlier. It won't correct the problem, but it will help aesthetically.

"an inexpensive temporary fix may be to change the grout colour to match the tile"

Which tile color would you choose to match the grout to, there are 3?

Millworkman, I don’t know anything about tiling. I was wondering if you could grout the dark tile with a color similiar to the dark tole and the white tile something similar to it’s color. Can you not use different grout colors in one shower?

Whoa! I didn't know Ian Curtis did tile work.

these grout lines are huge, and uneven, (on the darker tiles near the black trim). the lighter tiles were put over non-flat surface and look like the grout is missing on some of them.

as for the niches, it looks like someone closed their eyes and threw a dart. 'yeah, lets put them there'. there is no regard for the design (which is why the black liner tile is interrupted with the box)

plus, they're too small. you going to put one shampoo bottle in each one?

you already know the answer to your question. this shower looks like a store that is displaying all of it's tiles. they don't work together. not the layout, not the design, not the types of tiles you got. I'm sorry.

If they made an error, have them fix it on their dime. I would never hire these guys to tile anything, ever again.

You saw this in progress, yes? why did you let it continue?

do you have any pics of what the waterproofing in back of the tiles look like?

Joe's idea is best and will cost the least. Go for it. You won't regret it.

Em has a point...you could go totally steampunk with it. To quote the great P.W. Herman, "I meant to do that."

Not sure I would use Joanna Gaines as an inspiration ... OP might end up with shiplap in her shower!

If you can't be a good example, at least be a cautionary tale.

Seriously, this concept was always doomed to failure, but -- you're right -- the installation is awful. You could ask for a portion of the installation cost back for his poor work, but that wouldn't replace the tile and do the work again.

I initially wanted all white herringbone in the shower,

That was never going to work. Herringbone is a "busy" pattern. It would've looked great with herringbone on the floor and something simple in the same color for the walls.

I think "Steampunk" it is!!! I mean.. I am pretty determined to turn this doomed failed tile job into something I like. Maybe an appropriate light fixture and vintage buffet as a vanity could pull off a "Steampunk" look...so I'm going for it. Maybe Dracula will use the shower. What do I really have to lose at this point anyway??? Any ideas on decor??

No, no.

This isn't about just living with a funky design and making the best of it.

Several pros here have told you about the poor quality of the workmanship.

This shower may not be watertight and you will have huge problems down the road.

I highly suggest an ample teak shower seat in the corner, because that vertiginous design will bring people to their knees. Quite literally.

Well, this bath IS directly next to the media room. Why not make it a theme bathroom from a movie set...seriously. Maybe this is my chance to do something fun with my bathroom. Im trying to be positive. I know its water tight, and the actual shower is hardly ever going to be used.

You've never seen a movie with a bathroom like this.

They'd have to give out Dramamine at the previews.

TRUE!! Unless it was a shot from "Nightmare on Elm" LOL

Hehe. I would perhaps solid surface over it like Joe suggests but if you just want it OVER for now, or you're tired of spending money on it, have fun with it until you are ready to deal with it.

It's okay to have a room that doesn't belong in a magazine.

"and the language barrier was a problem"

That should have been a HUGE red flag. The "skill set" needed isn't there.

well, if you want to turn it into steampunk, you'll have to do a lot more!

Good ideas on the Steampunk! Love the pics

Maybe do wallpaper in this bathroom, and a feature wall at the vanity. This with some industrial lighting and steampunk decor might work

Good attitude. Sometimes we have to get creative. And sometimes "mistakes" are nothing but an opportunity to do just that. Especially in a space that you have described as not your primary bath. As long as you are OK with the quality of the shower build and install, and space in your home that is a bit "eclectic", hey, go with it.

agree. Mel, what if you did a silver metallic, or charcoal metallic ceiling, and then did some creative lighting or plumbing?

Cut your losses . It's a re do.. Don't waste another nickel on it until you are looking at it in a dumpster. Whenever that is? It's fewer $$$ than lipstick on the piggy. Nobody will die in the wait .

Ya, Im not wasting another dollar on it. I am saving for 3 months so I can re-purchase the marble I want. BUT really I don't know what would even look good in this bath at this point. IDEAS??

An opaque shower curtain. Or two.

Im doing 2 red long velvet curtains on each side of this shower job, with industrial tie backs and lighting. I also have a buffet/vanity and 2 antique gothic like lamps Im placing on each side of a buffet/vanity. I was also thinking of wallpaper in the bathrooms with my victorian mirror for the vanity. I'll post pics, and then you all can say if the tile still should go sooner than later LOL...remember this is a temporary look until I can afford to tare out

Do not save three months for marble for a shower. Not a good idea to put marble tile in a shower. Just do a search on it up above and you will see why. Sophie calls marble tiles "hard sponges" if that gives you a clue.

Joe's idea will look good and be a fast and cost-effective solution for you at this point. I am going to give you a link that shows you the solid surface showers that some of us have done and you will see why he suggested it. Solid surface walls can be glued right over your walls.

But don't even consider doing that unless you are certain that there is a waterproof shower pan. What waterproofing method did the tiler use to construct the pan? Can you name what was used?

["Kohler Choreograph?" Thread in bathroom forum with Choreograph, Swanstone, and Transolid shower photos[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/kohler-choreograph-dsvw-vd~3420698)

If resale is even a consideration, I have to say that I wouldn't look any further at a home with a bathroom like that. I'd think that the homeowner did it and god knows what he messed up on, whether it's waterproofed or the plumbing was done by someone who's got a license.

UPDATE WITH NEW PHOTOS:

Well, IF ANY OF YOU SWEET HELPERS ARE WONDERING--the contractor tore out the bad installation and this is what is up now. Im just wondering what walls to paint and what kind of decor because it seems so bland!

Nice. And I don't find it bland, actually. I'd put in some red towels and bathmat, and me pretty happy with the result.

thanks!

Not bland at all!

Congratulations!

yes theres grout in every area

" I would attack’s it with a sponge at least to see if you can clean that up."

You do that and you own the entire thing, make him clean it up better. Sooner the better as grout hardens over time. Also as alluded to above he needs to remove the grout at all chnages of plane and use 100% silicone caulk.

You still love the multiple types of tiles, don't ya?

Well, this time it works. Nice choices. :)

Much improved!

Very nice!!

millworkman- Where would he need to caulk precisely? I need to tell him.

At each change of plane. One wall is on one plane. The adjacent wall(s) are on another. When these walls meet (plane change) the gap between them is filled with silicone caulk, not grout. This is because walls move differently from each other. Grout does not compensate for movement; silicone does.

Very nice!

The contractor ripped out the Cement Board and inserted new cement board with moisture barrier red paint looking stuff, then began

Congratulations, looks fantastic!