Are your tiles white or cream? I'm glad you said that! I wasn't sure which pic you were talking about, and the white one just above your post is NOT one of mine. It was posted in here about two years ago, and was MY inspiration for the one I posted at the beginning of this thread. As for that one, it's Dal's Salerno series 12x12 ceramic tile with a 3/16" grout joint. The chair rail around it is real travertine (although I can't remember which one) set with a 1/16" grout joint, and the shelves are (I believe) dakota mahogany granite 12x12 tiles cut down, radiused, bullnosed, and polished.

try searching staceyneil - she did a marble mosaic niche with white subway tiles...although I dont think they were hex. I am thinking about doing something similar, so I will be watching this....

This is my shower niche. They used two full subway tile to go around on both the inside right and left and split the bottom so there's a joint right down the center. The back is the small tiles from the shower floor and there's one glass shelf. The two shelves slant a hair down and it's on the opposite side of the shower head so it never gets all that wet. The subway tiles they used on the inside are billnose.

Ahhh, the niche dilemma.... It's personal preference as to whether to "niche or not to niche". In custom builds it is preferred about 90% of the time. The other 10% would be built in shelves (and usually having to do with the ability to place a niche in an optimal location), or good quality metal (non corrosive) corner shelves (most often preferred, Kohler Large, K1897, usually 2) planned in advance and installed by us. The example Mittens posted is a basic design by a qualified pro, but very basic as any qualified pro would execute a good lay out and miters would not be a problem. Hopefully that tiled base is sloped slightly downward (according to standards). Couple things about that niche, if we want to get technical. While the mitered edges are well executed, I wouldn't want that base tile edge for water to collect (especially if it is grouted rather than the to standard silicone match). This is one reason why we primarily install a solid surface base that extends slightly outside of the niche (and sloped) for drainage. There are preformed niches of course, but we don't use them as we do our own framing for niches and prefer custom for the sizes and location. That being said, all pros have their own methods and homeowners have their own needs and budget. As for cost, while it varies by region, Mitten's niche example, framed ourselves, prepped to standards, and tiled, would probably add about $500 to the shower. We would prefer a trim element for a niche in many cases as it adds a quality aesthetic detail, such as a coordinating pencil liner or molding, style dependent. A minimalist or more contemporary design, for example, might not require this as we would stream line it with fewer elements. And if you have a pony wall (half wall tiled with glass above), consider placing the niche in the pony wall if away from direct water flow. A custom niche with multiple solid surface shelves could run $1000-$3000 in our market, depending on size, number of shelves, trim options, etc.. Most importantly, PLAN for your niche, shelf, basket, or nothing, in the design phase for optimal choice and cost. This is the conversation we would be having with our clients.