Thoughts??

If you want to keep grout to a min. use the same 12 x 24 tile on the floor and shower walls I do not think niches need to a focal point in fact I don’t like them at all they are always skuzy . You will need a smaller tile for the shoer floor so think about that or you could do a good shower pan then just tile the walls. If you want an accent do a vertical one and use that same tile for the backsplash for your sink. BTW I like the floor tile to run up the shower walls all in the same direction .

I assume the anthracite hex is a very dark gray to black tile. Since you want a marble look, I'd change the shower floor to a softer gray hex, which would also be better in a niche with marble-look wall tile. How does a wood-look floor fit in with the marble look? Is it a grayed weathered wood-look tile?

The 12x24 tile is fine in that size shower. You may need to do a 1/3 offset to avoid lippage if the tile isn't flat. Have the tile setter check that before deciding on a layout. I would go with a horizontal layout because a marble bath is more classic than contemporary.

It will look great - here is are 2 showers with large tile

Good luck!!

I think that second photo is a common way to lay out a 36x60 shower, which seems to be a standard size. After cutting the 24" tile used for the shower side, you use the leftover piece to turn the corner. The 24" tile is centered on the back wall. You can only do brick pattern if your tile is very flat. Usually high end porcelains are fine.

If you need this by tomorrow, it seems you haven't had a discussion with the tile setter yet. Do you know the waterproofing method he'll use?

I used 12" x 24" tiles stacked vertically on my shower's two side (narrow) walls. These tiles are also on the bathroom floor but not the shower's floor because I used a shower base.

I used Emser Ombre Blue 12" x 6" stacked horizontally on the back (wide) wall for contrast. No niche.

Thanks for the replies!

The contractor checked one of the tiles today to check how flat it was and said it was really flat so I could do the brick pattern. Then I proceeded to tell him I may go with a similar tile from Home Depot which is a lot cheaper .... bad idea?

What I see now is cement board. The rest of the bathroom walls are the mold tough drywall from Home Depot.

i will check out the pictures above..thanks!

Lawrence, do you have pictures you could post? Thanks!

Cement board needs either a membrane behind it or a liquid membrane applied to the front of the cement board--not both. Seams, corners, and screw heads are taped and filled with thinset.

Improper prep is the #1 problem seen on this forum when the shower fails. Ask those questions of your tile setter now! Make sure you take photos every step of the way.

Thank you! That is so helpful! He used RedGuard as the waterproof membrane. I did see the thinset applied in seams/etc.

Now I just need to finalize on the exact wall pattern as I want that to be well planned out.... I think he's doing that Monday.