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Flooring Design Dilemma Bathrooms

10 weeks to decide tile for new addition bathroom nothing is simple

Eleanor Smith-Litt

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

The bathroom in our in-the-process-new addition needs tile of course. I thought, because I had a houzz picture of my favorite traditional bathroom it would be simple. Nothing is simple. Every tile I like doesn't have necessary version in subway, or no caps or bullnose, or only shiny. the list goes on.

I do have a picture I found from Houzz.

I went to the design center and the recommendation was this porcelain. I think it looks like a cheap travertine imitation and worry about holes being difficult to clean

This is it:

There was just something I did not like about it but my architect assistant kept telling me it was what I wanted.. lol

Here is the shower configuration

WITHOUT THE herringbone tile instead a niche that is 2 feet high and about 3 and a half feet wide.

I did not like this tile and spent months searching on line, going to tile shops.

Finally I came across this one tile which is not porcelain but ceramic.

I want to use the pretty pattern in the niche.

Subway tile below bullnose in shower on all walls.

12x12 on floor and above subway in shower

Either this.....

or this on floor and ceilings

and this between the subway on the bottom and the 12x12 on the top

First bullnose THIS?

THIS?

OR THIS?

THEN THIS?

OR THIS?

The counter is marble Botuceli (can't spell) marble. I want to put the same subway , bullnose, and decorative strip above the sinks as a backsplash.

BIG QUESTION:

The tile comes in light (samples are light) and dark as in the first floor picture.

Please help me decide whether I am going in the wrong direction with this tile for the bathroom and whether I should go

LIGHT OR DARK FOR THE TILES IN THE INSPIRATION BATHROOM PICTURE. The floor in the picture is darker it seems. I just don't know what to do.

Thank you for any help you can provide.

Featured Answer

PRO

Patricia Colwell Consulting

3 years ago

STOP really how many tile styles are you wanting in a bathroom . I have no idea why anyone wants to highlight the shampoo bottles I hate nices in showers , the inspiration pic IMO would give me nightmares with so much going on. How are you planning on cleaning all these tiles . IMO a simple 12 x24 tile used on batroom floors and shower walls is much better elegant look than a bunch of stuff that makes no sense.

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Comments (9)

PRO
Beth H. :
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
that's a whole lot of foo-foo.

what's wrong w/the first porcelain tile? you do realize that when the tile is grouted all of those holes will be filled? (just like on the real travertine) So, if that's your issue, then don't worry about that.

you don't need all those liners or listellos. keep it simple.

this one is fine
Eleanor Smith-Litt thanked Beth H. :
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Eleanor Smith-Litt
Original Author
3 years ago
Well, Patricia and Beth you did bring me back to reality. I was over-thinking and I can see where it is way too busy. I do have to use smaller squares on the floor as per code (safety). I like a niche to keep pretty soap dispensers because otherwise they stay in the shower on the bench or floor. I am moving forward with the KISS method (keep it simple stupid) lol.

Thank you for your input. Now I have to hear a big "I told you so" from my fiance who said this from the start. I have literally driven him crazy.
PRO
Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works, Inc.
3 years ago
Eleanor, we have to agree that it is a dated look with all those elements and decorative trims. We would also not recommend anything that needs "fill" in the shower so would agree with your assessment of the particular porcelain sample you were encouraged to consider. So try to land on a selection that has simple trim pieces that are not bullnose. 90% of our clients do have a niche of some sort located somewhere (or built in shelves). Recommend you look for more inspiration photos that move you (sounds like traditional is the style of the home?). Generally only 2-3 materials (walls, floor and shower floor). If a backsplash is desired, figure that out later after your other surfaces come together. Do use your countertop material for your bench top, niche base and curb (if applicable) and go from there.
Eleanor Smith-Litt thanked Dragonfly Tile & Stone Works, Inc.
Eleanor Smith-Litt
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you so much Dragonfly for your input. I love the idea of countertop as base of niche and will keep the tile simple. I was looking over your site and the ideas are lovely.
Eleanor Smith-Litt
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you so much for your input MEC. I should start out with the basics I cannot change. I inherited a French piece which I had refinished in Palladium Blue (Benj. Moore) I am using the piece as a vanity with two sinks. I have purchased the countertop in Botuceli marble (sp). It is a beautiful cream color. The bathroom is in the rough stage. I have purchased three sconces two for cabinets which will be on each side of the vanity. The shower is rather large (5x4). The shower system is antique rubbed bronze as are the faucets.

You see, I began with one contractor who took my money and used all of the wrong material for the flat roof deck, it leaked, there was no access to the crawl space, his men flooded underneath the addition, there was no pitch to the roof and the list goes on. Then.......he quit of course blaming me, the plans, my questioning what was going on.

Thinking we were moving along i began purchasing the new kitchen (sitting in storage), the bed, and planning the bathroom. I love the palladium blue color of the vanity but

1. am unsure as to whether the oil rubbed bronze fixtures are right i can still exchange them for polished nickel

2. Should switch to porcelain white sinks instead of oil rubbed bronze

3. Mostly, I do not know what color the tiles should be at this point. Non of the brown/beige appeal to me.

I understand now that t

1. The shower and floor should be large and seamless

2. I like dragonfly's idea of putting the same material of the counter top on the bench top, niche base, and top of bench.

BUT

What color tile? What color tile? What material tile? now that I see the picture of seamless I understand.

Should I change the wall color?

Thank you for your input and giving me some direction. I work long hours as an SLP with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and I am so tired I have little time to search for an interior designer.

Ellie
Eleanor Smith-Litt
Original Author
3 years ago
Oh, I liked the old world look of the tile I showed if I chose the larges square would I use the dark or light. By the way your site is amazing. I am using cement tiles (black and white) for the powder room (another disaster contractor but at least we were validated and won the lawsuit.....then he went into bankruptcy) Now my luck with contractors has turned around thank goodness and things are moving along.
Eleanor Smith-Litt
Original Author
3 years ago
MEC, I love the Kaden Dandelion but I don't think it is floor tile.
Eleanor Smith-Litt
Original Author
3 years ago
Please tell me which hue of tile The wall colors will be changed

looks best with Palladium Blue cabinet

Thank you for any help.

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