I like what I can see of them. Photo is rather dark....

You may have a bigger problem than what tile you have decided on.

What type of waterproofing did they use for the shower?

If I were you I would be more upset that there doesn’t appear to be any waterproofing behind the tile. This will likely lead to a premature death of your shower. Please correct me if I’m wrong. We just redid 2 bathrooms and issues like this are of great interest to me.

Yes, sorry. We don't have any lights connected in the bathroom yet.

We're using perma base (cement board) for the walls (poly behind) and we're using an epoxy grout. We also have a one piece cultured marble base.

So you have the moisture barrier behind the cement board?

OK, so how is the moisture barrier sealed around the windows?

As for the mosaic, it's OK, but would probably look better in a thinner line, say three tiles vs six, and it would possibly work better with the tile above the mosaic then too, if you are going to the ceiling.

I don’t know anything about moisture barrier, but it’s an issue that’s frequently brought up on this site. Best to check it out to be sure it’s done correctly.

As for the accent tiles, I’ve never liked them. Yours are pretty subtle, which is better, but it’s totally a matter of taste. Personally, I’d skip them.

Oh yes, we're taking the tiles all the way to the ceiling. The big tiles are continuing above the mosaic. We're using quartz sill for the window and the top of the pony wall.

I think the tiles look fine. They aren't dramatic, but maybe that is better, given that those accents are not quite as popular these days.

I would be more worried about moisture. cpartist usually is on the mark.

While I may not of done the accent tile. I really don’t see it as a bad look in this situation. Blends in well. It could become a nice break since your floor and shower looks all the same. Looks like it’s going to be really pretty

The strip of mosaic tile is a very dated look. I'd take them out.

If I read you correctly Samantha, you have Tile--Perma Base--poly sheet--studs.

That is NOT the correct method.

A. The manufacturer of Perma Base says that it is NOT a water barrier.

B. If water gets behind the tile it is trapped in the Perma Base because of the poly. It can't evaporate because there is tile on one surface and poly on the other. Result: mold, mildew, tiles falling off.

You should have Tile--waterproofing membrane--Perma base--studs. Never put a waterproof membrane behind a cement board in a tub or shower situation.

I'm not really concerned about a moisture issue. We didn't use a standard poly. We used CertainTeed's MemBrain - Continuous Air Barrier & Smart Vapor Retarder. This product will allow walls to dry if moisture happens to get in behind. We also chose an epoxy grout which will prevent moisture from getting through in the first place. Our subfloor (entire bathroom) is Advantec (high resin) and Perma base. We have a solid, one piece, cultured marble base in the shower. I appreciate all the concern, but I'm not concerned about a moisture issue.

I like the smaller tiles breaking up the expanse of large tiles on the walls and floor. I don't consider it "dated" at all. It's another type of patterning.

Is the "meh" feeling you have because the border is not giving you what you expected? What were you hoping for? Often times when clients want to use the same for the border they may not realize how it blends in the surrounding tiles. If you were looking for something more, pick another option that has a bit of glass in it for some contrast in tones, the colors can still stay very neutral.

We like simplicity in design, leaning more towards contemporary, and I think the addition of the mosaic detracts from that. I would have removed the mosaics already myself, but with lack of experience with install and removal, I'm worried I'll make a huge mess and won't be able to get them all off without causing other issues.

I ended up with all 12 x 24" tiles in my shower after spending months looking at mosaics. I like it. But in your case, you've picked tile that is giving the bathroom a cement block appearance so I'd use the mosaic to soften the look. I might even continue with the mosaic to the ceiling.

tatts is not quite correct. You need *either* poly behind the board *or* painted-on membrane on top of it, but not both. If you have both, that's a moisture sandwich.

Permabase won't mold, but studs will. Your shower waterproofing is to protect the studs. A moisture barrier on either side of the backer board is fine. And you've got that.

Also, epoxy grout is not waterproof. No grout is.

Samantha, the more I look at it the better it looks. I’d keep it.

I like the mosaic tile. I think it does help soften the look a bit and since it's the same tile and color, it doesn't really detract from the overall look

I don't usually like bands of accent tile in a shower but this one looks a little industrial without something or maybe its just the lighting. Maybe remove half of the mosaic tiles as someone suggested.

If you're going to remove some of the mosaic, I'd leave at least four rows because the accent needs some width, ie. more visual heft, because of the proportions of large tile to small. Three rows is fine for a subway tile but not for a heavy porcelain tile. You also want more than a sliver of field tile under the window.

You need to be cognizant of what size cut tile you're going to end up with at the ceiling with the large format tile. The math should have been figured out before the work began. I think your top tile on the pony wall should have been a full tile and the cut tile hidden at the floor, or the difference should have been split. To my eye the math looks off on the mosaic too as there's two rows too many. In order to frame the window with field tile, I would want half a field tile between the mosaic and bottom of the window. That's why I suggested bringing the mosaic to the ceiling. It would frame the window much as a mosaic is used to frame the mirror over a vanity.

I like the mosaic with the larger tile on the bottom, but not as an accent. Just keep going up to the ceiling with the small ones.

I would have went with a glossier mosaic tile. My thoughts on mosaic tile is to complement your choice of tile for your bathroom. It needs to match, or compliment. I dont think you selected the right mosaic.

Not a fan of accent tile. Simple is always best.

I think it's jarring you because it's a bit of a dated look already, these little squares. If you like a modern look, just have that removed and continue with the solid tile the rest of the way -- it will be great, and easier maintenance besides.

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Especially in your case, it looks like maybe the view is your accent!

Looking at the current layout, with six rows of small mosaic, you are going to have thin slivers of large format tile under and over the window. Remove two or three rows of the mosaic and the math looks much better.

I don't care for the stripe of mosaic. Can't really give a reason. I just don't like it.

If you kept going with the smaller tile, it might be something like this only upside down. lol

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I think that if you need an accent tile to spruce up the walls then you should have chosen better material for the walls (that didn't need anything additional to make the walls look decent). Put another way...what was wrong with simple sleek unadorned walls? Accent stripes are dated.

Weedyacres: Yes, but...in the OP's original description she described a 'moisture sandwich' because they are using large format tiles, which in and of themselves are waterproof (with very few grout lines). Now that she's clarified, it's a different story.

Your mosaics might have been more effective if they had been installed as an insert instead of a stripe.

I like the tiles as you have them thus far, but remember you are the one who has to live with it. If your gut says to take them out, listen to it.

Thank you for all the feedback. It's been decided that we're going to keep the band of mosaics. The more I look at it, the more I like it (as with Idecor54's comment). I do really like the look and simplicity of all the big tiles with no mosaic, but I think I will like this just fine as well. We are also using a very neutral grout that blends very well with the tile and almost makes the lines disappear. I'm feeling confident that it will look good in the end. ;)

I think you will be very happy you kept it. An understated, clean look with interest.

I think it will look good too. Be sure to post when finished!

I’m just here to say I like your big “stripe” of mosaic tiles and I am looking forward to seeing the finished results.

Looks great!

Wondering how they did the outer corners on the sides of the opening (bullnose? Mitered joint? etc)

He mitered all the outside corners and does a nice job finishing them off with the grout. He still has to finish grouting the outside corners. Turns out epoxy grout is a pain in the butt to work with, so it's being done in stages.