You are so helpful - I'd hate to do this without you! I'm 98% sure I'm going with the star and cross. I LOVE, LOVE the picket in the wave but those are big tiles and I'm afraid the impact would be lost with how the doorway breaks it up. Another wall, maybe the fireplace in the kitchen:) Regarding edges on the star and cross, I was told that a beveled edge would be the right treatment for the outside corner. Using Sketchup, here's what I came up with, with hopefully very exact dimensions and 1/4-3/8 grout lines, and the white clay body (which is a little smaller than the recycled). This shows the left side of the pantry, and then the front. In this case, tiling would start at that outside corner, which would be all beveled stars, cut in half. (Please ignore the discrepancy in grout colors; the right side would be what is desired). The 'messy' parts are the far left of the left side, and the far right of the front. I'll ask my designer for input. As you point out, I can tweak the width of the trim, but I believe this should be in place before tiling starts, no? Regarding grout color - current grout is TEC silverado (here's a closeup). I'll definitely mock up a few sample boards once the tiles arrive. Next up... line up a local installer (or remember who we used last time...).

Sometimes a larger matt or more bossy frame works to provide some separation and add prominence to the art, sometimes it isn't need. So, it Really depends on the art... the strength of the imagery, the size, the colorway,the negative space etc. Without pics,can't offer any more specifc advice but here's a pretty pic from Mark D. Sikes

The room was in the restoration stages and in addition it is full of boxes because my mom passed away and we sold her house. I was trying to order the wallcovering during the sale. I thought the fabric and wallcovering pictures would be enough. Looks like it wasn't - thank you anyway.

It sounds like you have a good sense of what you want, just hard to find the one you love. Given you are papering the dining room, it should be the focus (vs if only holding up to the tile). You started with a simple faux grasscloth look; it was a good choice as you won’t tire of, it will not take over and to work with dining room’s furniture (and flooring), consider a bit of a brown inclusion. The quality will also make a big difference. Sample available, if interested. https://wallcoveringsmart.com/collections/all/products/75814-grey-faux-grasscloth-wallpaper?variant=21439712067689 Be sure you are 100% sure, it’s a big commitment. (Years ago my mother, husband and I were papering our dining room and I got a dreadful feeling it wasn’t right and it never was!)