Is brightly-colored iridescent glass tile "too much" in the bathroom?

3 years ago

We're getting started on a new home build, and I came across this ocean/beach themed shower that I think is just amazing.

When traveling, we've stayed in a few rooms that had a darker-colored iridescent glass tile - one had darker shades of brown and gold with LED "stars" that were embedded in the ceiling, and it was very dramatic - but nothing this "bright."

While bathrooms with unusual and visually-interesting details are fun on vacation, I worry that it might be too novel and just a little over the top. I do love the beach though - the other pic is our current bathroom, which has the same tile pattern on the side of the tub on the wall in the shower, and the same pebbles on the floor that are on the tub deck, for comparison.

I like the spa-like and calming atmosphere in our bathroom. Maybe just the glass tile in the shower and nowhere else?

Thanks!

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HALLETT & Co.

3 years ago

I have a friend with a giant mosaic of Marilyn Munroe's face as the back wall of their shower- probably ten feet long and eight feet tall. It is amazing- all done is glass mosaic. Drama works if it is well planned for and the whole house is similarly designed. I think your sample tile could work well as the entire back wall of a shower with everything else white...

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Comments (14)

eld6161
3 years ago
That is so over the top. How do you clean it?

That said, use it as a feature. I am not one for decorative boarders or accents but in your case it would be a nod to what you love.

Figure out how to get it a bit in there somehow.
Nancy H thanked eld6161
Molly D. Zone4B
3 years ago
I think you run risk of it looking gaudy...I would aim more for classic with a little bling for the long term.
Nancy H thanked Molly D. Zone4B
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Carrie B
3 years ago
What about using it for a six inch backsplash behind the vanity?
Nancy H thanked Carrie B
Nancy H
Original Author
3 years ago
Yes, I agree with all of you.

Carrie B., I like your idea of a backsplash. (We will have two vanities.)

The accent strip that we have (shown in my picture) is about 6" wide, and I don't think I would want any more of it than the one row we have on the tub and in the shower.
Tara
3 years ago
I like color, but this is a bit much. Maybe as an accent stripe vertically behind the shower head, kinda like a waterfall. (oh, by the way, you would clean it just like you would clean any other tiled shower, with a telescoping pole added in).
Nancy H thanked Tara
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Altair
3 years ago
Just a wild thought here.., but what if the blue was used on the floor.. so it seems as if you were walking on water? Love the idea.. but plan and get together with a designer who can put together some renderings for you.
Nancy H thanked Altair
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Mark Bischak, Architect
3 years ago
So I take it the Marilyn Monroe mosaic beat out the Jack Nicholson mosaic.
chispa
3 years ago
@eld6161, glass tile is very easy to clean.

@Nancy H, before you make your plans I would price out what that shower would cost you! Good quality iridescent glass tile is not cheap and you will need a top tile installer to do a proper job with mosaic tile.
Nancy H thanked chispa
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
3 years ago
Oh Mark... that can never be unseen.
chicagoans
3 years ago
(not a pro) That's really pretty! I'm one whose taste changed after I did a big reno. If you're concerned that you might get tired of the blue tile or it might be too much, I'd consider using it to tile a wide frame around your bathroom mirror(s). You'd get a nice focal point for your bling, but with the option to change it out easily if you ever wanted to.
Nancy H thanked chicagoans
PRO
Sabrina Alfin Interiors
3 years ago
I like @HALLETT & Co.'s idea of doing it as a feature wall instead of an all-over treatment. Here are a few photos that could show you what I mean:

Miwa · More Info

This next one is actually a solid surface material made of geodes or possibly onyx, but it's a similar idea:

Contemporary Shower · More Info

And here's a cool one with a mural done in mosaic tile:

Sugar House Master Bathroom · More Info
Nancy H thanked Sabrina Alfin Interiors
ilikefriday
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
My decor style is exactly that, too much. I LOVE dramatic decor. As long as it fits with the rest of your home I say go for it. IMO when you try to tone down a dramatic design it typically results in a flop and ends up looking like a mistake. I suggest either going all the way or not at all.

.
Nancy H thanked ilikefriday
User
3 years ago
The iridescence and colors of the tiles are beautiful, but this is way too much to my eye. I think I would have liked this if they'd limited this design to the niche or just one wall rather than the whole space.
Nancy H thanked User