Thanks for the feedback everyone! OK, we've had the plumber, electrician, and carpenter in, and we've talked ourselves into more surgery. New plan, really interested in any opinions, good or bad, on these choices....particluarly struggling on decision for the neo-angle base--CM, acrylic jacuzzi, tiled UGS, or tiled Kerdi?: 1. Lose the entire wall separating the 2 rooms of the master, including the existing shower wet wall! move the shower plumbing wall to same as toilet supply. Move drain. Going large neo angle to have a more open room, roomier shower, and it creates a perfect spot for a built in linen storage system (Time to bust out the kreg-jig!...or order furniture). Slight narrowing of door, and now I'm back to barn slider, but this may be a gametime decision. 2. ~48" neo angle shower base ---need help! Stuck between a. Kerdi/UGS system, with biltmore honed 2X2 tile floor (is the neo angle version of these systems too crazy for a homeowner to do? can't afford to pay a tile guy to laydown a muddeck and do the whole deal). Love the feel of tile underfoot. b. stay safe, but less fancy with a a jacuzzi 48" acrylic, or usmarble/solid surface neo angle base? we were happy enough w/ a Jacuzzi 42"neo in our old, smaller bathroom 3. Wife talked me out of pony walls/linear drain which is good, because i would have had to build them! Shower walls will be ceramic large subway with some cool biltmore/glass mosaic accent on the wall, probably as 2 vertical 12" stripe where the shower hardware is mounted, and on the other wall....or a horizontal stripe. Tiling to ceiling. We like the clean look of the kohler shower locker in lieu of messy tile niches, do these look ok, or cheap? Thought on this plan/size of shower, pan choice? 4 Moen Kingsley Regular constant pressure valve with diverter, rain shower head, and a handheld on a bar...standard but nice, and I've had nothing but good luck w/ Moen. Chrome, because we like it best, AND it's cheapest! 5. Decided to lose the towel warmer...too many variables/questions/$$$ 6. Sticking with the schluter tile warmer system...plenty of floor thickness to work with, and why not for $600 bucks. We really like the 1 ft square biltmore honed floor from Tile Shop. Price not bad. need to research how this works over heated and wear. If not, does anyone recommend a good, classic looking tile for the floor? Would 5" carrara hex (sealed) work? Expensive, but we had this look in our old bath, loved the look and feel. The natural stone is a bit thicker than ceramic, and I'm worried about the heating being effective, or damaging the stone. (admittedly, i need to do some more research here) Here's the pic, of the layout, shower wall tile area/outline in green, wainscoated walls in blue. Thanks again for advice!

Thanks Salex. Nice! Love the tub idea but we are not tub people. I used our soaking tub twice in 6 years in our last house so would rather have a bigger shower. Husband and I just decided that if we do the WC, we would move the window so we can have 3'. I agree with all the advice here. 2.5" just isn't enough. And I would love a frosted glass pocket door to make it lighter and feel bigger. We just have to decide if we definitely want to move the toilet (it's currently next to shower) and the window. It's both or neither. I think it would be worth it. But we are doing all the work ourselves (mostly him) so we need to think through cost and work/effort/time! Thank you!

Thanks benjesbride and cpartist! i've shared with my parents and they are working toward a final plan. A couple questions for you... 1. I forgot to mention the bathroom has a pretty high vaulted ceiling that goes up from left to right as you enter the bathroom. 8' at window/toilet side and then up to ~13' on the wall to the left when you walk in. What layout will look best with that much upper space? Maybe a tall linen cabinet in that corner? I've attached a couple of photos for you to get a sense. Pre-demo of course! 2. Can you have the shower door open in? I thought they typically opened out? thank you!! I really appreciate it.

I have Hale Navy in my master, as well. I painted the master bath vanity Hale Navy and the walls Grant Beige with Mayonnaise for the trim color throughout. My furniture and decor are beiges and other warm colors, so it worked for me. Maybe, you could look at Mayonnaise for your wall color with the white trim.