" handymac, I'd appreciate it if you'd clarify your statements a bit more. Why do you think that "Using even a custom transition strip when the hard surface is higher than the carpet usually does not work well"? Do you mean that it becomes a trip hazard? Or is there another reason? Transition strips have to be stable---both sides have to have support. In the example above, the strip is supported by the hard surface, but will nor be supported by the carpet/pad sufficiently unless the strip compresses the carpet/pad quite a lot. That usually results in a squashed carpet look most folks do not like. By "So, you might wind up adding 3/4" to the carpeted areas just to get the heated floors in the baths" are you suggesting that we add underlayment before we re-carpet? If so, how do we address the differences at the stairs? Do we gradually raise the height of the top steps? I'd think we'd need to do something or else the top step will be 3/4" higher than all the others and that would be noticeable." Adding 3/4" under the carpet is what I meant. As for the stairs, I have seen a landing area(at the original floor height) done at the top of the stairs, maybe 4' by 3' and a transition strip used between the carpet and the landing area. Maybe solid surface flooring or vinyl tile. That minimizes the height difference at the top step and a 3/4" visual difference does not create a trip hazard.

I would find a good wallpaper installer to do a continuation lay of a wallpaper mural. Some have a bit of your bedroom blue with the greens. The effect with the lighter sky at the top will add more vertical height and look cool. Maybe not those particular mural wallpapers ( just quickly grabbed some) but there are some nifty wallpaper murals out there. Google bathroom wallpaper murals or scenery wall murals, A bunch of trees with water and sky would work so well with the floor color, countertop and wood of vanity... greens, blues, a bit of brown, earth with everything getting lighter as it goes up. Small off areas can be painted any color in the mural.

Another option. I have 80's beige/almond/whatever shower/tub combos in my beach condo. I am having them spray coated white. They're in great shape; I just don't like the color. This is not the site I am using, but it's the same principle: http://www.miraclemethod.com/ Way cheaper than replacing, and I will leave it to the next owner to replace if they want. I don't rent it out, so hopefully it will hold up until I sell down the line 9wnat to get closer to the beach eventually). Not what you asked - sorry!

With those formal shapes on the floor and shower walls I wouldn't go free form on the niches. I would do 1-inch square glass tiles with some subtle color that references the floor. Or maybe see if you could cut the floor tiles to somehow work in the niches. Follow the lead of your inspiration rooms - you've got stunning floor and wall tiles- let them star and don't give them too much competition. Otherwise it starts to look too busy IMHO. Edited to add another option would be a solid color tile if you could find one matching one of the colors in the floor and a complimentary shape to the shower and floor. Free form circles just doesn't do it for me in your setting.