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Home Decorating Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Can this tile design be saved? What do you think of it?

last year

last modified: last year

I needed to tile 4 bathrooms in 2 high end rental units near the beach. I was going to use this mottled brown tile in 2 baths, one in each unit.

and at the last minute changed it up to the white semi-mottled tile from the same line. Strictly to make it look less muddy with the terrazzo floor.

The floor will be the Terrazzo shown in the pic. Does the white tile just look dirty installed on the wall? Will people 'get it' after all the terrazzo details in the shampoo niche and floor are installed? Will a tan grout help the look of the white tile?

Featured Answer

Jennifer Svensson

last year

Tile and terrazzo only. I’d not use the third tile for the niche

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Comments (18)

catbuilder
last year
The terrazzo didn't look dirty to me until I saw it next to the very dirty-looking wall tile. My brain comprehends it as all the same dirt.
Paul F. thanked catbuilder
aziline
last year
I see beach sand colors and like the variation in the tile. Terrazzo is my favorite looking flooring and that's a good one for by the beach.
Paul F. thanked aziline
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Mrs. S
last year
last modified: last year
I think it looks fine. Like @aziline, I really am a fan of the terrazzo look. No, don't use tan grout. I'm not sure what would be best, but def not tan. Perhaps a light gray from the terrazzo tile.

Btw, I'm not an expert, but what is going on with your waterproofing (?), because I don't see any. I'll let the pros chime in, but what method are you using?
Paul F. thanked Mrs. S
Paul F.
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
I love the Terrazzo because to me it looks like magnified sand. I guess the white tiles having the sandy looking smudges on them is what I was going for but finally seeing them go up on the wall I'm second guessing it for the second bathroom.

Layer of overlapping tar paper, cement scratch coat and everything coated with hydro-ban.
Olychick
last year
last modified: last year
I like the while tile with the terrazzo on the floor. Like you say the floor is reminiscent of a sandy beach and it grounds the while. I do not care for what you are doing in the niche. The pattern and color clashes or is excessive with the tile pattern. I would either use the floor tile in the niche or maybe a smaller accent tile from the same line/same color as the wall tile, Or pick a warm gold or a gray from a chip the floor tile and use a plain glass tile in the niche. I'd use a grout close to the color of the wall tile to minimize the pattern while still showing texture.
Paul F. thanked Olychick
chispa
last year
Like the Terrazzo. Not loving the old/worn looking tile, but I tend to not like that look in general.
Paul F. thanked chispa
Paul F.
Original Author
last year
Here's a photoshop of what I was thinking about with the rear of the shampoo niche. My sample tiles below that are much brighter. They match with that butterscotch color. The textured tiles are weirdly opalescent and remind me of sea shell. Obviously the white tiles are not my smudgy ones.
Olychick
last year
last modified: last year
I think your last mock up looks much better than the other one you did, I think the small tile must look prettier live than it does in the photos. There is still something 'off' to my eye with the shower tile being rectangles, with oval embellishment, the busy Terrazzo (which is gorgeous, but busy), then the small tile rectangles in a different color. It's just too many disparate things (to me). If you love it and are happy with it, go for it.
Paul F. thanked Olychick
just_janni
last year
Agree - run the field tile into the niche, edge in Schluter, use the terrazzo for the (sloped) base.

I really love the terrazzo vibe here - well done on that. Don't overdo it with the 3rd tile.
Paul F. thanked just_janni
cpartist
last year
Agree with the above and Janni. Use the terrazzo for the base and the field tile for the rest. The third tile doesn't work at all.
Paul F. thanked cpartist
Paul F.
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
I'm glad most of you hate only my textured tile and not my primary. That's what I was most worried about. I can just do the niche in one terrazzo piece on the back. Again, this is just a picture I found that happens to be using my terrazzo. That is not my white tile.
Mrs. S
last year
last modified: last year
I'm not a fan of any "decorative" niches. Imho, there is no reason to call out the niche (which just holds shampoo bottles and stuff), as a decor item. There are a couple designers (in these forums) who have said they don't even like niches because they are so prominent, and when filled with shampoo bottles, they surely don't look decorative.

Strips of decorative tile, contrasting borders, and decorative niches are not necessary and don't add anything. I personally love the terrazzo, as I said before, but I would put it on the floor and keep the field tiles consistent and relatively plain, for all of the rest.

It is a real splurge to make your shower "special" . Think about how much it costs to install a shower. I would choose something classic, classic, classic, and for me, that means simple.
Paul F. thanked Mrs. S
Paul F.
Original Author
last year
Last question... I have the ability to exchange the white tile for the beige tile to do my other bathroom. Is the distressed white tile better than the beige for a beachy look?
fissfiss
last year
I like the white tile better…and niches are incredibly functional!
Paul F. thanked fissfiss
Olychick
last year
I think the tile with the ovals looks better in white. I think the beige could work, but I don't think it goes well with the oval trim pieces. The beige looks rustic, the ovals and white tiles look modern/contemporary. So if I were keeping the ovals, I'd stay with the white. I think crisp and clean (white) works in most every style bathroom - beachy, too.
Paul F. thanked Olychick
cpartist
last year
Prefer the white tile.
Paul F. thanked cpartist
Paul F.
Original Author
last year
Thanks for the feedback I appreciate it. I was ready to ditch the white for the second bathroom.

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