The Taj is the star. Go back to the drawing board for a plain and simple tile, and DON'T SELECT IT until your Taj is installed. Don't try to make two stars. No.n.e of your selections to now.

I recently installed Taj Mahal (and love it) after 23 years with verde butterfly granite (a dark green/black). That granite was never sealed and I placed hot pans on it all the time. Never used protection. Now there may have been thermal damage I couldn't see but the stuff was bullet-proof. When I started researching for the remodel, I knew I did not want quartz and did not find a granite that sang to me but then discovered Taj. What I have read over and over is every countertop should be protected from prolonged heat though quartz may be less forgiving than stone due to the resins. I think my Taj would be fine with a few minutes of heat on it - maybe longer - but it's a big investment so I am training myself and DH to use trivets and range kleen pads. So the answer to your question from the stone experts would be nothing is completely heat resistance but my 23 year old granite seemed to be! I went with what I love to see every day this time and luckily I don't have to worry about etching and staining, just too much heat.

Believe it or not, when the rubber hit the road, we decided to keep the original slate floors. We will be cleaning, sealing and enhancing them. I'll post photos when we're done.

that subway tile is too creamy yellow. Taj is a cooler toned stone. more grays and cooler whites. I wouldn't use anything yellow based. These do not really go together. for sure the yellow/peach tile doesn't I personally think the "travertine-look" larger tile is too busy, will compete w/both flooring and the Taj, and quite frankly has had it's day. I'd do something like this,, any of these look great w/taj. the mosaics would work on the shower floor and the niche or accent. or, look at these for larger tiles for either your bathroom floor, or even the shower walls. 16x16 Terrazzo kashmir,, next one is Tilebar, 24x24 porcelain, matte limestone-look. (I love that tile) Tilebar Cavatina is also nice. these come in a 12x24 size too. I'd use this or the one above, over that other tile you picked. (ignore the decorative tile) Do a 3x12 or 4x12 subway tile set in a stacked pattern. Or this tile in a white or soft gray, also in this same layout. are you dead set on the wood look tile in the bathroom? is this a rustic house? is this the look you want w/your tile in the shower and the wood look tile? I would use a solid porcelain tile for the bathroom floor, maybe in a herringbone. a darker, warmer gray would look nice. (or a soft white) Or, this herringbone below would look killer on the floor, or even in the shower. Finland White wood tile at Floor and Decor. that wood look tile looks nice in a bathroom that has more of a country feel. is your bathroom country style? I'd say no based on the style of that traditional vanity. the two styles clash. as do the different larger tiles you've chosen. A Zellige tile would look amazing w/the Taj. it's here on the floor. and doing a busy mosaic pattern inside of a busy larger tile, just looks busy. especially with all of the other busy tile (floors and countertop) you have. Look at Cloe tile. they have a soft gray or a white that would be perfect w/Taj. Diff sizes and shapes too what if you got Taj Majal tiles? You don't have to go to this extent, but they'd look nice on the floor or in the shower taj countertop, lighter, creamier/gray flooring