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janie439

Opinions about tile selection

16 years ago

A while back, I made my selections on tile for my master bath remodel. Unfortunately, I waited until the last minute to order it.

It is a smallish bathroom, one side will only consist of a white vanity with a blue pearl granite countertop. I selected 5 by 5 blue tile (essenze genziana) for the bottom half the walls, in a block pattern. These are the walls where I have a window which will have a treatment, towel bar and toilet. I was planning on bringing this into the shower stall area, but adding 5 by 5 white tiles on a diagonal on the top half. I want to add some decorative accents possiblity some glass tiles on top.

The tile designer in the store hated my plan. She did not like my choice for floor (ceramic tile that looks like carrarra marble), wanting me to put something darker. She did not like the idea of white on the top half of the shower. Unfortunately, the glass tile I like does not pop next to the blue tile the way it does next to the white. She wants me to add some trim on the walls outside the shower , and use tile as a backsplash next to the granite. The granite is so beautiful, I don't think it needs anything else there.

Part of me is going into panic mode and wants to change everything, the other part of me wants me to stick to my original plan.

I would apprecite your honest opinions, suggestions and pictures.

TIA

Comments (9)

  • 16 years ago

    It's really hard to picture without some pictures of the tile, but it does sound like maybe there's a lot going on there between floor tile that looks like Carrera, glass tiles, blue tiles and white tiles, all set in different patterns, not to mention a granite countertop.

    But here's the deal: this is YOUR bathroom and that means the bottom line is that it doesn't really matter what your tile person likes.

    Perhaps, though, you could pick out the tiles in your plan that you love the most, or specify what it is about the tile plan you like and share that with her, then ask her for suggestions on what she would do bearing those preferences in mind. Then you can see what she comes up with and decide if you still like your original plan the best or maybe you just want to keep certain elements from it.

    Good luck!

  • 16 years ago

    I'm interested in the "why" portion of her opinion...why is she suggesting this and that...and, do you think she's making points, or are these non-issues for you? If she just doesn't like faux marble *period* - that's different than she thinks there is a better choice for your bath in particular.

    Does she think tile should be added near the granite so that the vanity relates to the other side of the room? Just a guess. That could be a point- but if you've considered this and think it works overall, then great.

    Two heads are be better than one....but if you have a strong point of view then listen to yourself. If she makes good points and it's the timing of reconsidering your choices that has you flustered- then a snap decision of I'll change it all or I'll change nothing is just normal understandable panic.

    Get a second opinion from another designer at the store or elswhere...or post pix here....but I think the main question is, does she make valid design points (in your opinion)...or does she just have differenct taste. If she didn't explain the "whys" to her opinions - that's not very helpful to you.

  • 16 years ago

    Thank you for your comments, I really appreciate it.

    Yes, the timing of all this has me in a panic. I should add I thought the designer was very nice, and had many ideas and far more helpful than other stores. I wish I went to her when I was looking for a floor tile to go with the blue tile. However, even though it took me a while, I am happy with my selection

    She is adding to the design, not taking away from it. One of my concerns if I listen to her, that too much will go on. I forgot to add in my original post that she wants a trim of glass tiles on the 2 walls that are not in the shower. One of these walls is where a window and towel bar will be. I envision a window treatment and towels will be there and will compete with the trim.

    She does not like the look of a 4 inch granite backsplash, and feels it should be tile. My husband already said no to this. However, I do have a concern the blue pearl granite does not relate to the rest of the bath.

    She objects to the floor because it is too white, will show dirt and hair, and it should be dark to anchor the room. Only my husband and I will use this room, so dirt is not an issue to me. Besides dirt is not a problem in my other bathroom with a light floor that is used by my boys. I love the way that bathroom looks.

    The white tile in the shower is not important to me. Right now I want to keep it because I like the way the glass tile looks next to the white tiles.

    Blue tile: http://www.tileamerica.com/uploads/Products/CeramicandPorcelain/Essenze/genziana.jpg

    white tile: http://www.tileamerica.com/uploads/Products/CeramicandPorcelain/Essenze/ice.jpg

    Floor tile: http://www.tileamerica.com/uploads/Products/CeramicandPorcelain/Carrara/carrara%20gris%20floor%2012.5x12.5%20121057.jpg

    This gave me the idea to change the patterns of the tile:
    http://www.tileamerica.com/uploads/images/Product%20Images/Ceramic%20and%20Porcelain/Essenze/thumb_essenze2.jpg

    Glass tile (possibly used as a 2 tile width strip or divided into diamonds): http://www.tileamerica.com/uploads/Products/Glass/Precious%20Gems%20Glass/blends/160171.jpg

  • 16 years ago

    So the vanity area is set! Kinda hard to go wrong with white vanity and blue pearl granite top...haven't seen your slab, but assume the stone and tile colors are harmoneous- I agree with you (having seen your tile) the tile and granite will compete- so why have one of them be a loser? Tell husband- he's right - so he gets credit and he'll feel invested to the lovely finished room : )

    Floor is non-issue for you.

    Now having seen the products, agree with you that the white is best to set-off the glass mosaic better than the blue.

    So question is, whether to add trim/detail to blue that runs outside the shower. My opinion is that I really like for borders to extend beyond the shower area across the length of a wall, so the wall is not chopped up, especially in a small bathroom. But can appreciate that you want to limit the glass bling to the shower.

    I suggest that you widen the border detail to include a white tile, specifically- add a top row of white to the block pattern of the blue just under the glass tile rows; this top white row will continue along the wall outside of the shower- so there is a continuous horizontal site line across these two walls- to unify and widen the space but not be as busy as running the glass bling around the room. In the shower, the tiles are blue on bottom with one row of white stacked on top, then two rows of glass block, and the white on the diagagnol as you had planned.

    Hope that is clear, just a suggestion of course-- the links were helpful -- really like the shade of blue tile and blue pearl granite.

  • 16 years ago

    The tile designer in the store hated my plan. She did not like my choice for floor (ceramic tile that looks like carrarra marble), wanting me to put something darker.

    If she likes it so much, tell her to put it in HER damn house!!! People like this really piss me off. (can ya tell?) They're there to make suggestions, not tell you what you like!

    You do your home the way YOU want to do it. The designer be damned! IF she doesn't want to help you do it YOUR way, tell her to take a hike!

  • 16 years ago

    Thanks kitch_n_kat, I like your idea of running a row of white tile around the bathroom.

    Bill_Vincent, you are right. One of the reasons, I have taken so long to respond is I have been thinking about this.
    After discussing this with my husband and some friends I decided to go back to my ideas before I went to the designer who talked me into the glass tiles.

    I went to another store, and the woman there loved my choices, and helped me tweak it. We decided to use kitch_n_kat's idea, and put a white tile trim around the bathroom.

    I feel so much better now, and confident about the outcome of my remodel.

    Thanks everyone.

  • 16 years ago

    Groovy : )

  • PRO
    16 years ago

    C'mon Bill....tell us what you REALLY think!

  • 16 years ago

    This might help - here are all your tile pics:

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