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kinshasa18

New bathroom project using Mediterranean tile - need opinions!

15 years ago

The bathroom is 9x11'.

Bathroom floor -- size is approximately 7x11'.

I want to use a 4x4' Mediterranean tile in a set of 9 tiles to create a 12x12' square. I prefer the Utica design but Carthage would also work. Each row would have two Daltile Aegean 12x12' tiles, then the 12x12' Utica design of 9 tiles, then repeat. Each succeeding row would shift the design slightly to create a pinwheel pattern.

Tub/shower wall -- approximately 6' to ceiling and 5' wide (simple drop-in tub). Tile would be the Daltile 12x12' Aegean with 2 bird murals, each 16x16' (each mural is a set of 4 8x8' tiles). The murals would be about 2' down from the ceiling.

As you enter the bathroom, the tub/shower wall cannot be seen. It's on the right behind a narrow 5' wall separating the shower fixtures from the beginning of the cabinets.

After I decide on the floor and walls, I will pick the double vanity, vessel sinks, and mirrors.

I love color (see photos of recently finished master bathroom) and an ethnic vibe. Is this too much blue? I'm not worrying about resale. We don't plan to sell.

Three boys used this bathroom as they grew up. It's larger than the master bathroom.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://s904.photobucket.com/albums/ac242/kinshasa18/Boys%20Bathroom/

Comments (15)

  • 15 years ago

    That's alot of pattern and vivid color. You might choose a pattern for the floor or shower wall but perhaps not both?

  • 15 years ago

    I think of the two bird murals on the shower wall as pictures, not pattern, because the majority of the wall would be a single color. Maybe white tile instead of blue on the wall?

  • 15 years ago

    YEAH! Finally some spicy tiles! Don't get me wrong, I love the elegant, understated bathrooms on this forum, but when I look at what can be done with tile, I wonder, why are most bathrooms so darn plain? Just so you can change out the shower curtain?

    Embrace the pattern and vivid color. Go for more, not less.

    Here is a link that might be useful: my tile inspiration

  • 15 years ago

    I love the patterned tile that you picked, but I'm not sure about the Aegian. Does it have the same translucent feel as the Turkish looking ones, or is it a flat color? I think I'd prefer your tiles with a white solid color and using the Utica or Carthage as a 12" stripe around the room. I don't like the pinwheel concept. There are several websites that you can use to play around with different tile looks. I think one is California Pottery and Tile at calpot.com. They have a free application called something like "tilepainter". You might want to check it out.

  • 15 years ago

    Whoa, slateberry51! Wish I could make a 9x11' bathroom look like that!

    Thanks, astridh. I haven't seen the Daltile Aegean yet, just on the website. I'm in the initial stages, playing with color and pattern. The Mediterranean tiles are glossy, not flat. I was thinking of having a floating vanity to show more of the floor. If I did a 12" stripe, then I wouldn't have a floating vanity, because you wouldn't be able to see the stripe. Thanks for the website suggestion. Right now I am using graph paper.

  • 15 years ago

    Man, talk about fate! I just posted a blog on ceramic tile (thereÂs a link at the bottom of this, if youÂre interested), but it is a subject that I keep coming back to, because it is absolutely one of the best ways I know to dress up any bathroom, regardless of size. One of the things I find particularly frustrating when I contemplate our remodeling plans for our bathrooms is that they are both five-by-nine-feet wonders that are destined to remain that size because we are not willing to undergo the expense of the major remodeling that would be required to increase the size of these rooms. What this means, though, is that those glorious bathrooms that I am forever fantasizing over are destined to remain just that, a fantasy.

    But tile, as it turns out, comes in all sizes and shapes, and this is especially true in Europe. Italy is home to all kinds of creative people who do wonderful things with kitchen and bathroom designs that I think are worth writing about, even though we Americans are not likely to send away for their products. But it helps to know about designs that are different than those we normally see in this country.

    But the one item I would seriously consider sending away for is Italian tile. I have seen tile that looks like slate or marble or a kind of brick-like building material. And I have seen these tiles decorated in all kinds of designs that are nothing short of stunning. TodayÂs blog deals with tile that has been made to look like a volcanic lava run!

    I think the choice you made with your tile is certainly a cut above the usual hum drum, but you might also want to consider some of ItalyÂs output. Really, theyÂre more than bathroom tile. TheyÂre a revelution.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Cabinet & Furniture Trends & Information

  • 15 years ago

    kinshasa-
    Those are gorgeous tile. My only comment is that you want to be 100% certain that the blue solid matches color and feel of the 100% GORGEOUS Mediterranean tile.

    I would tend to keep the focus on the tile, and less on a pattern (pinwheel). But both the mural and the pattern should look great together, IMHO.

    Where did you find those tile, may I ask??

  • 15 years ago

    Someone on Ebay sells these tiles individually. I checked and found out that the business is in Petaluma near Santa Rosa, and as fate would have it, we were planning to go to SR for a few days' vacation. So I made an appointment at the warehouse and saw all the tiles. The owner was so gracious and gave us two tiles to take home. I haven't decided yet, still in preliminary stages. But I'm leaning away from the pinwheel now. My husband thinks if the entire floor is laid with the Mediterranean tile, it would resemble a carpet. But it's not cheap--- even if the owner said he would give us a good price. Then again, we just spent almost $3000 on a Vetrazzo counter top.

  • 15 years ago

    I'm in Northern California, as well. Could you provide the contact for the business? I might use those tiles in my bathroom, too!

  • 15 years ago

    I'm at my folks' house right now in Las Vegas and will post the contact info when I get home. Just do a search for Mediterranean tiles on Ebay and I'm sure you'll find him.

    I went into San Francisco to see the Moroccan tiles at St. Tropez Boutique and didn't like them---besides the $155 cost per tile! They also sell Mediterranean tile and was told they buy them from the same source I visited near Santa Rosa.

  • 15 years ago

    I also like the idea of white tile with a color border around the room. If you raise the vanity, how about laying a 'rug' of tile in front of it? you could add a single full wall as well.

    gorgeous tile!

  • 15 years ago

    Just a note to say I tried the California and Pottery Tile Tile Painter program, but every time I color a tile and try to save it, it doesn't save! Does eanyone else have that problem?

    I found another site but have to download the software. It's called TileGem. As soon as I get home I will download it and play around with patterns.

  • 15 years ago

    North of South Trading Company, phone 707-484-8294.

    Latest idea is to arrange the 4x4" tiles in a 4x6' rectangle like a carpet in the middle of the floor. The rest of the floor tile would be white. White tile on shower walls with two bird murals. Another different bird mural somewhere else, not sure where yet. Maybe could use the 4x4" tile from floor as backsplash as well.

  • 15 years ago

    Thanks for the contact information.

    A few things to think about if you want to use this tile on the floor: It probably has very slippery glaze. Also, tiles in the US are rated for floor use in some way (I don't know any details). I would make sure that they are floor rated. Are they terra cotta (weak) or porcelain (stronger)? If you chip or scratch them, they won't look so nice. Also, think about where you will be putting floor mats and how that would affect your design. I had solid white floor tile in a bathroom once and I disliked how much work it was to keep looking clean.

    Again, I think the tiles are gorgeous, but it might be more practical to keep them on a vertical surface.

  • 15 years ago

    I love that tile. Why dont you buy them online on ebay?

    here is a gorgeous design

    Iznik is ,by far, the most beautiful hand painted ceramic tiles in that style.

    Here is a link that might be useful: ebay iznik