It's a look you have to like. Our bathrooms are both contemporary and we used Shluter in both. We like the clean streamlined look (and don't like bullnose tile).

"Contemporary" is spot-on.

If they fit the style, Schluter strips work well.

If they don't fit the style, then they can look awkward, leading to a muddled or off-putting design.

Agree with MongoCT. I, personally, don't like Schluter strips and chose tiles accordingly so I wouldn't need to use them. I have seen them used in contemporary installs and don't think they look bad at all, they just aren't for me. I think whether or not to use them depends on your own personal taste and is not related to "old school" methods of installation. I don't think Schluter strips look good with every kind of tile.

We used White Thassos marble tile (cut to size) instead of bullnose tiles on our MB tub surround. Just an idea.

I've used Schluter for corners ( floor to ceiling), and large windows. Looks fine.

However, if you use it too much (like around nitches) it starts looking busy.

Profile edges are always a second option. As stated above it is a contemporary look. Schluter does have the Tuscan Profile series for a more rustic look.

We used them but our bathroom is a contemporary style. It's very common for tile not to come in bullnose any more.

Many more companies aside from Schluter make profiles for tile installations. Round these parts the going rate for making bullnose on tiles is $1.50 per linear foot

Let us know what you choose and how you like it once it is installed. Have you looked at sample installations with the Schluter strips yourself? Every has their own taste. You may like them. We are in the middle of a contemporary remodel of a full bath and are using bullnose on edges because we didn't want to introduce metal strips into our carefully chosen color scheme.

We are retiling our shower. The tub surround is marble with matching bullnose; thin, not mudcap. My designer suggested Schluter for the stand alone shower, and I was sold, but my contractor thinks it is a very modern look and the matching bullnose will look better. Any thoughts?

Go with the matching bullnose!

Bullnose is definitely out of style. Shluters come in many colors/finishes and make for a clean look that you can match to ANY style.

If staying with marble have your qualified installer fabricate the trim for the perfect match.

I would avoid profile trims whenever possible.

"Shluters come in many colors/finishes"

Schluter is not a product. It's a company name.

Tile Profile Trim is the product. With many manufacturers. See through the marketing folks. Don't limit your options.

Tile Profile Trim

Blanke Corp.

https://www.blankecorp.com/

Progress Profiles

https://www.progressprofiles.com/en/profiles-for-floors

Profilitec

https://www.profilitec.com/en/products/floor-covering-profiles

Custom

https://www.custombuildingproducts.com/media/60093375/profiles_brochure_proplb_5_14_web.pdf

MD

http://mdbuildingproducts.com/product-category/flooring-products/ceramic-tile-trims/

Dural

https://www.tileshop.com/finishing-pieces/accessories/dural-metal-profiles

Schluter

https://www.schluter.com/schluter-us/en_US/Profiles/c/P

Litokol

https://www.litokol.it/en/10-metal-tile-trims-and-skirtings

Kuberit USA

https://www.kuberitusa.com/

and more.

Here are some photos of the from my bath-to-shower renovation that's going on now, with Schluter tile trim in the "Jolly" profile. Photos aren't great and work is still in progress but you can get the idea.

I had never heard of Schluter trim before, but know what it is now that I just had my kitchen backsplash tiled. The tile contractor said he was measuring for tile and bullnose when he came out, but when his guys did the job, they used the Schluter product. In an older, classic Colonial home. Filled with antiques. With subway tile. I am LIVID. They ran out of field tile on Friday afternoon and left for the weekend, and I haven’t yet had a chance to talk to the owner or his wife, who is useless. She actually called to ask if I would schedule them on short notice due to a cancellation and then blew me off without calling when another job ran over. Alarm bells should have gone off, but I’m apparently stupid because stuff like this keeps happening to me.

I suspect they used the Schluter either because they forgot to order bulnose (all of 5 feet would have been enough) or because it’s faster to install. Or both. Maybe it’s ok in a modern house or contemporary installation, but it looks terrible in my very traditional kitchen.