I'm also doing a feature wall behind my bathtub, so I'm interested to see opinions here as well. I'm planning on doing a stacked quartz, but I must say I'm in love with that chevron marble! I know the chevron can be trendy, but I think the marble keeps it classic. It's impossible to know what buyers will want in the future, so I always say to go with the one you love and that you'll be happy looking at for the next six years!

My friends have also suggested I get something I enjoy and not worry about the next buyers. I am moving toward the chevron...but I prefer the large. If I can find a large marble chevron I will likely go for it. Thank you both for your input!

My apologies, after looking more closely I realized the large porcelain chevron tiles photo was actually the one I was trying to say I loved :) Might be fun for you to add some polished brass fixtures, or at least accessories, love how it warms it up.

I love your ideas. And i'm a sucker for chevron and especially herringbone. I'm doing a carrara hb floor in my bathroom. Also have a black basketweave.

Have you seen any of the gorgeous selections from tilebar?http://tilebar.com/collection/luxury.html?p=2

white thassos and mother of pearl

winged marble chevron, below,, http://tilebar.com/monarch-winter-magic.html

Calacatta /Mirror

And the Esplanade is prob my favorite. Comes in 4 different colors. (black and brown is gorgeous too)

A feature wall. In a bathroom. Really? You know what goes on in there, right?

Thank you Beth H - those are lovely! I especially love the colours of the thassos and mother of pearl.

I have done any number of "feature" walls in master baths, but I'm not sure about the chevron pattern being the timeless look. However, I am all for "making yourself happy" unless you are moving in 2 years or less. Then, anything you choose will be fine. If you plan to be there longer, then you have to decide what is important. Here are some design ideas for "feature" walls that might be of interest.

Large Chevron "picture" framed with free standing tub. Very pretty but IMO a little cold.

Your cabinetry is somewhat similar in color perhaps, so here is gray/blue walls and more neutral tiling with detailed "feature" wall behind free standing tub.

this is one of my all time favorite looks, but might not be your taste. But it is so tranquill and inviting to my eye.

The wall of shower is feature wall and I believe that is a slab of Quartzite, which is really gorgeous and you can find some wonderful colors and looks in that material. So, loads of options out there. Hope these inspire you even more.

maybe instead of feature wall, a little framed accent on the wall?

@tatts: Relaxation happens :) Especially since the tub will be in front of the feature wall.

@brucelk: You definitely want something you enjoy looking at. If you're going to spend the time and effort on a feature wall, I think it should be something extraordinary. I like the large chevron. Here's a few I found just looking through tilebar.com (the link Beth posted).

I personally love mirrors in the bathroom.

I think (the realistic side of me is popping out) the real choice will be to stay within some budgetary limit? But, perhaps the space isn't that large and with a smaller space to fill you might be able to stretch in other elements to get a really big look? You have some difficult choices for sure! All good though. That is the best kind.

Flo, thanks so much for the beautiful pictures. My personal favorite is the quartzite...but then I looked in the price! I agree that I need to consider the budget. I don't want this to be the $5000 wall! I may have found a solution with the Ceregres Mate in Terra Avorio. It's in the picture below as a floor, but it works on the wall as well. Perhaps with a lighter grout, I can create an interesting effect and lighten it up at the same time. It has the right tone, but I was hoping for something a little lighter.

Beth - thank you for the framed accent wall ideas. I do love those as well, but I was hoping to keep things a little simpler as I already have a lot going on with the feature wall and walnut cabinet. I just want to make sure I don't make it too busy. My challenge has been that every tile saleperson/designer steers me in a different direction with their enthusiasm.

Emily & Beth - I saw some tile bar patterns today and they really are stunning! As much as I like them, I think I need to go for something bigger for that wall. I posted a picture above of a floor that has a chevron patter. The colour is close to what I want and the size is good. Even the price point is reasonable. There is variation in the tile pieces, which will add some interest. I can always use a lighter grout to create even more interest. If I went this route, I could go with a lighter tile on the floor,

? I like chevron wall idea, do you have a pic of the tile you want to use?

Beth - I could do that for sure. I guess I'm not sure exactly how to pull that off (size, border, etc.)

Maybe something in herringbone like this, and a marble on the floor? very classic design, more so than the chevron.

carrara and bardiglio marble

or this chevron in the larger carrara and bardiglio

all but the first and last one come in sheets. the one above is pre-cut marble in that size and laid accordingly. I'm doing my own bath floor in 4X16 honed carrara in a herringbone layout. (chevron pre-cutting is actually more work and waste,,unless your tile setter is going to 45 each tile,,,in that case, he will hate you! lol). You could do this lay out w/any material and even stick in accents for a bit of glam.

have you thought about the Arabesque? this is gorgeous behind the bath. You could still do a chevron mosaic on the floor in the marble. It would all go together.

Beth - those are all beautiful - especially the last one and the shower. I will need to cost it out. If only money were no object!

lol. right?! actually, i think you will find the last one to be on the cheaper side. You can find those in ceramic and on a mesh. a lot easier to lay and cheaper to buy than the mosaic marble. The edging detail and the inset option are what make this so nice looking. You could splurge a little on the 1 inch edging border. Maybe do a black marble or some other stone option.

Also, think about doing the little ledge like they have above. It really adds a lot.

and they have so many colors,size and material combos. expect to pay about 15 for the marble one and 10 for the plain ceramic.

found these too and thought they were very pretty.

you could really do some cool black accenting, and some gold edging with this one. matte black faucets,,,amazeballs!

I particularly like the arabesque "framed" look. Especially with some accent framing and it wouldn't have to be black (although I love that look) but it could be something with some sparkle. Just use your creativity. Could you do a quick sketch of the bath so we could "visualize" where the tub sits, the orientation of tub and the size and position of your "accent wall". That might help focus us in an best approach.

I quite like the floor zebrino marble...too busy? (This would be for my wall, not the floor).

I like it.

It depends on the size of your wall. Would you get the full affect of the design? I think this is quite busy but need more info to be sure. If the wall is say wide enough for 4 panels of this so you get essentially two "arrows" that would work with some border maybe. Personally, I like the smaller sizes better.

I think I could get 3 arrows on my wall.

Oh so this is a big wall! I understand why you want a big pattern now. I like the chevron zebra stuff.

The symmetrical girl in me would want 4 arrows because otherwise won't it look off??? Maybe with slightly shorter tiles you could do the 4? Do you know what I mean? You need 2 or 4 to get a good look I believe. I could be wrong, and without photos, a bit hard to tell for sure.

Chevrons are always symmetrical as long as you have whole 'arrows'. I actually think an odd number would be better for symmetry.

Thank you for your input. My wall is 70" and each arrow is 29" wide. I would get 2 full arrows with 5" on either side. If my contractor centered the arrows, the ends against the wall would look something like the attached picture.

I think as long as the middle arrow is centered and pointing up, it will look awesome!

Thanks Emily - I agree. I am not sure if I can even get the zebra chevron in the right size or in time...but I can get the grey chevron tile in a cream colour, which would be good. I think the zebra would be beautiful, but I don't normally go for super-bold statements, so I may be better off with a light chevron with some colour variability.

Just don't do contrasting grout. No matter what you do. I think the chevron pattern is the star so any tile would work for it.

This is rough of the design concept, just to give you idea of what Emily (I think) and I are thinking for the design for your space. Of course, it has to be laid out precisely to get the right affect, as I'm sure you realize.

I just started the basic "arrow" up in center and then the sides would go opposite of course, but this could work. Agree with Emily, make grout the color of lightest portion of your stone. You could put a border around it and you might need to because the width has to be right on target for getting this right. Not a simple task. Get a really good tiler person and really communicate, communicate, communicate! We have had some not so good experiences shared on Houzz lately with chevron, etc., designs.

A pencil stone trim edge or some type edge that goes with your stone or as accent for a "border" would be nice and give a "polished/finished" look.

Except there would be three arrows, not just two.

I think the layout will depend on the size of the tiles because you have to accommodate the "length and widths". So perhaps you could get three arrows in? Not sure. I'm calling an "arrow" one "V" is one arrow. So this drawing shows one arrow (two sides of the arrow) and to short sides. Guess you can lay out whatever design works with the space you have. Oh, I just saw the picture you posted. I see what you mean. That works with the right sized tile. The Queen of tiling and chevron layouts, Beth H. needs to help us out here!

Thank you ladies! I think I would have one arrow pointing up in the center of the wall, and then continue the chevron pattern toward the side walls. So, in the end, I will have 3 top points, but only 2 full arrows. It will be like Emily's picture layout above, but narrower.

However, right at the wall, I will only have 5" of downward sloping tile on each side. Is it better to frame it with vertical tile, or just end the chevron at the wall?

If it is "wall to wall and ceiling to floor" you can frame with vertical and horizontal tile like a "frame", or you can get actual proper framing. It usually is available with the same look as the tile, but not always. Sometimes you have to find "best match" or go opposite or as we have mentioned do black or some "offset" color. Depends on the depth of the stone as well. Just kind of have to work it to the best end solution.

it all depends how it ends into the wall. You want to avoid a tiny sliver. If you can end with almost a full chevron, I would dead end it into the wall, no border.

Good point. thanks Beth!

trying to find a visual here. so the first one has full pieces that end perfectly. while the 2nd pic shows when you have a little more room. If it's an open space and the chevron isn't taking up the entire wall, just end on a full piece and border it w/a narrow metal edging like a Schluter strip. If you are spanning an entire wall, then plan accordingly and purchase correct sized tiles.

Thanks Beth, have done both and I think your advice is spot on!