Lauriebtown: As a maker of handmade tile since 1995, I'd say you're lucky if you can get as tight as 1/8" grout lines. I usually figure a .2" grout line (3/16") for standard installations. At the risk of geeking you out, here's why: When creating the original molds, in order for the clay to be able to fall out of it I have to slope all four sides of the mold cavity slightly, this is called the "draft angle." When making a tile, we hand press moist clay into the cavity, then flip the mold over and release the clay onto a catchboard. The clay takes the shape of the mold cavity, including the draft angle. So if you set two handmade tiles face up on a flat surface and push their edges together, the bottom edges will touch and there will be a gap at the top edges due to the mold draft angle. The thicker the tile, the wider the gap will be. (See bisque fired tiles in photo below, note angled edges. Enlarge the photo all the way and you'll see what I mean, esp. at center right.)

One time, and only one time, back in the 90's when I didn't know any better, I agreed to accommodate a customer's insistence on 1/16" grout lines. Well, I had to personally grind off all the draft angles of an entire order...and if you've ever tried to grind twice-fired ceramic you'll know it was no picnic! Lesson learned.

The nature of truly hand-pressed tile simply runs counter to tight grout lines.

Your installer was showing integrity to his craft by trying to steer you away from minuscule grout lines, because part of grout's function is to "cushion" the expansion/contraction of the tile with season changes. No grout, no give, which may lead to cracks years later. Fresh grout can be about the consistency of cookie dough, making it hard to force it very far down into a narrow crevice. And if the grout isn't rooted down into the joint, it is more likely to loosen and fall out eventually. My two cents...

Ritanilesmail and others regarding grout color: Unless someone can track down the actual installer who did the job in the photo, and *if* she/he can remember exactly what they used on that particular day on that particular job, you're not likely to get a definitive answer as to grout brand and color name. BTW, it's not that difficult to mix your own grout color, which lets you fine tune it to your liking. (Just be sure to keep good notes, and/or be sure to mix enough to do the whole job!)