apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

While the hex is cute, it is a light color which makes me think you might use a light color grout. My DH and I bought a place with major mildew/mold issue in the white grout used for 1x1 glass tiles in our shower and we are about to embark on having to fix it. Never again will I have light color grout in my shower. And on the floor I can imagine this would be even more of a problem. I like the 1x2 black marble.

Marble Hex is the most luxurious looking. i would love to be standing naked on those every day.

Trust your gut - I agree that the pebble stones are a bit cheesy.

The marble hex is amazing, and would be my first choice, but after going to your blog and reading what you've already purchased for the rest of the tilework, I don't think it would fit. That's why I chose the 1x2 marble. I think the color and texture would work best with the slate.

Everyone should try and consider the context these are going in. While I'm sure you're going to hear a lot of "hex! hex! hex!" here, I don't know if people will have gone through to your blog to look at what it'd be paired with.

Looks great! Keep with it!

Agree with the mildew problem in light grout, and the fact that you cannot use traditional chemical cleaners on marble might make this problem even worse...can I also point out that a couple of these might be sort of slick for a shower floor, be careful and mindful of that! I voted the little square black tiles for the dark color grout and the traction they might provide.

I think lighter colours look better in a shower. They feel fresh and clean to me. But I'm biased - I'm not a fan of too much dark colouring in the home. Those hexi tiles look gorgeous and the slight variation in the colour of the marble would tie in both the floor and wall tiles you've already selected. Go sexy hexi. My second preference is for the square tiles but seeing them groutless doesn't do them justice and it's hard to tell how they'll look in the end. What mood would you like to be enveloped in? The pebble tiles shouldn't be an option. I don't like them at all.
Now I'm thinking the black square tiles might look better coz the square shape marries well with the other tiles you've selected.

I think the marble hex looks best, and pairs well with the other tiles. The other floor options push the entire look of the bathroom to a direction that's a little too modern. The hex combo seems an updated classic look which I think you'd be happier with longer.

I would do the marble hex on the floor of the bathroom and get a white pebble for the shower pan

whats a DH?

pebble stones w/ light grout!

Hey everybody - thanks for all the suggestions.

2lastnames/Tania/riian - I so understand what you mean about seeing the tiles groutless. The grout staining (for the hex), and the soap scum on black tiles are things that are definitely make us think out this decision.

DKinNY - We are using this vanity in the space, http://www.flickr.com/photos/22985814@N03/2527396227/, do you still think the hex would be too modern?

Gigi - We already have the slate for the floor, so this would be for the shower pan only.

I'm a huge fan of hex tiles, just because they've been in every apartment I've had in Chicago.

It gives me shivers to think of standing on pebbled tiles in the morning...wouldn't they also be quite slippery?

Oops - meant to say that the square/rectangular tile would be too modern. The hex is definitely more vintage. :-)

Hmm, very similar to our bathroom choices...

We have Vermont Slate Everlasting Green 12" x 28" tiles on our bathroom floors, and used Vidrotil white glass mosaics for the walls, which in the shower stall, we used on the floor as well. The continuity makes it quite beautiful.

In your case, I can't recommend which tiles because I am lacking information -- what are your fixtures and fittings like? What sort of a style are you going after? In our case, it was modern or contemporary, with a Starck wall-hung toilet, Boffi taps, and a square sink.

The marble tiles, in either shape, are very traditional -- is that the look you are after?

The black glass mosaic is more modern, and the pebbles are more trendy (you may like them now, but in a couple of years...)... so which direction are you headed?

err, 12" x 18"...

Funny thing is My Hubs and I are using the same exact floor slate and Datiles for our upcoming reno! I can't wait to see the results of the combo....

love the doggie.

The hex tiles for sure, very nice, classic.

I like the 1 x 2 the best..I wish had a groutless shower and floors and kitchen counters. These guys are right just no way to really clean. I don't use chemicals in my house but bleach which is a horrible product is about the only thing that really cleans and that still does not get the meldew out. Maybe Baltimore has less meldew? Not the case where I live and my bathroom is scrubed down weekly.

it looks as though your vanity is very modern as well, which makes me lean even more towards the 1x2. I think the question you should be asking is whether the hex would be too vintage compared to everything.

cute dog.

HEX, so classic and timeless. Will never look dated.

If these are the fixtures you will be using,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22985814@N03/2572107796/

(your link above doesn't work),

it seems you're going the modern route, which would indicate the glass mosaic. However, I think the black is too dark with your tonal greys. Having seen the other sorts of things you are looking at, how about a custom teak shower floor?? It would be really gorgeous, and different, and you would not be introducing too many materials (if you go with your other teak accessories)

http://www.williamgarvey.co.uk/page/pdshower.shtml

http://www.teakworks4u.com/products/custom/teak-shower-trays.asp

(my comment disappeared into the ether...?)

Is this what you will be using in your bathroom? (the link above doesn't work):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22985814@N03/2572107796/

If so, it looks like a bit of a mix (the taps are not modern, but the rest is), which would support the use of the glass mosaics. However, I find the black too dark with your grey tones, and as well, it is introducing yet another material into the bathroom (you already have 2 kinds of tile and 2 kinds of wood). Instead, I would suggest that you have a custom teak shower liner made, thus using a material you are already using in the room. As well, it is different, and gorgeous.

Here are some options:

http://www.williamgarvey.co.uk/page/pdshower.shtml

http://www.teakworks4u.com/products/custom/teak-shower-trays.asp

http://www.thaiteakmarine.com/catalog/page59.htm

We just remodeled our bathroom and went for a floor of charcoal HEX tiles and we LOVE it. Such a disctinctive look... So i think the marble hex would be lovely with your other choices of materials.

Best of luck on your remodel (it's a hell of a job!)

Basic first reaction was the Marble Hex (and that's what I chose in the survey), but I'd like to say that the 1x2" black marble is also really beautiful and would be quite striking next to the lighter grey shower walls.

That marble hex though.... wow... i want to touch it. It looks so smooth and cool...

I vote for Sexi hexi, I can't view the photo of your vanity but a blog comment said it was white marble toped (so coordinating w/o being matchy) and despite cleaning issues I think you want a light color in the shower both so you can SEE the dirt in order to clean it better and also so you can SEE you in order to clean yourself better.

BTW excited about more pictures and best of luck on your project!

Off topic, but... did you get the vermont slates from Vermont Structural slate? That looks like what we are looking for - beautiful. What is the color?

I love the Marble Hex, it is timeless and beautiful. This is what I would love to have in my bathroom.

Powderpuff - Actually I bought it from Home Depot. Was less than $3 a square ft. I chose it because it is all gray without any hint of other colors. We were trying to avoid slate with any grays or green in it.

I like the hex and the 1"x2" black marble but in the end, the black marble is my choice. It touches on both colors, it's classic and great for resale.
Will look foward to photos!

http://www.MyDesignSecrets.com

mschatelaine - Thanks so much for fixing the link and pointing to the mood board. I am totally with you on the teak flooring, though am trying to bite my tongue so as not to bias everyone's opinion since Leigh and I are split on the tile selection. :-)

Thanks for everyone's input - some great advice for us here. For me, it is down to the Sexi Hexi and the 1" x 2" black marble. The hex was my first choice, as dark colors in the shower turn me off, it will tie in with the white marble vanity counter, and it looks easier to clean. However, someone mentioned that the 1x2 black would look neat on the floor if you also added a row of the same tiles on the shower wall to tie it in, and I can definitely see that looking neat also. Maybe Corey and I will have to duke it out :)

Leigh

Don't choose any of them.

Try and find large rectangular tiles (12 x 24,etc.)

The more grout, the more mildew and mold, the more upkeep.

Don't cheap out - you won't be doing this project again.

Totally depends on the vibe you want to end up with, which you don't really get into too much.

If dark/modern/moody... go with the rectangular black marble.

If you want a nod to the vintage of the house, and want a lighter look overall then the hex.

Guerilla - tile installers recommend that you don't use anything larger than a 6x6 on a shower floor to avoid slippage.

I think the hex is lovely and classic and never looks dated. It's been around this long for a reason. The black 1x2s are lovely BUT dark marble etches *very* easily with soap scum, shampoo, cleaners, etc. It's pretty now but it looks like crap later. And on a shower floor, it will etch very quickly. You'll lose the sheen of the marble and then it will just look hazy gray. With the lighter colors, you don't see this.

Pebble Stones with a grout that is just a little lighter. We recently put pebble stones in our shower and they feel great on the feet and are not slippery at all. We did travertine on the bathroom floor and our pebble stone is a range of those colours. Not one comment about it being cheesy. In fact, even the installer wants a picture because of how amazing they look!

The pebble tile is not only easy to install, but it feels great on the feet and is an environmentally friendly choice. (no chopping up mountains and sawing slabs of stone to make the stuff)

The black marble! Still as classy as the hex, still has that timeless quality. I agree with the above post re: the grout. Make sure it's not light or you may become foul mouthed trying to keep it clean!

Make sure it's not light or you may become foul mouthed trying to keep it clean!-- LOL I could just picture myself doing this as I curse the day they were ever installed.

At your blog, you say "I think the pebbles could mix in well with the slate, but I am worried that it could look a little bit cheesy. Also, it will feel a bit odd on your feet. What do you think?"

If you fear they'd look cheesy, probably don't go there. I, on the other hand, would pick them hands down. I like the introduction of something natural, like the pebbles, but it sounds as if you might be going for a more stark, formal look. Your other choices suggest this, and they're stunning. To go with the flow, I'd pick the 2x2 black tiles. They'd be kick-ass with the others and would probably be closer to your vision.

Since you like the white marble, and already have a marble countertop (which is a solid sheet), why not go with a custom marble base (1 piece)?

http://www.marylandmarble.com/Pans.htm

This way, there will be no problems with grout, and it will be more consistent style-wise with the rest of your bathroom than if you choose the rather traditional hex tiles, or add a decorative tiles on the shower wall. Oh, and installation will be a breeze, but just think of all the hours (and frustration, and chemicals) you will save by not having to scrub the grout!!

I think that you'll have to go with your gut on this; while I initially joined the "hex club" I can see your concern of to drastic a shift in colors, plus the white/light grout would be a PITA to clean; maybe a dark grout to match the shower wall? My parents had a shower with black tile and it was a very hard to keep clean-it showed everything, especially soap residue, and you couldn't tell if the grout was leaky or mildewing until too late. I kind of like the pebbles-kind of zen looking with the austere colors of your bathroom; but if you look at them and think "Cheesy" well, then maybe you have already decided. Best of luck, and let us know what you do!

hex all the way! have fun with a dark grout color - which is going to get dirty anyway.

the black marble, definitely! though i do actually like the pebbles... i think you would get sick of them.

PEBBLE STONES PLEASE!!! The look is absolutly gorgeous. Once installed it looks as though it was meant to be there. As far as the hex yes its been around since the forties and has also been replaced for something else since the forties, after years of use the hex will dull out around the edges, seen it happen. Pebble will age like old river rock...

Beautiful tiles, I recently just remodeled my kitchen backsplash and my bathroom and I've chosen to go with Moorish style or Moroccan style. Check out this place they have some amazing handmade tiles: http://www.sainttropezboutique.us/products/tiles/moroccan-tiles.aspx

Cheers,

Sandra,

Pebbles and subway-style tiles are the best options here to me. I think the desaturated tones are kind of a shame and a wasted opportunity however.

I think the pebbles may be a hassle to keep clean, so from that standpoint I'd probably go with the subway tiles. Also this option has a little more variation that the other options, which gives it more of an organic feel which is a very nice thing.

Again though--why all grey? You know you can actually have greys with a little more character and less of a "manufactured" feel by choosing greys that are not purely desaturated, tending toward either blues or browns. If it has to be grey, that's the direction I'd go. Purely desaturated=dead. It's something that's very seldom seen in nature, so it looks a little plastic.

Also think about it. A bathroom is one space that should have a a clean, refreshing, reassuring sense to it. Grey/black? It runs counter to this. Do you really want to take a shower or relax in a tub in a room that is cold, dark, dingy, and fully colorless and "manufactured"? I'd reconsider.