Out of your selection - I would choose the middle one on the bottom row - it gives you a modern look and pattern without being too ghastly - it would fit in with the retro vibe as well. Good luck!

Hi siriuskey Thanks for your advice and images. Yes I am the pro but somehow doing my own bathroom has been different to helping others, mainly because I have to think about my family who live in the house as well and what they like. (and I'm not so arrogant to think that I know everything just because I'm the "pro". It never hurts to get other opinions). Totally agree that panelling looks great but when I mentioned this to the builder and cabinetmaker they nearly had a heart attack and refused to put wood panelling in a bathroom, especially a small bathroom where it is more likely to come in contact with water, hence the subways. I think the subways will look okay as I'm using white grout which will be more subtle and they are only going halfway up the wall as in the second last image you provided (which I love by the way). It's only a small bathroom so not that many subways really. Thanks for your input. It's greatly appreciated. I think I'm going to go with the 45 degree pattern. I'll post a photo when it's finished. Thank you to everyone who contributed. :)

Hi creativelychallenged, I'm pretty sure all the tiles are faux-marble from Beaumont Tiles. I've used them in bathrooms and they are cost-effective (from $40sqm un-laid) and look beautiful. Marble and now faux-marble is a classic look so not prone to dating. You may have noticed its recent popularity due to the faux-marble now available as the average homeowner may not have the budget for real marble. People worry about decor 'dating' - think about what you love, what will make you happy to live with - decor doesn't last forever because our own tastes change and decor can suffer from wear and tear. Choose what you LOVE and you can't go wrong :-)

haha! Go with your gut kaz :) I think some tilers can offer great suggestions - personally, I didn't have a very good experience with our last tiler so we ended up paying him for work done - only to have the job completed by someone else. The first tiler was very unprofessional, condescending, rude and belittled my hubby's choice of tile, grout, layout - you name it, everything. He was very moody, hot headed and showed up hungover and vomiting off our deck - UGH!!! Fifty shades of gross!!!! I didn't think it quite right that my young son and I should have to walk around on eggshells around him while my hubby was working away in Brisbane so in the end, he was paid - we said thanks and goodbye. To save any kerfuffle this end - we never told him what the issue was - just that something cropped up for us - we didn't need the drama. The tiler that finished the job for us was lovely, professional, competent and gave great suggestions :) Couldn't have asked for better. Hopefully that's not the feeling you're getting from your tiler - but if you have any red flags going up - go with someone else :) I'd love to see photos once the job is done :) Hopefully one of the pro's will come on here and offer their opinion kaz so you can be sure :)