Alison, which doesn't bug you, the way it is now, or one of the 'fixes'?

Of the choices given, I like what he did the best.

What bugs me is the off center toilet.

The best solution is for you to lay the tile yourself the way you want it using the tiles you want to use over this weekend and then when the tile guy comes on Monday STAY THERE and make sure he sets them down like you have designed. I think you already fixed your border with solution #1, but here is another idea:

i like this way too, because the tiles are three instead of 4 tiles (2 small on the ends like it is now is really lame!) I am definitely staying home on Monday until he gets it right. I am going there after work today to play around with tiles and see what looks good. I have had mixed votes here at work-- two designers came in with two opinions, one likes the railroaded double border, and the other liked NO border. I think the new Idea 2 that rawketgrl posted is my fav so far. My contractor said they will fix it no problem, so I am glad about that. I too don't like toilet off center, but it was already in plans where it was moved to, and then the wall issue with the plumbing came to light, and we did not move it. So there is more on one side of the toilet than the other side -- I figured i could put a slim little table to the left of the toilet to fill up that space. But the tile border may be a problem but I can't really take it out, as it will look really weird. It is a shame my contractor did not point this out to me and instead just plowed thru it without regard to how it would look.

Do you need a border? The herringbone alone is beautiful. The border would make the toilet look even more off center and that would bug me to no end.

We are doing a 2 x 8 herringbone pattern in our shower with 12 x 12 marble along the walls. I plan to be there when they install so we don't run into any issues. I've already had two issues without bathroom renovation this week that I had ripped out.

My votes are for no border or what rawketgrl posted. Glad you are taking care of this and that the contractor seems to want to correct it. Good work; let us know how it turns out!

The color variations don't bother me. I would do away with the border if possible. If not, then square the shape off as you did in your example.

To me, the border is a bit fussy in such a small area. I especially dislike it in the toilet area where the toilet is not centered.

I know you said you had to have the border but if you can adjust it a bit it might minimize the off center toilet a little..

To clarify; I dislike the toilet being not centered between the borders. I have no issue with it not being centered in the alcove. If the floor was all herringbone then it would not be so noticeable. I've looked a bit online and to me the floor would be better without the border.

"They are coming on Monday at 8 a.m. 8/22" Sorry, I had to laugh on that one.....

When I have the "finish" trades working, flooring, countertops, etc., I always have donuts and juice for them when they get there. It is an "ice breaker" and makes it easier to communicate with them. Then I go over the job with them and listen to their feedback. Work with tile guy, explain to him what you want, show some damn cleavage, whatever it takes. Most contractors want to do a good job, they cannot read your mind. It is all up to you.....It will look awesome when you are finished...

That is so funny-- they are supposed to grout on Monday which is why I wanted to get this figured out before they get there. I did actually go over what I thought was "everything" with the contractor and the tile man.... and gave diagram, but clearly, having the diagram didn't help, because it was wrong. My fault for not demanding a new diagram when we discovered the wall issue with the plumbing having to have a new wall in addition to the wall for the pocket door. I really like everyone's ideas, and particularly-- removing the 6 x 12 border and doing only herringbone as that solves almost everything. Hmmm... going to go there later and lay out and see what makes the most sense. I had another pair of designers in the store today who liked the railroaded 6 x 12 at the doorway too, so have four votes for that idea. Remodeling ain't for sissies is it! Donuts sound like a good idea too Wacokid! I'll do it!

You are correct--remodeling ain't for sissies and food/drink is definitely a great "helper". I've been through about half a dozen renovations and I've had so many workers tell me that no one had ever treated them like they were "human beings", so the small things aren't really so small. :) Good advice wacokid!

I think i shall serve something spectacular on Monday morning....love all this advice and I am really warming up to the idea of pulling out all the 6 x 12's and biting the bullet and getting more herringbone. Can I leave that under the makeup area tho or just take it all out?

I think you'll probably be happier if you just take it all out, otherwise it might remind you of this "issue".

this whole job has been an "issue"! :) But I am glad to be close to the end, only a few more weeks.... counting the minutes.

I would definitely get rid of all of the 6x12's - under the makeup area and the border. the room is not that big and the change of tile just makes it look chopped up. plus it really accentuates the off-center toilet. If you are really set on a border, it might look OK with a 3" - 4" border but I would carry the border under the makeup area as a border, not make it into a field tile there when it is a border in the rest of the room. I kinda agree with those who say craftsmen want to do a good job - but let's face it, they are not designers and often have little sense of aesthetics - they know how to lay tile flat, with good adhesion to the floor, and get the grout in, but they don't have any sense for whether it looks good and certainly can't be expected to have the same taste as (each one of) their customers. They often really resent taking up work that they have just done, so count yourself lucky that they are being patient about that. Be profusely grateful, serve food, and be there constantly - you might even hand him the squares one by one, or lay it out in order/exact shape of the bathroom, in the room or hall outside that door, so he just has to pull one tile at a time to put in. or, failing that, go through all the boxes, remove any that don't work for you, and only make available to him, the ones that work for you. Good Luck!

Fwiw, it's going to be beautiful, that's a given.

I think a border looks best when it literally borders the room, repeating exactly what's in front of it (including cabinets and walls), at the same width all around. OR a rectangle of one kind of tile (for example your herringbone) so that it mimics a rug.

I would be very happy with what you have...if I didn't have a choice/money/energy....But you are not and I think you might like it better with no border at all because of what's happening and the toilet being off center.

I agree a little kindness goes along way and we are all human...I suspect (based on comments to me) that, even though they are getting paid for a job, it's easy for tiles, etc. to feel like second class citizens...

NO. No cleavage, please.... just a little kindness.

It looks beautiful and pretty much what I would like in one of my upcoming bathroom remodel. I just love that tile (even though I think I have read that it's not so good from a practical standpoint? I would not care)

Is that a little makeup table in the blue square area? I love that idea..

The off center toilet will be fine...I like the floating shelf idea for luxurious towels and spa goodies... If you do that then you will be able to hang a picture centered above the loo...

Please post more pics as it goes.

Yes that is a little makeup table, even though I haven't put on makeup for decades! I think the Carrera marble floor will be fine, and I am planning on sealing it. You see a lot of old houses with it, so it is a durable product. I know it stains, so I will just be have to be careful. The look is just so pretty. I hope that they can fix everything in the next few days-- then they can paint the cabinets (BM color Chantily Lace) and the rest of everything can go in.

Here is the elevation for the cabinets. I think some of you are going to be bugged because this is definitely not centered. I have had mixed comments on the mirrors. Originally I thought I would have the whole wall mirror to make the room look bigger. That would mean putting sconces in over the mirrors (cutting holes) and also the three electrical plugs. One of my designer friends thought that was kind of dated and recommend decorative mirrors. I could either use the same design (modified Shaker) as the cabinets or get something silvery. I know the day of reckoning is coming and I have to finally decide. I am leaning toward as shown below with white mirror to match cabinets. The sconces are absolutely better than I thought (scoured online to find exact match to one in my idea book) and when they arrived oh so beautiful!

Here is another question for you... originally I was going to do quartz, but changed my mind to do the Carerra marble top. The votes came in and instead of doing that as backsplash, using the same herringbone as on the floor with a pencil border was decided. As you can see below, having 7" over the makeup table and 4" over the vanity makes it once again, off kilter! But I think it should be ok... thoughts welcome, you ladies are so terrific!

This is the sconce https://www.build.com/ginger-2681-wall-light/s883444?uid=2244776

this was one of the inspiration photos for my bathroom design.[https://www.houzz.com/photos/pacific-heights-traditional-bathroom-san-francisco-phvw-vp~15926346[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/pacific-heights-traditional-bathroom-san-francisco-phvw-vp~15926346)

I think you should use quartz, for variety and contrast. Herringbone for the backsplash. It will be fine as shown in image. I think you will find you do not need to fill up the space to the left of the toilet.

I don't know why the tile person should be offended. You gave him the wrong diagram. Make it clear it is your mistake. I like the niche and think your tiler has been making nice cuts on the marble. Please remember to show us the finished product.

So emmarene do you think white quartz with the cabinets? I thought having the herringbone next to the carerra would be a nice contrast.

It's actually really nice to sit...I haven't been well so it's a blessing for me to have a place to sit down to dry my hair, etc...or when I simply get a little dizzy (a bathroom is NOT the place to faint!!)....

I really had to look hard as I didn't understand or notice the different size spaces above the counter. I think it will look correct. Interested to see what you decide about the backsplash...

They grouted the tub, looks good. I kind of wish I had done the grey grout though the white is pretty I was getting used to it without the grout which appeared grey.

It looks fantastic!

Very nice.

should i put a mirror on this wall? I thought it would make room feel larger, but there are two mirrors going over the vanity and makeup table, and I am not so sure I want to see so much of myself!

No mirror. Wait until the room is finished then see what if anything that wall might need. Happy artwork might be a nice rest from all the hard/shiny surfaces in there. Getting closer to finished!

Agree on mirror. Canceled it. Today they finished the vanity. Yay! Tomorrow if I am lucky they will do the finish work in bathroom, add lighting, and hook up the toilet and the shower/tub, and then it will be ready for me to move back in my own bedroom!

ooooohhhh it looks so relaxing! it just needs some big fluffy white towels and Luxury!

That's what you should call the tub/shower a luxury shower. nice job, looks great.

Congratulations! I confess, I would loooooove to see a different paint color, and some other solution to the toilet paper location. I am certain the wall color is intended to pick up something in an adjoining bedroom. But, after all the effort and angst I read above, something softer and less jarring to further enhance the spa effect. I could even like white, for a very smooth and unifying effect ! A lovely spot for some art above that towel bar exists for a dab of color above fluffy white towels. Minus the tp.....: )

Beautiful! Aren't you glad you nixed the border on the floor? So serene.

Hi Jan, thanks for the comments. It really isn't as jarring in person, I have had the same paint in the bedroom (and old bathroom) because I really do like that color and it feels spa like to me. I thought about going lighter, but in the end I decided to keep same. I think once the walls have the mirrors and some pretty art it will look fine. I'll post then. About the tp roll, I wasn't really sure where it would go and I asked them to line it up with the wall-- but it ended up where you see it. The problem that caused the debacle with the tile also caused the toilet to be left of center in that toilet closet area. So putting the roll on other side is just too far. To Indomom, I definitely am glad I took rawketgirls advice and nixed the border! It was a very costly error, and of course the contractor took zero responsibility for not asking me to provide new plans when the tub was changed. Oh well. I am going to get a beautiful trash container for there which is actually perfect as there is not a real good place to put one other than there, so it worked out fine. PS, I took my first shower in there this morning and it was awesome! I wanted to take a selfie but..... :) ha ha!

Finally it's pretty much done! Mirrors and molding are up and it's fabulous! I just need to finalize the artwork, and that is it. For now, I am really enjoying, and the debacle of the floor is a distant memory. Thanks everyone!

It is so elegant, may we see the shower niche? I've wanted to see the glass shelves in place.

Beautiful! And you solved the dilemma of the off center toilet nicely. :)

Very nice, love the colors. Stone is beautiful. Backsplash turned out great around the vanity to sink cabinet. Cabinets, pulls, lights, mirrors, wow....... Excellent work,,,,