I have installed pebble tiles in several showersPros - very elegant, gives a sense of space as pebbles are different so no long defining linesCons - difficult to clean, must determine at outset if you want the stones deep in grout (you see lots more grout but the surface is smoother) or not so deep (you see less grout, but the surface is bumpier).Some people recommend epoxy grout, I don't for the simple reason it is much harder to get the grouting even with pebbles than tiles so more time needs to be taken.

Sorry but the water line blue and white flowery tiles look old fashioned and if you're going for that kind of sandstone on the top it won't go with the terracotta tiles you have already Do like the pool and tiles that Hayda Natural Stone have posted Very nice!

The benchtop will be dark grey (the ones you see are temporary), black handles and the tiles will be white with light grey grout. The paint on the walls will stay as is (light grey). Thanks for your thoughts guys. Would anyone go all the way to the ceiling? why/why not? Does the herringbone pattern influence your decision?

okay!!! A lot of these commenters obviously thought what I did - that the cupboards are a deep browney grey!! I think the responses would have been very different if we knew the cupboards were white. If you re-read thru the responses you will see that. Perhaps try re-posting the dilemma with a better pic. One of those original tiles may actually look ok.