I like the top right picture where the grey floor tile appears to run up the wall. But the floor tile looks lighter than the wall, is it a different tile? I would pick a lighter shade from the Kalala Shan as the 2nd tile. Does the tile shop have a contrasting colour from the same family of tiles? Not sure I would go 2 different textures, unless one was really flat and non descript to contrast with textured one that would be the stand out feature. Great colour choices though. And would look lovely coming off the spotted gum floors too!

Coloured glass perhaps. Large sheets of granite, marble or Caeserstone. Stainless steel or Aluminium. Timber boards. None are ideal or cheap really. There are many other alternatives but like everything, have pro's and con's.

Update:. I have continued on with the same tiler. however, feel like he is not honest. fitting me up wherever he can. Apparemtly he has on,y quoted me for stainless steel suorround around my niche and if i want white i have to pay for it. he would not put the architrave back on the door, as he is not a carpenter. this cost me anextra $100.00. although my quote says tiling to the ceiling, he had not quoted to put wall board to the ceiling, this cost extra. i feel a little jaded. He contacted an abstetos removalist, when he was shocked to find it, only for the quote to be double the subsequent quote i obtained from an abstetos removalist was half. his grout lines are way above the 1.5mm specified. i am a novice at this, i thought a quote included everything. How i am to know the little extras.

Sounds like a very stressful situation! If there is absolutely no way the builder will allow you to change things (even if they did, I imagine they would ask you to foot the entire bill of pulling the tiles down and replacing all water proofing in addition to new tiles), I can make a few suggestions for improvement. Firstly I would suggest replacing the tiles above the vanity with a white mosaic, a patterned or a textured feature tile/strip. You could also use this same tile to replace the vertical feature in the shower. There are some beautiful shapes and sizes available to choose from. Secondly I would address the grout situation in this way: Floor - dark colour grout & Walls - Light colour grout. Lastly if it does not prove too difficult or expensive, maybe replace the tiles below the vanity with a plain white tile (could be similar size). Good luck and I am sure once you have a lovely mirror up and some crisp white towels, it will look just wonderful.