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.

Modern rustic: 12x24" porcelain tile made to resemble a wide piece of distressed wood. Not an overtly obvious wood grain, more of an implied grain that you only see after studying it for a minute. Rectified and small grout joint. (Form follows function in design- easy to live with is always first!) option B: a vein cut travertine patterned 12x24 in brown or gray tones. Set in a soldier corse, straight stack pattern, so it's not about the grout joints, it's more about the linear pattern of the tile.

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. :)

I currently have the same problem It quite braves to use White on the floor ( I know you said grey) but we are toying with as it works well with the grey bath we have chosen Have a think about swapping it around to have black on the floor which works great with a contrasting colour bath (white) Also think about contrasting colour for taps (black taps against white or grey tiles)