There is a product called Nanokote that you apply to the shower screen so the water just beads off when wet. Now I did try this product years ago and didn't find it that great but it could of improved by now. But my husband uses car wax on the windscreen of my car and polishes it off so water just slides of it when it rains so I am thinking of him doing this when we move into our new home shortly and see how that goes. As for tiles everyone raves about those steam machines but in the product reviews I haven't found a model that hasn't broke down after a short use.

I am just wondering whether it is a good thing or not to go with solid colours like the dark blue (prussian blue), grey floors and white on other walls all in tiles. I see that a lot of designers seem to do a pattern on one wall, but I haven't found one suitable and whatever I do, I just don't want it to look out of date in 5 years time. I am not sure how about much of the prussian blue tile is appropriate in order for it to be noticeable but not too overpowering.

your designer should be able to specify a suitable size depending on teh material you plan to use and orientation...what are you trying to screen?

We too live in a cold winter climate with our bathrooms all on the southern side and faced similar issues as you do. One smaller bathroom does not have a window so we put in a Velux skylight which provides amazing natural light through the day. This may not be to your liking, especially if you have a period home. We also use heated towel rails and under tile heating (just enough to take the chill off and stop mould) in winter. Although we have a light in the shower recess, a bonus is the large fixed shower head with inbuilt LED, which at night gives the feeling of showering under moonlight. We chose light colours and mirrored recessed cabinets to reflect as much natural light as possible.