Let’s get back to the progress in the kids/guest bathroom. It feels like the one room in the house that is somewhat close to being finished. Maybe because it’s the smallest? In any case, hallelujah.
In the post last week you saw how we put down charcoal grey tiles in a herringbone pattern and installed the IKEA vanities. Well, let’s get to the shower design with subway tile and marble tile niche.
We have a great tile guy who works quickly and does beautiful work. To start off, he painted the drywall with a waterproofing material.
Subway tile and marble tile niche
As you can see, in keeping with the black + white direction of the room, I figured that classic subway tiles would be perfect. To up the ante a little, I went with the extra long ones. You can still get them at your regular big box hardware store – I got these ones at Home Depot. The price per square foot didn’t end up being all that different from the usual 3×6 subway tile size.
That orange thing in the pic below is a niche – a little nook where you can put shampoos and stuff. It feels all kinds of fancy to me…. but in actual cost it was only an extra hundred bucks or so (for materials + a bit of extra time in labour). We placed it near the back of the shower as that way it would be easy to grab the bottles out of the main stream of water.
I had a little fun with the niche and bought one sheet of marble hex tile. The hex tile wasn’t in our budget for the full shower, but buying just one sheet was do-able and totally adds a bit of glam.
We went with a medium grey grout – “silverado”. I like the way the subway tiles pop, and I also like the fact that the grout won’t show dirt. Three cheers for less cleaning?!
Just a few last things to do before we can call this bathroom done!
Looks beautiful! What did you line the cut-out with? Is it the subway tile? And what did you use for the trim? Looks awesome! I love the floors too!
Thanks Rachel! It’s the same product — an edging — that lines both the niche and the perimeter around the shower. It’s a metal edging that you can get from tile shops, or probably any big hardware store as well. The brand we used is called “Schluter” in aluminum. Creates a clean look.
Hope that helps!
xo,
gemma
I am planning on using the same metal trim in my shower. How do you cut it to get a nice clean miter?
Hi Julia!! Nice to meet you on here :) You and me both with that hex tile. It’s sooooo pretty. I felt so excited just to get it even in a small amount.
Thanks for reading, by the way! And I’ll tell that tile guy to get his butt in gear at his own pad… ;)
Ohh Gemma, I love the niche!
Thanks girl! That makes two of us :)
xo,
gemma
Hi Gemma, it’s Elizabeth, your neighbour from down the road. I’ve just recently found your blog and I’ve been stalking your reno online. It looks beautiful – so clean. Would you mind sharing the name of your tile guy?
Haha Hi Elizabeth!! Funny that you found my blog! Pop by anytime – we’re still in a bit of a messy reno zone, but you’re welcome to have a look around. Email me for the tile guy’s name: thesweetestdigs@gmail.com.
xo,
gemma
Hi Anders,
You can get them at most big hardware stores like Home Depot, Lowes, etc. We got ours through our tile installer, who gets his materials from Centura Tile here in Ottawa. I’m not sure of the dimensions off the top of my head, but it’s a single niche (there are larger double ones) and one 12×12 sheet of tile was enough to cover it, so it’s smaller than that. I don’t remember there being too many size options.
Good luck!
xo,
gemma
Do you remember the name the grout color? I’m in search of a nice medium grey.
Sadly I don’t remember which we went with. We were choosing so many at the same time and I didn’t write them all down. They came from a selection my tiler gave me.
Sorry!
xo,
gemma
Love this!! I am wondering what is on the trim of the niche? Looks like metal or something? Where can I get some of this also?
It is the metal trim that you use for the edge of tiling. It comes in white or a variety of metallic finishes. You can find it at just about any large hardware store in the tiling section!
xo,
gemma
What was the cost for this, roughly?
I love the more ‘plank’ look of your subway tile. Could you tell me the dimension? 4″x10″ ? I’m going that route for our shower and then eeeek I think I have the budget to do the marble hex for the floor (it’s a small space ha :) Thanks for the ideas. I can only get what I like by copying the great ideas of others! :)
Hi Melissa! Yes it was around a 4×10 or 5×10. We purchased them from Lowe’s. Love the length of them compared to regular subway!
Good luck with your bathroom. The floor is going to look AMAZING!
xo,
gemma
I’m late to the party, just scrolling through your site now. I LOVE your shower! I may be biased though because it’s pretty similar to the tile I chose for our own.
Hahah great minds think alike! Thanks Jessica!
xo,
gemma
We are doing a very similar style bathroom at our beach house! I’m sorry if I missed it in the earlier comments – but do you know the name or # for the soap niche tile? We are looking for a grey and white hexagon!
Thank you!
-Sam
I don’t have that info anymore, but I know that both the Lowe’s and Home Depot near me carry it! It’s a marble hex tile that comes in 12×12 sheets.
Good luck!
xo,
gemma
Hi Gemma.
I’m actually getting ready to install this exact combo in my shower. I was wondering if you know what size your grout line is? I’m debating between 1/8th and 1/16th, and would love something to compare it to. Your shower looks great!
Thanks!
Teresa
Hi Gemma, do you happen to remember if you used a 1/16th” spacer or did you just but your tiles together and than grout? I happen to have bought the same tile as you and like the tile spacing that you chose.
Thanks!
Stephanie
Oh man… totally can’t remember the exact spacing, but we definitely used those little spacers you get from the hardware store. Good luck with your reno!
xo,
gemma
The house we are purchasing has the same layout and we are keeping it to keep the cost down. I was wondering how big is the tub? I like how there is the built in shelves to put towels + etc.