Mumsnet Talk

Our bathroom is being done mid-feb so I'm just at the buying everything stage for it. It's a good size room and we have a freestanding bath, large frameless type shower, ceiling mounted shower head etc. We're having thesemetro tiles with white grout and I've always planned to do v dark grey walls (the look i'm aiming for is Abigail Ahern style, rather than goth or masculine).

I've been really stuck on floor tiles, initially planning white tiles but not liking the samples that we had through. We've now ordered these long thin slate tiles in a 60cm x 10cm size, so basically long thin rectangles.

However I'm not 100% convinced about them and worry the whole thing is going to look batcherlor pad, or 80s? (I'm not worried about the room looking cold or anything like that as I'll be putting a huge mirror and general "stuff" in there). I'm also a bit concerned that the dark grey floor/dark grey walls combo are going to add to this feel.

Could I have your opinions on this please? I don't to make a v expensive mistake as I won't be allowed to change it once it's done and if I don't like it, I will OBSESS over it .

Also, what do people think of hex mosaic tiles like in this beautiful bathroom?

I rather like the slate tiles, but I think Metro has been done to death and will look dated very soon. Not keen on the hexagaonal ones, they look as if someone is trying a bit too hard

I think you're overthinking it rather - the slate tiles look lovely to me.

FWIW, we just had our bathroom designed by a bathroom designer who won 'Young Bathroom Designer of the Year' last year, and she picked out tiles very much like those ones for the floor. I was a bit dubious but they are actually very nice / inconspicuous now they're in - so much so that my parents then re-did their bathroom and used very similar tiles.

thanks both and ha ha at the overthinking - I would say that's very probable possible!

Do we have any suggestions for metro replacements? I'm concerned that they'll look dated too, hence going for white grout so they're not trying to look too fashionable, but can't think of any good alternatives

Sorry, can't think what would be better than metro right now, but I just know it won't look so good in a couple of years time - that isn't very constructive. I might go for the larger square tiles that were the style used in English public toilets as opposed to French ones.

The tiles you link to in your Houzz picture are traditional in the US and called (I think) penny tiles.
they are part of the funky but traditional look of that bathroom.
I think the slate ones are lovely. If you did the walls in them, then they would be a bit Hugh Heffner

I have gone for concave 30x10cm white tiles with white grout - a variation on the metro look.

I use slate a lot in schemes I still think they look great. Have used mandarin stone grey marl porcelain recently though and they look great for the look younare going for.

Oh yes, Noddy - those look lovely.

Like the look of the metro tiles and floor tiles, quite easy to add colour with towels. Could I be cheeky and ask what you are choosing as a window dressing. We are updating bathroom in January and love the metro tiles. We currently have narrow stone coloured metal blinds, but due to steam etc have rusted. What's a good alternative?

Don,t add colour with towels if you want that ahern look. White and keep in cupboard

I much prefer patterned floor tiles - I just love Agnès Emery cement tiles like this.

Grey slate is terribly dull and only works if the rest of your bathroom is very interesting and you need something to counterbalance all the activity.

I also agree that metro tiles are very yesterday. Square tiles, but placed as metro tiles, are nicer and fresher IMO.

Not many brave enough bonsoir. I had those in loo in last house I sold and woman who bought took them out.

I don't decorate for the next occupant, personally! Obviously if you are redoing a home with a view to a sell, that conditions what you choose.

I hae always done square in metro pattern. I like a plain bathroom though and add style with art and my fave a mother of pearl chest of drawers for 'stuff'

No I didn't but she was a typical mc mum and loved all the decor but not those. They are an acquired taste. 2nd bathroom was polished white plaster and she said she was going totry and live with it

My current wish is definitely for a tadelakt bathroom...

Most people ime very conservative

I think it depends a little where you live.

Yes. Plaster bathroom was very popular with my friends but not your average Boden mum who wanted the house because of schools. Very easy to keep too

Yes, your average Boden mum is going to want fail-safe MC taste in her home too.

<yawn>

Get a room you too

Should one go for a ceramic or stone loo roll holder if you want to keep the ahern look. Would storage for extra loo rolls be pushing it?

Not sure i don't rate her at all very samey and cliched. Maybe have a look on her website you may find something there?