Sometimes, a single design element just makes the whole plan click. For us, that was the primary bathroom floor. I knew I wanted something classic and timeless, not boring. I also knew it needed to tie into the rest of the house, where every tiled floor has a variation of black and white. While I told myself I didn’t have to stick to that pattern, I realized I loved the idea. Embracing that decision made everything else fall into place.
Black and White Tile | Tub Nook Sconce | Tub Faucet | Tub | Towel Ring | Vanity Sconce | Vanity | Faucet
Once I committed to the black and white tile, I knew I had to go bold. I found a picture of a hotel bathroom with a dramatic, dark floor and was immediately inspired. We ultimately landed on a checkerboard of black stone and small marble squares. Finding the right tile was a challenge, though, since the lead times for our first choice were just too long. So we decided on this beautiful Glacier Tumbled Marble Tile.
Tumbled Edges and Black Grout
Our contractor sent us a photo after the floor tile was installed…and I started freaking out. We were on our summer trip, so I wasn’t home to see it come in. The edges looked jagged, and I thought the contractor had made a mistake. Turns out, I just wasn’t aware this tile had tumbled edges. When I’ve seen tumbled tile in the past, it was always a lighter color that I didn’t love. So I was feeling really stressed, knowing that pushing through a renovation while we were out of town was a risk I took.
To make the finish feel intentional and to make sure the edges didn’t stand out as a mistake, we decided to use black grout called Shadow 644. The dark grout is discreet and helps the floor read as a single, cohesive surface. It also helped that the inspiration photo used black grout, which made me feel confident that we were on the right track. The soft, antique look on the edge is growing on me now—it feels so historic!
Making the Shower and Floor Work Together
With the floor in place, it was time to move on to the shower! We settled on Ann Sacks Elements Earthenware Elephant Ear Gloss tiles in a few different profiles. Originally, I had envisioned the shower tile and the closet cabinetry to be closer in color. However, the shower tile turned out to be more of a greenish-gray with a hint of blue, and the cabinets looked a bit bluer because of the orangey paint on the walls. Luckily, the shower and closet aren’t directly next to each other, so the subtle color variation isn’t a major issue. And truth be told? I adore the richness of this shower tile color!
I’ve always loved colorful shower tile. In our Rexburg house, “The Idaho Rambler”, we had a dark green tile we adored. In our last house, “The Modern Cottage”, we used a bluish marble tile. I guess I have a thing for this hue…but can you blame me!? It’s so luxurious.
Fireclay Tile (color: Loch Ness)
This new tile is a beautiful combination of tile styles from both of our past homes. This Ann Sacks tile is handmade with a beautiful variation in color, with each piece fading slightly differently.
We went all out with the tile sizes and profiles in the shower, using everything from baseboards and subway tiles to chair rails and crown molding. I chose a horizontal tile layout over the vertical layout you see a lot these days, because it feels more traditional and timeless. Our shower grout is Oyster Gray #386 to carry forward the vibe.
The shower floors are a honed Carrara mosaic we sourced through Stoffer Home. The striking black & white diamond border adds a very traditional touch to the slightly more modern subway tile-style shower wall.
With the bold black and white floor as our foundation and the layered tile pairings in the shower, our primary bathroom is finally starting to feel like a moody, modern, traditional oasis!
Here are the tiles we used in the primary bathroom:
- Floor Tile: Glacier Tumbled Marble Tile
- Shower Floor: Honed Carrara Mosaic Tile
- Shower Floor Border: Carrara Border with Black Dot Honed
- Shower Floor Corner Piece: 2x6x6 Corner Carrara Border with Black Dot Honed
- Shower Wall: Ann Sacks Elements Earthenware Elephant Ear Gloss
Tile | Chandelier | Tub Nook Sconce | Tub Faucet | Tub
Missed any part of our renovation journal?
The Big 2024 Home Projects on Our List – January 2024
Project Update: The Primary Bathroom Has a NEW Plan – May 2024
Unveiling Our Future Room Renovation Plans – May 2024
The Exciting Plans for Our Primary Bathroom Design – November 2024
Let’s Get Started: Our Primary Bathroom Layout Plans and Elevations! – February 2025
Our Modern Colonial Primary Bathroom Mood Board – March 2025
All of the Lights I Ordered for the Primary Bathroom Renovation – May 2025
Hi there! This is so beautiful. Would you mind sharing the grout you used for the shower floor tile? I love how it works with the mosaic. Thank you!
We used Oyster Gray #386 grout.
Looks amazing! When do we get the final reveal?!
Soon I hope! Just a few more things to go…