I’m not talking about running. That, I’m definitely not good at. If you follow us on Instagram, you probably saw our weekend tile marathon.
On Saturday, we (as usual, mostly Ben) laid out, cut, and installed the staggered brick slate floor.
We used this same tile on the family room fireplace and love it. The price is right, too. We couldn’t find the same size ceramic or porcelain tile we liked within fifty cents per square foot.
Ben loves working with it as it cuts easily with a wet tile saw.
Sunday morning, we geared up for a long day of shower tiling. Everything was installed and ready to go.
Our stainless steel shelf and plumbing controls.
We laid out a few starting options and settled on starting on the corner and wrapping the design around to the other wall.
With the first few tiles in place, working off was a breeze. Seven hours later, we had the shower tiled.
That included cutting every 12 by 12 tile in half to create the rectangle shape. After searching every local tile and home improvement store, we couldn’t find a rectangular tile we liked in our price range. Instead, we saved some money and cut standard (easy to find) Grecian White marble tiles. It’s strange, because the colors were pretty consistent within each box, but box to box were vastly different. Ranging from Carrara-looking gray and white veins to golden tones with dark flecks.
As I dried each cut tile, I stacked gray then gold to mix the colors. If I saw an area that had too much of one color, I picked out the opposite for the next tile. Once the lines are grouted, we’ll pull the protective film off the shower pan. The shelf just needs a cleaning.
But it’s so, so exciting to see a nice, clean, open, and bright shower in here.
That corner post isn’t structural, but necessary. We’re hoping two shower curtains (one on each open side) will work to keep water in. If not, or we don’t like them, we’ll add glass to the longer wall. Until then, I’m dreaming of using this beauty. In the mean time, I stare at and pet my favorite tiles. Yes, I’m strange and pick out my favorites to put in highly visible areas.
That top horizontal is one of those. Ben does think I’m crazy for that, by the way. If that’s crazy, I don’t want to be sane. Are you as in love with the new tile as I am? I can’t stop looking at it.
P.S. We’ve gotten several questions about the tile. The shower tiles are 12 by 12 Greecian white marble from Home Depot, cut in half and laid in the herringbone pattern. Floor tiles are Montauk Black 12 by 24 inch slate tiles, also from Home Depot. Both tiles are available in our local store; hopefully yours stocks these as well.
ourhumbleabodeblog.com 
Gorgeous tile! Great choice! It’s looking lovely.
Thanks, Melinda! We’re so happy with the tile already. 🙂
WOWWOWOWOWOW!!! I love it all, absolutely lovely. I want to pet that tile. Where did you get the slate from and what’s it called? I’ve been looking on line for days trying to find some just like that without any luck. Love the herringbone pattern you used for the marble. Gorgeous!
Hey Karyl!
Thanks!! I’ve been petting the tile, too. 🙂 The slate is Montauk Black from Home Depot. Here’s a link: http://www.homedepot.com/p/MS-International-Montauk-Black-12-in-x-24-in-Gauged-Slate-Floor-Wall-Tile-SHDMONBLK1224G/202919773#.UrBtDNJDtIE Hope that helps your search!!
Thanks!
Amanda
oh. my. goodness. this is gorgeous!!!!
Thanks, Gabbi! So glad you like it as much as we do. 🙂
Love the whole look and I’m sure you are excited. Where did you get your brick slate floor and what size are they? Love them!
Hey Kelly!
Thanks! We’re so, so excited to see some rebuilding in there. 🙂 The tiles are 12 by 24 inches from Home Depot. Here’s the link: http://www.homedepot.com/p/MS-International-Montauk-Black-12-in-x-24-in-Gauged-Slate-Floor-Wall-Tile-SHDMONBLK1224G/202919773#.UrBtDNJDtIE
Thanks!
Amanda
I was drooling already on IG. So good!
Ha, I’ve had a really hard time not wandering in just to look at it. Even in the dark. 🙂
I want to know the same thing as Karyl! Can you please share where you bought the floor and shower tile? Along with the shower pan? We have had to move our master bath reno up on the list because of some plumbing issues and need to get it done ASAP. I love this look so much!
Thanks 🙂
Hi blythespits!!
The floor tiles are 12 by 24 slate from Home Depot (here’s the link: http://www.homedepot.com/p/MS-International-Montauk-Black-12-in-x-24-in-Gauged-Slate-Floor-Wall-Tile-SHDMONBLK1224G/202919773#.UrBtDNJDtIE) and the wall tiles are 12 by 12 Greecian white marble (also from HD) that we cut in half to make the herringbone pattern. Here’s a link to the marble: http://www.homedepot.com/p/MS-International-Greecian-12-in-x-12-in-White-Polished-Marble-Floor-and-Wall-Tile-THDVENWHT1212/202194418#.UrBuK9JDtIE Both are available in stores here, so yours should have them. We had a local shop custom make the shower pan. They make duct work and do stainless steel, so check Google for air duct fabricators in your area and call to see if they do stainless.
Thanks!
Amanda
Looks great! I’m impressed and can’t wait to see how you use the shower curtains. I’m a fan of them rather than shower doors cause you can just throw them in the washing machine.
I am loving the tile! It’s such a cool marbled effect, and I would love to see how to the whole thing turns out! Great post.
Hello, I found your blog while looking for tips to install the Montauk Black 12×24 tile I just received from HD. Your bathroom is great! We are laying this tile in our kitchen, and I wonder if you did any type of reinforcement under this tiled area (structural I mean) and also what your subfloor and underlayment is? I started to find information that pretty much told me I need to reinforce my structure below and double up my subfloor even before laying the backer or Ditra… ugh. Hope to hear from you! Looking forward to your blog updates now!
Hi Dave!
Our joists are 16 inch centers, with a layer of 1/2 inch plywood, a layer of 5/8 inch plywood on top of that (we had to replace the top layer due to water damage), and then 1/4 Hardie Backer before the tile. I hope that helps, but let me know if you still have questions! 🙂
Thanks!
Amanda
Hey Amanda, thanks for getting back to me! I have come to the conclusion I will have to do the same thing that you both did. I was hoping I didn’t have to use that extra layer because it will raise my f.f. height, but after having 27 cases of this tile delivered and each tile being hand checked by me and my poor wife, there’s no turning back!
So maybe a couple more questions…. Did you guys seal before grouting? What grout company/color did you use? And lastly, anything you hate about the slate or any flaking or problems? Thanks in advance for your time! I am glad I stumbled upon your blog, you have great taste and I can’t wait to look a little deeper into your site.
Hi Dave!
Yeah, I think it’s better to be safe than sorry. We didn’t seal before grouting, but we used Keracolor S grout in Charcoal (also from Home Depot). For the edges, we used charcoal Keracolor grout caulking (right by the grout). We’ve only had this floor in for a few months, so this might not be the true test. But, we haven’t had any issues with flaking, on this floor or our slate tiled fireplace. Because this tile is guaged, it seems pretty uniform in thickness and doesn’t have the drastic ridges. And Ben said it was really nice to work with. Cut easily with the wet tile saw. 🙂 Hope that helps you! We’re super happy with this flooring, and hope you are with yours! Keep in touch; I’d love to see pictures of your kitchen floors.
Thanks!
Amanda
I am putting this slate in my bathroom as well. I am wondering if it gets alot darker when you seal it? Thanks!! Love your herringbone idea!
Hello Gigi!!
The tile does get slightly darker when sealed. Test it out on a small piece first to be sure you’re okay with it. With this being our master bathroom (not frequently used by kids) we haven’t had any staining issues and it is unsealed so far. Depending on your use and lifestyle, you may not need it. Happy tiling! 😀
Thanks!
Amanda