Another shower tile job

The next shower surround had a couple specific goals: larger tile (less cutting and less grout) while still keeping the bright white subway tile-like deal going; modern vibe.  I had this pin for a shower idea that I was looking at.  Here we are working on it.  We had a quick weekend of babysitting so we cruised up, tiled like mad, and made this progress.  We finished the job to the point we needed to without Noah around.

 I had the pleasure of working with this upgraded tile saw - up at standing height!  It worked great for me and helped get a much closer cut in the corners of the shower.  Can you see the loaner saw down in the corner?  I did ALL my other tile jobs so far with that little guy.

 We selected to do a glass mosaic on the end where the plumbing comes out with the thought that it would be a nice accent and much easier install with removing little tiles and cutting the back webbing, rather than trying to get a 4 inch hole in the middle of a 9x12 tile.  There were challenges with the mosaic, but overall, it was a pleasant way to approach the plumbing column.

 Mmm, pretty!

 We nearly finished the back wall and the plumbing end on day one of setting tile.  Not bad for a couple novices.

 The vertical bricking also added some new challenges - gotta make sure it goes up straight!  Please excuse the funky worklight shadows in the pictures.  We don't have any lights in this bathroom (to be installed after painting is complete) and it's in an interior area...

 

 We taped off the tub (fresh each day) to try to keep it clean from falling mud chunks.  That worked fairly well.

 Second day we finished setting the tile in the morning and grouted the back wall after dinner.  Before heading home on Sunday morning, we were able to quick get the rest of the grout done.  This shower surround went up about a hundred times better/easier than the last one.  We got our groove going, had a babysitter, and used a much more powerful tile saw.  We were also strategic in our tile selection and used the "better" thin-set.

 A few more pictures for fun!

 I'm the official cutter, while Brian is the mudder.  We work together more on grout, but he applies and I'm the wiper.  This time the grout wiping was really easy (shh, don't tell!), I just wiped my sponge over the tiles and had a nearly perfect line.

She's looking good!  Noah has now seen the tile and he says he prefers the other bathroom, which is good because we call it his!  He's not down with my modern vertical tile mosaic.  That's okay, he also wishes for blue carpet in his room!

Happy New Year!