Personally, I'd change them. They are drab in colour and fussy in design, so make the space seem smaller and darker than other tiles would. Don't listen to your Architect; it's your space so you are the only person who matters. I suspect they just don't want the hassle!

Thanks Embletoni- I appreciate your time and sharing your insight! I will update!

Chris

I would change them also Or remove the ones around the bath That might help. Far to fussy /busy for me And as Embletoni said it's your space so you are the only person who matters Could you face walking into that room several times a day for the next 50 years

There are so many styles currently available at the moment Try something different now whilst the architect is still around Add some colour

Hello Joanna,

Well this tile has seen quite a bit of exposure... Companies like Bert and May for example... I do like this geometric design personally but I think they need careful complimenting with other tiles and textures.. I like the shower area and if I was working on this project with you, I'd be suggesting textures and earthy colours so it doesn't seem so out of place with the white, lest you go for more of the same... Plaster, smooth concrete with some warmer tones, so they blend but offer contrast if you want less.. but not dark with the white tile as this will look worse..

I am not sure you would want to leave them a year only to then rip them out if you cannot make these work... I'd be looking straight away for a solution that works rather than saying live with it... perhaps less outside of the shower area but a border or some form of continuity so the bathroom seems seamless, I would not put these on the side of the bath unless the whole floor area and the whole room even is being done as it will bring the room in...

Also things can look good for years even if they are an "On Trend" item (hate that word) but it's how you work this into the overall look that is crucial so it remains interesting and inviting... Going for plain and classic (boring!) is not the solution either as I think you'd be losing the opportunity to get this right and it could look gr8!

I like to focus on how to make things right rather that what is wrong.. So here's a pic of another Bert & May tile.. to give you an idea of how a dramatic tile can work with more exposure... Sleek all over and sheet glass, make this shower area really open despite the strong design..

: ))

If you're in London here's one that was at Clerkenwell design week 2015

Strong pattern really works when you know how to deal with the other elements..

I was just about to comment and say 'nope, get rid' until I saw Dabrowskas post above; what a difference the wall colour makes. Certainly seems livable, but ultimately I'd agree that they will date quickly. But for a year or two, with the darker paint they could be OK.

Thanks Lizzy, I wondered if it was just me!!

I don't mind them but they don't go with the other square tiles at all. Love the dark colour that someone else has suggested which does tone it down. In my mind, it would depend on how much it will cost to change it all .... but any change is now or never!

Wow Joanna, as in Dabrovska, your colour render is amazing. I would love this bathroom but probably still in someone else's house! Amazing!! Thank you so much. I agree with Rachel Oakes this really makes such a difference.

I think they could look great! But if you're going for a timeless look, a plain coloured tile would avoid your bathroom ever looking dated. Although on the plus side these tiles would require less cleaning upkeep than say plain white ones ;)

I love the effect especially in the shower area. I personally don't like the white contrast. I think it needs something warmer and softer. More earthy then I think you would love it. Please don't go for bland - there's enough of that about. You've invested already so try to work it out. It's amazing what a different colour contrast will do but your architect should be working with you to leave you with something you love not just telling you to live with it. Sack them off and get AJ Interior Styling in. They made some good suggestions above. Hope you can make it work for you. It could look stunning

Thank you Terry,

That's lovely of you! : ))

I must say that I like them with either the dark coloured wall or with a light coloured wall. The taupe colour in the tile looks like it could be a good choice also. A bathroom is a room where you can experiment as it's not a room you spend a lot of time in so that each time you visit you get that wow feeling all over again. Think Fornasetti decorative touches in there and instead of trying to play it down, just be brave and go with it, it will not disappoint...!

They are nice but I think you should change them. If you want a tile that won't date you are best to go with a natural stone tile, they are more work with maintenance etc. but they will stand the test of time. All tiles date, I can usually tell when a home was last renovated by looking at the tiles. Get the mess out of the way now, you don't want tilers, plumbers etc. back in your house in a year!! Best of luck with it!!

I dont like the tiles at all. If you dont like the tiles now or unsure about them now, you will hate them a year down the line. If you are not planning in redoing the bathroom for a long time, then something classy and neutral that will not outdate. You can always change the colour of the wall or accessories if you get bored of the colour, but would be more difficult and costly to change tiles.

Honestly if you really aren't planning to do the house again for a really long time you really do need to change them if you can. I accepted a less than good paint job on my new house because we were desperate to move in and it drove me mad every single day, until I repainted which was much more complicated than it would've been before we moved in. My friends had the same thing with the paint on their new windows and doors, it wasn't quite right, personally I thought it looked nice but my advice was the same - you are obviously spending money and time to do this - defo make sure you like it. Much better to get it right while the builders are in - much more convenient to do it now than later. Don't worry about the architect - you've tried it and you don't like it. They aren't to my taste and while the paint colour around it may soften it - they won't change. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

Joanna, to be honest I think they look pretty dreadful. If you have any hesitation, get rid of them. You have to live comfortably and happily in your home- so go for decor that helps you to do that rather than putting up with something you don't like!

Hey, I feel dizzy looking at them. If you are not going to do the house again, it is important that you make it perfect this time. Good luck!

Thank you so much everyone. I will let you know what we decide and what the space looks like. In the meantime delighted to hear comments on the down stairs shower room- our architect really got the bit between the teeth with these geometric patterns- I could live with this but my husband hates it!! He thinks that it makes the space feel enclosed and makes him feel very dizzy! After the fabulous post from Joanna Dabrovska I wondered about painting a dark wall. It is a very small room with a shower and a loo and no windows.

Hi Joanna, I love the tiles themselves but not in such a confined space. If your husband 'hates them!' they need to go. You will have the tilers in ripping out the others so get it over with now. Did your architect not clear these finishes with you before they were purchased? Personally I love geometrics but few of my clients would feel the same and I certainly wouldn't push this on them. It is good to take your clients out of their comfort zone but not to the point of them hating it!! I am glad you reached out for advice on this instead of just living with it.

I much prefer the tiles in the shower room and could live with them, but since your husband hates them, I'd change them now whilst you've got tradespeople in.

Both these rooms are small. Whilst I think pattern/dark looks great in small downstairs loos, I don't think it's practical in small bath/shower rooms, with the possible exception of wet rooms. There's too great a risk of feeling claustrophobic and where people are shaving and grooming, light is required.

They made me feel dizzy and I am sure I couldn't live with them. I would say go with your gut. It seems like you are fighting yourself to try and like them / keep them. The architect doesn't have to live with it so put aside what they have said. Better to cut your losses now if you are struggling to adjust. Good luck!

Hi Joanna,

I certainly would not be able to live with them. They will date very quickly and if you don't like them now what hope will you have with liking them later.

The tiles make your bathroom a lot smaller and certainly not very restful on the eye. Change them while you can!

Hi Joanna, You don't like them. Your husband doesn't like them. You are never going to like them. Get them changed. Now. Lovely bathroom though. Best wishes and good luck.

sorry but have to say go, they are like those optical illusion puzzles. remember its your home so you have to be happy, its better to tell him to change them now than have to change them once its been completed, best of luck :)

Dear Everyone, Thank you so much for your help and support! I took on my architect who was quite emotional about it all- he loved the bathroom and thought I was *mad* to want to change it. However, I did and the builder helped us find some tiles. I am thrilled with the result. I kept some of the tiles in our bedroom shower, and love them in moderation. Here are some photos.

Very best wishes to all

Lovely job Joanna, well done. Delighted you persevered to get a result you are happy with.

Bathroom looks fab now - well done.

I liked the tile - there was a bit of a different look - its sad that hardly anybody dares to be different. Must be very depressing for the architect to be thrown out but on the other hand it is your space and you have to live with it. I am afraid that l can't agree that plain is anything but .. well, boring.