Tile is great because it’s fully customizable, but it requires extensive waterproofing and is a time consuming installation. Usually, tile costs more and is associated with a more custom finish. In my opinion, if you’re new to tiling, a shower is not a great place to start.

Shower Surrounds are pretty much the exact opposite. Being full wall units, they only require a small amount of waterproofing along the seams, and they are easier to install, but they aren’t customizable and tend to be associated with builder grade finishes.

With their UPstile line, Delta took the best of both worlds and created a semi-customizable surround. The panels are moulded to look like traditional subway tile with white grout and they have a channel in them where you can set real tile as an accent! Guys!! Anything your little heart desires! Though I would love to offer the advice of using white grout on the accent tile to tie it in with the faux grout on the surround. I used a great faceted diamond pattern that I found on homedepot.com.

Installation was pretty painless, I’ve got tips to help you with your install!

The first being measurements. As you are measuring for your new UPstile, keep in mind that it needs to go underneath the drywall. I may have had a few sleepless nights before we started install because WHAT IF THE MEASUREMENTS ARE WRONG!? Thankfully they weren’t, but that’s never a fun fear to have grip you at 2 am.

Next tip is more of an emotional one, take a shower before you start demo! Once you’ve ripped out your old tub, there is no going back folks. If this is the only shower in your home, you’ve got to get to work or else you’re going to be kitchen sink bathing until it’s back in.

Once we had the old tub demoed, we brought in the new one and it was easier to set than I would’ve thought. I was having a Friends “Pivot! Pivot!” flashback. One of the biggest mistakes that I think can be made is not setting your tub on a level surface. This is SO important because if the base isn’t level, then that walls wont be level and the shower doors wont be level (you get where this is going, right?) Make sure that your tub is level!

Tip #3 is to follow the instructions that Delta sends to a T. They are the most complete and easy to comprehend installation instructions that I have ever found, not just for the UPstile, but for all of the faucets and mirror as well. In fact as I’m writing this post and coming up with tips to share I keep deleting them because I realize that they are not in fact tips, but really brilliant insight that came in the instructions! (Also I’m super aware that reading instructions is not a tip, but if there is anyone in your life like my husband, they need all of the reminders they can get.)

Set up a jig on your tile saw! With a few clamps and a piece of wood, I was able to quickly and precisely cut all of my accent tiles to shape. A jig will take all of the guesswork out of measurements!

You’ve totally got this!!

We replaced the vinyl flooring with this white scallop tile and used a medium gray grout. I love that the tile has a mixed finish, some of the tiles are glossy and some are matte. It adds a lot of dimension!

We kicked the outdated vanity and blue marble-ish countertop to the curb and replaced it with the most gorgeous vanity/counter combo of all time! The oak grain on the wood coupled with the matte black metal accent gives a killer industrial/farmhouse vibe. With the lightly marbled counter/sink combo it looks like a million bucks.