Fixed PIP: Help, please, for tiny 1/2 bath accent wall!

[Pilsy]

Does anyone feel like helping me out with a tiny bathroom accent wall? I don't trust my judgment, and I'm under pressure to make a decision today, as my husband has a handyman coming tomorrow/Monday, and he's planning to buy materials today. Buying something online won't be an option; I need to find something in stock at Lowe's. (Sigh. This is not how I prefer to operate.) 

We want to install a backsplash, as we don't have one at all yet, and the chronic peeling paint looks terrible. I was initially planning on something small behind the sink, and the handyman convinced my husband we should tile the whole wall instead. I'm not opposed to the idea, but I feel like the tile choice matters more if it's going to cover much of a wall instead of a 15" x 3" space. 

Which kind of tile would you use? I'd prefer a beadboard look, but the handyman cautioned we won't be solving the peeling paint issue with wood. It's a valid point, so I probably need to compromise and go with tile. Is there a style that suits this space particularly well? I hate the idea of 4"x4" tiles, which make me think of pink or black and white bathrooms from the 60s. 

ETA: Finally got the pic to work! 
 

[Pilsy]

I think I want this look. Any experts out there disagree?  

[winecat]

Is your floor brick or a faux brick tile/linoleum? I like the tile you posted but it seems like it might be a lot of rectangle shapes going on with the brick look on the floor.

I googled and they make/sell water resistant bead board at Home Depot. Unfortunately, I can't find it at Lowe's. www.homedepot.com/b/Lumber-Composites-Boards-Planks-Panels-Wall-Paneling-Wainscoting/Moisture-Resistant/N-5yc1vZcbqgZ1z0p2qk

Couldn't you use exterior grade paint that wouldn't peel?

[Pilsy]

Jun 20, 2020 11:03:06 GMT -5 winecat said:

Is your floor brick or a faux brick tile/linoleum? I like the tile you posted but it seems like it might be a lot of rectangle shapes going on with the brick look on the floor.

I googled and they make/sell water resistant bead board at Home Depot. Unfortunately, I can't find it at Lowe's. www.homedepot.com/b/Lumber-Composites-Boards-Planks-Panels-Wall-Paneling-Wainscoting/Moisture-Resistant/N-5yc1vZcbqgZ1z0p2qk

Couldn't you use exterior grade paint that wouldn't peel?

Thanks for responding! 

It's real brick, and I agree about the rectangles, but we'll get rid of it eventually (year or two), so I don't mind if we have too much geometrical pattern in the short term. 

My husband is vetoing the bead board, but I think it's a great idea, along with the exterior paint! Really smart, and we never thought of that. 

[bunnies]

Subway tile is classic, though it's currently trendy. It's been around for 100 or so years! I love it.

If he doesn't like bead-board, how about board and batten?

[redheadk]

Is moisture really a huge concern in a half bath? I don't see how a bath without a tub or shower could possibly get steamy enough to affect wood on the walls. Your biggest potential issue is damage to your baseboards from an overflowing toilet, IMO, but that's not a huge deal to fix. I would assume the paint is peeling for another reason. Is it possible a lower sheen paint was applied over a higher sheen at some point? That will cause the paint to peel and has nothing really to do with excess moisture.

I think beadboard or board and batten would look great in there! But the subway tile will look very nice, too, since you plan to switch the floors out anyway. The biggest issue is that the grout on the floor is so yellow.

ETA: I'd consider doing all of the walls, not just the ones behind the sink/toilet.