Kitchen Backsplash

8 years ago

We’re finally down to the tiny details. Our plan was to do a classic white, beveled subway tile in a herringbone pattern, however, my husband now wants something that will warm up the space; he feels the kitchen is a little sterile. Thoughts? Something under $10/sq ft (the subways I wanted were like $.37 ea ).

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kjoy1

8 years ago

This is one of my favorite favorite kitchens on houzz...I love how her subtle patterned backsplash gives her kitchen warmth, depth, and interest. So beautiful! Here is her ideabooks where you can find more pictures of her kitchen...https://www.houzz.com/user/lwfromny

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Comments (35)

ptreckel
8 years ago
What is going on in the room that this adjoins? What colors, fabrics, textures do you have there? Your husband is responding to the absence of color in the kitchen, but I don’t see any window treatments or kitchen accessories in place yet. Once these are in place and the kitchen is in daily use, there will be plenty of “color,” ie. life, in your kitchen, even with a white back splash.
niccidhg
8 years ago
Pretty kitchen, Rachael ! Will the vent hood remain natural ? ( it looks beautiful that way ) Would you take a close-up pic. of your counter material, please ? Which colors do you like / are in your adjoining spaces ?
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Shannon_WI
8 years ago
Maybe change out the counter chairs for something colorful with more personality?
threers
8 years ago
How about a white tile in an interesting shape? Like the fishtale tiles in a tile story here on ouzz/
niccidhg
8 years ago
Maybe the white subways you had contemplated , or a plain non-beveled white subway, using a thin , black grout ?
niccidhg
8 years ago
Something like this, just behind the stove( with the rest being the white subways ) ? HOWEVER, a word of caution - do not use a cement tile there, because , even if sealed, it will stain from cooking splatters . Not sure what these are , but if you wanted to go for that type of look , get a ceramic or porcelain one.
niccidhg
8 years ago
Lastly, a basketweave is a classic and timeless look -
PRO
Anglophilia
8 years ago
I love your kitchen, but perhaps that’s because it looks a lot like my own! I wanted my kitchen to be neutral and calm, and let the food be exciting. A bowl of red tomatoes now, oranges and lemons during the winter, would look terrific.
loves to decorate
8 years ago
I would suggest a tile that in some way echoes the design of your glass cabinet doors. The tile doesn't need to be colourful, as colour can always be added through accessories: blinds/curtains, towels, canisters, etc. In fact, I would suggest avoiding a coloured tile, or at least sticking to something soft and subtle.
Rachael Edmondson
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for the advice, girls! As of right now I don’t have any window coverings in the adjoining rooms, however, I am planning on cream and navy blue in a fun pattern for the living and dining room. I’m planning on leaving the kitchen window naked. Right now I have pops of navy and vibrant grass green in the entry and living room. I’m not huge on counter clutter which is why you don’t see much there.
loves to decorate
8 years ago
I have no idea what colours you like, or what you have in your home already, so not necessarily these exact tiles or colours (I like the simple, penny tile, personally). But something like these would tie in well with the curves in your doors I think.....
Rachael Edmondson
Original Author
8 years ago
I like that idea. I hadn’t thought about mimicking the curves in the mullion doors.
loves to decorate
8 years ago
In blues....
Boxerpal
8 years ago
Rachael you have a beautiful kitchen. here are a few more ideas...

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Rachael Edmondson
Original Author
8 years ago
I really like the elongated honeycomb tiles ❤️
mark_rachel
8 years ago
Something under $10 is going to be hard to find. I would suggest upping your budget to get something that will look nice & fit the space.

The last pic is the tile I used in my kitchen. I used the top crackle tile. It was $13/sq ft & I thought that was a steal!!
niccidhg
8 years ago
I would agree with Mark , if it is possible to go a little higher. When I was doing my search, there were many beautiful options that I could not suggest because the price of them was off the charts, even for a reasonably increased budget.I felt a bit guilty fo posting one that was $12 something. Some of the tiles posted here have been as high as 80 or 90 and up per sq, ft. !— Love the crackle tiles that Mark posted.
Boxerpal
8 years ago
Oh my,,, that would be me. My bad! I posted tiles in a very high price range. I guess I was thinking about all my favorites and forgetting that the OP was interested in tiles in a lower price range. I got carried away, forgive me.

Here is a honeycomb shape that are not too expensive.

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Jo
8 years ago
Following as interested. Thanks.
R M
8 years ago
I too like the elongated honeycomb tiles.
niccidhg
8 years ago
Boxer, it is so easy to do :) . There is just so much out there - so many pretty choices ! I get carried away all the time LOL - even for my own home, which NEEDS nothing ( at the moment, haha - knock on wood ) - but, then I see something so scrumptious and think ‘ welllll, maybe I should redo this....’ , before my better senses kick in . No worries, I’m sure the OP would have become aware anyhow :))
Boxerpal
8 years ago
Niccidhg... Yes, you are sooo right. It is so easy to do. I am currently craving the Ribbon Thassos White Polished Waterjet Mosaic, But where would I put it.. And there is no dount it it out of my price range too. So many tiles so few places to put them. I should have been a professional shopper. : ) ~boxer
Rachael Edmondson
Original Author
8 years ago
That’s part of my problem, budget. We built our home and while we still have money, we are trying to keep things simple. I love some of the tiles you guys posted, but I can’t imagine spending $20+ /sq ft on a tile. Maybe I’ll just stick to something more high end above the stove and keep the rest the simple beveled tile I already love.

What do you all think about grout lines though? I like the idea of thin black grout lines and it would play off my windows, pendant, and appliances.

Any other thoughts on how to lay subway tiles? I really like a herringbone pattern, but I’m open to suggestions.

Here’s a couple more photos of my house so you all can get an idea of the styles we have going on. (Sorry for the mess, we’re still moving in).
Boxerpal
8 years ago
I adore you space. I love the high ceilings and the ship lap wall. Very cool indeed. Yes, I think a think black or even dark gray (graphite) thin grout line could be really pretty. I say go with a simple subway tile maybe even glass that is both economical and pretty.

Here are some more ideas. I too can't afford $20 a sq foot. for a backsplash. Even though I am pining for those tiles. I decided to go with marble slab that matches my counters. It is actually reasonable when you factor in hiring a tiler.

I wish I could find a photo with the circular transoms and black grouted tiles...

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Beth H. :
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
don't settle for the plain old white. you've done a very nice job. I agree w/husband.

Floor and Decor has this for $10

https://www.flooranddecor.com/stone-decoratives/carrara-thassos-cube-marble-mosaic-100248491.html#start=34

if you can go up to $16, I love this one because of the black dots.
or this one. the darker marble plays w/your black in the room. this is beautiful.

this one is about $7. Beveled marble subway

https://www.flooranddecor.com/marble-stone?sz=240&showBrand=true

you could also do this subway shape basalt tile in a herringbone and light grout. perfect size at 3x9.

these next ones are porcelain and fall under your budget. the first one plays well w/your wood hood.
Nothing Left to Say
8 years ago
I think your wood hood stands out all on its lonesome. So I would try to find a tile that helps tie it in—like the suggestion above. (Or maybe even consider tiling the edge of the hood itself?)
jbtanyderi
8 years ago
Put tile above the stove, and mirror the rest.
Rachael Edmondson
Original Author
8 years ago
Crl_ Right, the wood hood does stand out (hickory is my husband’s favorite wood species). I’ve added some other wood accessories to tie it in and am planning on doing champagne brass hardware to help pull it all together. I do, however, like the tile you are referring too, it’s very pretty.
Rachael Edmondson
Original Author
8 years ago
Beth H., I love that first tile you posted, gorgeous! The upside down scalloped tiles are very pretty too, and unique, which is something I’m drawn too as I designed my kitchen from the ground up.
Beth H. :
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Rachel,,,yes it is. for $10 sf, it's cheap for marble too. F&D is also known for lesser quality marble, so keep that in mind. go through the stacks of mosaic sheets before you pay for them to make sure you're getting similar looking tones. look at some of the other choices they have.

as for going up a few bucks,,,look at it this way. the splash will be there for at least 10 years or if you move. in the big scheme of things, spending an extra $200 for you tile really isn't a splurge. ($5 more for 30 sq ft of tile is only $150. so if you want to jump up to $15 sf, you can)

Cut back somewhere else, or learn how to do the tiling yourself if you really want to save money.

someone mentioned mirror tiles. these antique mirror elongated hex would actually work really well. $13 sf

https://www.tilesdirect.net/obsidian-antique-silver-beveled-crystal-hexagon-mosaic/

or choose the 3x9 subways. these are $10

or,,,grayish/blue longer glazed subway. Tundra.

Thassos white w/mirror dot

Lowes and home depot have these
mrstad
8 years ago
I just want to say that Beth H. Rocks at back splashes! I get so excited when I see all the choices she comes up with on these dilemmas. She truly has a gift at making a person's kitchen choices sing with a great back splash. Thank you, Beth!
Rachael Edmondson
Original Author
8 years ago
Luckily we do our own tile work, so that saves on labor costs. Here is a photo of the shower we did in our master.
Rachael Edmondson
Original Author
8 years ago
Beth H, where did you find the upside down scalloped tiles?
Beth H. :
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
thank you mrstad!

Rachael, upside down? you mean this one? this is the normal layout.
you can find them allover. Mercury Mosaics makes beautiful ones, but no way you'll go for their prices! i'm sure you can find inexpensive scallop or 'fish scale' or 'fan shape' mosaics at F&D, or wayfair, or any those that sell tiles.

Houzz has them

or Lowes carries these in gray and white

Elida Ceramica Grey Ornamental Scallop Lantern Mosaic Ceramic Wall Tile (Common: 12-in x 12-in; Actual: 10.512-in x 11.3-in)

$12.50 online)

Kitchen Backsplash

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