kitchen renovation-backsplash

[bhnumbers]

*update at the end of the tread*

Hi again! It's been awhile  

We are sloooowly moving forward with our kitchen renovation. It's set to start in January now. Appliances have been ordered (back in August! sheesh), cabinets and counter tops have been picked out, and now I'm trying to settle on backsplash tile. I don't have a ton of area and I want something kinda bold, but not too crazy. 

I *think* I've settled on this tile, but I just wanted to get feedback beyond my husband ("looks fine to me.") Our lower cabinets are going to be walnut and the uppers are white (BM Super White). The counters are quartz, Calico White. 

What do you guys think? Open to all feedback.


The white of the cabinets is what the tile is leaning against, not what it's sitting on (that's just paper.)

These are a different color, but here is more of that style so you can see the pattern it makes:



The runner up tile is kind of like a subway tile, but the more I look at it, the more I think it's boring--and might be a pain to clean


The tile has been so fun to look at and consider, but I'm stressing now that I actually have to commit!!

[definitelyO]

I like it - especially if it's a smaller space - gives it some dimension and interest.

[Susie]

TBH the first choice backsplash is not my vibe at all.  But it's neutral in color, and if it's your vibe and you don't plan to sell soon, then go for it.  Especially if you are not DIYing.  The curved tiles look like a lot to take on as a DIY tiler, whereas a subway I feel like I could handle myself.

I do like the colors in it.  I like that it includes some darker tones.  I think the runner up is too close to the same color as the counter/cabinets.  

[darby]

I love your choice & think it’s really fun. I like the second one too, but think you should stick with the first unless your home is super traditional everywhere else. Your cabinet & countertop choices are also great.

[dr.girlfriend]

I will be honest that neither of them are my style, but I can see the first one being *someone's* style. The second one I just dislike. Sorry! If you dig the first one I definitely think you should go for it!

[zaneyzoo]

I like the first but not sure about it with the countertop. The picture makes the countertop read cream, but that could be my computer or the lighting.

I think a fun punch of pattern or color is good!

[simpsongal]

It’s cool! I love love love that walnut cabinet. My only thought was I liked the backsplash sample slightly better than the large scale layout. I wonder what it would look oriented differently? Can you do a dry lay and check the return policy in case you change your mind?

Tile mixed with brass accents would look awesome with that walnut too. Congrats on loving forward, I know you’ve wrestled with the layout for so long!

[munkii]

IMO, it's super busy and may be in visual competition with the grain of the walnut base cabs. The second is nms either. This is your kitchen, though, and you should go with what will make you happy.

[libbygrl109]

The 1st one is a fun pattern, but wonder if the white will match with the countertop? The counter reads more cream, but it may just be the angle or lighting.

While the pattern on the second one is neat, I really don't like the color.

I'm going to be doing a two-tone kitchen, too! Cannot wait to get started. Hope your install goes smoothly!

[k3am]

I honestly love the first tile with your cabinets and quartz choice.. but as a standalone tile. Once I see how the patterns all fit together in larger scale, I'm less sure how I feel about it. I hate the second tile.

That being said, I know my accent tile in my shower is something that I love, but not something that most of the board would, and I'm okay with that.

[pierogigirl]

I really hate the second tile. The first one makes me kind of dizzy, but if you love it and plan to be in your house a long time, do what makes you happy.

[spinnaker5]

OP, you mentioned this in your post already - definitely agree with considering ease of cleaning. Anything with texture, ridges etc will be a PITA especially around the stovetop.

[boiler717]

I am not a fan personally, but I am pretty traditional in my tastes. I do think tile is something that can be dated quickly so I like to stick to more classic looks.

[bhnumbers]

Thanks for all the feedback! Much appreciated

The photo is lit badly...the (first) tile is actually light and dark gray and the countertop is much more white and gray that creamy IRL. It cracks me up that almost no one liked my second choice! Good to know, lol!

This was the photo I took of it in the showroom, which I think shows it better than my sample set up--I thought it was really cool, but I wasn't sure how I wanted to orient it and, of course, I wanted something lighter.


simpsongal , the first tile is a custom color combo, so if I order it, I'm stuck with it. I might need to visit the showroom again and see some other options.

darby , our taste runs more contemporary with touches of MCM. I like things a little bit different (weird?) IDK, this is more stressful than it should be.

I think I'm stuck between not wanting to have something that I see in lots of other kitchens, but scared my weird taste is going to turn out tacky, lol.

[darby]

bhnumbers it sounds like we have similar taste, lol! We get a lot of side eye for our choices sometimes, but we don’t care! I actually love that gray you just posted, too! I say do what you want & who cares what anyone else thinks. I’ve never regretted sticking to my gut, but absolutely have when toning something down to please others in my own home. Have fun with it!

[k3am]

bhnumbers I think accent tile is the perfect place to bring in your specific tastes. It’s really not that hard/expensive (in the grand scheme of things) to replace a backsplash if you get tired of it in 10 years or if you sell and someone hates it. We actually hated the kitchen backsplash we inherited and swapped it out for something more up our alley and I have no regrets.

pandce.proboards.com/thread/614050/update-updated-great?page=1

[nicolewi]

I really like the second tile, running vertically, but it was hard to get a sense of the color of the lighter option from the photo.

I am not a huge fan of the concentric curves, but if you love it, there's nothing really wrong with it. Just not my preference. I would lean towards something "cleaner" looking.

How big of a space will this cover? Like, do you only have 18", or is it like a full wall? That makes a difference, too.

[bhnumbers]

nicolewi , it's not huge. Here are screen shots of the elevations of both sides of the kitchen. For the bigger one, it goes from the left wall, to just where the upper cabinets end on the right. Then on the smaller wall, it's just that little 27"x18" area. The only "big" places are above the sink and the cooktop.

[juliej]

We did a kitchen makeover a few months ago. For our backsplash, we wanted "bold but not too crazy" - basically a tile to introduce some texture - and ended up with this: www.tileclub.com/products/white-and-grey-mixed-leaf-recycled-glass-mosaic-tile (we have white uppers, grey lowers, and solid white counters, with matte black hardware).

We looked at a *lot* of different patterns, but we didn't have a ton of backsplash, so certain patterns became distracting and visually aggressive.

[deadwing]

Nov 2, 2021 23:32:26 GMT -5 juliej said:

We did a kitchen makeover a few months ago. For our backsplash, we wanted "bold but not too crazy" - basically a tile to introduce some texture - and ended up with this: www.tileclub.com/products/white-and-grey-mixed-leaf-recycled-glass-mosaic-tile (we have white uppers, grey lowers, and solid white counters, with matte black hardware).

We looked at a *lot* of different patterns, but we didn't have a ton of backsplash, so certain patterns became distracting and visually aggressive.

This is gorgeous! I love how it's a little different without being too busy.

[bhnumbers]

juliej, that's really pretty!!

[mouse]

Funky backsplash lovers: I’m thinking of doing pressed tin in our kitchen.
Why does Google make it so hard to post images from their search? Here. It’s here.
www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/kitchens/how-to-install-a-tin-tile-backsplash

[darby]

Nov 4, 2021 15:49:53 GMT -5 mouse said:

Funky backsplash lovers: I’m thinking of doing pressed tin in our kitchen.
Why does Google make it so hard to post images from their search? Here. It’s here.
www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/kitchens/how-to-install-a-tin-tile-backsplash

Go for it! I think it’s beautiful! And should be a relatively easy DIY project.

[dr.girlfriend]

Nov 1, 2021 11:19:05 GMT -5 bhnumbers said:

Thanks for all the feedback! Much appreciated

The photo is lit badly...the (first) tile is actually light and dark gray and the countertop is much more white and gray that creamy IRL. It cracks me up that almost no one liked my second choice! Good to know, lol!

This was the photo I took of it in the showroom, which I think shows it better than my sample set up--I thought it was really cool, but I wasn't sure how I wanted to orient it and, of course, I wanted something lighter.


simpsongal , the first tile is a custom color combo, so if I order it, I'm stuck with it. I might need to visit the showroom again and see some other options.

darby , our taste runs more contemporary with touches of MCM. I like things a little bit different (weird?) IDK, this is more stressful than it should be.

I think I'm stuck between not wanting to have something that I see in lots of other kitchens, but scared my weird taste is going to turn out tacky, lol.

Ah, yes, that looks much better.  I think it was the angle and the layout of the first pic, the way the insets made a zigzag instead of diamonds.  Definitely would not offset that tile.  The vertical layout gives it a little bit of a funky Jetson's feel!  But IDK how I would feel about having straight, continuous horizontal grout lines in a backsplash.  I would worry it would make it feel choppy.

[simpsongal]

Nov 4, 2021 15:49:53 GMT -5 mouse said:

Funky backsplash lovers: I’m thinking of doing pressed tin in our kitchen.
Why does Google make it so hard to post images from their search? Here. It’s here.
www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/kitchens/how-to-install-a-tin-tile-backsplash

i have one- it’s great! It was easy to diy. I painted my cabinets off white and the tin backsplash makes for a nice subtle contrast. It’s easy to clean too.

[bhnumbers]

I've been back on the hunt. You guys convinced me that the swirly tile isn't going to work. and ugh. I thought I'd found *the* one (again, lol), it's this: mercurymosaics.com/blogs/custom-gallery?modal-gallery=hgtvs-stay-or-sell-ombre-diamond-tile-kitchen

It's the right color palette and I love the shapes, but holy crap, they quoted me $4675 for 44 sqft. Now that includes a custom tile layout, but even without that it's more than $70sqft!!!

Oh well....I'll keep looking.

[darby]

That’s gorgeous tile, but the price…yikes!!

[konapoppy]

Nov 18, 2021 9:41:55 GMT -5 bhnumbers said:

I've been back on the hunt. You guys convinced me that the swirly tile isn't going to work. and ugh. I thought I'd found *the* one (again, lol), it's this: mercurymosaics.com/blogs/custom-gallery?modal-gallery=hgtvs-stay-or-sell-ombre-diamond-tile-kitchen

It's the right color palette and I love the shapes, but holy crap, they quoted me $4675 for 44 sqft. Now that includes a custom tile layout, but even without that it's more than $70sqft!!!

Oh well....I'll keep looking.

I just installed their tile as a backsplash! Yes, it is super expensive. And honestly, our contractor who is fantastic said it was so hard to install to his satisfaction because of the hand made component. It is gorgeous though lol

[holly116]

Nov 18, 2021 9:41:55 GMT -5 bhnumbers said:

I've been back on the hunt. You guys convinced me that the swirly tile isn't going to work. and ugh. I thought I'd found *the* one (again, lol), it's this: mercurymosaics.com/blogs/custom-gallery?modal-gallery=hgtvs-stay-or-sell-ombre-diamond-tile-kitchen

It's the right color palette and I love the shapes, but holy crap, they quoted me $4675 for 44 sqft. Now that includes a custom tile layout, but even without that it's more than $70sqft!!!

Oh well....I'll keep looking.

Check out Rookwood tile. I’m a Cincinnatian so it has sentimental value to me, but it’s beautiful and they have similar shapes. Their field tile is $28 a square, I think. I went with their Chevron 6x6 and 44 sq feet was around $1400. They’re even running a sale through the end of the year. It takes about 2 months to get customs tile right now.

[simpsongal]

bhnumbers, oof I'm sorry - that was cool, but that was an insane price

Reminds me of the time I went to Ann Sack in the city...YIKES