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jazz up white subway tile

15 years ago

I want a kitchen that will adapt to whatever colors I choose to use for accents from time to time. My cabinets are white (not cream, and not glazed, just white); the countertops when installed later this week will be a light Santa Cecilia. The backsplash is going to be white subway tiles.

The area over the sink is direct line of sight from the living room. I would like to do something interesting there. DD and I went through what seemed like ten thousand boxes yesterday and found the tile DH had brought me from China several years ago. It wasn't exactly as I remembered and really won't work as part of the backsplash (going to see if the tile guy can turn it into a tray/trivet).

I am drawn to the raised basketweave that some of you have installed. I am thinking not in a different color, just something to add texture. But I haven't been able to find that online in a shiny white. Anyone know of a source?

Any other ideas? I'm not married to the raised basketweave.

TIA

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Comments (5)

remodelfla
15 years ago
One from Ann Sacks:
{{gwi:1583147}}
Check out Mosaic Direct:www.mosaicdirect.com
Travis Building Supply has a couple of pretty things
http://www.travisbuildingsupplies.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=basket+weave&Search.x=10&Search.y=13

Here is a link that might be useful: Walker Zanger
lascatx
15 years ago
Have you considered picking up the greys and browns in the granite with a liner or accent piece? What came to my mind was a burnished copper, pewter or even into a bronze type depending on the tones in your slabs and the colors you would want to accent for your home (cool tones, warm tones, most neutral, etc.) I have a liner that is two rows of a blue that is close to my blue accent wall with an antiqued pewter rope in the center. The pewter compliments the stainless and chrome finishes in the kitchen without being flashy. We also considered a rope in the same color as the subways and a glass liner. The glass liner cost more than the subways and wasn't really as good for the kitchen.

Whatever you like, there are liners, squares, mosaic strips -- lots of ways to personalize. Just make sure it's something you will enjoy living with.
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budge1
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Have you thought about just doing the white subways, but hanging something there that you could change out if you feel the need for something different down the line. I love framed art in the kitchen although behind the sink might not be the best place for it. Maybe a collection of antique somethings, a nice tray, 3 matching trivets, a knife magnet, utensil rack.
mbarstow
15 years ago
Have you considered a chandelier of some kind? Have it on a dimmer and you can crate a mood ;)
bbstx
Original Author
15 years ago
I appreciate all the very good suggestions from all of you.

budge, my neighbor has a slab backsplash in black. Her kitchen is much more contemporary than mine. Just this week, she hung a large round mirror framed in small red glass tiles. It looks fabulous! Really opens up the area. I considered art over the sink. It will have to be a reproduction in case it gets splashed.

lascatx, I've considered a small pewter liner. I saw one that is a half round, which will give some needed dimension to the backsplash. I need to buy one and play with it and my 4 subway tiles.

mbarstow, the chandelier sounds like a good idea, but I do not have enough space between the sink and the cabinets above it.

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