My new backsplash (nat cherry cabinets, dakota mahogany granite)
Hi everyone, it's been a long time since i've posted here but I just started my DIY backplash project and thought I'd post some updates.
I have natural cherry cabinets and dakota mahogany granite and had a hard time finding a blackplash that worked with both. My wife and I wanted a subtle, neutral look. Maybe this will give someone with a similar combination some ideas.
This was our kitchen right after the granite was installed. The cherry has really darkened in the couple of years since.
We decided on Crema Ivory Bamboo stone, available at any Home Depot.
http://www.msistone.com/bsinfo.aspx?bsid=110
We are shooting for this final look:
I started this past weekend, in the corner where I could interlock two sheets. It's finicky stuff, and the small tiles tend to want to move around a bit until they've set, hence the random spacers.
Will continue to lay tiles this coming weekend. I'm still trying to figure out how to get the tiles up and under my window sill trim. I think I'll pull it off and backcut the trim slightly with a router so the tiles can be pushed up and under.
Stay tuned!
Comments (38)
cat_mom
11 years agoRelated Discussions
Stumped on Backsplash, Window Covering and Kitchen Table
Comments (7)Chiommy, I hope you have answers to your questions by now. I remodeled a mobile home kitchen a few years back and used laminate flooring that looks like tile as my backsplash. Choose some of the wide format and be sure any seams are either sealed with waterproof caulk or away from constantly wetted areas. The surface of the tile is very durable but the edges will swell and disentegrate if they are often wetted....See MoreProgress pics of kitchen--need backsplash ideas.
Comments (23)First off I like the granite! If you love it too, you can make it work. Do you love it? That is the questions. Do you love the granite? You said you were second guessing, I assume this was before you posted. If you do not love the granite but more like or say "eh sure", then I would say start a search for a granite that makes you really smile. Something that says "wow, I love this". Meanwhile you said you wanted to find a backsplash to go with this kitchen. Do you want to start with backsplash ideas and find a granite to go with them? Sometimes this is a great way to go. How modern do you want to go? How rustic or is the only rustic element the cabinetry? When I think of Rustic I think of.... �Leather or suede Pewter, zinc, orb, wrought iron, rust Wood floors, branches, bark, twigs cotton, hemp, linen, wool, Stone tile, even old brick, rocks, or concrete Rustic Modern is a lovely direction. I can see why the sales person recommended the white Botticino marble. Did the salesperson see the cabinets? Have you collected some favorite images for inspiration? Maybe clippings? What elements besides rustic, modern and plain come to mind? Colors? Textures? For now lets look at some rustic modern kitchens that might help and from there we can find out what you love and start a plan. Let me know the colors, textures, even granites or backsplashes that you love in any of the images below and we can search for more. Keep in mind I am simply guessing because all I have so far are these words. "rustic, Modern, Plain" ~boxer I am showing you this image with rustic cherry cabs and a warm backsplash and counter. The glass tiles lend a sense of modern in this space but it is not plain. rustic cabs but a more contemporary glass tile white with wood This makes me think of rustic modern. The modern feel of the cabinets but the rustic beams and the rustic earthy feel to the space. Lastly backsplashes, since this was after all your original question...See MoreStumped on Backsplash and ...
Comments (13)Thanks for all the replies. Eastbaymom, I did not find the daltile design tool user friendly or maybe I'm just techno challenged. Cruisedirector, I'm sure my kitchen is smaller than yours as my kitchen is probably one of the smallest on this forum. This makes it difficult to pick a backsplash as the ones I love will make my kitchen too dark like Terriks' backsplash above which looks lovely in her kitchen but will be too dark in mine. I'll go to Home Depot this weekend to check out the Jeffrey Court tiles that they carry. Terriks, I like your backsplash but it's probably too dark for my kitchen but I'll try and get some samples and see if they'll work in my kitchen....See MoreCan You Show Me Your Kitchen Backsplash
Comments (62)These are move in pics, so please, ignore the mess...it will be gone soon (I HOPE!!!) I also skipped the tumbled marble because I saw too much of it, though some of the ones posted above might have changed my mind....they're really well laid out and compliment the counters well, but most of the ones I saw were just boring squares all over, blah blah I had the subways here matched to our granite in a crackle finish. That backsplash is supposed to take a back seat t the backsplash on the other side of the room:...See More
EATREALFOOD
11 years ago
localeater
11 years agoUser
11 years agoTxMarti
11 years agobellsmom
11 years agotmy_jax
11 years agotaggie
11 years agocatamount90
11 years agoWow, thanks for the positive responses! We felt like we were taking a bit of a risk with this tile (all that work, and what if it looks odd) but are loving the way it's coming together. Just so everyone is clear, these are 12" x 12" sheets, I am not laying out individual tiles! It goes pretty fast.
tmy_jax, I took some measurements for you. My outside wall / long run of granite is 13'. The run where the stove is is about 78" from the side of the fridge to the outside wall. The island is a 24" x 36" 3 drawer cabinet which we love and couldn't live without. I trimmed the sides with mock doors and it looks pretty sharp. The granite overhangs on 2 sides for seating. If you are looking for any other measurements, please let me know!
Figuring out what to do about tiling around the window stool took some brain power.
I decided to pull the apron, create a *new* window stool and then after grouting put the apron back on over the tile. I think this will give it a really clean look. I will use my router to make a rabbet in the back of the stool to slip over the tiles.
I've got today off so I made a little progress.
I'm now getting low on sheets, I have 3 left. Unfortunately I cleaned my local HD out of this tile, and it'll be 5 days until they get any more in. Stay tuned!
a2gemini
11 years agotmy_jax
11 years agoblfenton
11 years agomjocean
11 years agoTerri
11 years agocatamount90
11 years agoToday's update... there was a slight delay there as I was waiting for HD to receive more of these tiles. This afternoon I will be renting a wet saw to make the final "straight" cuts (where the tile meets the trim) and then it's time for grout!
catamount90
11 years agoI rented a wet saw and made all of the difficult straight cuts to finish the tiling portion of this job. Next up... grout and then fixing the window trim!
gr8daygw
11 years agosnowbean
11 years agoboymom23
11 years agoamandapadgett
11 years agocatamount90
11 years agoMy latest update: I built a new window stool out of poplar and routed a small cove in the bottom of it. The ends were rabbeted to fit over the tile under the window (so I wouldn't have to cut tiles to match up to the stool & apron).
Our window trim used to be just a thick trim piece, so I think this will look better. Old "apron" with new stool on top.
Also finished grouting today.
I'll post a finished shot as soon as I get the window trim mounted & painted!
tmy_jax
11 years agofrozenelves
11 years ago
Fori
11 years agocatamount90
11 years ago"Question: I've been wondering how to grout it and have the grout be recessed so the tiles pop. It looks like that's what you did. What method did you use to achieve that? I've felt that if the grout were flush, it wouldn't be as interesting. Also, what color grout did you use? Thanks!"
Hi frozenelves8. That grout is unsanded Bone from Custom Building Products (also available at Home Depot). It is the same color grout used in the example Home Depot uses:
Also, the "recessed grout" happens when running a sponge over the grout. That is just part of grouting and will happen no matter which grout you decide on. You will remove more or less depending on how much pressure you apply to the sponge as you wipe it down. Generally though, it's hard to mess up.
gr8daygw
11 years agocatamount90
11 years agoWell, this will be my last update. The trim is back up and the window stool has been painted. I still need to grout the line between the counters and backsplash but for now this is a wrap. It's been a fun DIY project!
Fori
11 years ago
autumn.4
11 years agowi-sailorgirl
11 years agocatamount90
11 years agoI hope it's not hard to keep clean. That said, after along time living with white walls we only had a couple of spots on them over the course of 4 years. We just don't seem to "splatter" much. We're not too concerned.
Thanks, wi-sailorgirl. On the end of each run I used a wetsaw to make perfectly straight cut. I spaced it 1/16" from the trim. It looks like this on the refrigerator side, and looks identical on the other end.
I also bumped into the trim around the window, so I did the same thing there = spaced by 1/16" and made a nice crisp cut using a wetsaw (rented it for 1/2 day).
tmy_jax
11 years ago
Jodi_SoCal
11 years ago
williamsem
11 years agojerzeegirl
11 years agobaharrig
9 years agoI am considering using this backsplash in my newly remodeled kitchen,
which is very similar in cabinet and counter colors, and almost an
identical layout except we had a "peninsula" installed on the right end
(L-shaped counter) instead of an island due to space. How do you feel
about how the tile squares meet? In photos online at Home Depot I can see a pattern since the edge tiles are not as scattered and meet like zippered ends.
Roy Teal
8 years ago
shedthechrysalis