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Tell me what size subway or field tile you used for your BS

13 years ago

I am trying to get a perspective for what size subway or field tile I want to use on my BS. It is hard to tell from pictures alone, what people have used. Can you share with me what size you used and a picture? Thanks a BUNCH!

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tigergirl123

13 years ago

I think we are going to use a 2x4 limestone subway tile (and do something different behind the cooktop). One way to tell how big they are in a picture is count them - typically there is 18" between counter and upper cabinet.

So in the black and white backsplash above, she has 6 from counter to cabinet, 6x3=18.

We will have 9 rows if we use the 2" tiles.

I'd also like to see pictures of people's subway backsplashes!! Thanks!

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Comments (14)

willtv
13 years ago
Here's a shot or two of our recently completed backsplash. It is Daltile Rittenhouse Square 3x6 subway tile.
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We used them. We did have to go through a little trouble in checking the boxes for consistency. I had gone in advance and gotten about 12 as a sample and we found that some where warm white and some had a pinkish tone. When we bought our final stock I did take the time to open the boxes in the store and lay the tiles out in a little space on their floor to go through the entire box to make sure there were none of those pink ones in there. There were not. Not sure if they had had a bad run when I bought the samples. No such issue with the full boxes but we did check just to be sure. Here's a pic... We didn't use any bullnose on the top edge because there will be a floating shelf just at the top edge of our backsplash...someday soon I hope. Rene
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Sorry about the slow reply. I have interenet issues in my new house :( Anyhoo, the honey colored tiles above are from Status Ceramics, a Seattle company. All of their tiles are custom or, hand made, so you get the glaze variations etc. But that's why I loved them. While they are wide set, they are perfect for a super close line as well. I actually debated both options. Our tile guy (a tile snob if you have ever met one LOL) loved the quality and was impressed at the efforts they made on the tile body as well as the glaze so that they were really perfect for any type of application. They do a bullnose as well as a half tile for applications like mine that end in the open. Because it's a hand painted ceramic, you can't put a cut end out in the open because the finish would not be baked through the tile (so you'd see a raw edge). My first order with them was before they had a "honey" color which added painfully to the cost, but they ended up producing that color when we did the second order (contractor issues) so the price went down significantly. I wish I could use status tiles in this house but we are sticking to historically appropriate so I have to look elsewhere. But I would recommend them to anyone! By the way, for those considering crackle finish, you do have to apply a sealer on those tiles. We have only done it once in 3 years and it's in perfect shape, but it's something I didn't know when I was tile shopping.
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I think you should go for it. I think that a big hangup is cost. With tile it is 1. costly, and 2. A big ordeal to replace. But, when talking about using a paint color that is a little outside the box, people say, "oh, it's only paint, so pick a color you love and change it down the road if you want". However, let's be real people....paint is not cheap. Not if you buy expensive paint, equipment, or hire someone to do it for you. And just because it is expensive, it doesn't mean you probably won't change your mind and repaint at some point. I think most of us with a tile backsplash would be less likely to change it out because we remember the cost, but do we remember how much that paint job cost 8 years ago? Probably not, therefore we would repaint but not retile. So, if you love that blue tile and live with it for many years and for some reason you hate it in 10 or so years, rip it down and replace it. And by the way, orange goes very nicely with blue. :)
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johnnyl53
13 years ago
3x6 tiles all the way around.
rjr220
13 years ago
We used Daltile artic white matte 4.5 x 8.5 subs. My husband was not originally on board with subways -- "too traditional". I loved Segbrown's atypically sized subways, but it just didn't work for us. I'm taking the liberty of posting the thread for her kitchen reveal. I haven't seen her on the forum lately. Still LOVE that kitchen!

Here's mine.

Here is a link that might be useful: segbrown's kitchen reveal
davidro1
13 years ago
i used finger thin strips of translucent glass tile. The height of each row varied a bit from row to row to keep it random looking. The tiles' lengths also varied a bit to keep it random looking.
warmfridge
13 years ago
Totally different direction here. My backsplash is green Catamarca marble, with 4x4 tiles behind the stove and 2x2 tiles everywhere else.
BlueKitten
13 years ago
Warmfridge, I love your backsplash! The colors are so serene but still have a ton of depth.
senator13
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks. Those pictures are helpful!
rjr220
13 years ago
Also, if you click on "my page" next to my name, and then click on "my clippings" and scroll thru them (go all the way to to bottom, there's a great marble BS there) there are several of my inspiration kitchens in there. Also do a search for Catmom and robinst for some great "falling water" type of BS.

I feel like I'm inviting someone into my closet when I tell you to look at my clippings. It's messy right now.
warmfridge
13 years ago
Thanks, BK. They're actually much greener in real life. ;-)
waltbsc
13 years ago
3x6 Jeffrey Court Irish Ice
fromthesouth
13 years ago
Very timely thread for me. I'm trying to decide on which size subway tile as well. To mix things up I'm considering a narrower and longer size (2 3/8 x 7/12) or a wider and longer size (4x8 or 4x12).

Is there any design guidance on how to decide between one size or the other? For example (I don't know, I'm making this up) the smaller, longer tiles look great in modern kitchens or the wider, longer tiles look best in kitchens with no uppers.

Can those who picked subway tile backsplashes explain why they picked the size they did?
willtv
13 years ago
fromthesouth, We went with 3x6 because it is the original NYC subway tile size (ours is the Black & White above). I don't know of any particular design rules so just go with what you like.

If you're having trouble deciding, try picking up a dozen tiles each of a few different sizes a create a mock-up.
remodelfla
13 years ago
I don't have any pics yet since it isn't yet purchased/installed! But I will be using 4x12 frosted beach glass. We are going to a more industrial/contemporary look.

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