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What backsplash would you use to brighten up room?

14 years ago

I posted a similar post a while back.. but that was before we moved into our house and used the kitchen. Now that we are here and I am seeing the natural light as well as the room lit up at night, I am wondering what recommendations some may have for a backsplash to keep the kitchen brighter -piggybacking on someone else's post about their kitchen being too dark with the dark countertops and dark backsplash..

This is my kitchen from a far with all natural light- Please don't mind the cleaning supplies. I am clearly avoiding doing what really needs to be done and finishing cleaning up my kitchen--

I have absolute black granite on perimeter cabinets with cherry stained alder and typhoon bordeaux granite on the island with black painted cabs.

I want to do something to lighten up the room but also coordinate with the typhoon bordeaux and add a little umph to the absolute black... Any suggestions? I am totally open to anything at this point.. Should I keep it simple with a few pops of black/and some colors from the TB?

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Comments (8)

kitchenaddict
14 years ago
I may be boring, but I love light colored subway tiles...creamy white...

Your kitchen is beautiful, very classy looking..I love the island and the typhoon granite. And the natural light is priceless.
ccoombs1
14 years ago
I was going to suggest creamy white subway tiles too. But really any glazed ceramic tile would look fantastic and brighten up things. Pick a color that goes with the lighter shades in the granite.
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I'm not very good at this, seeing as I can't decide myself, but what about some sort of mosaic that would pick up the colors of the island. It would compliment the island and would "dress up" the absolute black. I was going to suggest glass, but I wasn't sure if you would want glass and polished AB. Maybe a mosaic that was a combo of glass and some other material.
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didn't have time to read all the answers. I have no backsplash and have never regretted it...been over 6 yrs. It is painted with BM matte...which has ceramic in it. It is as beautiful now as it was when first painted. I love the fact that I can showcase other things ...art etc in my kitchen and no competition. Also if I ever want to change it is as quick as a paint brush...expense is minimal..paint only ! All in all I think it is serene as you point out . Here is one pick. Since I have a lot of high heat cooking in my kitchen..built in deep fat fryer as well as gas cook top I can definitely speak to the longevity of paint only. c ( more at this album )
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Don't rush the decision because the contractor is ready to tile!!! The backsplash can wait until you find exactly what you want. People on this site have waited up to a year or maybe even longer to do the B/S. If you're not sure and want to wait, maybe you can get a credit from your contractor and have an independent tile installer recommended from where you buy the tile do it down the road. If we hadn't decided to do a full-height granite B/S, I would have waited to see how everything came together and then taken my time to shop...there were too many other decisions that have to be made that you CAN'T wait on...the B/S you can!
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Yes, a finish carpenter would do just fine. In fact, anyone handy with wood working tools would be fine. It really is an easy task to accomplish. I would not remove any drywall, especially since you have 5/8". 5/8" is normally used for fire code purpose, commonly referred to type "X". Your local jurisdiction building department will gladly answer any questions to if you are permitted to mount any surface to replace drywall. Here, paneling etc must go over drywall. You can do a search for type "X" drywall, to find out where it's mostly installed. Just to clarify with what I posted earlier about running an extension on the back side of the casing. Should the BS be run as posted (stopped short of the rough opening of the window), the casing would set on top of the BS until the BS stops. Then the extension on the back side would be the filler of the gap of between the casing and drywall. The casing would be brad tacked to the jamb extensions, and could be dabbed with adhesive on top of the BS. I believe this would present the cleanest look. Of course I may have confused you by trying to explain! Ugh, always easier to do, than explain.
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bostonpam
14 years ago
I have typhoon bordeaux with cherry cabinets and went with a creamy subway tile. I brought home over 20 smaples from 6 stores and the best match to my granite was biscuit by American Olean. I got it from Roma tile in Watertown and it was only $3.65/sq ft and they stock it. There's a bunch more tile stores in Watertown - tile showcase has beautiful tile but is a bit more pricey. They had a gorgeous crackle tile that had great depth. If I didn't alreay have brick in part of my backsplash I would have gone with that.
gillylily
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks! for all the input!! I am definitely going to start shopping for a creamy backsplash. Do you think I should look for any accents to add a little something to the absolute or stay simple so that the TB continues t be the focal point of the kitchen?

Bostonpam.. thanks for the heads up about the til e stores in Watertown.. We are in Canton so I can certainly take a look at those stores.
kitchenaddict
14 years ago
I think simple is best...here's a helpful blog on tile accents..If the link doesn't work just search Colour me Happy Accent Tile or not?

http://colourmehappyblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Accent%20Tiles
chicagoans
14 years ago
Take a look at the FKB at cat_mom's backsplash. Her kitchen is a different style then yours (contemporary, slab doors) but your stove hood made me think of it. She has glass tiles hung vertically; they are really pretty and add alot of sparkle. I think it would look smashing with your dark counters and cabinets. Just another idea to consider...

Here is a link that might be useful: Look at the backsplash...
bmorepanic
14 years ago
Add under cabinet lighting.

Sometimes, they can be wired off a near by outlet.
gillylily
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks again for all the suggestions.. I am going to start with the warm creamy white tiles and go from there..

I do have undercabinet lighting.. but just want to make sure the kitchen stays bright and cheery...

Thanks again!

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