Great minds think alike! LMAO This morning when I looked at your pics I was thinking exactly the same thing. :-)

Is there anything I should be aware of going in this direction? Potential downsides?

Not a one that I can think of.

Thanks Bill - that's great news!

You've probably already done this, but be sure you have enough room behind your faucet to fully extend the handle toward the back. So glad you found a reasonable solution.

Thanks Cheri - always good to have a reminder of what to check. There is quite a bit of space behind the faucet. I really don't think I will miss the space we will lose front to back on the counter either.

I do sort of wonder about the people who will be remodeling the kitchen someday - way down the road since we plan to live here a while. They will start tearing out and think "what the heck?!!"

That's the time ya kinda wanna be a fly on the wall!! LOL

Gldnfan . . . so glad you're getting a good resolution for this problem. I have a ? for you -- and maybe Bill as well, because we're planning to use one of Oceanside's glass & stone tiles for our BS -- the Geologie line, either Rocky Mountain or Silver Peak.

First, I'm wondering which tile you used?

And second, any suggestions as to how I might prevent the same thing happening? It sounds as if I should check every piece . . . maybe wash off the backs of the tiles before starting the installation?

Oceanside is certainly not a budget tile, and re-reading your OP I see that Seaglass7 also had major issues with one of their products. Just wondering if I should look further.

In any case, congratulations on getting this taken care of.

Yeah, they'll be scratching their heads just like our contractors when they removed two layers of tile from one of our baths. Of course, yours will have the added mystery of *why two layers of the same tile*? Too, too funny. I hope you post more pictures of your kitchen when it's done. I just love how clean and modern looking it is.

hostagrams -

I used Geologie in Wildlands in an off-set 1x2 mosaic.

I used a different Geologie custom blend for my dry bar backsplash and in my pool bath - the pool bath is in the link I showed in the OP. There were no issues with the custom blend.

Since this is my only experience it is hard to say if it is a big concern with Oceanside in general. I see it installed all the time and I think there is nothing else quite like it. I would certainly inspect the tile carefully - keeping in mind that the glass is recycled and does not have a smooth appearance - but it should be clean ;-) Maybe have the installer install a small section of a few sheets and remove the paper so you can inspect it in place before installing the entire job - that way you can see how it looks from the front.

As I have said - from a distance I think my back splash is stunning. The way the light plays on the irrid. tiles and the natural metalic in the slate is gorgeous.

Personally, I would take my chances and use it again.

I looked at your choices and one comment I would make is that it installs darker than it appears. I picked a pretty light blend and it is darker installed than any of the sample board indicated. Depending on the look you are going for the Rocky Mountain could end up being very dark.

Cheri - Once again - thank you for the kind words on my kitchen in general - it has been hard for me to step back and fully appreciate it! We hope to have sign-off by the end of this week and move in - I have no idea if the appliance fronts will be installed by then or not. Once they are in I will take and post finished pictures.

gldnfan,

glad it's getting resolved, and be sure to post pics when it's all done. Maybe you could laminate a small explanation to be left in place behind the sink- sort of like a little time capsule?

Raehelen - LOL - that reminds me a recent Ask Genevieve show I saw - probably the last because the poor woman's try at remodel "therapy" drives me bonkers ;-) Anyway, they ripped out a kitchen wall and the contractors had written on the wall - "This House is UGLY! " It was a very modern house and probably very progressive at the time it was built.

Gldnfan, thanks for the response. I've been out of the loop since breaking both sides of my ankle April 28 -- 1 surgery, 9 screws and 2 plates later, I'm hobbling around on a walker, still trying to pass all inspections and move in. We're camping in our DD & DSIL's guest room.

Good information about the Geologie's looking darker -- I'll sure keep that in mind. Our tile place has a nice size sample of both so hopefully that will help us decide.

hostagrams - Ouch! I am so sorry that sounds incredibly painful!

I don't know if you saw my follow-up but Oceanside is having a really big problem with their Geologie line.

My new tile came in and the rep at the tile showroom called to tell me it was cleaner than the original but still had something on it when she held it up to the light. She called her Oceanside rep who she says was mortified and asked her to get it wet and see if it was sticky. It was.

She asked him what they are doing differently since this has never been a problem before. He admitted the line has always been a problem because the paper doesn't adhere well to the slate tiles and so they have been trying new adhesives - obviously it is not working ;-)

THey are paying to have the tile shipped back so they can clean every sheet of my tile by hand. I inspected my other mosaic and it also does have something that shows through - but it is a brown glass tile so it is not as obvious.

Anyway, since the one of your choices has very light tile if you do go with it inspect it VERY carefully!

THe good news is they are taking responsibility and will pay for installation.

EVeryone thinks the backsplash is stunning at first glance and I love the overall look - but this has been a bit of a pain.

It seems like the cost for getting my perfect bathrooms was a number of issues with my kitchen - the countertop was fabricated incorrectly of the last 2 slabs of a discontinued Ice stone color - I managed to get the fabrication cost deducted which will help my frame of mind considerably every time I notice the problem :-) I am waiting for the cabinet maker to remake ALL of the integrated appliance fronts - he did not bother to re-measure after the appliances were installed and made them all too short - fridge and wine cooler edges/hinges show - big gap between the dishwasher and the cabinet - just nuts. He had too measure anyway and now he has to do the work again - what a waste of time.

THe joys of remodeling - but at least I didn't break anything. Hope you are up and around soon!