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Backsplash HELP!...Purchasing Time has Commenced!

14 years ago

We have a date set for demolition: May 3rd. Very excited. Permission granted to go on a shopping frenzy.

Our kitchen will be a long, narrow galley. I was planning on white subway tile from Lowes because of the clean, classic look and the affordability. I do have a love for green tile, but it really did not seem at all in our budget.

Perimeter cabs will probably be Schuler Divinity white and the island/other half of the galley will probably be alder with a walnut stain (still need to get the final pricing of cabs). It is a double width island, 15' long. Around the center, there will be a 5' wide wall (support issue) that the range will be up against on the kitchen side and the dish sink will be up against on the nook side. Carrera tops all around. One soapstone sink, one fireclay. Stainless appliances. Kitchen in center of house, not much natural light.

The backsplash on the wall of white cabinets will be white subway. I also have a very large and pretty mosaic pearlescent/white shell framed mirror that will go above the soapstone sink (high up...no upper cabs there).

Okay. The area on the nook side was going to have white subway tile but then I found this VERY cheap green glass tile that is similar but not exactly close to a tile I love (pictured below). This is the area of the white fireclay sink. This tile is actually cheaper than the 24 cent 3 x 6 tile at Lowes! So, I am trying to decide if I should stick with the white tile or go for the green for a little fun and color and beauty (this is the dining side of the equation).

Also, behind the range. I was going to do a recessed niche for oil/vinegar/etc to keep the island (hopefully) clean and uncluttered. Should this area be white or green or white with green niche (probably not, right?).

Any visionaries out there to help me out? I really *DO* want feedback!

A concern I have also is how the green tile will affect the look of the white marble....will the marble look greenish-tinged?

As an FYI, the tile is $2/sq foot @

http://www.floorsandsurfaces.com/wall-tile/hakatai-enterprises-ub303-m-classic-standard-blends-ub303-m-floor-tile-ivy-blend_g319395.html

That's glass tile!

Here is what I am not changing--layout, countertops, finishes on cabinets.

The Backsplash I Love

Affordable

Here is a link that might be useful: kitchen layout

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Comments (12)

formerlyflorantha
14 years ago
In moments like this when a great price beckons, I tell myself, "God is talking to me. It's okay to buy it." Here, God says "buy the green."

Granny Smith apple green is fashionable right now--I see it in all kinds of mags and ads. I don't think you will tire of it even when it's not a hot item.

By the way, when God shows me $3 onion rings in a restaurant, I buy them. Keeps me from ordering them at other times.
sabjimata
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks, Florantha. Yes, I think I should go for it. Actually, I see that I can get sheets of the mid green color represented above for about $4.50 sq ft. That's not too indulgent, is it? Oh, the downward spiral begins :)

Do you think I should incorporate the green over on the other side of the sink wall, where the range is?

I have always been a fan of green, so you are right...I think I will enjoy it even when the color fad dies down.
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rjr220
14 years ago
S-
Did you find that glass tile at your Lowe's, 13th, or Archer Road Lowes?

It's pretty, but I've looked alot in Lowes and haven't seen it. Is it on the display boards, or on the shelves?
joannaca
14 years ago
Do you have a sample of the Hakatai tile? If not, call Hakatai and ask for one. They'll send it in a day or two. I have samples of this same tile. It's very thin and although it's glass, it's completely opaque, with a kind of rough texture. It doesn't look 'glassy' at all. It looks like the kind of tile I'm more accustomed to seeing in public restrooms. I was rather disappointed and ended up going with their more expensive glass tile (Bohemia series) that really looks like glass.
melissastar
14 years ago
Oh go for the green...it's pretty and a bit of $4.50 a square foot tile is not too big an extravagance! Think of it in terms of how much per year it will cost you...what $20 a year? $30 a year? over 10 years? And think how much joy it will give you over that time.
Gena Hooper
14 years ago
Definitely go green! I absolutely love the $4.50/sf tile. Beautiful! I kinda wish I'd seen it earlier in my process. I think I've seen the Lowe's tile, and if it's the right one, the color is really vivid. Gorgeous, but vivid. I'm not sure how it would look over a large expanse.

I was thinking of going very green on my backsplash, but ended up going somewhat green.

What I was considering (in a different size):

What I ended up going with:

Have fun! You're getting so close.

Here is a link that might be useful: (off-topic) Henckels knife giveaway on my blog
sw_in_austin
14 years ago
Almost every kitchen picture I saved before we started our reno had green tile. I decided that was telling me something and I looked until I found green tile we could afford. I say go for the green. On both sides.

And Pickle -- I love that backsplash tile -- the colors, the size. Is it Trikeenan? Can't wait to see it in your kitchen.
elizpiz
14 years ago
Go green! It's topical :-) I would keep the nook white.

Gena, your tile choice is beautiful!

Eliz
flwrs_n_co
14 years ago
I love the green tile, but as joannaca suggested, you might want to order a sample and checkout the quality. If you love green, I don't think you'd be sorry. I've been looking for a celadon green tile, but I love the Ivy blend--may have to rethink my backsplash . . .
firstmmo
14 years ago
I am a green fan too! I think that green and brown are considered naturals and many people are quite attracted to them. I think you should definitely try and integrate the color since you love it so much. $4.50 is such a great price! That and the $3 onion rings speak to me :)

Here is a green mosaic that is in my daughter's bathroom:
From Menlo Farmhouse

Another green tiled bathroom:
From Menlo Farmhouse
sabjimata
Original Author
14 years ago
RJR--I shop at the Lowes in Alachua on 441. Totally empty! You have the whole store to yourself! The tile I have been looking at I found online. Here are some links:

http://www.floorsandsurfaces.com/wall-tile/hakatai-enterprises-a-07-classic-34-series-floor-tile-ice-green_g319266.html

http://www.hakatai.com/

Sorry. Guess I should read the New to GW thread to see how to embed those links!

Joannaca--Thanks for the heads up. I think I will be okay with the texture; I realize it is budget tile. But I just went ahead and ordered a sample board so that I can figure out all these greens! Thanks for suggesting that.

Melissa--Good point ;P

Pickle--Love your greens! Love the Pratt & Larson tile, too. Thanks for your "off topic" post. I wish more people would do that kind of stuff. I love reading member's blogs...especially since we tend to at least already have the kitchen thing in common! Those Theberton bowls are way cute, btw. Green seems to be the theme!

FLWS, ELIZPIZ, SW--Thanks for the comments! We are all smitten by green, for sure. The tropical comment really made me smile. I wish north florida was a little more Miami sometimes.

Firsthouse--Maybe I should have called this thread "Holla if you love green!" What color/brand paint is that on the walls?

Okay. Probably Monday I will have the tile samples. Then I can make some decisions. I am a little hesitant to do the entire wall of the range in green because I am worried that it will be kind of dark.

The layout is already a little goofy because I am having two 30" ranges side by side. They are nice ranges but have the 12" tall control panel that is common to freestanding ranges. So...It is not really that beautiful of a spot. Not a showpiece, for sure.

Ugh. Too late to obsess about it tonite. There will always be tomorrow.

Thanks so much for the comments!
Gena Hooper
14 years ago
sw_in_austin, it is Trikeenan. A mix of different Basics colors. Thanks, Eliz! We can't wait to see it up. It will happen eventually.

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