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Help with backsplash and question on 4x4 on running bond

15 years ago

I will be doing this Jeffrey Court tile as an accent behind my range. The rest of the kitchen will be white Meredith "handmade" tile in white. I will probably use 4x4s. I am not a huge fan of subway tile (no offense--I know I am in the minority!!!). Anyway, I was wondering how to lay them. I like 4x4 squares laid staggered. My decorator doesn't. Anyone have them and love them? I feel like they are kind of updated that way (a bit of a nod to subway tile :)). I would love to see pix. The other options are diagonal or just straight squares. Tile lady thought I should let the accent shine and not do the tile diagonal. Thanks for any thoughts.

The picture shows the accent tile, my CE countertop, a blue little "liner" and a white molding that will frame the accent. It also shows a fabric that will be in the kitchen. Cabinets are white inset. THANKS!

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Comments (11)

cheri127
15 years ago
Not the best but I just came across this while looking at tile on Meredith tile website, irongate.
kelleg69
Original Author
15 years ago
That is the tile I am using. thanks for sharing!
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I wanted to include a few photos. I forgot to say that I think my situation may be a bit more complicated because I also have the 4" soapstone backsplash. Moreover, how far beyond the upper cabinets that the soapstone countertop sticks out varies by about 1/2" on the two sides of the stove wall. So if I align the tile with the upper cabinets (as I most likely will), it will still look a tad uneven between the two ends. (Hope this makes sense). Here's the one end of this wall with tile aligned with upper cabinets: And here's the other end, where the soapstone would stick out a tad farther. Let me know what you think.
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Thanks for the ideas Kas...and yes, I do tend toward "matchy-matchy"! I try to break away from it to do something "different" from time to time, but I it's difficult for me! I just talked to our KD and it turns out she did NOT recommend the full height...she also recommended only 4"-6" inches...our contractor misunderstood...she's going to call him and she wants me to tell him too so he doesn't mess up the electrical for that wall. Since I'm so undecided, she suggested that I get the 4"-6" backsplash but not cement it down. Then, live with it for awhile to see how I like it. If I decide I like it she'll get someone to cement it down, if I don't then it's easy to take down and maybe use for something else. Since it's such a small place, the granite backsplash will be less than 1 sq ft! Hmmm...as I study the sink elevation picture some more, I think I see where some of the confusion lies...here's a picture of my windows....the countertop will go straight in and be flush with the window itself... Yes, Raehelen I made the windows flush w/the counter! I fell in love with Fothia's window/sink and have used her picture as my inspiration ever since! In my case, I had to raise the window since it was originally only 22" off the floor! Here's what the window looks like right now... If you look closely, you can see the mark where the upper cabinets will end on the upper left wall.
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Gosh, I love those colours Kelleg! Seeing them again makes me smile. What did you decide on the knobs or did I miss the conclusion? Okay, back to the tiles. I would probably prefer matte but that would be me. To be redundant, both are classic, so you can' go wrong. If you are going to the tile place, would they let you take home enough of each to lay out a square foot with your samples so that you can see it side by side? Either way, it's going to be great! Eliz
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remodelfla
15 years ago
I guess I'm dense cause I'm not understanding something. The 4x4's together create a "picture"... in this case a floral pattern. How then can you offset it or diagonal install and have it look right? I'm sure I'm missing something...
kelleg69
Original Author
15 years ago
I am sorry. The accent is the colored tiles. The rest of the kitchen will be in white 4x4s. The accent tiles are actually 5x5 in another brand--Jeffrey Court. The field tile will be Meredith Iron Gate in "meringue." Does this make sense? There will be a "frame" around the accent.

So, I am wondering what pattern to do my white tiles in. Thanks!
kiki9871
15 years ago
I did offset white tiles in my bathroom. Not quite 4x4 more like 3x5 I think, but they look great. I'll try to post a picture. Have you bought the tile? I did a very large "sample" of the shower tile on the living room floor to make sure I liked it. I laid out the boarder and played with the tile layout. It was very helpful for me to see it laid out before hand.
bill_vincent
15 years ago
Even though they're different size and would have to be cut in, I agree with remodelfla-- I don't think the running bond would be the answer-- to many different lines, all running in the same direction. However, if you were to frame the prints with something like a pencil liner or rope trim, and then do the field tile diagonally, THAT would look nice.
kelleg69
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for weighing in, Bill. I am going to do a blue liner around the accents and then a white frame around that. I was kind of thinking diagonal too. The gal at the tile shop thought that might be too busy.
Circus Peanut
15 years ago
I just randomly found this on the web, I agree with the diagonal idea; nice counterpoint to your squared frame:
remodelqueen
15 years ago
I LOVE running bond pattern with square tiles, but I also agree that you should set them diagonally.

Beautiful kitchen in the making, BTW!
gglks
15 years ago
wow, wow, wow, wow, wow!!!!!!!! i cannot wait to see your finished kitchen. i love the tile you picked. it will look great with your CE. i also agree with the diagonal. i don't think it will compete with your accent tiles, rather it will accentuate them.

what's your expected finish date???? can't wait to see more photo's..........
kelleg69
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for all the nice words. Generally, I have second guessed everything I have done and feel sick to my stomach most of the time, so to have people say they like stuff makes me feel much better.

I kind of like the diagonal idea too. Thanks, circuspeanut, for the picture. I don't think that detracts either. I will be doing a tile fireplace in the family room next door (not an open plan, but a large cased opening between kitchen and family room). It will be tiled in white Sonoma tiles on the diagonal with little 2x2 insets. We will also have a diagonal black/white tile floor in the front hall, so maybe diagonal is a theme. Now that i think about, the powder room paper will also have sort of a diamond pattern and will have lattice doors. I think I may go with diagonal. I really appreciate all the input. I will share more pictures of the kitchen when the drawers go in. There are more pictures on my thread about knobs--if that interests you.

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