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White Or Black Grout!?!?!?!

11 years ago

The kitchen is so close to done! I cannot believe it! We tiled the back splash over the weekend, and finished filling in the top row, and all them tiny cuts this morning. Just need to grout, and lay the composite trim Then it is just flooring! I will be posting really soon on how to, as well as some more pictures

As for the grout, I am more than conflicted on what to do! Do I go with a white, that will show grime and stains over time, needing Ã¯Â¿Â½deepÃ¯Â¿Â½ cleaning once a year. But is a classic choice for most people, providing a seamless look. At the same time, from a distance, it just looks like the wall is done in a white gloss paint.

Or do I go with a less conventional choice and use a dark grout with my white tiles? I have really fallen in love with the idea of dark. I love the way they look now with the deep crevices, from a distance, looking like black grout lines. But I am scared it will look obnoxious. Not like it was just old tile from the 30ish time feel. Unlike the picture bellow, our tiles are very close. We even skipped the spacers, to get smaller grout lines.

Please look at my pictures on my blog and help me pick before this weekend!!!

http://wp.me/p1MmG7-k4

Here is a link that might be useful: Pictures on my blog post!

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Comments (16)

owataqt
11 years ago
I asked this same question on the home decorating forum. I am grouting tommorrow. Subway tiles..white...
Grey or white.

I did 1/16 so I think I am going to go with the platinum grey. Medium dark grey grout. So the subway tile pops.

But who knows what I will do tommorrow when I wake up.

Just did my backsplash today, now working on hanging the cabinets..I can't beleive me too...my update is almost done. Grout, paint all walls in kitchen, add hardware, and some hanging pendents. Oh guess Iam not yet nearly done..LOL
springroz
11 years ago
I like the dark grout!
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Good point on he trim. I will look around at other options! But the way I cook, Like my grandma taught me, things can get really messy really fast. I make big meals, with lots of ingredients. And do splash the back splash almost every meal. This is why I think I will be going with a darker color. I think it will look fresher longer. Unlike my old apartment that has red, brown, and green patches stained into the white grout. We also have the tile placed close, with no huge grout lines. So I think it will not look to busy or dirty once it filled in, and not just gaps.
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Thanks all!! @fori Good idea about plug mold. Does that require new wiring to be put in from the panel and run through the cabinet, or could the wiring of the current outlets be fed up through the cabinet somehow? @eam44 I would LOVE the cabinets to go all the way up! Really not sure why they aren’t already that way. Is that easy enough to do? Just add more moulding? And my movement I mean that ripply not completely flat look, that allows the shine to show different shades/hues of white. Sort of like the attached picture. To be honest, I have no energy or time right now to go through tons of samples. Am hoping to find something quickly and easily. And I don’t want to spend a ton because this is not our forever home. @herbflavor I’m not sure about a shape; I guess it depends on the shape? I’m going for a timeless, classic look. I love the herringbone look but that’s linear again. Do you have an example of the arabesque or shell shape? And yes, floors are very old and need work. Maybe the next project we’ll see.
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windycitylindy
11 years ago
I wouldn't do black grout. It's a *very* stark look, and I rarely see it. You can get lots of beautiful contrast and highlight your tiles' shape using a nice grey. I would strongly encourage you to ask your tile guy to grout a few sample boards for you, including a few different shades of grey, from light to dark.

Almost all of the grouted tile that you see that has a sharp contrast is using a grey grout, not a black one.
Mizinformation
11 years ago
Ditto grey.
mabeldingeldine_gw
11 years ago
double ditto grey.
pricklypearcactus
11 years ago
Yes, go with gray grout rather than black or white.
IRuehl
Original Author
11 years ago
Didn't even think about grey. LOL, I am the tile guy, well, girl :) Thank you all!
owataqt
11 years ago
Yes.. and platinum is a grey too. I thought when others said they were using one called platinum. For some reason I thought they were all doing white or its a super light ultra light grey. But if I am correct its a medium grey.

good luck to you and enjoy
cakelly1226
11 years ago
Not to through another color in the mix but what about a brown? To constrast with the counters? I definitely like the idea of a dark grout!
dseng
11 years ago
I'd go with a mid-darkish grey.
sw_in_austin
11 years ago
We used (I think) Delorean gray grout in our bathroom with white subways and it could have been a bit darker. Still, I love the look with gray grout.
anrol
11 years ago
I went with a darker than silver gray in my bathroom. I can't remember the name of it or the brand. I know it was daker than the silver gray in the samples that they showed me. We are doing another bath now with 4 by 16 inch subway tiles (stacked) and a 12 by 24 inch floor tile (anthracite) and we are using charcoal grey for all of the grout. Our tiles have just been ordered. Here is the gray in my bathroom...... one close up and one from a distance....
IRuehl
Original Author
11 years ago
My husband cringed when I said brown, I thought it could be cool. But the way I cook, Like my grandma taught me, things can get really messy really fast. I make big meals, with lots of ingredients. And do splash the back splash almost every meal. This is why I think I will be going with a darker color. I think it will look fresher longer. Unlike my old apartment that has red, brown, and green patches stained into the white grout. We also have the tile placed close, with no huge grout lines. So I think it will not look to busy or dirty once it filled in, and not just gaps.
IRuehl
Original Author
11 years ago
ILove the look of your shower! My darn reply didnt show!!! Sorry!!!
IRuehl
Original Author
11 years ago
We went with a deep grey, we mixed ourselves. Pictures are up if you are curious. Still no trim, thanks for the heads up, looking around for something better.

Here is a link that might be useful: More pictures!
IRuehl
Original Author
11 years ago
wrong link, here is the correct one

Here is a link that might be useful: pictures

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