Introduction and a Kitchen Backsplash Ambition

12 years ago

Oh my goodness, how long have I spent lurking various forums here on gardenweb, and never realized this one was here?

I've only done one mosaic project before, a door for the wood-fired oven I built in my backyard:

But I've always been a sucker for all types of art glass. Fast forward a few years, one broken oven just days before Christmas, and we've found ourselves in the midst of a complete kitchen renovation. I kept coming back to the idea of doing a glass mosaic backsplash, and I'm so delighted to have found such wonderful information and examples already here!

One of these days, I want to do a large scale mosaic mural on the cinderblock wall near the outdoor kitchen. I tried a search for information on outdoor installations on concrete walls, but didn't have any luck. Anyone with any insight on a project like that? Specifically, do I need to do anything to prep the surface (stucco first, or paint, for example?) Thinset for the adhesive, or is there a construction adhesive that would be easier to use?

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Comments (11)

texaswild
12 years ago
Welcome to the forum. You did a fabulous job on your first mosaic. Re your potential mosaic on a cinderblock wall, IMO it's just waiting for you to plop the first piece on it. Of course, after cleaning it and getting it dirt and dust free. Ever since I started mosaicing outside projects - probably seven yrs., I've used Mapei brand UltraFlex II. It's a wonderful professional-grade cement-based mortar modified w/polymer - found at Lowes. Mapei's Keracolor grout is also cement-based and goes well for your project. If you've seen my Photobucket albums, you know I do lots of outside projects, and the above-mentioned products are what I always use. Good luck on such a wonderful potential project. Be sure and give us WIP pictures.
toomuchglass
12 years ago
Welcome ! I'm glad you found us - but watch out - we're a bunch of enablers ! We constantly fuel each others addiction ~~ LOL

PS - Love your piece !
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Hi, I was not following the original decision making thread at the time. I stumbled on this today. These are styles that I would never, ever pick, they are so far removed from things I like in my own house... but I just had to tell you that it is absolutely beautiful! Just stunning. I hope you love it and enjoy it. I am very happy that you kept pressing to find just what you liked and in the end it is an amazing kitchen. I don't care that you did not get mainstream materials, and that you chose items "backwards". Good for you. It is lovely.
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I am really stuck on: (what kathec already wrote above) Your contractor should NEVER have done this without asking you!! It is up to YOU whether to pick an alternative or wait 6 weeks. Not your contractor. It looks like you are doing a beautiful high end kitchen. Is this the backsplash you want? Please don't let the fact that it's already done pressure you. You do not have to "get used to" anything-this is your kitchen. You are paying for it! The contractor did this without your approval, he can take it off and YOU tell him what your backsplash will be. This is all his expense. You did not approve this. If you don't want it, don't settle. Your decision, not his. Hang in there! Gosh, I have been there!! I'm in the midst of a 1 year+ reno and believe me I know how exhausting it is to just want to try to stay on schedule and if you are at the point where your sanity is more important than a backsplash, please know that 99% of the population (not the 1% of all of us TKO'ers!) will think your kitchen is absolutely fabulous whatever your backsplash is. I just don't want you to settle because you think you have to because it's done. Wishing you the best :)
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It is tricky, the tile. I would probably only tile under the cabinets and leave the wall to the left of the sink the terracotta color (even to the left edge which is now light green.) If you don't like having the tile "end" at the edge of the sink you could run that 2 or so inches all the way to meet the full backsplash on the next wall. What I mean is a two inch (or whatever it is) across that area of terracotta, not the full under cabinet height. Another option is to skip the BS over the entire penisula. You don't really need it as an accent in that spot and it then would not have to run it under the area with the paint. If you are worried about wet, you can always install a piece of glass where the sink is. You can use the paint color across which would look really nice sandwiched between the counter and the peninsula counter. I am a little stumped about the paint color as you enter the kitchen. I would wait until the BS is in to see how it all pulls together and you may find the punch of color surrounding the kitchen is unnecessary.
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emtnest
12 years ago
Just do it!!! Here's a link to my backsplash and counter tops.
http://s154.photobucket.com/albums/s242/emtnest/Backsplash/
modthyrth
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks, all! I'm delighted to find a community of creative enablers. :-) Beautiful projects like the ones I've already seen here gave me just the push I needed. Now it's time to start acquiring more glass!
toomuchglass
12 years ago
I'm drooling over your backsplashes - they look so professional !

PS --- the pic of Sam with cereal on her nose cracked me up :)
Calamity_J
12 years ago
Modthyrth>Welcome! What part of the country are you in would be important to give any suggestions about materials to use, if you have no trouble with that gorgeous doo you made, then by all means use the same stuff Slow mentioned. I would also look into an outdoor grout, but I live in a rainy/freeze zone. YOU have already inspired me, as I have always wanted to build an outdoor over and always wondered how I would do the door!!! I bet a Glass oven door would look sooooo cool!
silvamae
12 years ago
Yes, welcome. Careful, mosaics are addictive; if I don't do something every day that has to do with mosaics, I get cranky! I haven't done much outdoor work yet, but I want to do more, would like to do some huge things, like walls inspired by Gaudi. I just finished an outdoor sign. About 3 years ago, I made a totem, glass on glass, that is holding up perfectly. I used GE II silicone for the adhesive on that since I wanted the light to shine through. I live in Texas, not too many freezes but we do have 2 or 3 every winter.
modthyrth
Original Author
12 years ago
We're in Phoenix, so we don't need to worry about freezing very often!

Calamity--Do it!! (I clearly have the right enabling spirit ;-) ). I'd never done any masonry before I made my oven, but it turned out beautifully. Well, some of my brickwork on the dome is more...ahem...rustic, but it works beautifully, and I saw ovens in Pompeii that have been standing for thousands of years and look worse than mine. Check out the free plans and very helpful forum over at fornobravo.com for all you need to know about wood fired ovens.
Bon22
12 years ago
Glad I found this forum!!
We are at the beginning stages of a complete kitchen reno, and I have convinced my wonderful hubby that I am going to put glass on the backsplash. I have been working with glass (both stained and mosaic) for a few years, but have never done a backsplash.
I like the idea of attaching the glass to a thin board first.. how thin? and what material?
I was thinking of attaching the glass to mesh first, but the board has me thinking.
any and all suggestions welcome! thank you!
texaswild
12 years ago
Working on mesh would work just fine. A board w/be easy too, but w/make the project thicker. If I were doing the project, I'd use mesh (I use fiberglass screening), but if you choose a board, my suggestion w/be to use hardibacker. It's about 1/4" thick.
Bon22
12 years ago
Thank you Slowmedown!!!
I was hoping someone would say mesh :) I plan on starting it this week!!

Introduction and a Kitchen Backsplash Ambition

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Introduction and a Kitchen Backsplash Ambition

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