Backsplash Update 11/25

16 years ago

Just a few more pix. Fixed piece #3 (right side under cabinets), and grouted pieces 1 & 2. The flamingos flew the coop; couldn't get them to work in the design:

Notes: Used the wet-saw (my NEW favorite tool) to cut the cup & dish-thing in half, the square beads are E-6000d onto the sea glass with the fish-line intact through them still, and I'm totally LOVING smalti!!!

That round hay-wagon scene is the center of a plate (rest of plate used in pic #1 on the left), those wooden things are earrings I found for 98Â¢ a pair at Goodwill with the posts cut off with wire cutters...um, what else...oh, that little "thing" is just that: a "thing" I found at goodwill...cut in half with the wetsaw, 98% of the dishes used in this piece were from TJ Maxx

Sorry about the flash on this one. Newbie lessons learned while grouting:

1. Get yourself a set of cheap wire brushes...they are a Godsend when taking the grout out from around beads, glass globs, and rocks...BUT...if you have a set of 3 types (black plastic bristles, silver bristles, and gold bristles), do NOT use the metal ones on rocks! They leave a metallic finish on your rocks (easily removed by using a toothbrush with a little grout to scrub that back off.)

2. Old toothbrushes are a necessity when working with uneven tesserae, and getting grout out of crevices of tesserae (ie: those black leaf-shaped beads)

Still a few places where I'll have to get in with the razor-blade and dig out the edges of some tiles.

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Comments (19)

ladyronnie
16 years ago
WOW!!!!!
I showed one of your previous posts of the backsplash to my SIL yesterday when she asked if there was anything I wanted her to watch for at thrift stores. I said, "YES. Dishes like THESE!" She lives near St Louis, so has far greater access to far more variety. I told her I want to do a backsplash just like yours someday!!! I love Love LOVE it!!!

Roni
nicethyme
16 years ago
SPECTACULAR!!!!!!!!!!!!
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update: backsplash opinions please -- all comments welcome!
Q
Comments (129)
Wow, thank you tanders and kitchenredo08 for being interested in how it turned out. I PROMISE to put up some pictures within a week. This project has had a lot of ups and downs. First, it took about three weeks for the material to arrive. When it came, I was thrilled; it was exactly what I hoped for. Then came the really fun part: installation. I was talked into the idea that we could do this ourselves. Hmmmm, not sure how to characterize that decision since this post could potentially be read by the other party to the decision ;-). Anyway, let's suffice it to say that stone tile, especially a split face is not for the novice installer. But we got it installed with just a few snafus. Then it was time for grout. We started using the pastry bag method, but abandoned it when my hand began to cramp. Switched to a float. BIG mistake. Grout EVERYWHERE in ALL of the nooks and crannies. Three weeks later and we're still chipping out grout. But we're getting close. Close enough where I'm loving it again. So anyway, it's been an adventure. My advice to anyone who wants to do stone; hire a professional. Again, I PROMISE some pictures very soon. I'm too embarassed to post my kitchen right now with chisels and nano scrub and sponges everywhere. Karen
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How to make your own tile and back-splash (pic heavy)
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Comments (25)
I'm not sure how I came across this post, I think it was displayed on the right side and I clicked on it being intrigued by the tile making. I was at one time interested in working with papercrete and hypertufa. But after enlisting my brother, who wasn't as enthusiastic, and my niece, who poured cement down my laundry room sink, which original to the house had lasted 70 years, and ruining three blenders, my interest waned. True to form, if I come upon difficulty in a project, I think of it as a sign for me not to continue. And really, after all these years of trying various crafts that result in crap, I should know better. I also should have known better than to ask my brother, who always says it can't be done to any of my unique design ideas. And I should have known better than to ask my niece, who once stayed up all night before having to drive to LA for an art show, cutting mat after mat after measuring once, twice, sometimes ten times, but always coming out with the wrong size. I think we both have math dyslexia. I should video us trying anything crafty to see where we go wrong. I think both of us having ADHD might have something to do with it. Sorry for the backstory and run on sentences. So, I just wanted to see if you continued with your venture. And to say sorry for whatever tragedy occurred to cause you to have to move to Florida. Not that there is anything wrong with Florida, but it isn't Panama. Which is one of my favorite places in the western hemisphere. I hope no one is upset that I brought up a seven year old post.
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Comments (15)
So glad to see you made a decision. I love it! I think it will look perfect for your Florida beach condo. Nice job on the mock up too! I would somehow measure the flower pattern and figure out the widths and height needed to have them end perfect, without chopping off a petal. I like the way fish cows picture looks without a framed area. However, as I really look close, I think it would make me insane the way the pattern is cut off on the left side. With yours being almost a flower look, you'll need to be careful not to chop it up weird.
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Comments (3)
Go for it. If you were wondering if you should do it to fit a trend or style, my reaction might be different. But you think it's pretty (and I agree). When we built our house in 2005, we used large tiles that looked like Corten steel for counters and up the wall. I put a tile border, similar to what you're considering, for no reason other than I loved it when I saw it. In 2016, we had to replace counters and walls because our range died. But in those 11 years, as backsplash ideas changed and borders became less popular, I never tired of ours.
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gretch1964
16 years ago
Wow your first job and it looks awesome. I do have to say i'm scared to use plates. I have 4 that i have that i'm using on a bird bath. I'm not going to break them, waiting on my wet saw and i well cut them.

Just wonderful job.
texaswild
16 years ago
Truly amazing. Hard to believe it's your first project. You're a natural at this plate stuff. Every time I look at yours and KLINGER's backsplashes I want to re-do mine. I soooo love y'all's. Glad to see you left the buttons in. Your choice of colors in plates are just delicious. Suppose I need to go back to TJMax's and not be so stingy. However, I don't remember seeing quite an array of these colors in Texarkana. Good job, MM. I was wondering yesterday when we were going to see an update.
crackpotannie
16 years ago
Beautiful job MM...love your choice of plates,I get a lot of mine at Marshall's and Ross .Pay more than I want but thats the only way to get them.
mmqchdygg
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks again for all your great compliments! I finished this piece, so will leave you with a last update of the (pre-grout) finished piece.

2 more small ones to go! One more small vertical on the right side of the window, and a tiny 4" wide x 45" piece under the window, then done!

Was GOING to do the perpendicular wall by the stove, but I think DH needs a little more time to get used to this ;) No matter; it'll get done soon enough- HA!

{{!gwi}}
chickeemama
16 years ago
Wow Mary it looks great. You are using smalti huh?? Wow, I have never yet tried that stuff (price always makes me back down) It looks great!!! Cant wait to see it finished it will look wonderful!!
bianchi2
16 years ago
WOW! You did a wonderful job. I love all the colors and different things you put in there. So many things to look at. Love those cups, the dishes, well everything. Cant believe this is your first project, I am so impressed.
Oh, I am still looking for the smalti though.
Bianchi
mmqchdygg
Original Author
16 years ago
Smalti is up there next to the cup handle on the right- I was picking out the bigger chunks. There's another small section "inside" the cup, and "inside" the little asian jar (the one on the right), and fills in some of the bottom edge. I haven't really gotten into smalti- a full-blown section I mean, but loving the way it looks & feels.

I found 2lbs of it for $7.00/lb at MosaicSmalti.com (the Rotti Mix)

Oh, and a correction...the right section of this (the autumn colors) came from the Christmas Tree Shop, not TJMaxx.
mylalaland
16 years ago
It looks GREAT! How did you cut the cup and pot in half? I have been wanting to try doing that but I think I need better equipment.
d3bbi
16 years ago
Oh, I love your beads and the surrouding blue glass from the cup to the pot. Your colors are lively! Nice job on the grouting!
Bright199
16 years ago
It's TOTALLY AWSOME!!!!!!! So much color. I may have to ditch dh so I can do this. Can't wait to see it all in place.
bamasusanna
16 years ago
Holy Dawg Snot!!

Now THAT'S a backsplash. Can you imagine playing a game of "I spy" with that?LOL!!
I love all the stuff, colors etc.
Calamity_J
16 years ago
How can you comment on perfection!!!! I'm speechless!!!
nanatricia
16 years ago
OMG!!!!!!!Same every one else say .Such a great job makes me want to start on mine .I have already done my bar .The bad thing about mine is I did it in whites and off whites because I like to change my kit a lot but I do like all those colores so great.
stjohnsgypsy
16 years ago
I love it..outrageously beautiful and full of eye candy surprises...........busy and fun...and to wake up in the AM to make the morning coffee......this would put a smile on my face and make me start off happy! Great job...!
Shades_of_idaho
16 years ago
WOW I am so glad you chose the tan grout. I think it is perfect to tie all the colors together and still not be too dark.

I love your back splash. I just can not believe you have never done this before. It looks like you have already had years of practice. You certainly have a knack for putting colors and patterns together. It has been a joy to watch this project evolve.

Chris
hrsg
16 years ago
Great work, coming right along!

I really like the fall leaf pieces you have in there.
sunshine_funshine
16 years ago
Wow! great work!

Backsplash Update 11/25

Comments (19)

ladyronnie

nicethyme

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gretch1964

texaswild

crackpotannie

mmqchdygg
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chickeemama

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mmqchdygg
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mylalaland

d3bbi

Bright199

bamasusanna

Calamity_J

nanatricia

stjohnsgypsy

Shades_of_idaho

hrsg

sunshine_funshine

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Backsplash Update 11/25

Comments (19)

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