anybody here make their own 'behind the cooktop' mosaics?

15 years ago

I usually hang out on the home-building forum but this seems like a more appropriate forum for this question.

We'll be using tile flooring in our new kitchen with Silestone countertops. Haven't yet totally decided what I want to do about backsplashes but noticed when we were picking out floor tile that they sold a couple of coordinating 24" x 24" mosaic designs for use on either the floors or the wall.

The particular tile we chose - Esmer Paridiso - comes in three additional colors (all with the same texture) and it was evident that, for the mosaic, they had just cut small squares of all four colors of tiles and then arranged them in a design which appeared to be glued to a piece of webbing like the stuff that was used to make hook rugs back in the 70s when those were popular. (Yeah, I'm old enough to not only remember hook rugs but to have made more than a couple!) The four tile colors all coordinate with each other so one can use the mosaics with any of the four tiles.

I'm thinking that I'd like to have a mosaic design behind my cook-top but those 24" x 24" mosaics sold for like $275. And, while they looked nice, one of them certainly wouldn't be particularly UNIQUE.

It occurred to me that I could probably purchase a couple of tiles of each color for just a few bucks, cut them into small squares, and then design my own totally unique mosaic. Years ago DH and I laid the floor tile in our current house and I got pretty good with the tile cutter and tile nippers. And, I just happen to have some hook rug webbing still tucked away - which, believe it or not is still in good condition!

I was thinking I could work out my design on butcher paper then spread wax paper over it, place the webbing on top of that and hot glue the tile pieces to the webbing leaving gaps for the grout to come up around the tile pieces. Once I had the design finished, I would peal the wax paper away then probably cut the whole thing into approximate 8" x 8" pieces (so they aren't so heavy) when the tile guy goes to install them.

So, I'm wondering if anyone here has ever made their own wall mosaics and can advise me whether this plan will actually work and/or give me hints on a better way to do it.

Also, if anyone wants to share pictures of their wall mosaics - I would be happy to have some inspiration!

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Comments (12)

wackyweeder
15 years ago
You have got the right idea for sure. But do not use hot glue-use silicone. the hotglue will give way. You might want to use weldbond instead of silicone come to think of it...and you glue it the wall with thinset-it will come up thru the mesh and stick it, then either treat the thinset like grout or grout over it. Some here can really advise you much better but you have the basic idea nailed.
texaswild
15 years ago
Welcome to the forum, BEV: Sounds like you not only know what your doing, but you could teach this thing called mosaic, to which all of us are addicted. Do what you know, and follow WACKY's advice. I used regular ready-mix tile adhesive on my backsplash. It was my first project - no planning - just nipped some colors I had on hand, when I was THINKING about mosaics, and slapped it directly on the wall. Had I known then what I know now about this addiction, my whole kitchen counter/backsplash EVERYTHING would have been done in a crazy mosaic w/lots more color. Anxious to see pictures of your work in progress (WIP). A picture of mine is here:
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I have two mosaics (thank you for the compliment by the way lagrant) :o) One is installed on the floor in our entry hall and the other is behind our range. The two mosaics, which are really important design features in each space, were also among the cheapest items in the space by far! I ordered them from Phonecian Artists on ebay. The chickens were made for me in a larger size than they normally sell. I ordered 3 mosaics, they combined shipping (90 bucks for all three and they're HUGE and heavy) and they showed up super super fast! I will do business with that seller again I'm quite sure :) This is before I did an enhancement on the entry "rug" enhanced: (we had to enhance twice because the stupid contractor let in the drywall crew after...right after, it was finished by my tile guy the first time, despite having to move the "Do not walk on tile" tape and sign to get them in...) The issue of staining for a busy cook...it's not really a problem at all :) My husband is the chef in the family...and frankly, his food is fabulous, but his technique...it's like watching five monkeys attempt to both climb the kitchen walls and dance the momba at the same time...the man's a pig LOL. He gets spots on the back splash all the time. It's a mix of travertine, granite and marble and of course lots of grout, but I sealed it very well when it was installed, and a quick cleanup every once in a while and another enhance and seal and it's good as new. All the spots go away :) This pic is a bit blurry but shows the finished mosaic and trim after install: here are a couple of construction pics: The mosaic is actually glued to a thin board with liquid nails, then it was allowed to dry flat (with weights on it) and after that was hung and grouted. I don't believe in forever homes, so personally, I don't shy away from fun design because I'd tire of it...but I also don't mind a little bit of demo if I do feel it has to go :) But because of the possible issue of future bordome with the mosaic, I'd suggest going with something fairly obscure or classic, pretty much like the ones you see above from the other posters. If you do something crazy like lizards dancing with the pope you might tire of it pretty quickly! We did for ohhh maybe fifteen mins consider doing a mosaic of the pope for the carpet...just for the fun shock value :oP We could take pics whenever someone walked in and then sell them to them like in disneyland heh heh (sanity won thank goodness) ;OP Instead we bought the Medusa...
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Sounds like you've already decided to ditch the iron work - I think that's a great decision. Your tile work is truly amazing on its own; let it take center stage! I agree that you might be able to find other pulls that are a better match for your traditional-feeling cabinets. I'm wondering if the ones I just installed in my master bathroom might be a possible match for you. Not too frou-frou, still clean, but more traditional feeling. I found that the Amerock ORB finish reads dark, but has lots of reddish/ bronzy/ copperish highlights, which might coordinate well with your cabinet finish and your backsplash. If these aren't the right ones, maybe they'll provide a little inspiration. Good luck. Here is a link that might be useful: Amerock Kane pulls in ORB
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bevangel_i_h8_h0uzz
Original Author
15 years ago
Ohmygosh slowmedown, I just love how cheerful and bright your backsplash is! I took time to look thru the rest of your album and you have some absolutely terrific pieces. I'm stunned by your amazing sense of color. And those mosaic-ed high heeled shoes - WOW! Totally adorable and such a creative idea. Where do you display them?

The only mosaic I've ever done before was making a garden stepping stone one time at a women's creativity weekend retreat. Fun - but its a big step from that to figuring out how best to put a mosaic on my wall and have it stay there. So I appreciate all advice from those of you with real experience.

Wackyweeder, thanks for the tip re using silicon or weldbond instead of hot glue.

I'm still very much at the "thinking in progress" stage but will be happy to post WIP pictures when I get there.

Thanks
barrell
15 years ago
You can buy a sticky papaer from glass suply shops and do the mosaic in reverse. When its all ready simply spread mastic on the wall place the mosaic and let it dry. Then peel off the sticky papaer. You can also do it right on the wall using wellbond. I would prepare a sketch first and lay all the dry pieces on the sketch and then place all the pieces on the wall at once.
Calamity_J
15 years ago
Klinger is doing her backsplash at her new home...ohhh KLLIIINNNGGGEEERRRR>>>>>>
Calamity_J
15 years ago
Okay so I'm her biggest fan!!! But check this out and you'll see why!!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Klinger's
seaglassic
15 years ago
huh uh......no....I'm her biggest fan!!!..lol
as soon as the question was asked, I kept waiting for klinger to post her back splash...
do you have it, in your files? can you post it?
I know I had it as the background picture for the computer screen for the longest time...I love that back splash..
and haven't seen any others that I love as much....
but I doooo love Slow's bathroom back splash as much...
so, got two favorites..one kitchen, one bathroom...
in fact, I had Slow's bathroom one on the screen until just yesterday, when I changed it to a mosaiced purse .....

Becky .(*_*).
texaswild
15 years ago
Well, I'll be - SEA - thank you again for that, and YES, I was hoping to see KLINGER's backsplash in her last house. Why aren't you giving us some WIP pics, KLINGER?
klinger
15 years ago
Well, Happy holidays everyone. I've been mia, just to busy to visit here much. It's true, I am working on a new backsplash, it won't be quite as funky as the old one though.
Here's a couple of pics of the old one in all it's colorful glory, I kinda miss it.

{{!gwi}}

I'll start a new thread later today with what's happening with the new one. I'm hoping to work on it quite a bit today.
Cindy
AnnieM13
10 years ago
Just a quick question re: behind the cook top mosaic. Anyone have one and are they impossible to keep clean due to the grout? Is charcoal gray a better grout color? Has anyone used the grout with the sealer mixed in? I guess I should have said quick questions??
texaswild
10 years ago
Check out mine on the second response to Bev's question. It's as bright and clean as the day I finished it. As you can see, I used white grout cuz I was a beginner mosaicist. Very easy to keep clean - spritz w/Clorox Cleaner and Bleach, and wipe off. Of course, I don't fry foods - guess it w/get spattered a bit w/frying, but still, it's easy to clean. I also have white on my tiled countertops - I spritz w/the Clorox once or twice a week to disinfect and bleach the grout - squeeky clean and super easy..
silvamae
10 years ago
I love mosaic backsplashes. Yes, as others have already advised, your idea of how to do it is correct, except don't use hot glue.

Check out this black and white backsplash; it's so cool!

anybody here make their own 'behind the cooktop' mosaics?

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wackyweeder

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anybody here make their own 'behind the cooktop' mosaics?

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