Hi Katy,
I like it. I am also doing open shelving because of the casual and the open feeling it lends. My only suggestion would be to use big, beefy shelves, with structure inside of them. That will enable you to put heavy items on them without sagging. Probably about 3" would be the minimum - especially if they will have lighting underneath, it enables it to be recessed. Good luck.

Katy, your inspiration photos are beautiful, I understand why they move you. I'm wondering if you'd be happier with the 1"x1" mosaics on just the wall, though because grout = bacterial breeding ground JMHO. That being said, my in-laws just put the 1"x1" mosaics in on their cottage countertop and it is quite stunning. Also, open shelves work better for a full time home because the contents can get dusty if not used all the time. Will the remodel be done just before it becomes your full-time home? HTH. Good luck.

It looks like you are considering some of the exact same tiles that I have sitting on my dining room table right now. I love those colors! I only have a small section of backsplash behind the beverage area where I will put the tiles, and I'm not convinced that I like the irridescent tiles.

I guess I would have the same concerns that others mentioned -- the dust on the dishes on open shelving and the more difficult task of keeping the tile clean on the counter. Those things would drive me nuts, but it wouldn't bother other people at all.

Good luck with your project! Would love to see photos when you're done!

Patti

Katy,
I have had 2" sq tiles on my kitchen counter for 15 years. I'm about to put in granite because I can't keep them clean ESPECIALLY around the sink. The grout lines hold water, food particles from preparation, and who knows what else. 1" tile would have twice the grout and I can't imagine it would be practical on the counter. However if who don't cook much or these issues would not be a problem and you like the look, it is beautiful.

The seafoam green color mosaic tile is beautiful. If you're interested in a (pricey) granite with the same colors, look for cloudswift's azul do mar kitchen. S/he has a drop dead gorgeous blue-green swirly granite that reminds me of a perfect day at the beach.

I'm a Cal. native and thus not a fan of open shelves at all.

Is that Louisa Smith's kitchen in one of the pix near the bottom?

Your cabin looks beautiful!

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, I love the idea of lighting under the shelves!

laxsupermom, do your in-laws say anything about the grout holding food and water? Are all the counters 1" or just a section like I'm planning? Does it run up the wall? What kind of sink did they use?
I've thought about the grout issue and that is what is making me crazy, My thought is if I have the peninsula connected to the stove wall that will be our food prep area. I don't want to be nagging visitors to 'get that food off the tiles' We will be cooking quite a bit when we move there as it is a semi-remote area of Hood Canal. The grocery store is about 50 mins drive.

I'm certain I want the iridescent tiles up the sink wall with open shelves mostly for light reflection. Maybe a sealed concrete counter would still give me the look I want but I'm not sure how it would look with a copper or stone sink? I'm still open for change but the carpenter wants to know about the counter and the sink.

Katy

If you use an epoxy grout it will be much easier to maintain. The epoxy grout resists staining and won't harbor bacteria the way a more porous grout would. We used it on our bathroom floor which is 1x1 glass mosaic and so far it has been perfect in terms of wear and maintenance.

Something you might consider if you are really concerned about the small tile is to use a slab countertop and use the mosaic on the backsplash and edge. That would give you a very similar look and you'd eliminate the maintenance issues. A Silestone, granite or even recycled glass would be a great choice to go with the glass mosaic.

can't speak to the maintenance of it, but I think it's absolutely gorgeous!!

My in-laws have only had the tile for a month, so there haven't been any maintenance issues. They don't do all that much cooking as it is a summer weekend getaway cottage and vacation = takeout, eat out, or cookout for them. They have a double bowl porcelain sink. We're planning to go up for the 4th(although I've given DH the ultimatum that if we haven't drywalled our kitchen shell we aren't going anywhere), so I'll try to remember to take pictures.

That is going to be breathtaking. Personally, I think I'd prefer a grout-free surface for the countertop just because I don't like feeling bumpity-bump under what I'm doing, but the effect will be amazing, I'm sure.

I understand the appeal-- the photo with the travertine sink and glass mosaic tile is really striking [did anyone else notice the work surface was at mid thigh height?] but the impression it would give me in a typical home is that the budget was blown on tile and the sink, so that the cheapest possible solutions had to be found for everything else.

I love the look of open shelving, but it wouldn't work for me. Unless the item is going to be used at least once a week, it will collect a fine coat of oil from normal kitchen processes, and the oil will attract smoke, dust, etc. From time to time it will all have to be washed and re-arranged artfully.

Not a big deal, just not a commitment I'd be willing to make. Without a doubt, it would be looking its worst just when I'd wish it were at its best. I think I'd want to wash everything after completing most of my Christmas baking, for instance. A chore I wouldn't want at a time of year when there's never enough time, even without the added burden.

As to the little canvas curtains instead of doors on the lower storage, I think it would be nice in a weekend place, but not very practical for day to day use.

I too love open shelving. Second the idea that it will work better for a year-round home. I recognize some of your inspiration pix! About the sealife backsplash behind the stove--I remember that article (oh, I am really TKO) and I could have sworn those were Pratt and Larsen tiles.

I also really love that picture near the bottom of the lihgt-green cabs around the range--SO pretty--where is that from? I think those craftsman-inspired shelves would look wonderful in a lake cabin in the NW.

Your mosaic tiles are gorgeous...I would be inclined to go with some that had a more foresty green in them--instead of the more Caribbean ones. JMO.

About the tile countertop. We used to have a Mexican tile counter and it drove me crazy. I am NOT a clean freak or germaphobe and it still really bugged me! Not level, stuff sticks in the low spots (even if you did have silicone grout). Easy to break things on too. We now have a mosaic floor in one of our bathrooms and I know if it were a counter the bumpiness would really bug me. BUT that's just me and if it's your dream, then maybe you should just try it, andmaybe you'll love it! OTOH, we also used to have butcher block counters and I LOVED those.

HTH. I think you are so smart to put a whole page together!

For pretty green granite (honed, that looks like soapstone) you could look at mamadadapaige's kitchen.

I agree about the canvas curtains, we're having doors and drawers and the dishwasher will be to the left of the sink and will have a false front. The counters will be normal height although I wouldn't mind having the shorter height as I'm 5'2'' but it's not reasonable for everyday living. The stove wall will have regular upper and lower cabinets with a granite counter top and custom backsplash. I've modified my inspiration sink wall to fit everyday living but am still trying to figure out the counter and make a decision about the sink. I like the slab idea and will play around with that.

Also a bit different...our cabinet maker added a custom made worm bin under the sink. I'll said I'll try it only because of the delicate state our canal is in. He said it's a natural garbage disposal. We'll see how it goes. He also gave us a garden waste contraption I promised to use and a built in mini trash compactor.

I feel I'm closer to giving him a plan, thanks for all your input and encouragement!
Katy

hollylh, you are correct about the tiles being sold at Pratt and Larsen. I called a Seattle P&L and they have to have the exact tiles I want custom made from the manufacturer. I called another tile store in Seattle but they were more expensive so I went with P&R. The original photo came from Beautiful Kitchens, when I saw it I knew my search was over. My sink wall inspiration photo is from Daltiles, they used Emerald Iridescent from the Sonterra line which in real life looks nothing like the picture.
I'm not sure about the other photo's, I have so many clipped and they all run together except the two I mentioned.

I looked at mamadadapaige's granite pics and I love it, I might actually like that better than the seafoam I have picked out.

I really am re-thinking the tile counter because of the grout issues. Can't argue with the voice of experience. If it were going to be a week-end retreat like it is now maybe but when we move full time, I want clean. I went to a green kitchen design center to look at countertop examples of cement, paperstone and a product called Squak Mountain Stone. The paperstone countertop had scratches in it which I think that would bother me. I liked the Squak Stone and the cement.

I'm almost ready to call a professional KD, I need to do something by 15 July.

Couldn't resist your subject line, and as it turns out you're considering my backsplash tile had to chime in!

Others have raised great points about practicality; agree that your sink wall would prob be best with mosaics on wall and counter's edge, but not counter itself.

Anyway, I have a small kitchen with a small area of backsplash done in the Fern 3 (called "Marine" on the site where I bought at a good price). I've loved it for 4+ years now -- I call it my Backsplash Therapy as it helps get me through the PNW winter/spring/"summer" dreariness....

IME a Sicis color really intensifies once you get a few of those 12 x 12s up AND get them grouted.

At any rate, here's my Fern 3 in a fairly sunny-when-it-shines PNW kitchen:

The samples hint at how you'll see a real range of colors -- I get a lot of purple, pink, and silver flashes no matter how bright or dim the lighting. I consider that a feature, not a bug -- and based on your inspiration pic it seems like you're up for that! But if you want more uniformity, I'd consider "regular" glass tiles.

May be something to keep in mind, though I don't really think one can go wrong with any of the colors, so happy choosing! [I sampled some of the lighter Mints back in the day -- so pretty.]

Here is a link that might be useful: My Sicis (and other) iridescent mosaic tile supplier

I wanted to say welcome to the forum, and 'hi' to a neighbor. We live not too far from the canal, and my family had a cabin near Twanoh St Park when I was growing up... Actually until about 10 years ago. Many fond memories!

This would definitely make for a show stopping kitchen, and something unique for a unique type of home. I couldn't do the tile counter, though, and think you are smart for considering a slab. Would it block the view too much to somehow move the fridge near the front of the room, so people aren't walking through the kitchen to get a beverage?

I think I like the 2nd plan better because the stove area is more protected from any through-the-room traffic, and there's more of a straight shot to and from the back door.

Hi house vixen, TY, TY, TY for posting photo's of your backsplash! I was hoping to see the Sicis tile up in a real life kitchen. Those are the colors I was really wanting to bring inside. I love how it shows the flashes of color. I left the PNW for a few years and lived in a tropical climate and then SoCal for 4 years and became used to sunshine and color. I think the Fern is a little more NW-ish than the Mint which someone else pointed out is more tropical.

Your countertop color goes great with the tiles. Our floor tiles are about that color, maybe a bit lighter. I've been thinking a plain gray counter with a shiny surface to reflect the tiles might be good.

Katy -- glad I could help; I know when I was trying to make decisions eons ago (and now, for a problematic bath reno I am tempted to flee!) the proverbial pictures etc etc.

In fact, Happytime_ca's backsplash convinced me to take the plunge. I've linked below for you -- she didn't use Sicis, but she did use deep greens. Fern 3 definitely skews aqua, so if you want to stay more in the greens I'd go deeper with your mints to Mint 4; IMO that puppy says tropical *or* PNW!

I hear you on the sun -- or lack thereof. I just can't "do" too many typical NW colors without my SAD getting out of control. Hence the house o' Crayola colors. I've even been forced to use YELLOWS, which are so "not me," ha.

Re counters -- ours are a matte laminate, and if you check out my photo with the stove in it you can see there's actually reflection on THAT. Another "something to think about," since if you go too shiny with counters your reflections might compete.

In your place, I might lean towards concrete, terrazzo, or a honed granite if I wanted a counter with a little shine -- prob the latter given your family connections! [Paperstone/Richlite if you were into a more matte look....]

Here is a link that might be useful: Happytime_Ca's kitchen with mosaic greens

Hi rhome410, I love TSPark, when I was a young SAHM I took my kids there all the time. When I was young we practically lived off the canal, I didn't realize how good I had it, all that fresh seafood! We ate gourmet and I didn't even know it.

And, good point about the stove. It would also provide more counter space near the stove. Hubby said it was awkard going around the counter to the kitchen (we set up a mock peninsula) The fridge is pretty much stuck there, it's monster big and with such a small kitchen I want as much light and unobstructed view as possible. I thought about moving it to the back porch but decided against that as I'm adding a ss sink out there as a seafood or whatever cleaning station.