please help with tile backsplash

jean1967

13 years ago

Returned the taupe tile and came back with this. I liked it on the sample board but could only bring home a couple of tiles which I think loses the effect

The photos are taken on the island across from where tile will be, black stone is soapstone perimeter that tile will meet white is perimeter cabinets, gray is island.

Rixi mandorla-has more variation than indicated in photo and a slightly greenish tint, crackle finish

with flash

without flash

Selecting tile is stressing me out, I want it done but nothing seems quite right. Or they seem right in the tile store but then I bring it home and I waiver.

I'd like a neutral back drop but with white of the cabinets, sink and marble I'm having trouble with the right white. I'd like something with some variation, maybe a hint of green because the marble, sopastone and island have a hint of it and a handmade look without the handmade price, I'm willing to go up to $30/sq ft but would like something for less. I waiver between a gloss and matte or satin finish.

Any suggestions, thoughts on the Rixi or other guidance appreciated...

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Comments (11)

dianalo
13 years ago
I think you need a hint more green because it is looking like an off white.
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breezygirl
13 years ago
I didn't get to see the other tile. I like this one, especially in the photo without flash. Monitors can be deceiving. You say it has a bit more green to it IRL than in the photos? Then I'd say you've found it. It looks good with the soapstone that it'll be next to. It won't be sitting on the marble.

If you're not sure, any chance you can wait until the cabs and soapstone go in so you have a larger sample of the stone to work with?
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nik, Welcome! A couple of thoughts: if you love absolute black but are worried about maintenance, look at a leathered finish. It is much more forgiving than the polished finish to smudges, etc. There might be a reason you aren't seeing a lot of pictures with your color cabs and white tile - you might be right and it might be too bright. Try to get some sample tiles and bring them home and tape them to the wall to get an idea. You might find the answer really fast! Check the Finished Kitchen blog and Backsplash slideshow (link to FKB below, backsplash slideshow at FKB) for more pics to see if anyone else has done it - there are lots of successful rule breakers here! Maybe consider an off-white subway. Again checking a sample in your kitchen with your cabs and counter will help. If you both love the glass mosaic you might be able to incorporate it in a small area - like behind the backsplash or as an accent with 2 or 3 rows of mosaic between rows of subway - there are some examples in the finished backsplashes. Finally, congrats on making it this far! Here is a link that might be useful: Finished Kitchens
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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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they sound interesting enough to me, being crackled and having variation. larger size might work..what size you consider? Gray is already considered dated lol. Makes no sense to me personally as all this dated thing is a new concept I'm still struggling with-how a color can be dated? but in terms of what happens in trends etc-it's on its way out, yes. they move into warmer tones. they're still into greiges for now to bridge between things a bit. white is becoming big as a neutral. wood stains are making a big comeback. this update on trends can go on and on but i'm sure you can find thousand threads here discussing it so i'll make it short. if you're really worried-it might be you're simply are not attached to a color enough. which is okay, really. then pick off-white. off white is pretty. Even very much so. I like both off whites and grays(I do have preference for much warmer grays though) so I have off whites and warm grays. And many other colors too since I love them too. I commit by choosing something of course,-but it's fine since commitment, paradoxically, is a road to freedom:) But I admit I was also worrying when choosing..well choosing everything except for stuff like toilets etc. Of course one worries, it's a hassle and an expense and you want to love it in the end. So. Try to worry less. If you can remove "dated" from the equation- great. Go with your heart's desire. If no-then ok, take it into equation and don't do gray. Worry less. You did a great job on everything else, so no reason to think your backsplash won't turn out well either. It will.
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jean1967
Original Author
13 years ago
The counters are in and I thought I would bring a few samples home and just know which one was right. I've been bringing samples home for over a month and I'm just more confused. They always look so dofferent at home and a full wall looks a lot different from a few tiles so I panic and don't make any selection.

It's not like paint, easy to replace...
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ironcook
13 years ago
Hi jean...

I think the mandorla is very pretty. I like your color combination.

What is it about the tile that makes you unsure/hesitant? Lighting in the store is usually really different than in one's kitchen, so it does make it harder.

Are you going to just do the one tile or have an accent?

This isn't your style/color kitchen, but jillsee used the Rixi mandorla. I think it turned out great. There are some nice close-ups in the thread below. Maybe it will give you more confidence?

Also, has remodelfla chimed in on your other thread? She's good at this stuff! :)

Here is a link that might be useful: jillsee's kitchen with Rixi mandorla backsplash
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ironcook
13 years ago
Just tossing this link your way because the colors seemed a nice complement to your samples on my monitor... maybe as an accent?

Also, did you already decide against marble subways?

Here is a link that might be useful: Ming Green Polished Mini Brick Mosaic
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abbeys
13 years ago
Hi Jean,

I think this tile looks beautiful with your cabinet and countertops. The "hint of green" in the crackles doesn't show up on my computer, but I think it would work nicely with your kitchen.

The backsplash is very visible - so a little bit of color and pattern goes a long way. Only you can decide if this is "the one", but I think it looks terrific.
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lazydaisynot
13 years ago
I think it looks really pretty. With your lovely finishes a subtle tile like this one is what I'd choose.
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kmmh
13 years ago
It doesn't look green on my screen, but it looks very pretty.
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puppeez
13 years ago
I'd say that if you have doubts about this tile, then it isn't the right tile, and to keep looking. I too brought home samples I liked in the store, but didn't seem quite right when I got them home. Pretty tiles, but just not 'the one'.

My preference is for a satin or matte finish on the tile with the SS and honed marble counters being a matte finish. I ended up with Trikeenan Modulus tiles in Dochronic Grey crackle in a larger subway size and layout like Remodelfla's. Once I brought home the sample, I knew that was the one, it didn't matter what anyone else might have thought.
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boxerpups
13 years ago
Gorgeous tiles.
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remodelfla
13 years ago
What about something like this from Encore Ceramics (don't know the pricing but I'm guessign $$).

I kinda like the heavier grazing in this tile to tie into the marble veining, gray island, and SS. They have all sorts of sizes and colors.
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please help with tile backsplash

Comments (11)

dianalo

breezygirl

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please help with tile backsplash

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