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Recommendations please on tile for backsplash!

15 years ago

I will be traveling to the city next week to look for tiles for our backsplash (not much choice around me). Pictures look so much different than the real thing and I hope you can give me suggestions on types and brands I need to look at. I am totally ignorant when it comes to this.

My husband does not like the rough looking stones (he is worried about the cleaning aspect) and subway tiles do not appeal to me. I have seen pictures of subways with a crackle finish that I like. I also like the pictures of Sonoma tantrum tiles. I know that these are expensive, but maybe use them as accent. I like glass mosaics, but I am thinking if I did just those, my room would be too busy.

I am also wondering about putting just a row of tiles with liners and not going all the way up to the counters except behind the stove and make that area an accent area. I hope I am describing this well enough that you can tell what I am talking about.

Below are two pictures of the wall with the stove. I will also attach a link to the rest of the pictures if you would like to get a better feel of the room.

What tiles and color do you all recommend? Seeing tsdiver and lisa226's experience worries me. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Here is a link that might be useful: jayjay's kitchen

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Comments (6)

bill_vincent
15 years ago
Tumbled subways done brick joint, using a tumbled chair rail to frame a feature, possibly a mural on tumbled stone, over the stove. Durango travertine subways and noce travertine chair rail.
jayjay_teacher
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, Bill, for your quick response. Is travertine easy to clean? I believe Durango is a brand, but what does noce mean? I am completely ignorant on stone and tile. Is there a site with a glossary for me to read up on before I make my trip? Thanks again!
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bill_vincent
15 years ago
Durango and noce are shades of travertine. The durango is a midrange shade, and the noce is more of a walnut color. Once sealed, it's pretty easy to take care of.

Alot of people think travertine is a shade of marble. It's not. It's actually more of a limestone than a marble. either way, there are several colors of tumbled travertine, as well as there are with tumbled marble. Although I can't show you any tumbled travertine, I CAN show you tumbled marble. check the link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: my gallery's backsplash section
jayjay_teacher
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks again, Bill. That helps me alot and the backsplashes are beautiful!
sweeby
15 years ago
I'm getting a formal, European, traditional vibe -- and for me, that means glossy glazed ceramics set on the diagonal. Possbly handmade or with a crackle finish. Maybe something in cream with an embossed or relief deco and a framed section over the range.
jayjay_teacher
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, sweeby, for your suggestions. I will see what they have with a crackle finish. I do not think I want just a solid color.

Does anyone have certain brands I need to check out?

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