small kitchen backsplash help

11 years ago

We converted our galley kitchen into a larger space by widening one end of it with a curved counter and bar, shown in the photos.

Details:

Granite: Atlantic Green (suede finish)

Cabinets: natural cherry

Flooring: beech.

We like the green color currently on the walls. (The color on the wall behind the curved counter is the same green--it looks blue for some reason in my photos.)

We are at the backsplash stage. We could leave the paint on most of the walls, but we have to do something behind the sink because 2x6s are still showing.

Our designer likes the Daltile Illumini Lake mosaic 5/8 x 5/8 because the color palette matches the blues, greens, and reds of our palette. We are concerned that the small mosaic everywhere will look busy. My wife says the tiles look factory-made as well.

This is small kitchen. Any ideas?

Here is a link that might be useful: more photos

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Comments (16)

iowaboy9
Original Author
11 years ago
the small bit of tile is the Illumini Lake mosaic.
remodelfla
11 years ago
I am not a big fan of a mini mosaic. I don't know your budget but there are gorgeous handmade tiles out there. Also, more budget friendly are ceramics with a handmade look. As an example... Grazia Melange Butter/Green tea blend:
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Remodlelfla, I have now cut and pasted that backsplash twice! I think I need to have it. I looked all around the Interstyle site and I can't find that pic. Do you know anything more about that pattern....like is it available on mesh or is it a combo of loose tiles? Nice kitchen, winkwink! Here's mine... I think you have many options thanks to your relatively calm counter top choice. I used something busier (Icestone in Sage Pearl) and I am struggling with how busy I can go with the backsplash...I feel like I can't. Have you looked at Oceanside Glasstile? They have some really gorgeous blends in the 1x1 and 5/8x5/8 sizes. I think either would work for you. I would do a blend of white-ish and whatever color you like....blue or green or amber maybe to play nice with the floor tile. I used Beach Blonde in my last kitchen and it just made my heart sing. (Sorry....I really did love it!) I am kind of afraid to get too busy again....think I need all one color probably. Anyway, here's a pic of the OGT Beach Blonde: Part of my problem is that there are very few tile stores where I live now. How 'bout you? Here is a link that might be useful: OGT....yummy mixes!
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If your choice were only between to 2 you originally posted, I'd choose the one on the right--the cream one. From the photos it looks like it works very well with your quartzite. The gray one is "off" just enough not to look pleasing. However, as many have noted, either one is more difficult to clean than a smooth surface. What sort of cook are you--very neat or more devil-may-care? If you are very neat and do not splash much when you cook, then you may get away with the split-faced marble, but if you are a more exuberant cook, you may find it a challenge to clean. The mother of pearl is very formal and quite busy, so it's going to compete with the counter tops as well. Personally, I would use a smooth crackle tile in a tan/beige tone to work with your quartzite. Simple is always good.
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lmao. what Jan said! Although, I had to help out my guys who did my herringbone wood floor. it's the starting point where everyone gets messed up. after that, it's simple. Look up how to properly start a herringbone layout and read it. you need to use a speed square at the end of your tile in order to get the proper middle starting point. much easier to illustrate than trying to write it out here. This is how I showed my guys how to start it. see the blue tape w/the two lines? you have to start on the middle after you mark your corner. that's the only way you will get perfect even cuts on both ends. this is how most do it, and it's not correct IF you want perfectly symmetrical left/right borders. All he's done is set the corner of the tile on the line. doing it like this will leave you w/one side smaller than the other: see how the sides of the window don't match? this is what you don't want. your tile guy should be doing a dry layout in order to determine where he starts so he doesn't get this look or these tiny triangles. Again,,,see how the ends don't match below? the right has longer tiles than the left edge. that's because of the way he started his first tile. And don't do these vertical tiles for your edging. get proper bullnose tiles, pencil liner or a Schluter edge. This is a layout board of my herringbone for my shower. took a few hours in order to get this almost perfect. since this was an odd size, and the tiles were even at 3x12, it couldn't be perfect. the right bottom corner triangle is the only portion that doesn't match. luckily, it's not readily visible! Even the subway tiles are perfectly matched. this layout took hours to get exact, even around the niche. 2x6your 3x9 will be 1/3 larger. 3x9 is a good size for a backsplash. this is a regular 3x6. again, a 3x9 will give you 1/3 longer.
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How high is your backsplash area? Id its 18" , you would have a 2 " piece at the top, but if you cut the bottom tile to 3" you would have roughly a 3" high piece on bottom and top. Then in the area you are dealing with it would be a 3" piece and a 2" . The other option is to keep the countertop splash just in that area. Just a thought
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iowaboy9
Original Author
11 years ago
Another view of the kitchen. Flooring going in.
claybabe
11 years ago
So, do you like the small tiles? If so, then the Ilumini lake is a great match. The photos you included look more serene than busy. If serene is the look you are going for, I would opt for a larger tile, soft color, fewer colors, less busy, etc. Beautiful kitchen.
a2gemini
11 years ago
Beautiful kitchen!
I like the rixi tiles.
Heath also has some gorgeous greens.
If price is no object- motawi tile would be awesome! (very expensive!)
statgeek
11 years ago
I'm the wife in this story. We thought we had to go with small tile because of the curve but we're not wedded to mini mosaics. I think we can go as large as 2x2 but not sure about larger tiles.
cakelly1226
11 years ago
Not usually of mosaics but in that small a space it could work. But I also love green glass or ceramic like Grazia or Health with some variation in your space too.
kaijutokusatsu
11 years ago
No help with tile,but I wanted to say how cool I think that curvy bar is!
corgimum
11 years ago
How about using the small mosaic (5/8'' sq.) on the curvy part and the 5/8'' x 3'' on the straight walls?

Here is a link that might be useful: Illumini Lake
melissastar
11 years ago
Since i haven't seen the tile itself, I can't speak to whether it looks like "factory" quality. I will say that I think the colors look fantastic and I love the idea of the mini mosaic on the curved wall. It would, I think, really set it apart and make it a focus point. How about seeking something larger format and plainer...that coordinates well with the mini mosaic for the rest of the kitchen? I wouldn't do the brick in the same mosaic...too much of the same and wouldn't make the curvy wall so special.
iowaboy9
Original Author
11 years ago
Here is close-up of the Illumini Lake along with some small bits of cherry and the Atlantic Green granite.

I think I could live with the small tile on the curve and something else on the other wall surfaces. I wonder what would work on those other surfaces.
iowaboy9
Original Author
11 years ago
We also thought we might enjoy a pattern such as the pinwheel or Craftsman pattern shown in this image from Fireclay. With a single color, there would be a field effect yet the pattern would provide some variety and interest.

We both are afraid of the busy look of the multi-color small mosaic. I can live with small mosaic when the tiles are close in color. When varied like the Illumini Lake above, they tend to make me cross-eyed--like some kind of optical illusion.
ellendi
11 years ago
I can see using the mosaic on the curved portion and then only as an accent tile for the rest of the kitchen.
a2gemini
11 years ago
I changed my mind - that would look awesome on the curved surface!
maries1120
11 years ago
Have you looked at Sonoma Tile? They have a big selection of colors and sizes so you could vary the sizes and have something that works with the curved wall too. If you find the small sample busy, then putting more of it on the wall probably isn't the best idea even if the colors work. There are plenty of options out there to find what you like as well as size options that will work with your space.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sonoma Tile
iowaboy9
Original Author
11 years ago
a2gemini, when you say that you have changed your mind, do you mean you think the Illumini Lake will be awesome, or are you referring to the two samples from Fireclay?

small kitchen backsplash help

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