I think it looks so much better now, but I'm sorry that you don't feel the same way.

Laurie

The beveling is the character in you pretty tiles. It's 100% better, and quite lovely now.

I agree with Igloo - the beveling adds a great deal, and overall it looks much better.

I think the problem is that the grout is rustic but the tiles aren't.

It's like you are trying to create a tumbled stone look on a smooth tile face.

So, though I'm no fan of an all white kitchen, I think the smooth is better.

But look: its a backsplash. If you like it more a little rougher, keep it that way. If you leave it smooth for a few months and hate it, take the whole thing down and replace it with a different tile.

This isn't a big ticket item compared to the rest of your kitchen, and it is YOUR kitchen, after all.

Your kitchen is beautiful! I much prefer the smooth look, however it only matters what YOU think, as you live with it.

Smooth. But it's your kitchen. No one on this forum will probably ever BE in your kitchen. Do what pleases you.

You kitchen is beautiful, marble is a nice change from other hard surfaces, but I like the smooth look as well.

Keep it as it is - PLEASE!!!

That was my inner voice that shouldn't have come out. ;-) You should do what you want to do, as it's your home and you ultimately have to live with it.

If you want to ask what I would do? Keep it as it is!!!

I like it smooth, and I think that the fantastic line of green tile you have below the countertop gives it a lot of character. Overall, your choices look fantastic I agree with Oruboris about how the combo of smooth tile and wide grout looked a bit jarring, but I can imagine that this might just be in photographs and that it might look better in person.

I prefer smooth. Much, much better.

I agree with ouboris. There is a lot of "sameness" in the kitchen. White cabs, white backsplash, white grout, almost white counters, etc. The "rustic" gave it some contrast from the smooth white look. You might want to look at a different backsplash down the road that would break some of that up.

Now, that being said, it is your kitchen. I think you should do what makes you happy and not pay any attention to what we think. If rustic does it for you, go that way but I might choose a different tile than all that grout inbetween them. What about some blue accent tiles here and there to break up the white and go with the blue in your glass? Something raised, not smooth to give the backsplash some texture.

I like the smooth. That being said, what might be a great compromise, is if you were to remove the tiles (yes this would probably involve alot, time and more money), you could relay the same style and color of tile with a wide grout line to make it a bit different. I feel like on of the reasons you don't care for it is the sameness- the wider grout, as well as the color of grout you choose, breaks up the sameness.

But if you don't take it down, leave it as it is. It look beautiful!

I much prefer the smooth.

Wow--what a difference. I prefer the smooth a gazillion times more! The bevel gives it dimension, and keeps it less bland than standard subway tile.

You used to have a dark, wood colored space. I'm sure the new white will take some time to get used to.

It wasn't the rustic, per se, that I disliked. It was other things: the sloppy grout looked like someone who didn't know what they were doing messed up the backsplash (vs a rustic tile with a wide grout line), and the sloppiness seemed jarring to my eye compared to the more formal arches of the cabinetry. Then, add in the geometric green tile, and it was just too many different elements working against each other.

All that said, I've always maintained that it is your kitchen, and you need to be happy with it (unless resale is a concern--is it?). I feel bad that you seem disappointed now. I almost wish I could come over there and slop some grout on it for you, to make you feel happy again.

francy

I think it looks stunning! Keep it!!!

How about bringing some texture and color into your backsplash areas? Pottery, ceramic pieces, artwork, etc., can bring in some of the rustic elements that you seem to like, and your floor has a rich color that could be repeated with those items. A decorative plate on a plate display stand is another idea. Also, 3M has Command Strips that are great for hanging things easily, and they're temporary, so they can be removed whenever you like.

Fiesta

I honestly prefer the correctly grouted tile. I don't think your room needs "texture." Rather, it is still a bit of a blank slate. A pretty, new kitchen that doesn't have evidence of your personality yet. You can find accessories and other ways to bring in more personality.

Just by way of example, here are a few of the things that I use to decorate my kitchen:

A terra cotta frog pot that was a house warming gift for our first apartment (terra cotta, btw, is an excellent place to store your sponges and scratchy pads because it the pottery leeches moisture, thereby keeping your sponges nice and dry so they don't get yucky). We also have some primitive pieces that my DH brought home from travels in Eastern Europe before we were married (including a red sign that reads "closed" in English and Russian -- my favorite -- I like to set it out on the counter when I'm all done cleaning up at night), a few eclectic finds off of ebay, and my great-grandmothers antique iron, some antique tins, etc...

It's hard to catch nuances of light and texture in a picture, and most of us probably don't have professional quality Digital cameras to take them with. You obviously preferred the grout done roughly- but honestly (and I had that squished out mortar style on the outside bricks on my old house [and I KNOW the brick layer was aghast that I didn't want the clean STERILE look that everyone else had]) from looking at the pictures on the computer monitor I have to agree with the overwhelming majority- that the old rough way just looked like someone didn't know what they were doing- NOT the look you were hoping for!

The new cleaner grout job looks great!

Thanks for all the feedback. I don't dislike it now. And I DID want a full white kitchen. I just need to personalize it as I've done with the green tiles etc.

BTW, I have always liked the idea of spanish tiles for that industrial, restaurant kitchen look. I found this as good inspiration pic. Nice to see my vision isn't too far in left field...

Here is a link that might be useful:

Like many others, I vastly prefer the smooth. I think your kitchen is beyond gorgeous! I must know this: tell me about the lovely windows above your sink! They are just beautiful. Also I am curious about your marble. Are you finding it practical and easy to keep? I am struggling with the counter issue myself. We are months away from having to make a decision, but I am so drawn to marble, just love it far more than most granites, but our fabricator is so opposed to it and warns me away all the time. I hope you read this and can answer my questions!

it's a hundred times better now. keep it. it looks great. add character and texture with accessories. that way, you can change them when you feel like doing something different.

Add me to the looks better now crew. If any of my guys ever left a backsplash looking like your rustic pics, it'd be the LAST time they worked for me!!

I keep wondering if you are having a good laugh at the tizzy you created with the sloppy backsplash. How could you get the grout off after it had hardened for a few days and end up with that gorgeous, smooth result?

I really do prefer the cleaner look as well. I agree that if you want the rustic look, you should use something like tumbled marble. Otherwise, the grout just looks messy IMO.

Guess I missed the hoopla about the grout,but looking at the photos you posted, I have to say that window is magnificent.

I prefer the smooth tile without so much grout. I love your kitchen and I think the way it is now is stunning.

Hi!
I posted on the original thread that I did like it rustic. I have to tell you though it looks AMAZING smooth. It is sooo beautiful.

Good luck,
Nancy

I love your beautiful tile. One thing I liked about the rustic grout was the way it defined and separated each tile. Using a gray grout would do the same thing while retaining that smooth, finished look.

This is DH. Both work for me but the main thing is that she feels happy, comfortable and yet "special" every time she enters the kitchen.

Floors are next!

SO SO SO much better! I know the look you were going for, but it was just the wrong way to get to that result. This is lovely, and I think with the right accents will make you both so much happier in the long run. Hats off to you, Evoking1, for getting all that grout off. I'm sure that wasn't fun!!

"I keep wondering if you are having a good laugh at the tizzy you created with the sloppy backsplash. How could you get the grout off after it had hardened for a few days and end up with that gorgeous, smooth result?"

Having spent a lot of effort working to remove excess grout that had hardened after only a couple of hours due to really bad DIY job by yours truly, I have to wonder the same thing.

Thank you moma. The window is leaded glass that opens as you can see on some of the pictures. It's original to the house which was custom built in 85 and I too love it. They don't build-em like they used to!

The marble is Statuarietto. We absolutely love it! We were going to do White Carrara which is beautiful. However the Statuarietto is even more intricate. It is more white and has lots of long veining etc.

Yes, it is more challenging to maintain than granite but well worth it. Eventually you stop worrying so much with confidence that you have a timelessly elegant and durable material so just enjoy.