I can tell you right now... if I ever even get to the backsplash part and told DH that I hated it and wanted to change it... I would have to move! OR... I'd send him off on a golf outing for a week or so and have it taken care of when he was gone! HEY.... ya' gotta be able to roll with the punches you know!! Best of luck, I can't wait to see it.

tsdiver, Please post pictures ASAP! I really hope this one turns out perfectly for you! j.

Me too! (thinking about you) And thank you for posting to let us know where you are in the process! I've thought of you ....

tsdiver,
I can't recall your story about your backsplash. Can you refresh my memory?

Well... it's started. Should take a few more days. Keep those toes crossed for a bit longer!

Coolmom - I think the threads have gone into the deep abyss. But, the basic story is that I ordered tile online. There were so many problems getting it here, that everything went on hold because of it... including our final inspection for occupancy. This is a whole home remodel, so this was the last inspection for everything! Well, the electrician was waiting for the backsplash to go up in order to be ready for the inspector. The tile arrived, not what I was expecting, but I made the HUGE mistake of having it put up anyway. It was awful. I think everyone on this forum agreed. After agonizing over it, we tore it all down. The forum cheered... it was that bad. The ripped up drywall looked better than the tiles did!

So... that is why this is such a big deal for us. The thought of what we did still makes my stomach turn.

It's not a real remodel unless you suffer I'm told (and I know you did) so let's hope this is it :) Are they still on drywall repair or have tiles started hitting the wall?

I hope everything goes better for you this time around.Please send pictures when it's all done.

"The ripped up drywall looked better than the tiles did! "

I guess I missed the saga in real time. This is hilarious. I'd love to see photos.

"The forum cheered."

More hilarious yet.
I'm more excited about the "before," I think.

Maybe we need a "Kitchens Gone Wrong" gallery?

I need to see the "before" pictures too....or at least a link to the old thread. How will be be able to cheer at the progress when we don't know just how bad it was?? So don't keep us in suspense.....inquiring minds NEED to know!!lol!!

Cindy

I tracked down the link that dropped off.

Here is a link that might be useful: tsdiver's backsplash saga

Oh yeah....I remember that now. the funky bad yellow with the sliver at the bottom. GOOD decision tearing that out and doing it over!! I can't wait to see the results!!

tap, tap, tap.......

Igloo - "It's not a real remodel unless you suffer I'm told" Well... Then I guess we both are worthy then! LOL The tiles are hitting the wall as we speak!

Lacombe - Oh yes... there will be pictures...I just hope it will be the "good" part of "the good, the bad and the ugly." Thanks for your well wishes :)

Kitchendetective - Kitchen's Gone Wrong Gallery! Oh boy.. now you're talking! Just think of the tile jobs, granite seams, paint and repaint issues, cabinet trims.... Now that would be a slideshow! LOL

Daki - Thanks for finding that thread. Now Ccombs and Kit Detective can relive the graphic tile disaster.

Ccombs - "the funky bad yellow with the sliver at the bottom. GOOD decision tearing that out and doing it over!!" I sure hope so! Oh geez... I hope we made the right decision on this one. I can't even imagine if... (sigh) nope.... not going there now!

Caminnc - "tap, tap, tap......." I know, I know.... I am really anxious to see it too!

Good luck! I'm experiencing a similar issue but have decided the b/s for most of the kitchen is fine but I just don't like the mural behind the range. Now thinking of just taking that out.

Can't wait to see your new pics!

Lissa - I have started to respond to your two threads numerous times, but I can never seem to get my wording right. I want to say "If you don't like it rip it out," but I am one of the unfortunate few who know what that means. The problem is this: I would only be saying that because you don't care for it, and really, that is all that matters right? However, from the pictures you have posted here, you have a GORGEOUS kitchen. Personally, I LOVE your tile. But again.... does that matter? It's not my kitchen! (Just an FYI - this forum also hated my tile backsplash for various reasons, so I was not in the same boat as you.) So what do I say... I think you are figuring out what is best for you. I like your idea of changing only part of it because that can change the whole complexion and most importantly, your feelings regarding the backsplash. I wish you the best on your very tough decision.

(Just remember one itty bitty thing... even if you do nothing at all....a lot of us here think that you have a beautifully stunning kitchen!)

Well.....is it in yet?

Laurie

"Not A Proud Member of the Tear Down Your Backsplash Club"

I think my mom was a proud member - she got this alwful hand painted green backslash when she redid her kitchen (about 8-10 years ago) and we almost died looking at it - the kitchen guy who is great - he helped us for a few days help our cabinets and I had a good laugh with him having to tear it all out. He called her to ask if it was what she wanted and she kept insisting it was and he tried to warn her... lol - she had to do it her way. It came down very quickly as the coloring was uneven and horrible and up went an off white she is very happy with. I figure everyone is entitled to at least one mistake in the process.

Oh man Tsdiver, you're killing us!! Please post pics before we die of anticipation. =)

Yea! Progress! Still keeping fingers and toes crossed! It sure makes me walk funny!

It is taking longer than expected due to some unscheduled scheduling issues. LOL But... as of tonight, every tile is up and installed. Grout is set to be applied on Monday.

Ok... so enough of the factual stuff. Here is the bottom line:

(Sigh)

Yes.... that was a sigh of relief! Because....

I LOVE IT!!!

Pictures to follow soon :)

merciless tease...

Are you going to post at the bottom of this thread when you get pics or start a new one? This IS teasing me terribly because every time someone comments I open this thread up again, primed to see photos...nuthin'!

Let's see it!!!

Glad you love it. What a relief.

Anita

Oh, for heaven's sake!!! Get your camera and get some pictures posted already!! The suspense is too much! ;-)

We're all dying to see the new, improved backsplash!

Sandy

This is just plain mean!!! Come on....quit teasing us....we need pictures!!! lol!

Cindy

*menacing voice on*

If you don't post a photo today, you are going to be in sooooooo much trouble!

:-P

Ok.... here is a comparison

First backsplash (I actually ordered cream...this is what arrived - yuck)

Interim shot (see, I told you the ripped up drywall looked better than that tile!)

New backsplash (Spanish style home, off white cabinets with brown glaze, soapstone counters)

More shots to come after grout. :)

And Holy Smokes... I forgot the most important part... A BIG forum THANK YOU! Your crossed fingers and toes worked! Sorry about the walking funny part!

YEA!!!!! FINALLY!!! I've been following and waiting to see your pics. Congratulations... it looks WONDERFUL!

Oh, that is so nice. Can't wait to see it finished.

What a huge improvement!! Excellent choice.

Yeah, no doubt about it. You did the right thing. The new splash looks great.

such lovely cabinets and counters - and now a backsplash to match. You definitely made the right call.

The right tile choice. Beautiful backsplash! Who makes it? I really like the two tones of color on each tile and those accent tiles are fantastic!

I love those accent tiles. I can't wait to see it with the counters uncovered!

Yippee!!

:-)

francy

very pretty, now exhale, it's over you did a great job :-)

I LOVE it, it looks wonderful!!!! The sandy brown colour is great, and I love the diamond accents. I'm so happy for you!!

Now that's a backsplash you can be proud of! Great job. Gee I miss the sliver look! so slimming! NOT! This color workds so well with your cabs and the little inserts are darling.

It looks great! Thanks for the pictures!

Thanks everyone! That is awfully nice of you all to post such positive remarks.

Boysrus... the tan tile is called Craftsman Suede. Here is a shot of it with our cabinet door and one of the diamonds in the tile store.

I like the fact that they are not perfectly flat on the surface. I don't know the proper name for them, but they have a bit of a wavy face.

Thanks again everyone. I sure appreciate your support and your kind words! :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to field tile

Oh, so pretty and love the accents. Whew! Now I can take a deep breath and uncross my fingers and toes. No more walking funny!

Love the new backsplash. Definitely worth doing over.

??? Details about your knobs and pulls ???

Thanks,
Jenn

Now that's the backsplash your gorgeous kitchen deserves!!! Can't wait to the finished product.

Thanks Mustbenuts and Alku! Grout tomorrow!

Jenanla - We are so over budget with the home remodel, I had to cut costs everywhere possible. So I ordered some very inexpensive knobs and pulls with the idea that if I wanted to upgrade them in the future, I could. I wanted 3" standard holes to help facilitate this. Anyway, I purchased them from Your Home Supply, an Ebay store. They are in a finish called Swedish Iron. They do not make the knob anymore, but they still make the "arch pull." The best part about them is that I really like them! No intention of upgrading them. I hope they age well, but even if they don't, I could replace them quite a few times and still be ahead cost wise. Only problem was trying to match the finish for the appliance pulls. I found a match, but they were much more expensive! HTH

Here is a link that might be useful: Your Home Supply - Ebay Store

Thanks for the info.

I hear you about cutting costs wherever possible.

We are nearing the end of a whole house build (and have not sold our current house) so we've been doing lots of the work ourselves to keep costs down.

I decided to finish the floors myself, paint light fixtures that I purchased for a bargain (but not available in the color that I needed), sinks for bathroom vanities were bought at Lowes on clearence and with a coupon for $17.55 each (MSRP $199.00), cooktop and dw were purchased on a tax free weekend at Sears who also offered an additional 10% off and priced matched (saved $940.00).

All this so I could justify the cost of my Soapstone sink and counter and integrated SZ 700.

Jenn