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Who knows about backsplash grout colors?

13 years ago

I know nothing of grout or if the color samples are close to the real thing when dry. I think I need to sample at least two different colors or mix colors to get something that will work (can you mix?).

I have been trying to get some pictures in the right lighting but haven't had any luck because I'm not hooking up center light with glass until end. One of the countertops is in, the one that will have a backsplash. The colors in pictures are not really true, but can you get an idea on what color grout will look best? The glass in the backsplash has some light creamy tiny tiny hint of butter, the color that looks orange is deeper in real life and brings out the warmth in the cherry. In fact all the darked colors in mosaic are deeper than picture. Oh, and I'm using a skinny non-color frosted glass transitional tile between counter and backsplash. What grout color to do?

http://s1004.photobucket.com/albums/af170/jterrilynn/kitchen%20picks/?action=viewÃÂ¤t=p1010146-1.jpg"; target="_blank">

http://s1004.photobucket.com/albums/af170/jterrilynn/kitchen%20picks/?action=viewÃÂ¤t=creamybutterpaint-1.jpg"; target="_blank">

http://s1004.photobucket.com/albums/af170/jterrilynn/kitchen%20picks/?action=viewÃÂ¤t=3backsplash031.jpg"; target="_blank">

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Comments (6)

doonie
13 years ago
I asked the tile company which grout to use. Is there any reccomendation from the tile manufacturer? It can be awfully tricky especially since the mosaic appears to have some more translucent bits. It's really coming together well!
jterrilynn
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks doonie, most of what I've read here says white but that would not work in my kitchen. I don't think a pale yellow to match the butter cream uppers would work because it might bring out more of the orange in the deeper shade? Maybe a beige shade, but that may look dirty or could it bring out the warm light shades? Not sure how this grout stuff operates.
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Just want to repeat the caution about grout turning out lighter than the little sticks. My tile guy says it can be caused by using too much water, or stuff in the water itself. You may want to mix a sample of the actual grout and let it dry to see for yourself whether it is going to be what you expected and desire. I think that a grout color that is close to or slightly darker than the tile tends to recede. If it is way darker, or lighter, it tends to pop more. With very plain tiles, having contrast in the grout creates a pattern, but with a pretty pattern like the one you have, perhaps the grout should be very quiet, meaning very close to the hue and value of the tiles.
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mariofo no it isn't crema marfil, it is a natural stone called pearl honed. The picture actually shows the tile to be a shade lighter than what it is in person. The tile place is recommending a color called straw which is a little dark. I wan't to keep the backsplash on the light side and was looking for a color a little lighter that doesn't have a grey or pink cast to them. How did you do the test the day before on extra tiles, did you mix and put some on the tile??
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Back when I was picking my wall colors I found the article linked below about a designer's love for comfort gray. I thought it was pretty funny. It's a good color, but I don't know if it's as great as he thinks it is! I never wanted to use the mosaic on the window wall because there isn't much space there (only about 4 inches under the window) to get the pattern going. The pictures I just posted don't show the scale well at all - the mosaic is a larger scale than the squares. I should have both tiles tomorrow so I can take a picture of them together. Here is a link that might be useful: The King of Comfort Gray
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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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doonie
13 years ago
I used Custom Antique White sanded grout. I am working on a mosaic right now and it's amazing how much difference a piece can look with different colored grouts. They always end up looking different than the litle grout charts says once they dry. So, I understand your dilemma.

Here is the Custom Antique White grout... (Maybe you could look at their grout charts and go a little darker?)
jterrilynn
Original Author
13 years ago
Love love your backsplash!!! I am a big fan of creamy yellows and warm shades. I never wear yellow but love it in the house. I know the darker colors are going to stand out but my goal is to make the creamy color stand out more without affecting a color change swing in the darkest color by using a too yellow grout. Think I'll buy a dark, mid, and a light. Maybe if I use the same brand and type I can make my own custom color, hope I don't screw this up.
chris45ny
13 years ago
Hard to give recommendation with just the picture to go by as the tile can look so different in real life.

Custom Bldg. Products-like #10 antique white, #365 canvas, or for even darker maybe #156 fawn.

Laticrete-lots of nice colors: #23 antique white, #39 mushroom, #81 butter cream, #52 toasted almond, or for darker maybe #31 caramel.

The best thing to do would be to go to the tile store with your samples and ask for some grout advice-maybe from the above listed color choices?? or they may recommend something entirely different.

I don't have the color chart for TEC or mapei so can't offer any from those lines. Take your time-your tile is very pretty but the right grout is just as important.

Grout color choice can be a PITA. All brands say that the sample sticks/pictures are just a representation and may not be the actual color you end up with. We used Laticrete for our floor and the grout was lighter than the sample picture. We used TEC for the backsplash and it was way darker than the sample stick. Go figure!! Hoping Bill V. will see your post and offer some advice.
jterrilynn
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you for your advice and suggestions Chris45, I will look into all you have mentioned. Just when I think I'm about done with decisions...

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