Yellow penny tile backsplash- what color walls??

9 years ago

I am planning a vintage-y kitchen remodel and definitely want to use this vintage yellow penny tile from HD for my kitchen backsplash:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Merola-Tile-Penny-Round-Vintage-Yellow-12-in-x-12-1-4-in-x-5-mm-Porcelain-Mosaic-Floor-and-Wall-Tile-10-2-sq-ft-case-FKOMPR06/203102315?keyword=vintage+yellow+merola

My problem is that it will not be covering the entire wall- just a backsplash, and there are 2 windows and a range hood on the wall, so no room for upper cabinets. We will have a short section of open shelving. Lower cabinets will be white, grey counters, white apron sink. I can't decide what color to paint the upper part of the wall above the yellow backsplash! Options are:

1. A paler yellow- I am afraid would make the tile look too "muddy". It is a creamy butter yellow with a slight green undertone.

2. A matching yellow- would cause the tile to not stand out, which I don't want.

3. A contrasting color- color theory says purple with yellow, but that seems weird to me and not like "me" in my kitchen. I LOVE aqua, but am feeling like an aqua wall with a yellow backsplash may be a bit too busy? (although I do love lots of color so maybe it would suit me)

4. White? Seems boring but maybe if we did the open shelving in a cool aqua color it could work?

5. Take the penny tile all the way to the ceiling? (8' standard height ceilings) It may be too expensive but would that be best?

Any other suggestions? What would you do?

Here is a link that might be useful: HD Merola Penny Tile- Vintage Yellow

Comments (20)

emmarene9
9 years ago
You are already combining yellow and gray so I am suggesting the pale yellow walls.
nadianyc
9 years ago
I love that penny tile! Post a pic when it's done. Would love to see it. I'm considering a penny tile backsplash as well.
Related Discussions
Black Penny Rounds or Stone-Look Hex Tile for Bathroom Floor?
Q
Comments (6)
Thanks for your comments, all! (Pardon the lack of formatting, I've been typing this all on my phone!) ____________ Roarah: I think the marble-look hex option looks great! And the grey tile for herringbone is lovely too. I actually was set on doing a herringbone floor at first until it became more difficult to source a 3x20 or 4x24 length tile (I prefer a very long and lean look with a herringbone). Not sure if this will help you differentiate/decide between them, but the herringbone in that size feels a bit more modern to me, whereas the marble hex feels more classic/luxurious but I'm sure either choice will be beautiful on your floors! mrsshayne & grannysmith18: Thanks for sharing your experiences (I've been researching the heck out of those who've lived with penny tile floors to see if they ended up loving/hating them; interestingly, I found much more info on the black penny tile look but not a lot regarding white (except not to use white grout). Yeah, I think the amount of grout and worrying about it getting dirty is what's holding me back. Also, whether having such a large floor area of penny tile will be visually overwhelming instead of soothing and inviting. ____________ Latest Update: I actually returned the original 12x24 grey Porcelain (it was beautiful but was a bit rough in texture which I wasn't sure I wanted underfoot in the bathroom) and ended up buying a White Penny Porcelain mosaic with Mapei Flexcolor CQ Frost grout for the floors. However (>_<), I still can't help but have that nagging sense that this isn't the "right floor" yet... I realize I'm doing the penny or considering hex tiles because I feel like I owe it to the Victorian gods to be historically accurate but at the same time, if we could just have a smooth, one surface (minimal grout lines), white or light grey colored, easy to clean floor, I would. In other words, I feel like I'm trying to put in penny or smaller hex cause that's what it seems like I'm "supposed" to do, but I can tell that I don't actually love them (except for the marble hex which is out of our budget, since we have over 100 SF to tile) which is probably why I ruled them out in the first place, sigh. So I'm still in dilemma mode...but am thinking of choosing one of these really large format tiles from a local retailer (who offers bargain prices on bathroom fixtures and larger cement-look tile): https://goo.gl/photos/3wE9kcS3WPbp9sD18 Mainly, I'm reminded that my original goals for the bathroom were to make it whiter and brighter (maximize the minimal light), more spa-like, with some modern flair/finishes at a reasonable cost, though choosing the "right" tile seems like a decision that will never end until we finally get started on laying things down. Along with trying to choose a finish that a future buyer won't curse me for, the way I did when I saw the red terra cotta on the bathroom floor :P. ____________ I'll keep the thread updated with how things turn out (I really appreciate when others have done the same; it's neat to see people's considerations for why they did what they did and the incredible changes that can be made), just hope the bathroom doesn't turn out ugly (cause then I'll be less inclined to post :P!) Thanks for reading!
...See More
Need wall color and backsplash to calm ivory "yellow" cabinets! Pics
Q
Comments (53)
UPDATE in renovations! We have painted the walls Sherwin Williams Muslin, which almost exactly matches the cabinets, so If you want to picture it, literally look at our cabinets in first photos, it's the same color. We have picked out a Wilsonart Pebble Piazza Counter top. And we found a way to get some new stainless steel appliances! They are not here yet, but next week. After doing alot of reasearch with colors, Sherwin Williams Alabaster White goes really well with the Muslin on walls and Cabinet color, and ties in the Pebble Piazza Countertop. I can't speak for how it shows on your computer monitors, but it is a perfect neutral to warm cement looking countertop close to the first soapstone I posted only without the loud streaks of color in it. It is not cool undertone gray at all! Sorry the photo is not showing the colors better, I tried. But in the end, all I need to find now is a warm white subway tile that is really close to the Sherwin Williams color Alabaster! When you put an 8x10 sample of alabaster under the muslin, it still reads white but NOT a stark cold blue white. It is and off white yellow undertone white. Does anyone know of a specific subway tile (name/ brand/ color) that looks like the Sherwin Williams Alabaster paint?
...See More
Could I use these penny tiles as a backsplash with this granite?
Q
Comments (10)
I think we'll have to use a light gray grout so the white penny pops. I really love the first penny tiles. I first saw them a year ago but they didn't work with the granite we were originally going to use. Then we reselected this granite and I didn't think about the penny tiles until a few days ago. I was happy to see that it seems to pick up all the gray and greige colors in the granite. I wanted a pop of white too because of the floor and white shower pan. I think this will be the effect if we used the multi-colored pennies in a vertical strip like my drawing: This is how the shower would look. Our toilet is between the vanity and shower so it makes sense to offset the mosaic strip to the open side. We will probably use the same type of rolling shower door. We're going to use this Kohler shower bar, which is a combination shelf and grab bar. It comes in several lengths. We can use either the 24" bar on the shower head side of the shower with the penny tile running through it as shown in my drawing or we can center the 36" bar on the 60" wall, with or without the penny tiles. I think the shower bar is an accent in itself and maybe the shower doesn't need accent tile. Which would you do?
...See More
ugly yellow walls,granite with red specks,Gray backsplash?!
Q
Comments (24)
I would clean the cabinets well, and leave the cabinets and the backsplash. Sand any rough spots on the walls, and fill in the nail holes. Prime the walls with a good quality primer and then paint it. Yellow should never have been used with those cabinets. Either paint white, or a light aqua color, or a light green (no yellow greens). Put two coats of paint on the walls, and I think you will be a lot happier. I wouldnt try to even use the stove with that microwave there so low. Have that removed and buy an inexpensive hood to replace it, and an inexpensive microwave to either set on a cabinet, or on a small stand of some type. You may be saving for a new kitchen, but, in the meantime, you need to make it usable. Congratulations on your new home.
...See More
_sophiewheeler
9 years ago
More tile. Take it to the ceiling behind the open shelves and hood. Consistency of repeating elements keeps open shelves from being choppy and chaotic feeling no matter how messy their contents may be.
raenjapan
9 years ago
Those are SO FUN. I personally love aqua with yellow, but if you can manage it I'd take the penny tiles up to the ceiling. It will be awesome.
dcward89
9 years ago
If you don't want to take the tile up to the ceiling, maybe a grey like your countertops.
joygreenwald
9 years ago
Maybe a blue/gray. Do you have a photo of the counters? I think it's going to be so pretty!
crl_
9 years ago
Take the tiles all the way up if you can. If not, I'd paint the walls white. Don't think of it as boring, think of it as allowing the fabulous tiles to stand out. If white feels too stark, I'd do grey.
ci_lantro
9 years ago
For the paint, I would match the yellow in the tiles. (Or a yellow slightly paler than the tile.) At least for a trial because I think the contrasting grout is going to make the tiles stand out.
GreenDesigns
9 years ago
Another vote for tiles all the way up. Open shelving can be a busy look if you also divide it up with colors and materials too.
HomeChef59
9 years ago
Creamy white walls. Soften the yellow.
cawaps
9 years ago
My first thought--without having read the post--was navy.

But tiling to the ceiling would be great. White or gray walls would be great. I personally think that yellow walls would take away from the tile.
Jillius
9 years ago
Another vote for tile all the way up. Are you considering resale at all? Just a word of warning, yellow is my favorite color, and because of that I've learned that very very very very few other people like it too, and most seem to actively dislike it. I was so excited when my three-year-old nephew decided yellow was his favorite color. I'm not alone anymore!

Also for fun, you should check out Monet's kitchen. As a yellow vintage kitchen enthusiast, you would like it: http://giverny-impression.com/photo-gallery/monets-home/
breezygirl
9 years ago
Do the Eurosplash (backsplash the whole wall to ceiling.). I'm doing the same in my kitchen where I have windows flanking the rangehood. I didn't want to have a tile-to-paint line messing with the simplicity.
Terri_PacNW
9 years ago
I love yellow. The room I'm sitting is called Yellow Corn.
Those tiles rock. Tile the whole wall!
fabfivefigs
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for all the input everyone! Great ideas and I'm enjoying all of the responses.

Jillius- good advice about how not all people like yellow. My husband is one of them! Since he's not so sure about wanting a whole yellow wall of penny tile, and I'm thinking towards doing the whole wall now, we're considering this aqua color too (see link below). It is beautiful but almost double the cost :( I could tile the whole wall behind the range hood with this, and paint the rest of the walls in the small kitchen yellow to contrast the aqua.
Thoughts everyone?

Here is a link that might be useful: Aqua penny tile
Liz
9 years ago
Overstock has several bue penny tiles....
http://www.overstock.com/#/4564743/product.html
http://www.overstock.com/#/7844572/product.html
Jillius
9 years ago
My husband also hates yellow. So ended my dream of a yellow kitchen. I definitely think the aqua has more mass appeal, and I like that too! I have seen green and blue penny time all over the place. I am sure you could find something similar to the new link you posted for a lower price.

Like this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Merola-Tile-Penny-Round-Marine-12-in-x-12-1-4-in-x-5-mm-Porcelain-Mosaic-Floor-and-Wall-Tile-10-2-sq-ft-case-FKOMPR33/202038502

This post was edited by Jillius on Sat, Nov 1, 14 at 21:01
AvatarWalt
9 years ago
Jillius-- I think I'm getting a bit too obsessed with GW, as I cut-and-pasted your link to Monet's kitchen wondering if I'd missed the reveal or if it took place before I discovered this site. After a brief moment of bewilderment I realized it was THAT Monet. :)

I'm on the side of liking yellow (though THAT Monet's is a bit over the top), but our KD thinks it'd be too 'cutesy' with a red vintage stove so is advocating grey cabinets and white tile. I'm thinking maybe soft, buttercream cabinets might work.

Fabfivefigs, I really like the yellow tiles, so I'd vote for keeping them with maybe a soft grey paint to tie in with the counter and the open shelves the same color as the cabinets.

This post was edited by AvatarWalt on Sat, Nov 1, 14 at 22:08
deickhoff0
9 years ago
AQUA!! I love it. The paint colors you could use are almost endless. You could use a green, yellow, grey, beige/lt brown so many choices. Although some would take away the "vintage" look more than others
Niki Friedman
9 years ago
I love that penny tile and cannot wait to see your reveal!!!! Someone earlier suggested navy. I agree that this conbo would be absolutely striking!

Yellow penny tile backsplash- what color walls??

Comments (20)

emmarene9

nadianyc

Related Discussions

_sophiewheeler

raenjapan

dcward89

joygreenwald

crl_

ci_lantro

GreenDesigns

HomeChef59

cawaps

Jillius

breezygirl

Terri_PacNW

fabfivefigs
Original Author

Liz

Jillius

AvatarWalt

deickhoff0

Niki Friedman

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Yellow penny tile backsplash- what color walls??

Comments (20)

Related Discussions

fabfivefigsOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

fabfivefigs
Original Author