Opinions for backsplash, please

12 years ago

Hello all, I'm working on an update of a very small kitchen in our beach condo. The countertops are white tile, and I'm replacing them with Silestone Mont Blanc. I wanted to keep the backsplash because they have colored tiles that are used in a mosaic in the center island and in the countertop of a nearby prep area, but now I'm thinking maybe I should rip it out and replace it with glass tiles or something currently popular. The condo is a rental, so I'm short or time and don't want to spend a lot. Thanks for your opinions.

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Comments (9)

uroboros5
12 years ago
Cute! I think the Mont Blanc will integrate nicely, and I do agree with the removal of the bottom row of tiles - never mind fashions, they are quite domineering and jarring to look at.

I would not use glass tiles here because of a mosaic island countertop material mismatch.

I would use white ceramic. You could have a row of thin, vertical tiles, or thing horizontal tiles, or 1 x 1 mosaic... you have many options.
dilly_ny
12 years ago
I agree with Uroboros5. I would take out the backsplash colored tiles as they are competing with your fabulous island and just let the island be the star. I would also change the orangy yellow paint to a different yellow without the orange tones, or maybe that is just how the colors are showing on my monitor.
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isabel, my backsplash is Sonoma Creamy Crackle. The UCLs are not on, so you can't see the lippage. Of course, it's hard to get a true rendering of the color in a photograph. It's a nice creamy white, slightly darker than my cabs. Depending on the light, sometimes they can look the exact same color. I was a little apprehensive about the crackle, but in reality, you don't really see it unless you get in close. It tends to give the surface a little life, without being obvious. I looked at umpteen white -> beige tiles. I like quiet and neutral and don't regret not getting something with pizzazz. It's entirely possible, had I known about the quirky corners, a discussion with the tilesetter could have avoided the problem. Who knows? p.s. I hated the original grout (tan) the minute it was done and had them take it out. I loved how the gray grout looked before it dried and wished I'd gone with a darker color. Now I'm over it and it's probably a good thing the grout is not more prominent.
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That is a very curved wall you will not be able to use any kind of large tile, in fact my guess is that you will need very small tile on mesh sheets to be able to flex to follow that curve. So the main consideration immediately is to find out exactly what kind of tile you can use. Then you can start thinking about color choices in that size and style. This is not at all a normal install. Subway tiles don't Bend or flex they lay flat or break. Has your installer or contractor not discussed the curved wall with you? For color I would lean toward a matching small travertine like the floor and pick up some of the darker brown and gold of the slab, definitely stay away from those pink undertones. Something more along these lines for color. Here is a link that might be useful: Mosaic
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The paint color might not be a perfect choice with the granite, but I don't think it looks terrible with it. Especially since once the granite is installed, I think it it will probably just read dark grey or black being a flat horizontal surface. Here's a mock up of your two tiles. This doesn't really address the swirl patterns in the tile which someone mentioned might be busy because the mockup is not to scale. I put the wood color twice to be like the base cabs and uppers. Paint at the top and a just a sliver of the granite since that's more how you see it. As far as color goes, of the two choices, I like the left one better. But I still think you can find something that ties everything together. The limestone, on right, looks way too pinky to me. It is really difficult to judge though since we are not seeing in person. Just for fun, here it is with the more rich color wood and granite that someone posted above. I happened to have saved a kitchen and it was near your mockup picture in my photos. I thought hmm, I wonder what that backsplash would look like with your finishes. Ehhhh, not loving it, but I like that it seems to have some of the subtle grey blue in the counter and the grey green color of your paint mixed. Here was the original kitchen I snipped it from.
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I say, go with your heart. However, I would caution that you take a look at your quartz against a marble arabesque. A lot of real marbles don't mesh well with the simulated patterns in quartz, even with the shape to break up the pattern. You could also go with a solid or beveled ceramic arabesque. (Disclaimer: we combined marble subway with quartz, but in contrasting colors. we used a dimensional arabesque on our fireplace).
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desert_gal_nv
12 years ago
I really like the idea of color on that backsplash but not in the format you have. I think I would do (as in shamelessly copy) Petra66's fabulous one. I have put in the link but I am going to HAVE to learn how to insert pics into posts

Here is a link that might be useful: Petra's spanish kitchen
suzanne_sl
12 years ago
I think if you go with all white tiles in that backsplash with white cabinets and white counter tops, it's going to look like Sterility City on that side of the kitchen. If you also painted that upper wall white like the one next to it, I'd start looking for people in white coveralls with blank eyeballs moving without thought or interest. That island is a hoot and the orange-y paint above brings the island highlight to that wall as the clock (?) does to the sink wall. The blue and orange plates on the upper wall also bring the color tile from below and the blue on the island together. The red tea kettle and the yellow towel are nice touches also bringing the color scheme together.

Beach house rentals are supposed to be fun. Replacing the white tile with while quartz is a great trade, but I vote for leaving the fun, playful colors in place.
desert_gal_nv
12 years ago
i hope this embedding thing works.

and

I believe she used 8 x 4 field tiles and two color sample packs from Susan Jablon. Simple, stylish but fun.
BalTra
12 years ago
I'd forgotten about Petra's beautiful kitchen. I think it's one of the first GW kitchens I saw and I still think it's amazing.
This kitchen convinced me to go ikea -- something about her 'spirit' for lack of better word -- creativity did if for me!
enduring
12 years ago
I'm so glad you posted Petra's kitchen, I love it too.
mydoglucy
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks everyone for your comments! I Love Petra's kitchen. It format is similar to mine, but it's so much more current and appealing. It'll be my inspiration!
uroboros5
12 years ago
I agree with the comment that all white tiles may make one side of the kitchen to sterile, but I think that could be fixed with colorful movable accessories.

Opinions for backsplash, please

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Opinions for backsplash, please

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