Backsplash for Sea Pearl Quartzite - Help!!
Greetings! Thanks in advance for any input/advice you can provide. I have searched this forum & found literally hundreds of posts in one single discussion regarding backsplash options for Sea Pearl quartzite; I now understand why, as it's a challenge to find the right color to go with Sea Pearl!
Our island is a green-based soapstone, perimeters Sea Pearl (gray tones prominent), cabinets are maple with cherry stain. Current appliances are white; will most likely stick with white when we upgrade. With the patterns in both the soapstone & quartzite, a quiet backsplash is probably the best choice. Originally, we thought white subways. Then I became enamored with all the beautiful backsplash options & began exploring numerous colors, shapes, sizes. You name it...it's probably in my huge pile of samples. We haven't found "it" and have now circled back to white subways with gray grout. I found a Kohler white subway that would match our Kohler white sink. I only have one tile as a sample, but it appears to have a gray tint to it...which I like vs. a stark white.
Questions:
1) Do you think the white subways work or would that "wall of white" be too much contrast with the cherry cabinets?
2) Would the gray grout bring another layer of pattern to the room and make it more busy?
Thanks for any input. I am so reluctant to make this decision; fear of commitment! In the meantime, I found some Thirstystone trivets that look like encaustic tiles that I've leaned behind the sink to protect the wall from water. We've received compliments on them & actually like the look! Perhaps the other option is just to paint & keep the coasters. Lol.
The Kohler white tile is the one that projects out on the left of my sample board:
Comments (19)
wags4fun
8 years agoRelated Discussions
2A Sea Pearl needs a backsplash...not III
Comments (41)UPDATE... I have been taking care of my dad who had dementia so remodeling ground to a halt. I still don't know whether or not to put stainless steel behind my range top. My vent hood is 3" from the wall so I have that gap to deal with if I don't put a piece of stainless steel there. If I put only a tile backsplash, what do I do with the gap from pulling the hood out from the wall? Would I regret glass tile and cleaning all that grout? I even thought about putting tile instead of SS, then adding a piece of clear glass over the tile/grout behind the range top to make it easy to clean. I am not sure if glass can take the heat there. I can't figure out what to do so I do nothing. Thanks for any advice....See Morebacksplash ideas for Sea Pearl or Volga Blue
Comments (66)Flevy, I am the b*tch too. How dare you make my child learn? Usually they change their minds after they start the next grade. They realize that they learned a lot from me. One girl said to me this year that this year was the first year she has retained anything. Sept actually said in staff meeting to only teach math and reading...nothing else. I told school board press in Dec that I was leaving in may. This was my first year there since we moved south. I also told supt that I refused to only teach math and reading. So I am not a team player. My fifth graders had five tests. Flevy,, I have been saying it for years. We are not always sending our brightest students to college. Some get grants to go and put little effort out. Why should they? They aren't paying for it. That is a beautiful kitchen. Love the cool green tile, window light fixtures, and glass doors. What is the cabinet on the left with the mixer on it? Unusual base cabinet....See MoreSea Pearl needs a backsplash...
Comments (156)I didn't want any shine, but that is a beautiful tile. First picture shows gray green and second shows gray blue and green on my monitor. I can't decide whether to go with light tiles that blend in or with some color like the crackle tiles. I like the idea of a darker grout that won't show stains as much as a white grout. Sealed of course. I guess I will be doing a road trip next week. I hate driving 2 hours just to pick up tile samples, them driving 2 hours back home. I plan on picking up Sonoma, Encore, Pratt and Larson and any other suggestions I get. Thanks, Peek Oh this is pathetic...I just noticed the number of posts on this thread. Thank you everyone for helping. Peke...See MoreWhite Macaubus and Sea Pearl quartzite
Comments (5)Don't judge it in broad daylight. Will look different inside your home. I know someone with white macaubus counters and they have a definite bluish/grayish cast to them. But the overall feel in their space is light and bright. It's on a gray island next to perimeter cabs painted white with dark counters. All the sea pearl I saw when I was looking had a greenish cast to it. They were all indoors if that matters. They are both gorgeous stones but I think the white macaubus goes a bit better with your tile choices according to what I'm seeing in your photo....See More
eam44
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoWell I'd absolutely go grey before I went white. This is Fireclay edge large format tile in Halite, that I think would be beautiful with your stone.
Would you consider changing your wall color? I think it may be throwing things off a bit.
This is Ammonite, a Farrow and Ball color that you can color match in other paints. It is grey and warm enough to go well with the cabinets, and hints at green in the subtlest way to make that statement as well.
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8 years agoeam44 - Halite (middle one below) was one of the Fireclay favorites from the start. Love the finish with our counters (our quartzite has a sueded finish...honed with a slight texture). The sample looks a bit "peachy" though. Hard to tell in this photo, but the undertones didn't seem to work. I don't have a sample of the River Mist.
We also loved Foggy Morning(3rd photo, top). Perfect with the Sea Pearl, but too much gray with the soapstone...and we're reluctant to have too much gray in the room since the counters read gray. The other contender was Silver Haze(3rd photo, bottom left). Perfect with the soapstone, but afraid too much green with the quartzite?
I do like the warmth a color offers...guess that's why I'm hesitant on the white. Although white is clean, fresh & neutral. Just too much contrast? I have been overthinking this for 9 months now. My 12 y/o said she'll be in college by the time I decide!
eam44
8 years agowags4fun
8 years agoeam44
8 years agowags4fun
8 years agolmgch - I remember your kitchen; so beautiful! Your backsplash is lovely. I recall it's from Porcelanosa, correct? I considered getting a sample when you posted your reveal, but we have no Porcelanosa dealers in my state. I do like that there is a pattern in yours; it adds a nice touch.
herbflavor - I understand what you're saying. Agree that we need something that pulls it all together. My concern about mosaics is that they are trendy (of course, the same could be said about white subways with gray grout).
eam44 - I loved the Fireclay Hydrangea immediately. My search actually began with glass and glass mosaics. The Sea Pearl evokes feelings of coastal, so I thought glass might work. I almost went with the green glass mosaic below, then thought glass in general would be too trendy. I want something unique (I know...subways are not!) that is neutral enough to not steal the show from the Sea Pearl.
I had ruled these out (marble - too bathroomy?, glass - too trendy?)...maybe I should revisit. So unsure!!
eam44
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoI wish I could see the colors in your light! I don't love the marble, and I think the green glass is a little too green, and both of those tiles are too patterned, but the grey one does appear to be a good color.
The hydrangea has a crystalline quality to it, and honestly, I think it's perfect, but I haven't seen it in your space. Fireclay glass tiles are really special, I don't think you have to worry about them looking trendy. You could go with the 2"x8" tiles, but I could see the 4" diamonds in your space. I would keep it monochromatic, but here's what it looks like in a mix.
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