Does this 1/3 offset tile pattern work for my backsplash?
Ok folks, I have had my tiles for a few weeks now. They are 3" x 9". Love them. Jeffrey Court, Breakwater, chapter 10 in the sea color.
I have been playing around with the layout. I need to make a decision already!
For those that remember my ABB thread, I did end up ordering that pencil liner. Here is my old thread for reference.
I originally wanted to use it somehow as a simple border as shown, but not with the spider vein tiles, ooops I mean the lovely coral square tiles at the counter. They did not come in plain squares.
I thought maybe we could cut the 3x9 into squares, but that was seeming like more work then it was worth. I then thought about just using a 3x9 with the liner, but that didn't do it for me. So I scrapped the idea. I am definitely feeling much happier. K.I.S.S right?
I still want to use the liner somewhere of course. I have another idea that I'll post about next.
But first, the field tile. You all know what a regular running bond pattern looks like. I could play it safe and go with that pattern everywhere.
Or, what do you think about doing a 1/3 offset pattern?
I am not exactly sure why, but I am leaning toward it. I think it is because it looks a little different then the normal brick subway backsplash I'm used to seeing all the time. Since mine is 3x9 maybe it is different enough?
I definitely like both patterns. Would love to hear your feedback.
Here is a mockup of the 1/3 offset. It is pretty close to scale. Does it look ok?
I didn't mock up the 1/2 brick layout Since I'm sure that would work fine.
(Btw, ignore the unfinished ceiling and that recessed light needs to move out more.)
Now, grout color. I tried several. One was very close to the grey green in the tile. I thought it would be perfect, but it would change to weird colors at different times of day and night. I didn't like it. Same with a light gray and an off white. The plain bright white looked the best. That is what the sample board used as well. Do you think the white works okay?
Here is a close up of the tile. Its hard to capture, but it has a look like the texture in linen fabric. That is the pencil liner on top.
Thanks!
Comments (36)
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Comments (22)I realize this is a late posting, but just in case in might help anyone, we just finished our kitchen remodel and the backsplash we used with the torquay was a white staggered mosaic opaque glass tile. The tile ended up with a grayish edge after grout was applied (see photo of sheet of the tile). That surprised us but it worked since it complimented the Torquay. I looked at backsplash tiles for a year and a half, including marble subway tiles, but always had trouble trying to find the right shade of white. We're very happy with our results. BTW, those are 20+ year old pickled cabinets that I didn't want to give up! This post was edited by bird2 on Sat, Feb 8, 14 at 8:06...See MoreTile patterns--does your floor and backsplash pattern match?
Comments (9)I'm just trying to keep a more traditional look. My home is a 1920's brick bungalow. I've always thought I would keep the original hardwood floors and have a subway tile backsplash, but...the kitchen floor was in really bad shape. We were unable to save it and couldn't find 1-1/2" wide unfinished red oak strip flooring to match it (and the rest of the first floor), so we put in a slate/quartzite tile in instead. I'm still open to subway tile (and still love it), but frankly, I'm getting tired of seeing it everywhere and was trying to think of other options. I'm loving the hand-glazed tiles lately, maybe crackle glaze, in a 3x6 subway or 4-6" square. Also considering laying the square tile in a diamond pattern. Just trying to get my head around other ideas that would still be appropriate for my home. The floor is rather colorful, so I'd like to keep the backsplash simpler, but with some shine, to contrast with the matte counters and tile floor. I appreciate all your input....See MorePot filler w/ this backsplash too busy? Slab or tile backsplash?
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7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoEam44, thanks for the vote of confidence. I was hoping you would see this (mayflowers, Crl, and a few more as well) because I consider you all the GW tile "gurus".
Jillius omg, that idea is really intriguing me because I was thinking the exact thing with the lines of the beadboard on the hood. And guess what else? My wood flooring runs on the diagonal! Ha! But seriously, that has been in the back of my mind this whole time on, how I could pull this off without making me dizzy with all the lines.
I mocked up your idea. What do you think? I kinda dig it. Okay, let's add this one to the vote people!
Snookums, I already have the tile, but I did see that beadboard tile before. I considered it, but I only saw it in white and I wanted a little color. Thanks.
BTW akl_vdb, wow! Awesome sunset or sunrise photo! Thanks for the vote.
rebunky
7 years agoMayflowers and sjhockeyfan, thank you. Glad you like the 1/3 horizontal. I think that's probably the winner. Yay! One less decision.
MF, I absolutely love the pencil liner. But every time I tried mocking it up from the counter in different ways, something felt off. Especially on the wall with my window/sink with the outlets.
Just today I had this crazy idea how to use the liner. I thought maybe I could "tile in" around my sink window instead of doing wood trim.
But I am not sure of this idea so feel free to let me know if this looks stupid. Won't hurt my feelings.
I was fooling around with something like this. But I'd move my finished cabinet ends out a hair so the tile would slide behind.
I show the tile vertically here so keep in mind it would run horizontally. Would the 3" high tiles in that skinny of a space, after the bottom of the cabinet look weird?
That front tile would also be flush with the pencil liner. Not recessed like that.
Hard to mock it up, but here goes...
I am having an issue with the little jalousie transom above the white vinyl window. The slats are the original redwood slats. They tie in with the rest of the room with the same transoms, but slightly bigger.
Note: There were only SCREENS before in the whole house! We added the Windows. I want to keep the redwood, but was going to go with white window trim because there is no way I can match or afford the redwood now to trim out all my windows. My thought was that this window could be different since its in the kitchen and already has a different sill with the granite?
rebunky
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agorebunky
7 years agoMgmum, That is a good idea. That might work because I wasn't liking those short tile cuts. I will mock that up when I get home later today. Thank you.
Jillius, Here were the two other grout colors I tried. On the left is called Light Pewter and on the right is Sea Glass.
They are Laticrete brand if that helps. It is what the tile store had recommended where I bought this tile.
Both looked good at the tile shop and outside in the sun, but at my house on the walls under cabinets it turned different colors that I didn't like.
Maybe there is a different grout brand I should look at that would have a closer color match?
We have one other tile shop in town, plus the two big box stores. I will see what I can find. I will also ask my tile guy. Thanks everyone.
romy718
7 years agoLooking at your entire kitchen, I don't think the beadboard hood is an issue. I'd use window trim, not tile around the window. The tile between the window & the transom and the small pieces with the grout lines are too busy. Even vertical pieces of tile may look like too much - less is more. I think the white grout in the mockup is showing up much more white than it would be IRL. The only way to really know is to do a couple of tile boards with your tile & real grout. The contrast could be a fresh, clean look. This pic is the light blue shade of your tile with a light grout. I like it.
rebunky thanked romy718rebunky
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoOkay 1/3 offset is the winner!!!
Thanks Romy. I think you are right on with the keep it simple advice. And thanks for that photo of the lighter grout. That helps.
Cpartist, thank you for reminding me it will be as skinny as I can get the grout line. But probably needs to be about 3/8 to avoid any lippage. Romy gave me that tip for handmade tiles.
Sherri, I would love to see your tiled window. I'm sure it looks great. Is your grout color similar to the tile color?
Can I get you all to vote one more time for around the window pretty please? I did a mock up of the tile oriented as mgmum suggested, then with white painted trim, and lastly with my original idea of wood trim.
1) Tile around window
2) White painted wood trim (Also please vote: tile above window or not)
3) Redwood trim. (This was my original plan. The two bedrooms already have the wood trim around window)
Maybe it will help if I show the rest of the space. Photo below shows the redwood wall (the large triangle section under the peak) You can see the kitchen cabinet on the right. This is one big room with the cathedral ceiling. I am leaving that area redwood above the windows but sheet rocking under the Windows.
I might leave this section of redwood on the opposite side just above the door as well. Isn't that stained glass with the birdies adorable?
If you vote for 2 or 3, can you also comment on whether I should skip the tile above the window and just paint?
The cabinet crown had to be scribbed funny to the angled ceiling because I didn't want my cabinets any lower. Will that that be an issue if I tiled? I don't really want to bring attention to it.
That you so much. You all are the best!
rebunky
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agorebunky
7 years agorebunky
7 years ago
sherri1058
7 years agoI'm trying to get through the reno before I decide on whether or not I'll do a reveal. I can't even hold the camera straight! :( Also, because the ceiling is sloped quite a bit in that area, my tiler cheated the tiles on the left side so the top pieces wouldn't show the slope.
Kitchen · More Info
And I have to post a close-up of the way he tiles around the electrical outlets.
Kitchen · More Inforebunky thanked sherri1058rebunky
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agorebunky
7 years ago
cpartist
7 years agorebunky, that bathroom ^ is not a 1/3 offset. This would be one vertically. Notice how the tiles don't line up every other tile but every third tile.
rebunky
7 years agosherri1058
7 years agorebunky
7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
rebunkyOriginal Author