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I love the aqua paint, hate the busy tile, but need a backsplash

6 years ago

I chose the wrong granite. Too busy so I need a subtle grey backsplash. Is marble too hard to install?

Featured Answer

User

6 years ago

Gray would never go with that stone and those cabinets. The aqua really doesn't work either. You'd need to paint the cabinets, or change the counters to go with all of those cold tones. Your bones are warm tones. You need warm toned choices.

Look at removing the 4" splash and going with a warm cream tile. Maybe an interesting shape, since the stone is so regular in appearance. You could do a warm green with lots of gray tones in it for the wall, or take that turquoise and add more green and gray to it, to a more teal gray color.

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Comments (9)

Sammy
6 years ago
No grey anything, especially marble--there are already too many conflicting styles going on here. If this were my kitchen and I was trying to get the best look without changing the big $tuff (appliances, countertops, flooring, cabinetry, etc.), I'd get rid of the striped walls, remove the granite backsplash, and use a creamy white subway tile for the backsplash.
mayflowers
6 years ago
Tile isn't installed when there's a backsplash of counter material. I would remove that, especially since you dislike the granite. I don't see marble working with that. A solid colored ceramic tile would be best. The granite reads brown so gray wouldn't be my choice.
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I just want you to know that I'm still holding my breath. It took forever, well, three days, for the tile guy to finish with all the tile. Grouting is today. Amy, I will do pictures soon. Oh, yes, I can't wait. In fact I would have done some pre-grout photos this morning, but the lovely SF fog is back. Without lights, the kitchen looks really dull and dreary. I'm afraid the photos will just be a dark blur. I've got to say that I've learned so much from this remodel. I went into it ultra-prepared. I had all my materials. I had even hired a designer to give the final okay on everything. He was incredibly expensive, but I thought with something this new, I needed someone to make sure I was making all the right decisions. Well, once those horrible counters (yup, the designer okayed those) had to be scrapped (as well as the backsplash tile purchased to go with those, as well as all the paint colors, as well as the design concept which is now at the 11th hour having my cabinet maker do new uppers and bookshelves in wenge), I learned that kitchen remodeling is not for the faint of heart. The best decision I made was to hire a fabulous contractor. If I had it to do all over again, I probably would have skipped the designer (it cost me thousands just to have someone say okay to everything I considered). I found GW rather late in the process. I just found Houzz last week! I would have spent more time on both sites. You see, I have stepped away from the ledge. I'll post pics of the backsplash tomorrow...I hope. And I hope it is truly fabulous and perfect. And if it is not, I plan on putting things on the counter so no one will notice. Yes, I'm starting to feel that this all should work out.
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How did these two people impress you otherwise? I met two amazing-amazing!-designers in two different tile shops(both very upscale). It was like seeing magic. The space didn't even exist yet..I started describing it..in a very awkward way..and that lady, she just started drawing as I spoke..that was the first time when I actually saw my future bath..three-dimensional and all..and I and my DH, we kinda designed it, and talked it over with the GC, and there were blueprints, so I was supposed to know it, right? and she never heard of it even..yet she was able to show me the space that existed just in my head, and to show it better than I imagined it myself. That was incredible. I'll never ever forget it So if people who told you that..if they amazed and inspired you like this lady amazed me-then consider, of course otherwise..go with your guts:) because I've been to many many tile shops and met many people..and I remember only these two ladies. Ah, and the one I actually told you about-she also owned the shop..and couple others. 30 years in business, something like that. Maybe 40, I wouldn't be surprised. experience and knowledge of what you sell count. And I hope you did show them the kitchen..right? not only the stone? or tried to draw the plan, describe it otherwise?
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ravencajun Zone 8b TX
6 years ago
Either leave it as is or remove the granite short splash if you want to go with a full backsplash as has been mentioned. No patterns at all with that busy granite. Solid subway. Pick a light color from the many colors in the granite.
1929Spanish-GW
6 years ago
I would repaint, leave the 4" splash and be done for a while. You might find that less is more in this case.
herbflavor
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
you can do a biscuit shade of plain ceramic tile for a backsplash, I think. I like the aqua. I see stencil art of leaves/vines in pale creamy tones and some green running along those aqua sections. There are some great stencil artists out there-any way you can find someone local ...or just put bigger piece of art instead of the small framed photos on the wall. Your counter seems rather neutral to me-I would still stay with plain tile...maybe some nice beveled edges for a small detail.
cluelessincolorado
6 years ago
If you have your heart set on a tile backsplash, cut the granite splash down to an inch to 2" and tile from there. Unless the counters are tight on wall, you'll need that to cover up gaps. I'd point you to a few different kitchens but since Photobucket has screwed everything up, I can't think of one off the top of my head that still has photos available :(
eam44
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
You already have a backsplash. Is there a reason you want to add tile?

Everything you add to your kitchen ADDS complexity. As you are trying to counteract a busy granite, maybe just add nothing. Live with it for a bit while you search for images of kitchens with your granite and cabinets that you like the look of. Post those images and we can chat some more.
cluelessincolorado
6 years ago
Found what I was talking about on this website:

http://carlaaston.com/designed/2-inch-high-kitchen-slab-backsplash

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