Personally I love option 2 but please be forewarned you will need an experienced tile setter with the handmade quality of those tiles to get a nice final result.

wsea - have you used those kind of tiles before? is it usually a size issue or shape?

Wizard Tile http://www.wizardenterprise.com. That color is celadon crackle.

I have used handmade tiles. Our kitchen backsplash is handmade Ann sacks. Our tile setter was a real pro and they turned out beautiful but it takes time and serious skill.

It looks great!! I have to disagree with Beverly! If this is your personal style, go for it! It’s fun and different.

The complimentary blue green tile works with the red orange, especially if you repeat it in the living room. Playing with the saturation is okay.... I think a super chroma blue green at the same value as the red orange fabrics and stools would be a miss. It’s all about the color wheel ;)

The other option would be to layer an interesting geometric shaped tile in white and bring in blue green accessories to create visual interest.

Keep us posted on the progress!! Good luck!!

Thanks Beverly. I really am excited to get away from the muted tones. I feel like I have some good solid base pieces in colors/textures that will stand the test of time, but it's a backsplash and I want to have something fun! I don't have accessories or curtains or anything done yet because I am still waiting on our media center, etc.

threelittlelights: Our trim work and cabinets are feather down (definitely cream) and I am nervous about finding the right white. I do love the idea of a fun pattern/texture though.

This is our dining room (again, will be getting new table/chairs/lighting, maybe buffet...). It is painted with SW Riverway. Are you saying you think that chroma blue-green color doesn't work? The orange pillows on the couch can go, the stools are obviously staying.

I like option 2, though I think I like the trapezoid shape better than the elongated hex.

I also don't see a problem with the color with your other choice.

I love #2 and I actually really like the shape of your sample better than the hex which is kinda trendy.

Minty green is never wrong. If it doesn't match, you change something else so that it does. :)

I like #2, too, but since it's all custom anyway, I would see if they can do a solid glaze instead of the crackle.

Hback to add that when I said liked number 2 I also meant the trapezoid not the hexagon. I also really like the variation in its coloring. It’s a nice depth to them.

cawaps and Fori: I kind of like the trapezoid pattern too (it's called chicklet) but I am worried about how difficult it will be to maintain the correct pattern. At least with the hex, it's kind of a no-brainer. I had a hard enough getting hubby to agree to something other than subway tiles, and he was not a fan. :)

writersblock: I will ask the tile people to find out if it's possible. They told me it was only available like that, but it can't hurt to check. They had many sample options but I'm not sure how much customization they allow.

Glass backsplash :)

They had many sample options but I'm not sure how much customization they allow.

Well, their site says they can do absolutely anything you want, so it's probably really a question of how much they would charge to do it, whether it's worth it or not.

Good to know. The tile place was kind of indicating this is what they have and you get what you get...

have you looked at FireClay tile? they have dozens of shapes, a million colors. beautiful handmade tiles.

this braided picket is so cool. you can do it in any color

https://www.fireclaytile.com/tile/patterns/ click on the link to see the patterns

and these from oceanside tile. they come in a 2x8 subway, and hex and other shapes. 60 colors

and of course my favorite from CleTile. Dragon Bay. handmade earthenware

If you look at their Made to Order booklet, p.9 shows their collection of solid gloss, matte, crackle glaze colors. They have a few similar shades to Celadon and to Peat in their solid collection.

Many of the handmade tile companies will also have similar shades and have websites where you can order online, including samples, or list their dealers. There is no reason to choose a crackle glaze in this colorway if you prefer a solid. Keep looking. I bet you can find something similar in a non handmade tile as well - look online at tile shops.

Encore, Sonoma, Pratt and Larson, Mercury Mosaics, Fireclay, Winchester Tile Co, Heath etc. are handmade tilers.

This is Winchester's Celadon and Mint. I almost chose another green, Sudbury, but chickened out and regret it now.

prefer solid back-splashes - easier to clean - no grout!!!

I have more than a few minty samples from Fireclay. I also have some of their stuff actually installed and it's quite consistent in size so shouldn't be too hard for a neophyte to install. I have multiple trim pieces as well and it all fits together neatly.

I've installed hand made tile before that was so off I had to go through the boxes with a ruler and make a pile of pieces to be used only where I needed cut tiles.

(Fireclay's glass tile, which I think is discontinued, is also super irregular...)

HKO. love your kitchen! the blue/wood cabs look so nice together. I see you did Wave. what color is that?

perfect choice for your mcm kitchen.

I’ll check out fireclay and some other options - thanks! I looked at heath and didn’t think I’d like the bubbling on the tiles. I want to find something I can see in person. I have noticed that colors I love are not anything I would have picked out based on the computer options so I feel like I would be wasting a lot of time and money ordering the wrong samples

I have Oceanside in my basement shower. I don’t want the shinyness or the random glass sizes though I think they now have more uniform edges.

Some good options to consider.

I love the trapezoid tile. Are you trying to coordinate with the Riverway wall? Love that color, too btw...used it with green in my sitting room cabinets. You could rotate it 90 degrees for a really unique look.

I don't NEED to have a handmade tile, I just have been to every tile shop here in the metro area in MN and have not found anything I like. Sounds like overwhelmingly the vote is for the patterned one vs the plain one, and the trapezoid shape at that..

take a look at modwalls. tons of colors/shapes

https://www.modwalls.com

they also have clayhaus on their site. not cheap, but beautiful

https://www.modwalls.com/shop/clayhaus-ceramic-tile-for-modwalls-mosaic.html

Do they let you borrow the sample board of the trapezoid tile? It makes a BIG difference to place a grouted sample board in your kitchen compared to just having a single loose tile.

I've never had a tile store not let me borrow a board. Some will run your credit card (if they don't know you) and would bill you if you didn't return it. They usually want it back the next day, which is plenty of time to see it at night and during daylight.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Splashback-Tile-Catalina-Green-Lake-Ceramic-Wall-Tile-3-in-x-12-in-Tile-Sample-SMP-MASIA3X12JADE/206497014?MERCH=REC--PIPHorizontal2_rr--302242852--206497014--N       The installer will love the larger tiles....but, while these are shiney, they also seem to be more uneven in appearance so unlike your First Choice above, they might not show ALL the splashes with the varied light surfacing and somewhat in color tone. It is ceramic too. I looked for a matte finish but they have it in a nice green, mosaic size, but the right color, just too small for your choice.

mnmamax3, you've been to Rubble Tile? Just curious, they carry some beautiful tile. Although I very much like your options.

And you should check with the tilemaker but it''s generally rrcommended to see crackle tile.

Another vote for the trapezoid in minty green. LOVE it. Also wondering if you checked out Mercury Mosaics - they're local (I'm in MN too) and very accomodating:)

www.mercurymosaics.com

barncatz - Rubble is one I've been meaning to hit, but have not made it to... I'll try and check it out. anniebird - I did see samples for mercury but they didn't have a shape or color I liked. The diamonds would be the only one I would consider. Do you think that would look okay? I feel like some of the handmade ones are too rustic, with a very bubbly texture. But I have been known to way overthink things. Perhaps why we have been working on this project for years...

barncatz, did you actually use the celadon and mint in a project? Would love to see a picture of it!

HKO HKO - just wanted to also say WOW - love your space! I am working with what I have, but that is my dream kitchen - the window, the wood - fab!

I agree with others, the hexagon tile will look great!

HKO HKO love your kitchen! What brand is your hood? I’ve been looking for one just like it.

HI mnmamax3 (and MN anniebird!), no, I just pulled celadon and mint because those were colors you mentioned. I almost put in Winchester's Sudbury, which is a variable green and sometimes regret not doing so.

Rubble reps Winchester and many other cool lines, but again, I like your trapazoid tiles a lot.

I bought my tile from Mercury Mosaics - mixed 3 whitish shades in a block herringbone pattern. My daughter is a potter and I wanted to support a local group of young potters, plus, they bring their dogs to work and they need kibble, lol.

Love buying local! Thanks for the info.

Just a follow-up. We still are working on painting (a much lighter gray than this) but tile is in and it's beautiful! Handmade by Petrichor Tile in Minneapolis. We love it!

gorgeous^^^!

Thank you!! This is how it looks now! The lighting here is probably early morning with the sun coming up which is why it is so yellow-toned. Love LOVE my space!

well done!

Wow! It looks fabulous! I know some posters strongly believe the backsplash should be almost invisible and utilitarian, but if you love tile, having that kind of backsplash is just a joy. I stare at mine as if it were Netflix.

I missed your first backsplash photo so I am glad this one popped up in my notifications.

Exactly! Life is too short for plain tile!! :)