Subway or hexagon backsplash?
Steph
5 years ago
For my kitchen, I picked a bold tile floor (see pic) with gray cabinets and brass hardware. I originally picked a glass subway tile for the backsplash, but it so popular - Now I’m tempted by white hexagon... see picture examples...all opinions appreciated :)
Floor
Floor pic installed
Hex backsplash example
Subway example
thanks!
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Steph
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Calacatta marble subway tile backsplash question please
Comments (7)Thank you pllog! According to my admittedly limited research, white subway tiles were primarily what was used during 1913 (not colored tiles just yet), or else white or cream-colored wainscoting. I know the colorful tile was used on fireplace faces though, as is the case on ours - but I think the whole sterile kitchen and bathroom look was going on in 1913 (?). I know my house originally had it cause not only is 2x6 white subway tile in the original bathroom upstairs, but the previous owners, who I am friends with, remember it having been in the house at one time. The previous owner now in her 80's moved in with her parents in the '40's when she was a teenager. There was only one family that lived in the house before them, which is kind of neat to know. I'd love to find out more about them someday if possible. All that said, if I had the time further to obsess (I'm already taking LOADS of time away from my kids to obsess over every detail that I am already!), and the eye/confidence/creativity, or a designer, and the money, I'd do something much more fun and much more "me" in a NY heartbeat. But alas, I don't. Maybe someday. The following cut/paste link is to absolutely inspiring backsplashes, which you'd probably love: http://finishedbacksplashes2.blogspot.com/ It would be impossible for me to do if the tile were to get up to $100/SF. How did you come up w/ that calculation? Oh dear - I'd better do the math again! I was told that by going to a fabricator with big machinery, it wouldn't take that long at all for a back splash my size - but that was just one person who said that; he could have been wrong. One consideration for a backup plan for me has been white or off-white minibrick. I think with a non-matching grout - e.g. a noncommittal but darker sand color (sand having both tan and grey in it?), all those little lines would be more interesting w/ the stainless than the bigger subway tile (or, maybe that would also be the case w/ standard 2x6 tile w/ darker grout?). I wish I could find the link I've lost to ceramic minibrick (if that's the word for it) that's attractive to me. I imagine they didn't have that size in 1913 though (does anyone know?) but it's still a nice classic look. If I find it on my other computer I'll post it! I've looked at Thassos which does seem too white. The in-person samples of calcutta are too grey from a distance (I don't want it to match my stainless counter so precisely) but yes I have time to keep looking. I also still pine for the Walker Zanger lightly crackled and glazed 2x6 tile I was all excited about when I thought I would do a honed black counter. haven't ruled that out completely, but it's $25/SF. Thanks!...See MoreBacksplash help: mixed neutrals subway tile?
Comments (139)I would expect that Calacatta as a field tile would be too expensive for this kitchen. Thanks for getting those mosaics off their website, rebunky. I like the stick mosaic but I'd probably use something more like the 1 x 3 brick. I love squares but I know that's a dated look. The wave tile is dimensional. There's also a hexagon and a mini herringbone mosaic. I'm never quite sure what you can get in which finish from Encore. Confusing website. I'll think about adding color in green and/or red if I do a mosaic. If I was able to get Encore, which would probably involve going to Seattle for an overnighter, I may be able to get a field tile in the Bravo line. Thanks, guys. Next step is getting out to some tile stores....See MoreBacksplash: an alternative to white subway, to make my heart sing!
Comments (8)Thanks for the ideas, everyone! Toronto Veterinarian, I will ask our local tile store about whether they can obtain Olympia Picadilly tile. I’m glad you pointed out the light-reflecting properties of the uneven surface - that’s a real-world effect I hadn’t anticipated. Our old kitchen had blue cabinets, faux butcher-block laminate countertops and two overhead lights. The color combo was pretty, but the room was dark except on the brightest summer days. To brighten it up, we opted for white cabinets and more layers of lighting in the new kitchen. Tile that reflects a little additional light would be a real plus. Caligirl5, our floor is red oak. A portion of it is visible in the photo of the fridge. I took the photos on a very cloudy day without turning on the lights in the kitchen, so it does look pretty shadowy. I would love to do color in the backsplash, but DH is against it. He’s concerned it will look like a stripe in our small kitchen, especially since everything else except the floor is white, black, or grey/stainless. I’m encouraged by photos on Houzz showing white backsplashes with the colors in our kitchen - most look harmonious and calming, not boring. If we can’t find a smaller version of the 5x12 tile, we’ll likely go with white. We’re intrigued by the uneven-surface tile like Toronto Veterinarian’s. We’d be open to some kind of patterned tile, if it wouldn’t look too busy and wouldn’t “fight” the look of the countertop. When we started our project, we said the backsplash would be “anything but white subway.” After bringing home many samples from many tile stores, it looks like that might be what “goes” best with the rest of the kitchen. So I thought I’d try seeking ideas here for alternatives! Fancyxx, we considered doing the backsplash in the same material as the countertop, but ruled it out due to the strong but scattered veining in it and the difficulty and expense of obtaining another slab like the one we got for the countertop. There was a minimum eight-week wait for slabs like ours, and they were pricey. We also thought that due to the pattern of the veining and the shortness of our backsplash it would be hard to get a relatively uniform look without cutting it into tiles, which would add even more to the cost. Our project included a master bath remodel (photos to come when it’s completely done), replacing the baby blue master bedroom carpeting with hardwood, and replacing our porch and front walk, furnace, and AC… and we’re not done yet. Even if we were not currently a bit cash-strapped, though, we would do the backsplash in a different material than the countertop because of the timing and pattern issues mentioned above....See MoreBig hexagons kitchen backsplash. What do you think?
Comments (39)@Cyndi Fine Ive been thinking about this for 2 years since we were waiting on permits last March and then covid happened. But I'm definitely second guessing everything. We're supposed to get started this month, so trying to get as many ducks in a row as I can because we're renovating 2 baths, a kitchen which is doubling in size, and adding a powder room and a dormer to fit the office we're removing on the first floor. Its all so overwhelming. I think as long as you love what you go with it will be perfect for you. I was second guessing my countertop decision, then saw your pic and it made me smile, so I think the shows me its the right decision....See Morecrcollins1_gw
5 years ago
PROBeth H. :
5 years agosteph, I think I forgot to list the Walker Zanger 6th avenue,Cocoon
you can turn them either way:
comes in diff shapes/colors too.
Steph
5 years agoSteph
5 years agoUpdate! I ordered a bunch of samples from tilebar. Beth, thanks for introducing me to this company. I’m most excited to see the wind chill ceramic tile and the plain hex... here is a sample of a few I ordered.
Keiko Childs
5 years agoSteph
5 years ago
NewEnglandgal
5 years agoSteph
5 years agoKeiko Childs
5 years agokmg11
5 years agoMrs. S
5 years agoKeiko Childs
5 years ago- PRO
Beth H. :
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago 
Danielle Black
5 years agoSteph
5 years agoFound this tile sample... might be a good option for me... a little twist on the traditional subway.
heatheron40
5 years agokmg11
5 years agocrcollins1_gw
5 years ago
tartanmeup
5 years agoKeiko Childs
5 years agosalonva
5 years agoSteph
5 years ago
PROHome Art Tile Kitchen & Bath
5 years ago
gm_tx
5 years agosalonva
5 years agomvcanada
5 years ago- PRO
Beth H. :
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago Steph
5 years agogm_tx
5 years agoSteph
5 years agoI will do a before and after post when everything is done, but I couldn’t wait to share the backsplash - now that it’s finished. I am thrilled with it. Thanks for everyone’s help :)
tartanmeup
5 years ago- PRO
Beth H. :
5 years ago Steph
5 years ago
Kristel Quintana
5 years ago- PRO
Beth H. :
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago Steph
5 years ago
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StephOriginal Author