Harriet, If you been burned once already, than you should know better than to just shrug off his demeanor as "not that business like". If he was business orientated enough to have you sign a contract for a backsplash and counter, then believe me, he's more business like than you're assuming. Originally, when you signed the contract with this guy, there was something that made you feel comfortable with him, even after getting burned. He may be poor at managing time, but I don't see how that will affect his tiling skills, especially if you're there to ensure it's done the way you expect it to be done. You have to give him what is considered to be reasonable notice, I'd give the guy 48 hours to get the project completed and insist that it be done during normal business hours not in the middle of the night, Sunday or a holiday. Confirm all your conversations in writing and give written notice. Do as Bill is recommending because that is going to cover your behind if you're not correct about him wanting out of the job or if he doesn't agree that financially your even at this point. And in the mean time, call your tile store, get a list of tilers and start getting quotes to get the job finished. Most likely, he's not going to be able to get that backsplash done in time to meet your demands and it will work out the way you want it to. You need to toughen up girl, it's not personal, this is business and he is as obligated to that contract just as much as you are.

Have you called/visited in person a large tile showroom and looking sad and distressed, and asked for help? An experienced salesperson, often a former tile setter (now with bad back or knees), could definitively answer your questions. I think there is a way to clean your tile of grout stains, but if some are defective and not glazed like they should be, any cleaner strong enough to remove left-on grout will not be good for the tile. You could ask someone knowledgeable at a store, or a trouble-shooting tile installer, whether a weakened bleach solution could be used to lighten the grout -- but I would not try this without asking a couple of people first.

Posted by budgeteer_s (My Page) on Wed, Dec 31, 08 at 18:18 Thanks for all your suggestions. I wanted so much to follow with ci_lantro's suggestion because then I'm done. I'll gladly let you snatch that paint brush out of my hand. ha ha. But at the same time if a little tiling will tie up the project, then I'm game. jodi_socal: I'm a little disappointed when you said fire and ice won't work. I just LOVE that F&I BS. But then agin, I think I know all along it's a little too much for my kitchen. Caryscott & petra: Thanks for the picture petra, it says a thousand words. Is spectralight glass tiles? Prices are pretty reasonable. What about that milk green color? will it work? maybe with some garnet pieces sparingly mixed in. I will take some pictures and post two HD Behr's paint card to aid in the discussion of color. Thanks again ALL! Correction: My tiles were Alfagres: Gema4x4: different from what caryscott posted: I loved what caryscott linked:

Have you considered wallpaper? You can bring in color, as well as a design, if that's your 'schtick'. Just throwing another consideration in the mix. I personally *hate* a backsplast covered in tile or granite from countertop to bottom of cabinets, or even further up. I've gone *about* 3/4 up the wall, with the remained just the neutral color thruout the rest of my home, but only on the interior cabs, so above the stove and sink areas. On the perimeter bank of cabinets, it's just a painted wall, where I had planned to use wallpaper, but haven't done so yet. I also picked up at an auction a painted canvass, which is long and narrow, and thought of using it here. It's a vintage French scene of a girl feeding chickens in a barn, done in dark colors, which is my preference. I just don't want to leave it should I sell. ;)