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help finding alternative backsplash

2 years ago

So, I reallllly love this backsplash tile, however since we need 25 sq ft, it’s not in the budget. Any suggested alternatives? I like the mix of browns and greys. This is about as patterned I’d like to be.

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Comments (9)

Melissa R
2 years ago
you will get more help if you post a pic of your countertop and pics of the kitchen. without knowing more information I don't think anyone will be able to help you.
Tara
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Use that tile in just one area as an accent and use less costly tile in a solid color that matches for the majority of your splash. You'll use less of the expensive tile, but still get your beautiful tile. I'm not talking the horizontal stripe of accent tile.....but a bit more creative...all these are Houzz photos....so don't y'all go saying it's dated....
Kitchen Remodel - Silver Shores, FL · More Info

just behind the stove or window wall
Maplewood, NJ · More Info

Complete Home Build, Marco Island · More Info

Just behind the sink
Coastal Modern with Teal Accents Condo Renovation · More Info

In just one area that is used as a bar or a baking surface
Inverness Kitchen · More Info

Tudor Revival · More Info

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I can see why it might be advisable to remove the left/rt portions of tile, but I would be inclined to wait until ithe kitchen is completed before deciding. If, as your gut tells you, it "needs" to come down, nothing is really lost except a little more time with it up. Perhaps knowing you are not "locked-in" or committed to it, will help give the perspective to view it more objectively while deciding for sure. This way you will not only have the chance to see it with everything else in place, but you will also have the opportunity to get used to it, before deciding if you truly dislike it, or just haven't gotten used to it being there. As subtle (in color) as our tile is, after months of looking at white painted Sheetrock, it still looked "different" and stood out when we looked at our kitchen. Once we became accustomed to it, we couldn't imagine our walls without it. That's how I am with many things--after living with a blank wall or empty space for any period of time, even a long awaited piece of furniture or decor item jumps out at me, and almost seems like too much, until I get used to the vacant space being filled. Thanks for the compliments on our backsplash Laura and andreak100! It's the Opera Glass tile from Artistic Tile (Stilatto pattern) in Wolfgang White. It does read greenish-blue(-grey) in certain lights or times of day. We had to think about that one while deciding if we wanted to use it, and obviously decided to go for it! Good luck Laura! Honestly, whatever you decide will look terrific!
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My first project with glass tile involved my removing two columns of mortared mosaic glass squares because I didn't like the angle of my tile cuts. In the process of pulling it down I cut myself (no big surprise). What was a bit of a surprise was the surgery I needed two months later to remove a shard of glass lodged on the tendon of the middle finger of my right hand. It could have severed that tendon at any time, which would, of course, have been disastrous. He needs a wet saw, a diamond blade for it, personal protective equipment (I wore goggles, boots, gloves, but my gloves weren't leather) and health insurance! Regarding the tile, seeing all the samples together, Tusk has the right undertones, and would be my choice. You can choose anything you like, of course, but I don't think Gardenia is the right one. I am partial to the glazed thin brick and show it below in Alcatraz and Glacier. I totally get it if you feel you already have enough brick! But this may be a better color family for you.
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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.
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Remove the backsplash behind the range section and add the same quartz, used in your counters, as a backsplash behind the whole area. Your stove has a raised back guard, so you wouldn't have to worry about heat/burner damage when using quartz behind the range. Is the backsplash material still made? If it is, you might want to get a recent sample, to make sure the coloring hasn't change too much since you did the counter.
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chispa
2 years ago
Well, Houzz has been around long enough now, that some of the photos in the library are pretty dated! Since they don't label the photos with a date, a quick way to see if it is current or not, is to look below the photo at any questions for that project, as those will have a date next to them.
alwayscold
Original Author
2 years ago
Hi Tara, unfortunately there isn’t a good stopping point, this is for behind the range and hood and under the wall cabinets. The wall cabinets are a soft bisque/creamy color. Here is the space, the tile will go on back wall. While I could save 2-3 sq foot if we mounted something else under the hood, it will be work than it is to use the same tile.
alwayscold
Original Author
2 years ago
And that rendering shows the wrong range, we have a slide in coming with the controls on the front.
Angel 18432
2 years ago
That's why you need to post pics of YOUR kitchen. A lot will depend on lighting, flooring, etc. etc.
alwayscold
Original Author
2 years ago
Well I am going to disagree on the posts telling me I need to post more pictures and details. It’s not just because the floors are not finalized, ordered or installed. While there are can lights, but no pendants in yet so lighting doesn’t exist aside from white 4 inch led pucks in the ceiling. We are still missing wall cabinets, makes no sense to post a picture where half the wall cabinets are not up. The range and dishwasher are still on back order so there are empty holes at the moment. I posted what I did because Tara was offering a way to still get the tile I wanted by offering ways to reduce overall sq footage. If pointing this out keeps anyone from providing feedback on similar styled/color tiles so be it. I posted a picture of a tile I was asking for similar style and color recommendations for, I see that happening on here all the time without having to show everything about the project to get suggestions. All of that can’t be required to make a suggestion because otherwise how does anyone ever start to create a design plan.

Tara, thank you for trying to help me get the tile I love. I did consider having just under the cabinets and doing marble behind the range and up around the hood, but mocked up it looked too choppy; if I swapped it to be only behind the range, it would look boring under the cabinets and that area is the least amount of sq ft so why not do it all the same tile. I guess I could do something like the 2nd to last picture you shared though it’s plain under the the wall cabinets and is one long wall that has a dining room on the right, and 2 different patio doors/levels to the left open concept. So one very long, beige wall, which is why I’m leaning on the backsplash to really pop. The design detail just under the range kinda feels dated to me but perhaps it’s a style that’s alwYs around.
alwayscold
Original Author
2 years ago
The 2nd to last picture shared by Tara, the mosaic under the hood/over the range, $700….that will be the same or more for the area after filling in the rest of the area. 😬
sprtphntc7a
2 years ago
try Cle tile, Ann Sacks, Walker Zanger, Fire Clay, Tile Bar to see what they have. any water jet tile is going to be expensive.

its either Cle or Tile Bar thatu can order 5 samples for free.

don't take it personally when people ask for the other elements. everyone is just trying to get the full picture to give you the best advice.

on that note, do u have your counters picked out? usually you pick counters, then b/s, then paint. paint last since you can color match to your other elements.

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