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Flooring Design Dilemma Kitchens

Floor Tile and Backsplash Suggestions for Kitchen Update

last year

last modified: last year

Hi All,

Looking for some floor tile and backsplash suggestions for our kitchen update. Plan was to take up the old tile and continue the existing laminate floor into the kitchen...problem is the flooring is discontinued and cannot be found, so need to go with tile. Kept our original oak cabinets as-is and just installed new soapstone, which we plan to keep untreated as we like the color/patina. All stainless appliances (still need to install MW and DW).

Thought that a darker grey tile would work (similar to the soapstone), as the color should tie into the darker tones coming from the laminate floor.....the room has a lot of grey already going on (grey sofas, grey green paint color) and a lot of natural wood tones, so don't want to go too dark. As for backsplash, was thinking an off-white subway tile, nothing ornate and thin grout lines to keep things clean and low maintenance. Tile will go counter top to bottom of cabinet.

Any insight or opinions/feedback is super helpful....thank you!

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Comments (5)

PRO
RL Relocation LLC
last year
last modified: last year
my first thought. You should really think about adding hardware to the drawers and doors, I think that would help update them. I would have done a matching backsplash to the soap stone. not sure it calls for subway tile. I agree with a gray or dark green flooring. Maybe a creamy color for the subway tile. also notice the "stone" looking floor on the right.
Jim Tatko thanked RL Relocation LLC
kandrewspa
last year
You can get porcelain tile that looks like slate in a medium gray. I put it in my MB last year. This might be a good choice for you. If you lay this on top of the existing floor, be careful not to trap your dishwasher such that it can't be removed for servicing or replacement. This happened to me (previous owners of my house did it) and a friend of mine. The people who lay floors don't care - it's not their problem, so you need to mention it and ask them how they're going to prevent this from happening.
Jim Tatko thanked kandrewspa
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they sound interesting enough to me, being crackled and having variation. larger size might work..what size you consider? Gray is already considered dated lol. Makes no sense to me personally as all this dated thing is a new concept I'm still struggling with-how a color can be dated? but in terms of what happens in trends etc-it's on its way out, yes. they move into warmer tones. they're still into greiges for now to bridge between things a bit. white is becoming big as a neutral. wood stains are making a big comeback. this update on trends can go on and on but i'm sure you can find thousand threads here discussing it so i'll make it short. if you're really worried-it might be you're simply are not attached to a color enough. which is okay, really. then pick off-white. off white is pretty. Even very much so. I like both off whites and grays(I do have preference for much warmer grays though) so I have off whites and warm grays. And many other colors too since I love them too. I commit by choosing something of course,-but it's fine since commitment, paradoxically, is a road to freedom:) But I admit I was also worrying when choosing..well choosing everything except for stuff like toilets etc. Of course one worries, it's a hassle and an expense and you want to love it in the end. So. Try to worry less. If you can remove "dated" from the equation- great. Go with your heart's desire. If no-then ok, take it into equation and don't do gray. Worry less. You did a great job on everything else, so no reason to think your backsplash won't turn out well either. It will.
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Jim Tatko
Original Author
last year
Thanks to both of you for your help and feedback...I really appreciate it! Plan is to update the cabinet hardware once floor and tile is installed. Old tile floor is coming out, so new tile ideally should be the same thickness as the old, with sub-layer possibly needed to match the height of the laminate floor, etc. Glad to know that I am thinking the right way with a grey tile...attached is a pic of a friend's laundry room tile that I am leaning towards, with a grey grout. Thanks again!
eam44
last year
last modified: last year
I love your soapstone!! For the floor, have you considered a wood-look floor tile? It would allow you to keep the same look even if you are changing materials.

For the backsplash, I understand you wanting off white, but I dont think thats your best option here. Personally, I’d want to borrow light from the rest of the room and bring it into your space. You might have better luck choosing a very pale green with a light reflective gloss glaze.

This is Spanish Merola tile that, interestingly, you can get at Home Depot.

This is Heath Ceramics G11.2 Pisces Green
Jim Tatko thanked eam44
Jim Tatko
Original Author
last year
Thought I would provide an update on the flooring for the kitchen project...went with a large medium grey ceramic tile that I found at a Tile Shop location nearby with a darker grout. Really happy with the way it turned out and how it works with the soapstone counters. Will take our time with getting the backsplash tile picked out...also plan on installing some UC lighting which will help with shades/colors. Any suggestions on that would be helpful....thanks again to everyone for their help, we appreciate it!

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