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Backsplash help! Green/teal Zellige or white/ivory subway

8 months ago

We have been procrastinsting on our backsplash for months, want to make a decision finally. we have unstained quarter sawn white oak cabinets, unstained white oak floors and white Danby marble with black specks and a couple subtle greenish veins. Hardware is brass, appliances stainless. My original first choice was Zia Tile's tidepool zellige.

Now I'm wondering if its too out-there / crazy and I should do a plain white / creamy subway tile instead. Any white other than bright olain white looks pretty dark next to my counter I feel. Im not into white zellige / cloe type tiles. Tile would go up to about hood level, not all the way up the wall. excuse my messy kitchen please!

left: 3 tidepool zellige

middle: fireclay tusk

right: bright white subway (canvas from garden state tile)

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Comments (12)

Fori
8 months ago
I like the green a lot (I did my backsplash in something like the medium green in that mix, actually). You beautiful kitchen is exactly the right space for this. I think it would look fabulous.

I am not sure about the browns in the mix. I like how it looks in the first photo more than the second. Probably depends on the batch?
Lisa
Original Author
8 months ago
last modified: 8 months ago
@fori these are some other options I had from fireclay in green, these would just be one color / slight variation, so not quite zellige.

Kelp, tidepool, peabody and clover, clockwise from bottom left.

added in spruce gloss and more kelp on right
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I'm a little skeptical of the stained glass tile, not b/c of the shape but b/c of the color. Yes, it does look really yellow in the picture but even if it is more green, does that green go and flow with the rest of your house and the rest of your kitchen? I agree you can do something with more punch than ubiquitous white subway tile but I would stay away from something that will totally dominant and dictate what colors you can decorate and accent with. Again though, I have no idea what that stained glass color actually looks like in real life. And if you love it, go for it. It just seems like you have a more mellow, calmer color scheme going in the rest of the house. What about something like this: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/roanoke-4-square-victorian-kitchen-seattle-phvw-vp~73049) [traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by seattle general contractor Sarah Henry [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/white-kitchen-marble-countertop-sub-zero-wood-countertop-traditional-kitchen-new-york-phvw-vp~60871) [traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by new york kitchen and bath Susan Serra, CKD [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-bungalow-contemporary-kitchen-birmingham-phvw-vp~214178) [modern kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2105) by birmingham general contractor Structures, Inc. Like this but maybe in 'your' color - whatever that may be: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/pretty-kitchen-with-blue-backsplash-kitchen-phvw-vp~99176) [kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/kitchen-ideas-phbr0-bp~t_709) And maybe the green stain glass is like this. [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/5-star-green-bungalow-traditional-kitchen-austin-phvw-vp~91599) [traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by austin general contractor Redbud Custom Homes [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/san-jose-res-2-traditional-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~45349) [traditional spaces design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-home-design-ideas-phbr1-bp~s_2107) by san francisco interior designer Fiorella Design Another angle: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/san-jose-res-2-traditional-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~45350) [traditional spaces design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-home-design-ideas-phbr1-bp~s_2107) by san francisco interior designer Fiorella Design [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/mascheroni-construction-traditional-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~92057) [traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by san francisco general contractor Mascheroni Construction I realized I pulled mostly teal ones and I think that is b/c your grey island kind of looks teal in the photo so I guess I was going off that.
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Walker Zanger has great tiles. I'd select something with a handmade look, with texture. Maybe a crackle, or wavy appearance. Also something with a slight color variation so it's not totally monochromatic. This Walker Zanger tile comes in several colors: This is a glazed brick and comes in various colorways: Love these green tiles! These are Moroccan Zeliige tiles: Fishtail tiles in a dark color make a great statement: Hand Glazed terracotta in turquoise works beautifully in this white kitchen: You could also use a pencil liner for an accent: Staggered 4x4 tiles in a pretty blue: These are all from my ideabook "Backsplash tiles and patterns" if you'd like to see more.
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lharpie
8 months ago
I love the green! I’d probably do green fireclay - the zellige variation is beautiful but i have mixed feeling about a lot of theinstall pics i see…
Carrie H
8 months ago
I think the tide pool tile will look likely in your space and you’ll still have a lighter feel overall because the wood in your cabinets is a lighter variation. If that’s where your heart is, go for it!
Carrie H
8 months ago
Gah, will look lovely in your space.
Fori
8 months ago
If you can visit the Fireclay store, it's worth it. It's a fairly refined tile compared to the rustic stuff you started with and kind of a different feel. But playing on the table making your own tile blend can be fun. (And they will make just about any trim piece you wish!)

And if there is a good Pratt & Larson display somewhere, take a look. They have an even bigger selection of amazing glazes (and also do trim pieces).

(I like trim pieces. Can you tell? You don't want Schluter edging your tile in your awesome kitchen do ya? No way....)
Lisa
Original Author
8 months ago
@Fori I have liked the samples I have gotten from them and yeah trim is huge since we have so many exposed edges. They are pretty expensive for the non-essentials color/sizes though. I saw they have some seconds of Kelp in the 3x9 size at a great price and was thinking of maybe doing herringbone? For the Zellige I also dont know if I can find a local installer who has zellige experience.

I guess my next question is, for the 3x9 size is herringbone a good option? is it too big?

Kelp 3x9
just_janni
8 months ago
Please do the green. It's so organic and really brings the natural feel of your kitchen to life. You will regret what feels like a "safe" choice

The most impactful and high end kitchen incorporate a bolder choice and the final design is all the better for it

Your kitchen with the green tiles will be very special. Do it.
Jj J
8 months ago
Hoping you go with green, and commenting because I hope you’ll share the finished installation. It’ll be lovely!
chicagoans
8 months ago
last modified: 8 months ago
I love the green! But I’m biased LOL as I just did mine in green. I feel like it helps bring the outside in with a soft natural color. If you’re looking for yet another choice, I used Renzo Jade in the picket shape. Also comes in square and subway. Sharing pics so you can see the variation. (I wouldn't recommend if you don't want variation.)
chicagoans
8 months ago
last modified: 8 months ago
ETA Renzo Jade also has quarter round and bullnose edge pieces.
homechef59
8 months ago
I went the white subway route. But, that was because of what I needed in my kitchen. I had busy countertops.

You have quiet countertops. This gives you the opportunity to use color. I'd say take it. I think the green would look lovely in combination with your counters and cabinets. I like the green more than the blue.

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