New This Week: 3 Wildly Patterned Kitchen Backsplashes
Looking to add a pop to your kitchen? Try introducing some bold color in a complex pattern
Other special features. Round dining table integrated into the island. Custom drainage grooves on the soapstone island near the sink.
Designer secret. “Every well-designed space — whether it’s a bathroom, living room, bedroom, etc. — has a focal point, the thing that draws your eyes to it as soon as you walk into the room,” Castro says. “The paisley tiles are, of course, that element here.”
Montblanc Paisley tile: mettro source; Shaker-style MDF perimeter cabinets in Paper White, Shaker-style MDF island cabinets in Seaweed and natural walnut shelves: Miralis; Silestone perimeter countertop in Calacatta Gold: Latitude; Belvedere soapstone island countertop: Greensville; Merurice light fixture by Jonathan Adler: Robert Abbey Lighting Store; Winter Snow wall paint in eggshell finish: Benjamin Moore
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Designer secret. “Every well-designed space — whether it’s a bathroom, living room, bedroom, etc. — has a focal point, the thing that draws your eyes to it as soon as you walk into the room,” Castro says. “The paisley tiles are, of course, that element here.”
Montblanc Paisley tile: mettro source; Shaker-style MDF perimeter cabinets in Paper White, Shaker-style MDF island cabinets in Seaweed and natural walnut shelves: Miralis; Silestone perimeter countertop in Calacatta Gold: Latitude; Belvedere soapstone island countertop: Greensville; Merurice light fixture by Jonathan Adler: Robert Abbey Lighting Store; Winter Snow wall paint in eggshell finish: Benjamin Moore
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Photo by Dean Zhu
2. Patchwork Power
Designers: Dorothy Tsui and Kevin Chang of Bobeche Interiors
Location: Toronto
Size: 200 square feet (18.5 square meters)
Homeowner’s request. After spending years in this condo townhome, the homeowners decided it was time to update the kitchen and dining area to better accommodate their growing family. They wanted to increase the size, natural light, storage, function and countertop space.
Backsplash. Blue hexagonal patchwork ceramic tile with hand-painted Portuguese motifs. “The cabinetry and the rest of the room were neutral and modern, so we felt the backsplash should be a highlight for this kitchen,” designer Dorothy Tsui says. “It added a charming character to the kitchen. What made it work so well was, we also incorporated several pieces of solid white, which provided a visual resting spot. It allows the viewer to pause and see the gorgeous detail of this artistic tile.”
2. Patchwork Power
Designers: Dorothy Tsui and Kevin Chang of Bobeche Interiors
Location: Toronto
Size: 200 square feet (18.5 square meters)
Homeowner’s request. After spending years in this condo townhome, the homeowners decided it was time to update the kitchen and dining area to better accommodate their growing family. They wanted to increase the size, natural light, storage, function and countertop space.
Backsplash. Blue hexagonal patchwork ceramic tile with hand-painted Portuguese motifs. “The cabinetry and the rest of the room were neutral and modern, so we felt the backsplash should be a highlight for this kitchen,” designer Dorothy Tsui says. “It added a charming character to the kitchen. What made it work so well was, we also incorporated several pieces of solid white, which provided a visual resting spot. It allows the viewer to pause and see the gorgeous detail of this artistic tile.”
Other special features. High-gloss, flat-panel cabinets. White quartz countertops. A barn wood architectural beam disguises ductwork.
Designer’s secret. “In a narrow space like this, the high gloss worked really well in keeping the space looking clean and bright,” Tsui says. “High gloss is tricky to work with, because it can often leave the room feeling sterile. So it was important that we bring in some wood tones and textures to warm up the space, creating a cozy environment.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Renovating in a condo has many restrictions,” Tsui says. “We ran into issues with plumbing and ductwork because they cannot be altered freely. In order to relocate the sink, we ended up building out the wall behind the banquette to accommodate pipes. At the end, collaborating with an expert contractor was very important, as he was able to help us solve many problems about plumbing and ventilation. He patiently and skillfully rerouted the ventilation for the range hood with the very limited space that was in the bulkhead above. Although it did bring up the budget, it was worthwhile to see the end result.”
Hexatile Deco Lisboa tile in Blanco: Equipe Cerámicas via Centura Tile; Royale Blanc quartz countertop: HanStone Quartz; white brick tile: Olympia Tile; barn wood: barnboardstore.com; Gray Lake wall paint: Benjamin Moore
See more of this kitchen | Browse hexagonal tile
Designer’s secret. “In a narrow space like this, the high gloss worked really well in keeping the space looking clean and bright,” Tsui says. “High gloss is tricky to work with, because it can often leave the room feeling sterile. So it was important that we bring in some wood tones and textures to warm up the space, creating a cozy environment.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Renovating in a condo has many restrictions,” Tsui says. “We ran into issues with plumbing and ductwork because they cannot be altered freely. In order to relocate the sink, we ended up building out the wall behind the banquette to accommodate pipes. At the end, collaborating with an expert contractor was very important, as he was able to help us solve many problems about plumbing and ventilation. He patiently and skillfully rerouted the ventilation for the range hood with the very limited space that was in the bulkhead above. Although it did bring up the budget, it was worthwhile to see the end result.”
Hexatile Deco Lisboa tile in Blanco: Equipe Cerámicas via Centura Tile; Royale Blanc quartz countertop: HanStone Quartz; white brick tile: Olympia Tile; barn wood: barnboardstore.com; Gray Lake wall paint: Benjamin Moore
See more of this kitchen | Browse hexagonal tile
3. Moroccan Modern
Designers: Nar Bustamante and Ashlee Richardson of Nar Design Group
Location: Sacramento, California
Size: 90 square feet (8.3 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. A more efficient, European-style kitchen fit for entertaining, with a more open connection to the adjacent dining and family room.
Backsplash. Glossy ceramic tiles inspired by the homeowners’ love of traveling to Turkey, Mexico and Spain.
Designers: Nar Bustamante and Ashlee Richardson of Nar Design Group
Location: Sacramento, California
Size: 90 square feet (8.3 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. A more efficient, European-style kitchen fit for entertaining, with a more open connection to the adjacent dining and family room.
Backsplash. Glossy ceramic tiles inspired by the homeowners’ love of traveling to Turkey, Mexico and Spain.
Other special features. Textured whitewashed melamine base cabinets. White Shaker-style upper cabinets. Double ovens, appliance garage and recessed pantry.
Designer secret. “A last-moment design addition to the space was the custom windowsill ledge,” designer Ashlee Richardson says. “A custom-made three-quarter-inch-thick windowsill extends wall-to-wall to create a cute 3-inch-deep ledge along the backsplash. This little ledge gives the clients a space to keep their small kitchen accessory items off of the counter and beautifully displayed.”
Marrakesh glossy 8-by-8-inch backsplash tile: Arizona Tile; Diva textured melamine and Iceberg White-painted Shaker-style cabinets: Columbia Cabinetry; countertops in Yukon: Silestone; Swagger pulls in modern bronze: Berenson Hardware: appliances: KitchenAid; Commodore trim paint: Sherwin-Williams
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Designer secret. “A last-moment design addition to the space was the custom windowsill ledge,” designer Ashlee Richardson says. “A custom-made three-quarter-inch-thick windowsill extends wall-to-wall to create a cute 3-inch-deep ledge along the backsplash. This little ledge gives the clients a space to keep their small kitchen accessory items off of the counter and beautifully displayed.”
Marrakesh glossy 8-by-8-inch backsplash tile: Arizona Tile; Diva textured melamine and Iceberg White-painted Shaker-style cabinets: Columbia Cabinetry; countertops in Yukon: Silestone; Swagger pulls in modern bronze: Berenson Hardware: appliances: KitchenAid; Commodore trim paint: Sherwin-Williams
See more of this kitchen
More
How to Add a Kitchen Backsplash
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Designers: Frankie Castro and Laura Goard of Square Footage
Location: Brooklin, Ontario, Canada
Size: 266 square feet (24.7 square meters); 13 by 20½ feet (3.9 by 6.2 meters)
Homeowners’ request. Fix dysfunctional ergonomics and aesthetics and add a large window to capture backyard views and provide abundant seating for family and guests.
Backsplash. Large-format paisley-patterned tile. “We offered the clients a couple different options — the ones you see being the loudest — and they decided they would go for it,” designer Frankie Castro says. “It’s always nice when a client isn’t afraid to do something really unique, eye-catching and fun.”