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michelle_witter

Suggestions for backsplash, paint, windows

11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
In the middle of a kitchen remodel. Counters are Caesarstone Wild Rocks, which actually reads steely gray 90% of the time and brownish the other 10%. Cabinets are gray. We still have new range and fridge coming. I am torn between Carrara subway tiles, lansdale carrara tiles or plain white ceramic. We will lay in a herringbone pattern. We obviously need to lighten things up a bit, although the space gets a lot of light. Any suggestions appreciated. This was a small budget remodel. Kept existing cabinets and footprint but demished a small, useless island and built a new one. Also tore out ugly brown tile on counters and backsplash, and replaced with Quartz. We replaced over range micro with hood for our fancy new range, and put micro drawer in island. We added a prep sink to the island also. Additionally, we refinished the hardwood.

Comments (24)

  • 11 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago
    P,S desk to right of perimeter cabs is being replaced by fabric covered built-in bench. Haven't tackled that yet. New range will be slide-in. Butcher block attached to island may be darkened with waterlox, but I'm kind of liking the easy maintenance with mineral oil right now.
  • 11 years ago
    here's another idea for pattern of back spalsh glass tile in a chevron pattern.
    It's interesting but may be too dark with the counter tops but I couldn't help posting as it may lead to an inspiration form others. :-)
    Jerome Village Lot 125 · More Info
    Michelle W thanked anne dee
  • 11 years ago
    I really like the chevron pattern. I am in love with a similar tile from new Ravenna called Raj, but it's marble and glass and a bit pricey.
  • 11 years ago
    light grey subway tiles
    Lincoln Heights Kitchen · More Info
    Michelle W thanked anne dee
  • 11 years ago
    Ceramic white subway in chevron pattern and a light gray grout.
    Michelle W thanked dclostboy
  • 11 years ago
    Dclostboy, that's kind of what I'm thinking too.
  • 11 years ago
    I think it will read "updated classic"...with a bit of personality. Chevron / herringbone will probably require a professional for cuts and spacing...cost a bit more too
  • 11 years ago
    We are having the backsplash professionally installed. My husband redid the drywall after removing the old tile, but he's not comfortable installing tile in a pattern other than brick. I just have to decide what I want.
  • 11 years ago
    Thanks for all the great suggestions.
  • 11 years ago
    ref for the chevron pattern in
    white ceramic 3x6 would be a good size for the available space
    Sarah Richardson Design · More Info
    Michelle W thanked anne dee
  • 11 years ago
    I think either carrara or white subway tiles could both work beautifully together. You are going to get more variation in the carrara backsplash tiles than a white ceramic, though. Why don't you get some samples and post pictures?
    Michelle W thanked User
  • 11 years ago
    Karen, not sure how clear it is, but I posted samples in second photo. Left to right: lansdale, Carrara, and ceramic. Sizes aren't accurate that blue drywall is throwing me off. I hesitated about posting the Quartz BC it looks brownish but it's very steely gray with light blue-gray, black, cream, taupe, and the occasional copper. There is a small amount of white/cream.
  • 11 years ago
    I think I like the 3 X 6 carrara subway laid in common brick pattern with as little space between as possible. Use very light grey grout. Will be classic beauty. Love the redo.
    Michelle W thanked sandradclark
  • 11 years ago
    Thank you. I think it will be great when finished. My 13 year old daughter insisted on the bar stools and chairs. We love them, but I was skeptical at first. Mixes a little modern with traditional, though. Our curtains are heavily patterned so thinking simple fabric shades. This is the curtain print on the slider.
  • 11 years ago
    Great job with your remodel. Any of your options are great!
    Michelle W thanked ycity
  • 11 years ago
    I'm begging you, no subway tiles of any colour. Slate is nice, if that's too dark, a light marble. Glass tiles, or hand painted tiles. So many ideas, you're limited only by your imagination.
    Michelle W thanked clara23
  • 11 years ago
    Some inspiration
    Michelle W thanked Irene Morresey
  • 11 years ago
    Less is more!!! I don't know why "no subway" as it is classic and since changing a back-splash is so time consuming, messy and costly, be careful of using anything that is not classic or plain...especially for resale purposes if that day ever comes. Being in real estate for years and specializing with buyers, too much design or even darker grout has them running out the door. Just keep your grout lines as thin as possible and the same color as the tile.
    Michelle W thanked fkness
  • 11 years ago
    I appreciate the help. It's given me a lot to contemplate!! Still looking for wall paint suggestions. Family room next to it is Indian River.
  • 11 years ago
    I would use the same color that you used in the family room, especially if the living room and kitchen are open. It would be great if you could post pictures of your family room.
  • 11 years ago
    I think the subway tiles would be very classic, and I agree with others that putting them in a pattern other than the standard type, such as herringbone, would up the personality a bit.

    Check before and afters of my kitchen remodel on my blog!

    http://www.diydomicile.com
    Michelle W thanked Emily Baker
  • 11 years ago
    I think we are set on a herringbone or chevron, but the marble or ceramic is what's confusing me. I love marble, but worry the Carrara will either be too gray or that the veining will fight with the quartz. I am not a fan of busy tile with busy counters. But I love the richness and texture of honed marble.
  • 11 years ago
    I think your instinct of marble competing with the counter is right. I would go with the ceramic or a glass tile. Given the modern vibe I might also consider using an unconventional size. For example in this photo you can see the tile is longer and skinnier than the usual 3x6.
    http://houzz.com/photos/7376795
    Michelle W thanked intown123