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harriethomeowner_gw

Tile being installed right now! Help ...?

17 years ago

Okay, the guys are here installing the backsplash in our kitchen. The tile colors are great.

I'm a little concerned, though about the number of dark tiles they have put behind the stove. They did ask me if I wanted the darker tiles to be used, and I said yes because I think it makes the splash more interesting, but is this too dark? I think they could still change some of them out this afternoon.

A closer view:

I do think all the different patterns and colors in the marble are really interesting.

Comments (28)

  • 17 years ago

    They are not too dark and the different patterns are interesting. It does seem too many dark patterned tiles are together and the same with the light tiles so the overall look is a little off balance. I don't know if you can move any at this point, but it seems you asked because you were concerned about it.

  • 17 years ago

    The only one that catches my eye is the really dark one ......third row down to the left. I'd probably replace it but I wouldn't wait until this afternoon. Once the adhesive/thinset starts to harden it'll be much more difficult to remove without damage to others.

    Of course, since we can't see the overall picture of kitchen/granite, etc., it's a tough call to make from a photo.

  • 17 years ago

    I'd try to remove the ones you don't like, now and not wait till it hardens. Then they'll end up breaking the tiles to remove them. I think they could do a better job at random placement. They shouldn't have 2 dark side by side. I'm afraid you'll have to stand there and hand them tiles you want where. I know you didn't think about it, but you should have laid out the tiles before they arrived and then they'd know what goes where. Some of these craftsmen only know the mechanics and not the decorative part of things.

    It sure does look pretty.

  • 17 years ago

    Thanks. I really can't decide whether I should ask them to move tiles around at this point. It's probably something I should have decided on beforehand if it was really important to me, and I'm not sure that it is.

    I do kind of like the randomness of it, but perhaps it's TOO random ...?

    The guys who are putting the tile in do seem to be very meticulous, so if they don't think it looks awful, it probably doesn't.

    (I did ask them to replace a badly chipped tile that I discovered when they went out to lunch.)

  • 17 years ago

    Brutuses, we x-posted ... I do like all of the tiles. I like how the different colors and patterns pick up echoes of both the granite and the oak.

    Given my reluctance to confront + my ambivalence, I'm probably just going to leave it.

  • 17 years ago

    Harriet

    If you back up and take a wider pic that would help (more kit in view)

    From what I see the colors pick up the rest of the kit palette - if it were uniform w/o the darker I think it may be too cold against the warmer palette -
    I would pick a warm colored grout vs cold (not white or gray)

    See Laticrete color view
    hard for me to match under the circumstances but from what I see:
    Kashmir, toasted almond,parchment, antique white, mushroom

    Here is a link that might be useful: grout color chart

  • 17 years ago

    I don't think the guys installing the tile want their pictures on the Internet. :)

    Good point about the grout. I was going to use white, but I can probably make another grout run this afternoon or evening.

  • 17 years ago

    Harriet-- two things. First, the look will change once it gets grouted. Right now, you're looking at a bunch of different colored pieces of marble. Once it's grouted, it's going to join it all as one unit, and your eye will SEE it as one unit, and has all different shades and hues to it. That said, if that's not what you want, the heck with what all of us say-- change it now. It'd be the best time to do it, if it's going to be done. I have a feeling it'll be breathtaking when it's done, but it's not my backsplash, either. :-)

    2nd thing is grout color. You might want to go with something in more of a bone or linen color, rather than white. As many different shades as there are in this stone, you're not going to get a perfect match in color, so you WILL see the brick pattern, but at the same time, using a color that's close to the tile itself, will show up the medley of colors in the stone.

  • 17 years ago

    Bill, thanks.

    The more I look at it, the more I like it the way it is. I was just wondering if it looked weird to anyone else.

    (My DH likes it, too.)

  • 17 years ago

    It looks good. You're only noticing it now because it's so new. In a short while, it will just be "a wall". Know what I mean?

    I felt similar with my floor: dark tiles here, light ones there. Guess what? It's fine. ;-)

  • 17 years ago

    It's all done, now waiting for the grout. I like it a lot. I'd post a picture, but my camera is acting up.

    I sent DH to look for some nonwhite grout, but all he could find was something called "biscuit." It looks too dark to me. We might end up using white after all.

  • 17 years ago

    I think it looks outstanding, and I think whatever didn't look right to you was probably because it was "out of context" -- you know, where there was previously nothing, and now you stare at the change and whatever it is seems too harsh for our eyes.
    Anyway- I do believe you will love it. I agree with what Buddyrose wrote.
    Yay a job well done!!

  • 17 years ago

    Here's a picture (without grout):

    Another view:

    Everything looks more gold in these pictures than it does IRL. The floor is actually white, for example.

  • 17 years ago

    It is beautiful!!

  • 17 years ago

    I love the tiles and feel they are beautiful!

  • 17 years ago

    The grout will make a huge difference and, like others, I don't think you want to use white. If the box stores don't have several colors to choose from (they usually have lots)then I'd call some tile stores tomorrow.

    It looks great and I would choose one of the colors jejvtr listed.

  • 17 years ago

    Your tiles are the perfect choice with your cabinets and counters! Absolutely perfect, simple, and simply beautiful.

  • 17 years ago

    I love the variety of colors and that shape of marble, really lovely.

  • 17 years ago

    Bravo! The darker tiles provide more visual interest. Now you will be amazed even more when the grout is done. Please do post another photo when done.

  • 17 years ago

    harriet
    I knew a wide pic would tell the story - It's realy lovely, very complimentary - You've come this far - go the last mile and find the grout color that will really pull it all together

    good luck!

  • 17 years ago

    white grout will be a huge mistake. don't think because you have white appliances the white grout will work. it won't.

    match to the tiles which are beige... there are tons of colors to choose from. don't rush it now. you're in the home stretch. hang in there and get the right color grout.

    bring a tile and ask people in the tile departments. it's what they do for a living.

  • 17 years ago

    Love the colors in your tile! And the odd one just gives it character. It will blend eventually, but it will also be your buddy, a place your eye can rest, and go, hey! In my wood floor, there are a few boards where the strong grain really stands apart from the overall pattern. I like it. It's like recognizing a familiar face in a crowd.

  • 17 years ago

    They're putting the white grout on right now. :-/

    I think it will look fine. It's not a bright, bright white -- just the plain untinted grout. There are enough really light tiles in the mix that it should blend together fairly well. Also, the grout lines will only be 1/16".

    Oh, and thanks for all the compliments. :-)

  • 17 years ago

    Now I need to get back to work!

  • 17 years ago

    Very nice.

  • 17 years ago

    Not to be a killjoy, but did they caulk the seam between the marble and countertop?

  • 17 years ago

    Bill, they put grout there. I wasn't standing over them watching their every move, and didn't see it until they were packing up to leave.

    When I asked about it, they said I could put caulk on top of the grout if it cracks. Not sure what I can do about it now ...

    Otherwise, it seems like they did a nice job.

  • 17 years ago

    Pretty!!! Nice job!!