What about going crazy with a darker color???
I think that the white/cream grout is probably the reason that the shab chic thing isn't appealing to me, cause your work is wonderful. Just an idea.

Yes, I would like to see more color in it but take it with a grain of salt because I am not a SC expert. Like to look at it but never done it.

My all time favorite color is purple. Course that means nothing on this. There is a little purple on the table. I could try that. I was looking at another table with close colors in it and I used a mauve pink on it.
The pink grout does not show up well. I so agree it is just too white. I could also go with a green?? THe room the table lives in is a light periwinkle.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

Is gray out of the question? You have some beautiful plates, lots of SC color, and I hate to see any of it get lost by blending with the grout color. Can't wait to see what you decide. It is beautiful and I'm sure your experience will lead you to the right choice.

I don't think gray would work on this. Purple would be the closest to gray in a way. Since there is not a lot of purple and what is there is very shiny and dark it might work. I was trying to play with the fill tool on my photo program but do not know how to make it work.

Thanks I am still thinking I have a little more time. Need to go clean on it some more.

Chris

OK I had to go with a lilac pink color. I tried to get a good picture. My flash wipes the color out . I was able to get one corner to show up with the lilac/pink grout.

{{!gwi}}

I tried to pick the pinkest corner. I think it works much better not. It was just too white before. Next time I will NOT try all white. I think it is much easier to mix the color into the grout than to try to color the grout after.

Thanks for the help and hand holding.NOW hubby thinks he is going to get dinner. With grout mess all over the kitchen. Heheheh Oh dear.

Chris

Extraordinary work Shades, as always!

Oh my! This is beautiful....I'm a darker grout person myself....but that's my own personal taste..I could see a tannish color with this........? But whatever you end up with will be good...couldn't ruin this piece no matter what color you run with! LOVE IT!

Very pretty color for the grout!! How do you keep from wiping off the silver/gold rims when grouting? I tried using pva glue on one recently and it was a royal PITA to remove! Kept finding little bits of it on the edges between plate rim and grout and had to dig them out and re-grout....yuck!

Pat

Shades, that table is just goreous! I can't help with grout colors either because plates are just too different for me. I do think the lighter color is better to keep it girly looking though.

Pat I wipe very carefully over the gold and push the grout in around it carefully too. I love the gold but learned right fast it sands right off if treated ruff.

The grout color is drying lighter as it always does. I think it is ok now as it is just enough to let the white of the plates stand out but light enough to still be shabby. If I had it to do over I think I would have mixed the pink into the grout first. I just thought it HAD to be white. Live and learn.

If it ends up too light I might try some rit dye or something transparent so it does not make the grout plastic looking but adds color.

Again Thanks for the help and sweet comments.

Chris

Love that table! It's gorgeous!

Maria

Your table is gorgous! You don't need to be in a hurry to paint. (Unless DH is starving, and you just have to get it done.) I'v done it weeks later! You picked a pretty color. I tend to like a repeat of color that is used in the piece, just a lighter color of it. That way your glass doesn't disapear.

It's BEAUTIFUL Shades!
I'm so amazed at how perfectly you cut plates by hand.
I like white, it just says "shabby chic" to me. I like when the grout matches the funriture color, but I'm way too matchy matchy! The pale pink looks really great the way it is!

Hazie

Another beautiful job Shades,as you know I wasn't home to answer but you got it figured out I see...Beautiful work.Some people do us only grey grout on SC but I haven't tried it yet.It works with white furniture also.

Shades: Your table is a real beauty! I can't believe you cut all those by HAND?! I'm a real fan of green grout. It gives a soft appearance to pieces, yet makes them pop. You can ALWAYS color the grout after it's dried. So easy to do.

Very nice, that table is gorgeous. I think the pale pink is a perfect choice. Just a bit softer looking than the white.
Cindy

Shades, looks like you found the right color. It looks good in the photo and probably great in person. It's a beautiful table!

I sooo love the shabby chic look. It's beautiful... got to make one for myself.

Beautiful table! And fantastic job of nipping and placement of the plates. Beautiful work.

Aw Thanks every one for your sweet comments on my talbe. The grout is dry now and the light pink is just enough to keep the white background plates from blending in too much. I hope to be working on the mirror today and when I grout it I will mix the pink into the grout when I mix it.

I toyed with green and purple and different pinks. I think if I had it to do over again I would have gone green. Grout that is. LOL Well there is always the next project.

Cutting the plates is so easy with the wheeled nippers. Especially when there is no focal center in the plate to save. I read somewhere to cut your plate in half as close as you can . Then in half again and again and again until you get down to the size you want/need. I tried it and it does make a difference for some reason. Much easier than trying to nip off slices.

Thanks Again!! Chris

You're the Queen of Shards, girlie. I looked at this thread yesterday, and was wishing I could do the plates like you, and dreamed of doing it during the night. It makes a BIG difference when you use thin plates - not the tough $ store plates, too. Lovely table. LOVE ALL YOUR WORK.