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nasalzak

Glass mosaics backsplash on its way out of style, yes or no?

17 years ago

That's what the guy at Tile Outlet on Fullerton (in Chicago) told me today. The thing is, I've had my heart set on glass mosaic backsplash. I just can't get into anything else. I'll be posting a poll later with my final results (among them are slate, glass mosaic and marble).

So what do you think? Is it risky to put a glass mosaic in my place? I've seen tons of signs for new condos around Chicago and many have glass mosaics. I guess I've succumbed to picking "kitchen number 6," but let's face it, our potential buyers will probably be a typical couple who likes what is "in style."

We live in a city condo and are quickly outgrowing it. We would like to sell in the next 1.5 years. So the final question is, am I being too risque by putting glass mosaic up?

I can post pics of it later. It is a mix of browns/tans/whites, light browns.

Thanks.

Comments (17)

  • 17 years ago

    Here's what the NYT has to say on the subject, FWIW. (I think you may need to be registered to read the link--sorry, if so.)

    Here is a link that might be useful: Manhattan kitchen trends

  • 17 years ago

    It's not out of style yet, but it will be. Glass tile is something that comes and goes, it seems, changing literally with generations. When I was 14 years old, I worked the summer for my father, who along with HIS father, was a bigtime pack rat, and we had glass tile (the real McCoy Venetian Glass) in the garage that was from the 1930's. In addition, Any of you from Hoboken New Jersey-- if you use the Tunnel at all, you'll see a building on the right just before you go into the tunnel that looks like purple tile. It's a terrazzo supplier that we used for years by the name of Zanin and Sons, and the entire outside of the building is done in Venetian Glass. it may go out of style for a while, but even if it does, it'll be back sooner or later, with even newer innovations that what we've seen over the last 10 years.

  • 17 years ago

    Yeah, I can remember when I was a tiny child and my dad tiled their bathroom with trendy 1" mosaic tiles, then all through the 70's and 80's everyone rolled their eyes about the tile in there. To me, 1" mosaic still says mid-60's, even today.

  • 17 years ago

    I think it's too trendy. I would say go with what you like, if you were going to live there a long time. If you are going to be moving in a year and a half, I say you need to think about resale.

  • 17 years ago

    I can't imagine it going out of style. There are so many innovations as to what they are doing with glass. A lot of it is recycled glass so it is "green". That today seems to be a real selling point. I say, go with what you love.

  • 17 years ago

    I have asked myself this question many times.
    "Who am I re doing this room for?(Kitchen) Us (the wife and I ) or who I may eventually sell the house to if I sell the house?"
    Why shouldn't we have what we want because we may someday sell the house to someone that maybe wont like what we like.
    I personally think stainless steel is another trend that will end soon. But what do I know or should I care?
    Go for it and don't regret it, if you don't you will.

  • 17 years ago

    I think its popularity is cresting, but I think the popularity of your other choices are right up there too- so you can go with "kitchen 6" that you love or kitchen 1-3 that you don't. Glass tile is just barely hitting the big box stores here, so I doubt it will be completely out within the year and a half that you'll own the place.

  • 17 years ago

    Whenever a product becomes 'within reach' of the masses it starts to go out of fad, at least as far as designers and magazines are concerned.

    Glass mosaics are now available in a million colors, shapes, sizes. In LA you can find 1" glass mosaic sheets starting at $5/sq ft! That is no longer 'exclusive'.

    So on to the next new 'must have' product.

    Mother of pearl, shells, abalone tiles. I saw a restaurant that had an entire wall done in it. Looked great upclose but not from a distance.

    I am told it runs upward of $200 per sq ft! Wonder when it will get to $10 so that I can afford it :)

  • 17 years ago

    Glass tile, like white cabinets is becoming very overdone and I am sure you will see a backlash against it soon.

    You say you plan to move in 1 1/2 years. Given that, I would go with something not as trendy

  • 17 years ago

    I agree with berryberry - if you are planning to move, skip the glass tiles and anything else that is particularly trendy.

  • 17 years ago

    I think beige & cream toned stone tiles must be the "safe" mass appeal choice because that's what I've seen in all the high end new homes in Atlanta. However, all the home developments were rather traditional. Is your city condo more modern? What about glass subway tiles? I think the look is transitional.

  • 17 years ago

    Nazalzak, have it all, or at least a real-world version of it. Since you're selling relatively soon, glue safe stuff to the walls. Use your lovely glass tile on stuff you can take with you--plaques that hang on the walls; cabinet doors with glass-tile inserts (buy extras to install for sale); a table, utensil holder, or whatever items strike your fancy finished with glass tile, et cetera. Since you already like glass tile, you might also try shining light through it and see what you think. We have a pair of friends in love with art glass, and their home is gorgeous with it.

  • 17 years ago

    I think Larrylwill hit the nail on the head. Are you doing this kitchen for you or for the new buyer? If you are really planning to sell within 2 years, then I think you want to maximize whatever choices you make in terms of re-sale value. Take the money you get from the sale and put that gorgeous glass mosaic, if you still love it, into the new kitchen. If you were staying for 5 years or more, then I would go with what you love.

    There are plenty of shows on TV, like "Designed to Sell" which talk about the differences between what appeals to the home owner versus what appeals to prospective buyers.

  • 17 years ago

    It's funny, but we didn't choose our glass tile backsplash because it was popular, or even trendy (didn't realize it was!). It just "went" with our (contemporary) style and it worked beautifully with all the elements that made up our kitchen--our flat panel/slab door (light cherry) cabinets, our soft black granite, SS appliances and sink, and satin nickel, SS, and chrome accessories. It had a certain something that made it special, without overwhelming everything else we'd chosen, which is exactly what we'd wanted for our backsplash.

    In fact, when I first saw the sample boards in the store, I thought it had an almost retro, late 60's/70's mod look!

  • 17 years ago

    My take on the NYT article (after I stopped choking and laughing at the idea that anyone would expect a SubZero fridge in my market), was that the glass tile issue would be more of a problem with backsplashes that screamed "mosaic tile!!!". To me, this would be one in a bright color, or with many mixed colors and iridescent/metallic combos. Those are beautiful in many settings, but they do tend to be a focal point and you could certainly run into buyers that don't like them.

    I'd think that a backsplash done in a neutral color of glass mosaics or glass subway tiles would be a pretty safe choice.

  • 4 years ago

    Gosh 12 years later, glass mosaic is still in style.

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