here comes the backsplash!!!

16 years ago

ok...after almost a week of non-activity we thought we had another week to wait but the sonoma tiles came in early!

our contractor is recommending a sandy brownish grout that will echo the edges of the antiqued decorative tiles and will make the crackle tile pop. i'm worried that it will forever look 'dirty' rather than crackly. i'd love any grout suggestions. we wanted these decorative tiles and we wanted a nice simplicity - no wild cut glass additions or liner pieces. we feel like we're getting a random set semi-basketweavy band look without going over the top.

hope these photos make sense:

From Kitchen Reno

From Kitchen Reno

From Kitchen Reno

From Kitchen Reno

and to put it in perspective:

the top band goes here between the two windows: (just above the two plug sockets)

From Kitchen Reno

and the lower band (a few photos above) goes between the cabinets over the stove )

From Kitchen Reno

everything else is 3x6 crackled subway tile - same color as the small 1x2s.

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Comments (7)

Sue Brunette (formerly known as hockeychik)
16 years ago
Oh I think those tiles are awesome!
jejvtr
16 years ago
EB

I am lusting after those tiles! Nice choice

Link below to Mapei grout chart - I find this difficult to do via pics - would like a IRL

I see Terra cotta in those tiles so wonder how the terra cotta grout would look?

In any event I see terra cotta accents in that kitchen

Here is a link that might be useful: mapei color chart
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dianalo
16 years ago
Your counters look blackish, so why not a charcoal or dark taupe grout? It would make the tiles pop dramatically.

I love the combo and think that no matter what color grout, it will look great!
sayde
16 years ago
A color lighter than the dark tiles but darker than the light tiles. We used "Summer Wheat" on the floor which was brown and cream -- similar in value to what you have, but of course it is impossible to really assess chroma on the computer. One thing to be careful of: the darker colors often wind up considerably lighter in the actual installation than they do on the little sample sticks. So you may want to do some tests. My tile guy said that sometimes stuff in the water, or simply mixing the grout with a little too much water can make it dry lighter. When he did our floors the grout was really quite thick and stiff. Also there are grout additives that will make the grout dry more true to the sample.

Love your tiles! Please post when it is all done!
doonie
16 years ago
ebean, What a great tile selection! I love the patterns in your tile. Very unique. I like what your contractor suggested as far as grout color. Grout is so tricky. I don't think it ever dries to the same color as the charts. I wonder if you could get a hold of anyone from Sonoma tiles?

I'm really excited to see the finished product! Please post when you are done.
doonie
16 years ago
ebean, What a great tile selection! I love the patterns in your tile. Very unique. I like what your contractor suggested as far as grout color. Grout is so tricky. I don't think it ever dries to the same color as the charts. I wonder if you could get a hold of anyone from Sonoma tiles?

I'm really excited to see the finished product! Please post when you are done.
sue_b
16 years ago
I agree with the suggestion 'A color lighter than the dark tiles but darker than the light tiles.' I don't envision terra cotta grout or dark grout at all. Like on the Maipei chart link I would try the Bone or Straw. I love your tile choice and you did achieve your vision of 'a nice simplicity - no wild cut glass additions or liner pieces. we feel like we're getting a random set semi-basketweavy band look without going over the top.'