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Help! I screwed up!

10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago

Home Reno · More Info

I'm putting a suite in my house and have been working like crazy to get it done on a tight timeline. I was tiling the backsplash and ran to Home Depot on Sunday to grab "white" subway tile and got started. I got half way through a wall when my girlfriend came in and noticed the tiles are a creamy ivory white while our cabinets and trim are a very crisp "chantilly lace". I now get physically ill every time I look at the kitchen I worked so hard on because I made such a stupid mistake! I haven't grouted yet so I'm wondering if there are any miracles that can be done to save the kitchen!
Home Reno · More Info

Home Reno · More Info

Home Reno · More Info

Comments (27)

  • 10 years ago
    I don't know if this will make you feel better, but the tile looks pretty white in the photo. That being said, I'm thinking maybe darker grout would make the tile look whiter? Dark grey grout with white tile is a really pretty combination...
  • 10 years ago
    Also, really nice tile job, I think your kitchen looks beautiful.
  • 10 years ago

    It looks great in the picture. Doing an exact white match would be dull, whereas the ivory tone blends well and looks quite sophisticated. It's a happy accident, just celebrate it!

  • 10 years ago

    Since you get physically ill and I know what you mean - I'd take it down and start over. I had the interior of my front door stained and I hate the color and get ill, and plan on having it redone.

  • 10 years ago
    Do you really want white white everything? That is such a boring hospital look. Maybe you can take pics during the day time and post them here so we might see what you hate. I think your kitchen looks fabulous the way it is!
  • 10 years ago
    Your kitchen looks great! Maybe use a darker grout. Also consider a different wall color to add some visual interest to the kitchen.
  • PRO
    10 years ago
    You are over simplifying how colors go together. And I agree with others that had you matched the tile and the cabinets more closely it would have been more bland looking. Just embrace the tile color and pick a color one shade darker to paint the walls. The ceiling should be a flat white and select a grout color a shade darker like the walls, and just like magic you will be color coordinated and less stark and antiseptic.
  • 10 years ago

    I think your kitchen looks nice.

    I don't see any noticeable difference or "clashing" in the colors of the tile and cabinets/trim.

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    I think you ar worrying over nothing they look fine to me if you google cream and white kitchens you will find many they are very elegant and I would choose a grout as close to the tile color as possible and embrace the 2 tones I think dark grout would only pull your eye to the tile use some awesome accessories and a nice soft color for the walls it will be awesome.By the way very nice job on the kitchen

  • 10 years ago

    I do think it is a happy accident. Very nice tiling job. I would not go with a dark grout. Lovely kitchen.

  • 10 years ago
    Remember, too, that once the toaster, coffee maker, etc, a fruit bowl, or other decor are on the counter, you won't notice the backsplash.
  • 10 years ago

    I agree that all being sterile white might be too much, this is most likely a happy accident. I can't see the difference on my monitor. Personally I am not a big fan of darker grout with white or cream tiles, I'd choose a grout that would blend with the tile color. Then add color accents through your accessories, and your eye will be drawn to them as well as adding interest to the room.

  • 10 years ago
    I would use a dark grout...maybe charcoal gray.
  • 10 years ago

    i would use a grout that matches your counters/lt grayish.

    also -- your kitchen looks beautiful!

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Thanks to all for the help and advice. As a painting contractor I always refer clients to a designer for colour help because I admittedly have trouble matching my own clothes sometimes! (If it weren't for white socks, I'd probably go insane.) So I default to matchy-matchy colour schemes because they're easy and they work. I have great difficulty with subletly in design. I do however love to DIY and part of me is very proud of my first tile job and the other part is slapping the first saying "why didn't you stop and look at what you were doing!"


    Im generally hearing the same 2 opinions, which are: match grout to tile or match grout to counter top so I will do samples of both and see what looks better!


    I also appreciate the the words of encouragement. When the stress levels are running high and a lot of time and effort have been invested, little things become big. My big sister once told me "don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things"... I realize now that truer words have never been spoken.



  • 10 years ago

    I agree; years ago I had walls that were summer white and I bought winter white fabric by mistake to reupholster huge couch. It looked horrible. Even with color accents. I think at least the gray grout would break it up.

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    In case anyone has a similar problem down the road I have my solution. "Snow White" has a hint of grey to it which is almost the same as the wall colour and ties in nicely with the counter and also looks good with the time and cabinets. I did some sample grouting here:

  • PRO
    10 years ago
    Seems like an easy fix. Remove the tile, buy the tile that you like and reinstall. One day extra work and maybe $100 in materials.

    Whites don't show up well in pictures. Can't tell if it really is nice or stomach wrenching! Good luck!
  • PRO
    10 years ago

    If you really personally dont like the tile- take it down!!! You did a excellent job the 1st time, 2nd time will go faster and you will have the kitchen you want and had the initial vision for!!! Don't settle!! Let me know what the finished kitchen looks like! Good work!

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    Currently I'm working on a blog on "Winter Whites" absolutely a lovely and more elegant effect is achieved when balancing warm tones with cool ones-

    the grout you settled on looks terrific!

    I often match grout to the back of the tile, or the wall color, it adds a subtle touch of dimension to the end result, that is missing if everything is mono-tone.

  • PRO
    10 years ago

    The majority of the time an experienced interior designer can pull it all together!

    It might be a very simple fix! Is there one in your area that could do a one hour consult?

    Example: perhaps you could find a fabric with ivory and white tones to tie it all together, (for a window valance). It's nice to add a pattern and texture with fabric.

    As well as what others said, a rich grout color.


    Remodeled Kitchen on a budget · More Info

    I would try a few simple solutions before starting over on the tile, from the photos it looks just fine!!

    Hope you'll try this! It would be an easy solution.

  • 10 years ago

    the slight contrast looks great!

  • 10 years ago
    Accessorize then maybe a pic or two??
  • 10 years ago

    I agree!

  • 10 years ago
    you did a great job, and current kitchen trends are to useing slight tones and not just all stark white...you are right on trend.
  • 10 years ago
    Well, I don't know what you ended up,doing, but I would definitely have NOT done more white! I think it's a thankful thing the tiles are a different shade. As for grout, you know you can mix colors, right? I've done it twice - one to lighten a green, and recently to lighten Delorean grey. I added the Snow White of which you speak and made it a lovely silver. You might want to consider that.