In the photos Berwyn seems to have some warm tones which makes the gray glass seem very cold. I also don't care for the mosaic with the swirly counter, and I'm one of the few here who likes mosaics. It feels a little too contemporary with the softer, marbled look of the counter. I think that mosaic would look better with a solid quartz where it would provide some interest. Berwyn has a lot of interest with the colors and movement and doesn't need any help from tile.

We just installed Berwyn and I don't think I would like a mosaic tile as a backsplash with it. It's a fairly soft in color and the mosaic there (I agree with mayflowers) looks a little too cold.

Hi,

Thanks for your comments.

mjarvis...I can go without the mosaic tile. How does the solid gray subway tile looks with Berwyn?

BTW, my kitchen will be quite contemporary in look.

Thank you,

Mindy

I agree with mayflowers. I would like the cobblestone with a white tile

Hi,

Thanks for your feedback.

Cobblestone is NOT an accent tile. It is 3 x 12 glass tile with cobblestone pattern. Though I love the color of cobblestone, I am little hesitating that it has some movement though its movement is very muted and soft. The other reason is that my kitchen will be VERY contemporary and my husband thinks that cobblestone pattern (as the entire backsplash) gives rustic look to the kitchen and perhaps it may clash with frameless white hi gloss cabinets.

mayflowers... BTW, I have never heard or seen anywhere where one glass subway tile can be combined with white subway tile. Mostly I have seen just plan white tile or white tile with some accent tile.

My own KD has recommended just gray glass subway tile. But one of the designers at the tile store recommended white glass subway tiles as field tile with mother of pearl (also in white color) accent tile.

The only reason I am hesitating for using white glass subway tile is that my cabinets will be white and they will be 42" tall. If I get white subway tile, then there will be 18" of white glass subway tile. Basically, there will be 60" of white bright stuff with no break to the eyes. I think that will be way too white stuff in the kitchen. Berwyn does have lots of gray tones. That is why I am leaning towards gray subway tile.

Thank you,

Mindy

If your kitchen is "very contemporary" why don't you go with backpainted glass or larger subway tiles (ex. 3 x 12) in a stacked pattern? Keep looking for the perfect color. ETA: the glass tiles you have picked don't work with your counter.

ck,

Thanks for your feedback.

I have no problem using larger subway tiles. But no one likes stacked pattern in my family. We like brick pattern.

You have said that my glass tiles won't work with Berwyn. I have seen lots of gray subway tiles on Houzz with Berwyn counters. This is the reason I am also leaning towards gray color as Berwyn has lots of gray color in it.

Thank you,

Mindy

The glass subway looks blueish while the cobblestone is silver-toned. That's why it works. But on its own the cobblestone is too much pattern.

I was hoping the cobblestone was a 2" wide tile and could be used with a 4" subway. I wasn't suggesting two standard subways together.

I don't think ck means that NO grey glass tile will work with Berwyn, only that your particular selection isn't the correct tone/ color.

That was my first reaction too but after a second look, I think the grey glass tile looks nice. The cobblestone looks like a dead on color match on my screen. I think the glass is a contrast, but shares tones with the Berwyn.

I agree no mosaic. I understand your husband's point about cobblestone being associated with rustic. Maybe refer to the top tile as 'faceted' instead. I think it would look sparkly, not country at all.

Are you waiting until your counters and cabs are in so you can see the choices against the actual surfaces? Right now, I think either could work well.

mayflowers,

It is funny that gray tile looks blueish on your screen while it looks gray on my screen. In reality, this tile IS very much gray in color. I myself do not like gray tiles with bluish tones.

Cobblestone tile in reality is clear glass tile. Since it is back painted glass tile with very light gray paint at the back, it gives the reflection of silver tones and very light gray color when it picks up gray tones of Berwyn. This is the perfect gray color tile I have found. But unfortunately it has some movement and most likely I won't be using it.

barncatz,

No, my cabinets and counters are not in yet. I think they will be here in March. My KD is preparing the contract and she needs to put the materials' costs + labor etc. So I need to decide about the materials. I have not signed the contract yet, so I can still change my mind about materials:-)

Thank you,

Mindy

I have that cobblestone in a different color. I love it! It is not busy at all.

bcafe,

With your cobblestone backsplash, what is the color of your cabinets and counter tops?

Do you mind posting your backsplash picture?

Thank you,

Mindy

I think the cobblestone and quartz look great together and using all cobblestone for the backsplash would not look rustic. I think because of the shimmer it would look modern.

You also say no one in your house likes a stacked subway tile, but a brick bond subway is not a modern look. Stacked tile is a modern look.

lisadlu16,

I am aware that stacked pattern is contemporary and brick pattern is not.

I brought 2 x 12 size gray tile as a sample from a local tile store. After looking at Houzz pictures in stacked pattern with 2 x 12 size, none of us liked the stacked pattern. The reason is with 2 x 12 size, there were too many horizontal grout lines and that was not appealing to any of us. So that is the reason stacked pattern was rejected by majority vote:-). I have not been able to find a gray glass tile in 3 x 12 size. I have no problem using 3 x 12 size with brick pattern. Ironically, cobblestone is 3 x 12 size. In my opinion, it is the perfect color with Berwyn. But its cobblestone pattern is on my mind. I am still little confused:-)

Thank you,

Mindy

I like the cobblestone. The gray subway seems a little dark to me, but then again I have stained cabinets and am admittedly not a huge subway tile fan. We used the Berwyn as the backsplash. BTW, Berwyn is gorgeous installed. I like the little bits of sparkle, but it doesn't show up in pics well. I switched at the last minute from Bellingham and have zero regrets.

mjarvis57,

Your kitchen is beautiful. Your Berwyn is going perfectly with dark cabinets. My cabinets will be white hi gloss. So gray tile will give some break from white color.

I am just curious if your backsplash thickness is the same as your counter thickness.

Thank you,

Mindy

Mindy, it's fun to start thinking about your backsplash as soon as you've chosen your other materials, but it is way too soon for you to actually choose your tile. Wait until your counters have been installed, then bring samples home and look at them in your space, in your light. When you do, it will be much easier for you to choose your color. You will also be able to appreciate why that counter material demands a quieter tile.

Good luck!

I agree those particular choices don't compliment your Berwyn . Is the cobblestone a rough texture ? If so it seems like it would difficult to clean. So many beautiful options available have fun looking . And backslash can always be last or later and some times that is better so you can see it in place with the other elements . It's how I made my final decision .

What about an Elongated hexagon in gray like this one ? It is a clean modern look . The Berwyn is quite busy so the backslash shouldn't be trying to steal the show from it. This one isn't the correct gray color but the style would be a good choice .

I have that tile saved too.

The St. Clair · More Info

Here's a photo of 3 x 12 subways with a similar counter.

After #5 · More Info

Stacked subway tile with a pencil liner.

La Vista Grande · More Info

I ran across this photo in a thread looking for help with a Berwyn backsplash. You've probably already seen the thread. In it, one poster posted a second thread with this backsplash and a counter with similar tones to Berwyn. Maybe it gives an idea of how your first tile choice might look?

[From this thread[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/besss-story-kitchen-renovation-from-drab-to-fab-dsvw-vd~3776426?n=13)

Above kitchen posted in this Berwyn thread

I really dislike the mosaic with the Berwyn. It's too much busy next to a moderately busy counter. And the white doesn't seem like the right white for the counter, and the black is too stark.

The gray subway, once I cover the mosaic, looks okay but not great with the counter. I think a warmer gray would look better.

You mentioned lots of pics of Berwyn with gray backsplashes on Houzz. I found some, but most of the grays were warmer. I like this one, which has the contemporary high gloss cabinets and a (warmer and lighter) gray mosaic tile.

Island/Seating counter · More Info

ravencajun,

Yes, cobblestone has very slight texture. It is not very prominent. Currently it is not in consideration because of its movement pattern. The gray hexagon sample you have sent, looks quite pretty as a tile. But visually for me, it looks busy with Berwyn.

Mayflowers,

I love the idea of pencil liner backsplash. To be honest, I never knew that this type of thin backsplash was called pencil liner. In my mind, I called it a band:-)

So far all the posters who have suggested me white tiles, have not addressed the issue of my white cabinets + white tiles. My cabinets will be 42" + 18" of white tiles. It will be quite white stuff. As a matter of fact, I do like white tiles. But excess of every thing is bad. My entire house decor is white and black with red accents here and there.

If I go with white tiles, will it look nice with a pencil liner in black or red color or stainless steel tile? The reason for these 3 colors is that my island will be matte black, my pendants will be red and appliances will be stainless steel.

cawaps,

I do like that gray tile. But the designer has not disclosed the brand of that tile. I guess it is military classified information:-) The gray tile which I have shown in my pictures, does look quite dark, but in reality is not as dark as it appears in the above pictures.

In the evening, I will post another picture with a different gray tile. I will like to get feedback on that tile.

So stay tuned:-)

Thank you,

Mindy

I would use a light gray pencil liner with white tiles and light gray grout, sticking with the watercolor feel of Berwyn. They used black in that photo because the window has a black frame.

Your hi gloss cabinets are probably a pure white, so a warm white ceramic tile that works with Berwyn could be a problem. It's probably easier to find a gray tile, and glass would be more contemporary.

mayflowers,

Thanks for your feedback.

BTW, I am only considering glass tiles for backsplash. I do not even like ceramic tiles for backsplash.

In case I do end up with white tiles, in your opinion what should be the depth of pencil liner backsplash?

Thank you,

Mindy

Actually we did address the white cabinets issue by suggesting that you wait to select the backslash after the cabinets and countertops are installed . That way you can bring home samples and put them in place with the colors and the actual lighting of the area all very important factors .

Glass tile only will definitely limit the selection .

ravencajun,

I just told my KD to take out the material and labor costs for kitchen backsplash. It will be decided later on.

BTW, I always bring the samples at home and I have a 12 x 12 size sample of Berwyn. So I have seen these backsplash samples with Berwyn during different times of the day and night.

Since my kitchen will be very contemporary, glass till is the only choice. Moreover none of us likes ceramic/stone tiles for backsplash.

Thank you,

Mindy

If you go with glass tile...make sure you check so the person who tiles uses the manufacturer's recommended mastic and grout. There have been many posts of mastic changing the look/color of glass tiles.

I agree with the others that the black/white/grey subway doesn't work, and that even the grey color in that scheme is the wrong shade for your granite. You need a warmer shade of grey. I like the cobblestone option, but I understand why you might not want the texture/movement with that particular granite.

Since your kitchen will have a contemporary feel and you dislike ceramic and stone, have you considered a metal or metal-look tile instead of glass? Or as an accent to glass?

rantontoo,

Whenever I have visited the tile stores in my area, I have always been told that white thinset will be used and Bostik brand grout should be used for glass tiles. I will make sure that these things are written in my contract.

biondanonina,

I am looking for more gray color tiles as well as some white glass tiles. None of us are too keen to have entire backsplash made with metal. We think it will give a commercial look to the kitchen.

But we have no problem using metal as an accent in the form of pencil liner backsplash.

I will be posting some more pictures as I bring more samples from local stores.

Thank you,

Mindy

Here is a picture of my backsplash.

bcafe,

Thanks for the picture.

Is your tile glass or ceramic? It is not clear from the picture.

Thank you,

Mindy

I think the cobblestone would probably look good if you can get the same grout color as the tile. It would read almost as a solid with a slight texture. I don't believe it will fight with your quartz.

It is the glass cobblestone. The color is Turenne.

bcafe,

Thanks a lot. So it is a Bellavita tile, right? What type of grout (brand and color) you have used?

Your backsplash looks pretty nice as your counter top is very dark and it does not seem to have much movement.

On the other hand, my counter top Berwyn has quite a bit of movement. So that is why I am hesitating using cobblestone tile, though its silver/almost clear colors goes well with Berwyn.

Mindy

I honestly don't remember the brand or color of grout. It came from a big box store after I read reviews on what to use for glass tile. It is one of the major brands. The color is whatever looked best from their sample sticks. The match is pretty spot on.

Here is my thought. Contemporary and a little edgy. Take the white subway tile sheets that have the 2"x4" tiles and set them vertically. I think the greys are distracting from the beauty in the counter top and that should be your focal point.

I think the cobblestone is too bumpy a texture for Berwyn. I picture Berwyn with crackle subway tiles that bring out that
little sparkle in the counter, and white or gray Shaker cabinets, but that's not a
contemporary look. I can't picture it with hi gloss white cabinets, and I don't think glass subways can turn it into a contemporary look. Berwyn mimics natural stone and to my eye that doesn't work with man-made hi gloss. I see a solid white or a dark quartz counter with those cabinets. But maybe I have a different picture in my mind of what hi gloss contemporary cabinets look like versus the Dura Supreme cabinets you've selected.