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elbell19

Another Backsplash thread....thought we wanted green...now not so sure

8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago

Greetings

My wife and I are not natural 'decorators'; we usually know what we like when we see it, but I second guess myself all the time and don't have a ton of creativity in this area. My wife just wants it done.

My wife originally thought she wanted some color in the backsplash - something minty green or some other green shade - but the designer wanted just straight white subway. We have parted ways with our designer and now we're on our own.

Here's the space:

We couldn't find any mass produced tiles (less $) in the color shade we were thinking, so ended up getting some custom samples. (Complete Tile "shale green" on the left and "apple green" on the right:

I'll work on getting some pictures more "zoomed out" of the samples. We like the Apple Green as a color, but are afraid of the impact of having a lot of it / total backsplash. Here's the only pic I could find:

[houzz=[https://www.houzz.com/photos/kitchens-kitchen-new-york-phvw-vp~1564555(https://www.houzz.com/photos/kitchens-kitchen-new-york-phvw-vp~1564555)]

(I don't know how to embed the full size; above link works)

That's pretty freaking green. The shade on the far left of the backsplash looks most like the sample. I could not find any examples of the Shale Green installed. In person, in the evening, it can look more blueish.

So, at this point, we're freaked and have no idea what to do - maybe scrap the whole plan and start over. Paralysis of analysis, for sure. I know design can be personal and what 1 person likes another detests...but I think we're looking for some brainstorming just to get us unstuck; maybe even illustrate some core design concepts we are not thinking about in our decision making.

Thoughts?

Comments (42)

  • 8 years ago

    FYI, Home Depot has virtually this same subway tile on the shelf right now, very inexpensive. I have the sample at home.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I'm a tad confused. Your linked photo shows a Waterworks Tile in Apple Green. Am I right that you are looking at Vermeere Tile from Complete Tile in NY? One in shale and one in apple green? The glazes will be very different from company to company, even if they use the same name.

    Can I ask wny you are thinking green? Is that a color you've used elsewhere in the house? One poster matched the tile she was considering to paint, painted her wall and lived with it to get a feel for it. You could probably use those large paint swatches too. Another poster photocopied her tile and taped it up.

    Houzz has photos of green backsplashes, if you select Kitchen photos and enter Green backsplash in the search box. You can also search their Stories/ Decorating Guides by entering Green Kitchen in the search box. Here's a post on green backsplashes.

    [15 Green Backsplashes[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/kitchen-color-15-fabulous-green-backsplashes-stsetivw-vs~19680044)

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    It's a beautiful space so far, you must be thrilled!

    Good job bringing home samples; can they give you more of them? One of the cleverer gardeweb members made color photocopies of the tile she was considering and taped them up in order to help her determine whether she wanted that much green in her space. I think it's a great idea. Try this with both colors and see how you like them.

    The tiles you're considering are both very pretty. You have a neutral backdrop so you can choose almost anything. I prefer the Shale Green because it has blue undertones, but I wonder whether you might also consider a less saturated hue like Ming Blue. I have no idea whether this will look blue in your space, or like it's essentially white - but it and Mediterranean Blue offer you blue greens in softer hues. They will either look gorgeous in your space or make you fall in love with the deeper hued tiles you're considering.

  • 8 years ago

    Barn, when I started my post yours wasn't up yet - great minds think alike :-)

  • 8 years ago

    Hi Folks. Well, color me silly...i totally thought that apple green was complete tile. Whoops. Looks like my edit option is gone...can i get that out of there so people aren't confused?

    Why green? It's just something my wife always thought she wanted. I think she secretly wishes we lived at the beach and wanted a hint to that environment. :)

    I like the color photocopy idea and will do that. I will also look into those other colors. The main goal is not to overwhelm the other elements in the kitchen. We love what is happening so far!

    I will also go look at home depot, as, frankly, I never did that. Just looked at the local tile shops.

    Complete Tile is across the continent from us, but we didn't like any of the samples we got at Heath in SF (more local). Any other tile shop suggestions we're all ears as well.

  • 8 years ago

    Home Depot 3x6 tile. It looks blue/green but more muted/grey than your sample pics. Has a crackle. Sorry for bad pic.

  • 8 years ago

    Would she consider a white or creamy subway in the same type of glaze as the tiles you have and a row or two of the green for accent or random green thrown in to break up the white. Not so much "freaking green" lol but still it's there. Remember the backsplash doesn't have to be all the same tile. Or use the green at the stove. Possibly a herringbone pattern of the green at the stove with the white elsewhere with a green accent tile spaced about. I tend to like blue greens to turquoise especially when you are thinking of the beach. It's calming colors to me.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    MSI has some very nice tile with crackle and they have it at home Depot, I like their antique white, dove gray, and the morning fog color, check into the MSI tiles they come in various shapes and sizes. I bet you would like the morning fog.


  • 8 years ago

    ravencajun, I think my tile pic above might actually be the Morning Fog.

  • 8 years ago

    It could be or dove gray. I like both.

  • 8 years ago

    Granted, I'm no design expert but I think you guys are overthinking this. Either tile will look lovely in your kitchen- I don't think you can make a bad choice between these two. (I personally like the green!)

  • 8 years ago

    I'm a big fan of Fireclay Tile, and if Heath Ceramics is close to you, Fireclay may be as well. Among their greens you might want to consider Aqua and Moonstone below, along the same line as the tiles you are looking at but again, less saturated.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Are the walls staying yellow? If so, I agree with your former decorator - use white subway.

    elbell19 thanked Anglophilia
  • 8 years ago

    yes, the walls are staying "cream". hatethecold_gw: what is that? I will try and find; kinda like it.

    if we did white subway, should we accent it in the greens e.g. behind the stove or another way?

    Anglophilia: can you elaborate on why you see it that way re; keep it white subway?

    thanks!

  • 8 years ago

    I like the idea of a blue or green backsplash - I would possibly do that too - though not with the yellow walls - which I also really like. If you go with a light blue or green wall color, or white, then the colored tile looks pretty - I would go more subtle than bright. If you want the yellow walls, use the white subway.







  • 8 years ago

    The ming tile is sourced in her finished kitchen thread : it is the sunflower mosaic

    http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2684360/its-done-and-i-love-it

  • 8 years ago

    I've been trying to pick a backsplash for a year! I can't commit either. I want a cheap :) green/blue tile but worried about it being a good resale color. The tile on the left is MSI Morning Fog. It looked light green at MSI in their display but turns light grey in my home. So you definitely have to bring samples home.

    I am in love with this kitchen! I'm having a hard time locating the tile (it's probably out of my price range anyway) or something similar would be nice. Just by chance I ran across a YouTube video of her "Home Tour Part 1"

    Stephanie Marie.

  • 8 years ago

    I love green but agree it doesn't go with the yellow walls.

    I like the lighter blue-greens:


    Classic & Charming Family Home · More Info

    Bernal Heights Residence · More Info

    San Jose Res 2 · More Info


    elbell19 thanked caligirl5
  • 8 years ago

    Would you do something like this?

    http://www.cementtileshop.com/cement-tile-shop-collection/Banchetto.html

    I am loving cement tile lately. But wall color would have to go in the white family

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Hi elbell --

    You and your wife have a beautiful kitchen, with what seems to be lovely views of greenery right outside it. To me, adding in a green backsplash would create this amazing feeling of a blurred inside/outside -- so beautiful against the white and wood tones you have.

    I did a *very* budget gut kitchen reno in our 1908 house 14+ years ago [waves to old GWers]. Then as now there were a lot of white subway tile backsplashes -- and I was certainly not the only one who was encouraged to "go there."

    But I knew it wasn't right for me.* I'd encourage your wife to listen to her gut about the green (and you to listen to her, ha). There's a reason that white subway is not already on your walls!

    If you want another custom place to consider, Pratt & Larson tile (Oregon) has many stunning green glazes in everything from rustic matte to high-gloss crackle. They'll try to match to samples, but they're very clear that weather conditions when your order is being made ultimately determine your glaze color. So you can't be minutely fixated on a shade.

    * I ended up with a blue/green iridescent mosaic instead. There are many things I'd do differently with this kitchen but the backsplash isn't one of 'em! It makes me happy literally every time I pass it.

  • 8 years ago

    Years ago, Nate Berkus did a kitchen for Kirstie Alley on Oprah. He did green tile and I loved it. Google it to see. I like the grassier green tiles, not the minty ones--those seem more like 50s kitsch to me. I also love the kitchen above tagged San Jose. I think that tile color has been discontinued, but it is a beautiful look. If you love green, go for it. I would bet that going a bit grayer in the green you choose will still look really green, but won't feel overwhelming.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I am now understanding why changing the wall color (ugh - more work for me...) would be needed with the green...but to what tone / color family? Also, there is a wall with a 8' opening separating the adjoining living room. The walls in that room are the cream color. If we also have to change those walls it ain't happening...

    Thanks for the feedback, folks. This is very helpful. I actually like the marble mosaic from above, but my wife not as much...I do feel we may be getting unstuck...

  • 8 years ago

    It's not a given that you'd have to change the yellow walls -- yellow and green is a classic combo and many, many greens work well with your particular shade.


    I'd focus on seeking tile samples and see what resonates.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    One of my all time faves and very well liked here is the Hydrangea tile by fireclay.

    http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3987280/fireclay-glass-backsplash-sneak-peek

  • 8 years ago

    My kitchen is quite different from yours but I have a green backsplash. It's been several years and I still love it. I used Trikeenan tile, two of their glazes were my finalists after about a year of interviewing candidates from many brands, colorways, etc. Trikeenan had the non-machine made look I wanted without being too rustic. I went with Moon Shadow glaze, my other contender was Birch Beer. Both are soft greens, that complement the green fields and forests outside my windows.

    I think a soft green will look dynamite in your kitchen and I think you can find a green that works with cream, though it is easy to paint. Is the photo of your room showing the paint color accurately, it looks quite yellow as opposed to cream on my monitor- but monitors vary greatly.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Raven, I love hydrangea too, but I don't think glass is necessarily right in this space.

    The walls appear yellow, not cream. There are plenty of greens and blues that go with yellow (below), but again, consider less saturated hues of the colors you like. Or else paint the walls.

    This is Fireclay Tile in Aqua installed:

  • 8 years ago

    A few options. I'm showing mostly Fireclay colors because I have the full list of glazes handy. You can get samples from them and then find tiles from other sources which are close, if you like.

    Fireclay Hydrangea

    Fireclay Moonstone:

    Fireclay Aqua:

    Fireclay Celandon:

    Fireclay Basil:

    Mini star and cross in tusk (not sure of scale), shows texture

    Ming sunflower:

    Subway in tusk:

    Good luck!

  • 8 years ago

    Ob2be, you are awesome!

  • 8 years ago

    uh, holy crap. How did you do that????????????


    going to show this to the Mrs...

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Between the green cabinet thread I read yesterday, this thread, and the mud brown Wisconsin landscape outside my window and covering my horses, I'm about ready to spraypaint every surface in my house green!

    I like the ming tile here, fwiw. I keep trying to stir up interest in Winchester Tile. They have some yellow based green tiles that might be interesting with your wood top and cream walls. This is just one from their Classic collection. The photo doesn't do it justice. They have dealers around the country. They also have other greens, including some more blue green tones and minty. www.winchestertiles.com

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I am biased. I love green and I think your backsplash in green would be striking. If you love it, you will never tire of it. I really like the more saturated green in the photo you show. If the walls conflict after tiling, then paint them.

  • 8 years ago

    Oh I think the ming in the mock up looks really good.

    The walls look very yellow on my monitor also but it is impossible to tell true colors to me on monitors. Every device I have shows different colors.

    If in reality the walls are cream and not yellow that would make it easier to go with some colors. Try taking pictures different times of the day. Seeing the tile interactions with the light in the room is essential.

    It's such a pretty kitchen!

  • 8 years ago

    Depending on the focal point of the photo, cameras tend to adjust lighting in other parts of the frame, not always correctly. Esp. wall color. I'd take a pic closer to the wall, maybe with a few other things in the frame to give context and balance. You can then do a minor color balance adjustment in something easy like Photos on a Mac so that it looks right to you. Then post it for us. I understand cream has yellow or gold in it, but your walls do read yellow (and peach) in your photos.

  • 8 years ago

    I like the ming (mpagmom's is one of my all time favs) and the hydrangea!

  • 8 years ago

    I like the fireclay tusk that oldbat2be posted. You could add color with counter items.

  • 8 years ago

    Hey guys..not at home right now, but the Sherwin Williams color on the walls is "cachet cream". When I put it up, the running joke for the entire paint project was, "wow...i'm having a hankering for something...sweet...and orange-like...but with vanilla in the middle. Creamsicle!!!"

    However, after it dried, it mellowed into something more creamy / yellow. It definitely has a yellow tint in the natural light. When we painted the walls, we didn't know what the backsplash was going to be, so it was more of a 'guess' seeing as though we'd either get it right or have to paint it again...and it is sooooo much easier to paint with no flooring, etc. in the room...

    Here is a link to the color:


    Sherwin Williams Cachet Cream

  • 8 years ago

    I was reading this thread for about 10 minutes while eating my dinner, before I realized that my kitchen walls are creamy yellow ( beach haven by Benjamin Moore. and my granite is a grayish green. My floor tiles are grayish green. My cabinets are mahogany. White trim no the windows. It works for me. I guess I don't even notice it anymore. I didn't know I was out of style. It really depends on what color and intensity of green.. I think the morning fog works well.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Perhaps taking one of the colors from SW suggested coordinating colors is a safe option....having a hard time envisioning green with that color of paint.

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    Perhaps a more subtle green?

    Your paint:

  • 8 years ago

    hey folks...just wanted to post and say we've put this on hold for a bit; i think we were starting to rush it to get on the contractor's calendar, so we're going to take our time, order more samples, etc. I want to thank everybody. We will post progress as it takes place...

  • 8 years ago

    Trikeenan tile was one of my favorites. The finish was a really lovely matte crackle. (We went with Fireclay Basil; VERY green!)