Yes, already very dated. Either use white subway or if Carrera is making your heart sing, do Carrera subway tiles. I got mine at carreratiles.com. They're great to work with and beautifully consistent color tiles, something that rarely happens.

I'm not a fan of mosaics.

I looked at those and decided that the reflection of all those narrow lines on my counters would drive my nuts.

You have a beautiful counter that already as a small pattern on it - don't clutter the look.

Here's the mistake you didn't make - you didn't buy boxes of tile that you never saw with the rest of your materials. As far as I'm concerned, you're doing everything right... except for that tile. I would steer clear of mosaic sheets, and of actual stone. Bring home some white and grey, or even blue or green subway tile samples and see how they make you feel.

I don't care if it's dated--I'm pretty sure marble subway is already dated and I don't care about that either.

I like it. I am not sure about the reflections though. I do have a problem with this sort of mosaic: the seams are always apparent!

I have honed marble subway tile - far more subtle - no shine/reflection.

Hmmm this thread is confusing me

advice goes from mosaic is dated go with subway or stone subway

steer clear of stone

marble subway is dated

really??

Not trying to hijack the thread but was thinking of doing marble subway myself

it's dated? The subway or the marble? or both?

Would NOT do that carrara mozaic.

Beautiful countertop, would not pick something that competes with it.

marble --- not dated

subway tile --- not dated (yet, but it'll soon date your BS as either 1916 or 2016)

mosaic --- dated

larger size tile --- depends, but it's coming back

I think the mosaic look that looks more dated to kitchen...observers/lovers is the boxier, linear, mixed glass and stone, often with some iridescent pieces mixed in, or multicolor linear mosaic tile.

I would not call the mosaic in this thread dated, partly because of it's shapes which are very thin and long, and because it's marble. I like it for this kitchen. Make sure your installer knows to stagger the rows so you don't get a zipper effect if you use it.

Thank you to all who gave their opinion. Here is a pic - inspiration photo, of why I thought it would work. I really like the look of it all put together. Thoughts?

It works. I like it.

It's trendy, but it is also essentially one color which makes it more subtle than the multicolor versions. It's not automatically a bad thing to be able to identify when something was done. Not everything done in 2017 is going to be automatically ugly in 2024. (Well to some people it would be because that's how they work).

If you like the way it looks and you think you will continue to like how it looks, use it.

I was so so so against this and then took a closer look at your second inspiration picture. Are those of the same space?! First image is blah and doesn't show much - the countertops are covered. In the second picture, the lights and cabinetry were changed out...those lights have got to be Varaluz:) It looks fabulous and has excellent under cabinet lighting. Will you have the same lighting and are you willing to post better pictures of your space (you show a very small part).

I do like your last inspiration pic. I don't like traditional mosaic tile but this is different, I think. I think of it as linear, modern. The last pic has light grout, I wonder how this would look with the darkest shade in the marble, would think it would help showcase the pattern better?

I think it looks very pretty! If you love it, use it.

I love seeing inspiration photos. Still a fan, and ^^ what palimpsest said.

I really like your second inspiration photo. I like the tile you've picked and think it will look good with your counter.

I like it a lot in the inspiration! White or marble rectangles has been the expected backsplash in white kitchens with black counters since 2007 (when Something's gotta give was made). I am tired of it to the point that my orginal 1920 subway tile no longer makes me as happy as it did before it was on trend.

I say go with something subtly unexpected. it is no more dated than the subway tile trend from ten years ago and it looks very pretty as opposed to the ho hum ubiquitous white subway....

I like second inspiration pic too.

But I have to say: it's a high end kitchen allover. Beautiful cabinetry with inset(or how this style is called) drawers and doors, beautiful finishes on faucet etc, and the stone is photo-ed in a way that is hard to see to which extent it is busy, or what kind of movement it has ..they even finished the electrical outlets in something marble look-alike?

So..the impression is nice of course. The question is-is your granite more or less the same as theirs, in terms of movement? Is theirs granite at all? Will it all come together like in your inspiration pic? I'd be less preoccupied with "dated" vs "timeless" because to me, it either works in the overall concept or doesn't, and is always related to that general concept. (of course I have my preferences, and a lot of these too lol..but if it works it works) I'd be more preoccupied with one stone with movement next to another stone with movement. Will they be good partners or will they argue too much? Is there too much ..linearity going on with the mosaic? Is it just right?

But. As experience and these forums taught me-you're there and you see things I can't see because you're there..you can evaluate your space and things in it more correctly, you see better how the materials relate to each other, you know your light, you plainly know more about your kitchen.

So. Think in terms of your space. Try to put this "dated" thing aside-some styles you'd never find appealing, some you always will. And there always be exceptions to every rule, whether everybody's or your own. You need to decide whether here, in your particular case, you're after the rule or after the exception (whatever it means). Sometimes both work:)

I think the biggest problem you will have using this is getting uniformity. A few months ago, I watched a couple at Lowes trying to purchase something similar. The sheets in the same box varied tremendously. They had a guy with that huge power lift bringing down box after box to find ones that matched...and then the manager came and told them they could not do this, even though each sheet was priced individually. They had to buy a whole box and just discard what didn't match. Made a low priced item suddenly very pricey.

Subway tile reminds me of hospital bathrooms, dirty subways and old houses. Don't understand the love for them. If anything is dated they certainly are! Mosaics are just too busy for most applications.I like your inspiration pics. I say just go with what YOU love.

What my eye is sticking on in your space, is that you're not pairing your mosaic with a simple black surface. Your counter appears to have more movement than the one in your inspiration image. I generally prefer the look of a quieter bs with a louder counter surface - but that's me. You get to do whatever you want, so the question is, do you like it?

Unless you are reselling, do what you like to look at and deal with (mosaic and tile have lots of grout lines). Do youbreally want a BS?

I liked it in your first pic, but I'm a real fan of texture. Make certain you have someone who knows their stuff. Correct mastic and grout and watch the seams! Nothing messes up a space more to me than the subliminal "off" of bad grout lines. Also, make certain it plays well with your cabinet white in all different lighting.

I'm also not a subway tile fan, knowing how filthy the London subway is. NYC? Forget a-bowt-it. However, here I've seen some really gorgeous beveled subway tiles which gave great refraction and texture.

Has "subway" become the generic name for any rectangle tile of that size? Just like any cupboard door with a raised, flat edge is now "Shaker?" I've even read "modified Shaker" for completely NOT Shaker doors.

I think yes.."subway" is used now to describe just about any tile that is 3 by 6

needless to say, these are all different depending on a manufacturer..some are plain, some are not due to the handmade nature. Having said that-ceramics is easier to make work than glass for example..in my opinion. Glass asks for handmade. Well I strongly prefer handmade anyway when possible, it's totally different in feel that it gives..but if not(our backsplash was truly very small so could afford handmade. still compromised btw))-ceramics is easier to get right at any price point.

DH has the same association with subway tile many people do..mostly public restrooms though (we're both were born and spent our childhood in former Soviet Union albeit different parts of it..so subway was VERY opulent and grand..huge mosaics and marble and whatnot..public restrooms were tiled)) I don't know why I didn't get that association growing in the same country..but anyway..handmade nature of the tile we eventually went with made it much easier on him to start liking it.

Thanks all for giving your opinion on my original tile choice. Made another trip to the tile shoppe and am trying this small Carrara in mesh backing. What do you think of this backsplash with steel gray granite? Thank you!

I like this small rectangular Carrara better than the linear one only because it's similiar to what I'm looking at :) lol

I'm not big on the linear but if you love it get it. My girlfriend did a white kitchen with a sold grey counter with the linear tile and when it was done she was a little bummed it wasn't a little more casual. I didn't say I agreed but with everything in her home it was a bit too modern. Almost cold feeling in that space. I don't mind modern elements but I guess I prefer more of a casual contemporary with some warmth whaterever that is lol.

I think opinions and advice come from experiences and differences in likes and dislikes. You can see it by the input reading thru this thread. no wonder there are so many d@mn choices! It can seriously make you crazy. and unlike eam44 I use to like busy counter tops with subtle backsplash but since I had that in my last kitchen now I prefer a less busy counter on the horizontal and bling on the backsplash for more of a visual vertical impact that can be easily seen when walking into the space. Also I love that I can change it out easier than a countertop when I change my mind and I will change my mind someday :) but again that's because of my experience and what I like now. Ultimately get what you like and makes you happy :)

I get tired of people saying something is dated.

Do YOU like it? Then it is not dated.

Now, opinions on how it will clash or not, you bet.. but dated is an opinion based on what others may think in 50 years.. who cares.

If you like it, go with it.

If it clashes.. then look at alternatives.

jmo.

R

Russ,

I agree with you 100%. Just like beauty is in the eye of beholder, so is the 'dated material' of any type:-)

I never understand who comes up with these types of things, what is dated and what is not dated. It is just ridiculous.

jmo.

Mindy