What does fared mean?

Do you mean you let your contractor pick out your backsplash? I think we need pictures.

How stupid was I right!

We really need pics, but if it is as bad as you say, I'd change it rather than live with something you hate. Have him pull it out and replace with something you love.

^^^sums it up.

(never heard of someone letting their contractor pick out their bsckspkash tho; how did that convo go?)

It was actually my husbands fault. I’m trying to attach pics. are they showing up

No pics that I can see. If you're on a laptop, I find it easiest to save pics to my desktop, then use the photo icon below the message box to insert them. Don't try to add them to your original message.

ok let me try again!

He used a travertine subway tile. Unfortunately, the tile is a warm shade and your counter comes across as being a cool color, so the two just do not look good together. I am curious as to how you allowed a back splash to be installed without seeing it first.

mu Condo is in Florida. I live in Michigan. my husband is actually the one who told him subway tile. i need to change it. It’s driving me nuts

Oh ya, you're right, that's bad. It will probably cost you, but I'd eat it and have it taken out. The good news is that you're also right about the counter and faucet being lovely.

Thank you

That's exactly the type of tile I'd expect a guy to pick out. Men love stones.

The granite is gorgeous.

Mayflowers.. I resemble that statement... lol

To dark for my taste and I resemble a man.. Sticking with Subway tile I would have gotten a few different color samples to give a better idea of what would work best. Pure white would be to much with the white cabinets and beige/tan paint. I would look at a softer white such as Brine to start and work me way toward the darker shades.

Huge plus. It appears as if the installer did a great job installing the tile.. I would keep him in mind if I were going to do a color change..

It looks like the installer did a great job installing the tile and I'm sure he thought he's making a safe choice when he picked the color. The truth is, it doesn't go well with this countertop. They should have consulted you, sent you photos of different choices, and then start the job. I think marble backsplash would go lovely with the countertop although it would be helpful to see the rest of the kitchen, too. Regardless, it would be best if you could pick the tile personally and, needless to say, this backsplash should be removed.

I agree with chispa. If the old tile is removed and wall repaired you can have the new tile installed in two days- and you will know it is what you want.

I agree with everything that's been said so far, with particular emphasis on ripping it out now, but not replacing it until you can be there to pick something out, and also oversee the installation.

Also, even if that travertine did look OK (which it doesn't), travertine is not a good choice for a backsplash. It etches, has a lot of nooks and crannies, has holes in it as a natural part of the stone. Just not gonna do what a backsplash is supposed to do, which is be easily wipeable when things splash on it.

Or you can just have the backsplash covered with the same material as your countertop without ripping everything out . They can cut it to size and put it over the existing tiles. ..yes you may loose an inche of space ..but I think it's easier and will look better.

Or you can just have the backsplash covered with the same material as your countertop without ripping everything out

I am sorry, I do not agree with Silviakunst's post above for a number of reasons. Covering your travertine tile backsplash with more of your granite slab will be awkward-looking, and expensive. Granite is pretty thick as a backsplash on its own, much less covering an already-thick travertine brick backsplash. How would you fit it behind the sink and around the window. And trying to find your exact granite that won't have differences from your counter will be hard. It's also impractical - will you have to buy an entire slab for the backsplash, or do you think you'll get lucky and find a large enough remnant. And travertine has an uneven surface to apply a granite slab to. I don't think this would be an "easier" thing to do at all.

Wlll my contractor did suggest I tile over since it could possibly hurt the granite or sink. He suggests he tile over with a plain subway tile rather than the travertine..posibly in that Brine color mule meat suggested. I am leaning on going that way - he is extremely good at tiling over as that is what he did to my floor and it looks gorgeous. It was my fault for not saying I did not like the tile at first. I'm not good at remodeling.... :(

In defense of your husband/contractor, there are plenty of people who have installed travertine on their own and didn’t realize that it has red undertones. Then panicked and posted on Houzz! ;) I agree removing the tile and waiting until you are down in Florida to choose a new option.

He is also suggesting I do just a border tile to pull together - not sure that would do it though...

I think the tile work is nicely done but not to my taste. I would find a tile you love. There are so many tiles and so little time or places to put them you will find the right one. Give yourself time to see it in the right light and play around with the best options for yourself. I like your counters. Very pretty.

Thank you - I will keep looking...

No, a border tile is not going to work. Pick a subway tile that is a color in the slab. Cream or gray and use a darker grout. Don't let them pick it out. Maybe go long and straight for a modern look. Remove the backsplash carefully and the tops and sink will be fine. You may have some drywall damage that is easily repaired to tile over.

how does anyone feel about him tiling over the travertine? with say a subway tile?

no do not tile over the travertine. there really is no reason to do that. The old backsplash can be easily removed

I think tiling over tile will be a bigger mess to clean up down the road if you want to change the tile. People used to do that with wallpaper and then they had layers and layers to remove. Start fresh and clean, remove the old stuff or disliked stuff and put in new and beautiful for a smooth finish.

another argument against tiling over the travertine is it’ll intrude into the space behind your faucet - which looks a bit tight already

agree with others to change it and not to tile over it. there is nothing wrong with travertine but in this case you have a warm tile with a cool counter.

you need a "cool" color for the tile. the easiest thing to do is pick a color from the counter and use that for the b/s. it doesn't have to be subway, can use any shape.

i hate to pile on but your paint color is a warm tone and it really doesn't match with your counters. it does match your existing b/s, so that could have been one reason why it was chosen.

i sympathize doing this from afar, its so incredibly difficult. good luck the rest of the way!!! im sure it will be fab when finished:)

I have told him to remove and repaint!!

Sounds good, but hopefully not the same paint color. Which is again too warm for the tops.

No a different color for sure.

Try DE Crisp Muslin.

Paint!?

Yes. Its a soft neutral taupe that will look great with the stone countertops. And looks good with just about anything.

You have such lovely taste....I bet you condo will be beautiful. Another (possible) drawback of tiling over....isn't tile kinda heavy? Two layers seems like a bad idea (but I'm no expert!)

The countertop stone and cabs and faucet are so pretty.

Here it is.

You all are so helptful!! thank you - paint color it is and will have him remove tile!!