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sasgen

Wrong backsplash for bathroom

7 years ago

Hi all,

we just installed backsplash in our kids bathroom. I picked a lovely tile with silver pendants and purplish sparkles to match the granite. Now that it is installed it looks so very brown. The grey and purple blended in and got a bit lost.

Is this doable with some grey morter, a Schuter edging, and the right paint or did I blow it?


Any help would be appreciated. I’m starting to think my coordinating skills are broken.

Comments (16)

  • PRO
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    I honestly will say the obvious. It bears no relationship to your counter top at all. Sorry, nothing will "fix" it. Your flooring, which seems VERY warm beige is in competition with the cooler gray top..The tile made sense with the FLOOR.......and not with the top. So.......I would say you are in a bit of a pickle. WAH. Either way......... I think a big fix may be in order.

    Your best bet may be to change the top, a simple and warm plain almost CHARCOAL gray ......

    Either way, you must paint out the base under the vanity to blend, O get a toe kick match for the vanity. Aurrgggh.................wish you had asked before is all "we" can say. You "blew" the ask for help part, that is for sure.

  • 7 years ago

    The floor will be out soon. I will be askbig for advice before reinstalling. Here is a pic of the backsplash. I see a lot more grey, black, purple close up. the granite cannot be removed and though it would be a pain I guess my backsplash can be


  • 7 years ago

    Can you get granite to match the top for the backsplash?

  • 7 years ago
    I wouldn't tear the backsplash out. Paint the white trim under the vanity the same color as the vanity. Install brushed nickel hardware on the vanity. Once you install a mirror and other accessories, it will all come together.
  • PRO
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    May I ask if you saw an actual sample of the tile before you purchased, or did you just see the photo online and order it? If the latter, here's some advice for future reference: never pick colors for materials based on digital images. First, you never know how good the photography/lighting was to begin with. Second, every computer monitor's color calibration is different. Colors can be "off" by a lot. For example, I'm looking at your "sample" photo you posted above, and I see zero purple highlights in that picture.

    As for fixing it, I agree with Jan. The tile works with the floor, but not the counter. You have two options, neither of which are inexpensive: (1) reselect tile that will work with your salt & pepper counters. If you do that, you should consider changing out your floor tile and, presumably, your shower surround tile. Or (2) replace the counter top with a warmer color that is less busy so it doesn't compete with your backsplash. You might be able to get away with ordering a half-slab given how small the area is you're covering. Caesarstone and a couple of other vendors make half-slabs in limited colors.

  • 7 years ago

    Thanks guys! I’m going to uninstall the backsplash right now. Hoping I can reuse elsewhere later. I had a sample but they are so small. I do not think I am allowed to make design decisions anymore...seriously.

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Glad you're removing the backsplash. Besides the color, the other issue is that the multi colored mosaic tile is waaaay too busy with the granite. Pick a solid colored, simple backsplash.

  • 7 years ago

    I have no back splash at all in my bathroom. 10+ years later, the paint looks fine. There really isn't a lot of water that gets back there.

  • 7 years ago

    I encountered the same problem when we gave our kitchen a facelift years ago. My granite countertop and backsplash tiles looked great together at the stone yard. Unfortunately they looked way too busy once installed. I ended up ripping out the backsplash the very same day it was installed. I replaced it with a simple tile. So glad I did it!

  • 7 years ago

    I think Im realizing the beauty of simple. The tile backsplash is gone & the morter was not even dried. Phew. So I’m thinking perhaps a very simple glass backsplash. I have not thought about floor options quite yet as I have a few things in line ahead of it but it will not be there too long.

    Yes, live and learn. I feel better already.

  • 7 years ago

    The floor decision could affect the backsplash. I suggest you get some idea before installing another splash here.

  • 7 years ago

    Good for you,@sasgen.Removing that backsplash was,by far, your best option.

  • 7 years ago

    Is it possible to have a basksplash made from the same granite as your countertop? That would be my choice. Keep it simple and classy.

  • 7 years ago

    Are you replacing the floor tile because you have to or you don't think it works with the granite? Unless it's my monitor, I see some warmer tones in your granite but the backsplash is throwing it off. Can you post a closer pic of the backsplash?

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    "The floor will be out soon. I will be askbig for advice before reinstalling"...........................