Need help with backsplash color

6 years ago

Please help with advice on backsplash color. These ivory cabinets & busy granite will be the death of me. :( I'm attaching several photos. The first is the original backsplash (like a taupe/gray). It didn't really match the counters & the busy design clashed with the busy granite. We knew we were going to replace it, so we decided to use it as a pallet to paint a couple different colors to see what it would look like on a big scale with the cabinets & counters. We tried picking up one of the lighter colors in the granite & match the cabinets so it's a good flow (see subway tile in photo - we were considering that simple tile with a matching grout). But that seemed kind of boring/stark, so we tried putting a grayish blue on the wall to match the decor in the rest of our house (kitchen is open to living room). That didn't work out either because it drew attention to the difference in color between the ivory cabinets & white crown molding. We then tried a lighter blue (no photo) which was the same issue, so we went back to the original (Revere Pewter, which is what our whole main open area is). Then for the backsplash we tried to pick up one of the darker colors in the granite, but wasn't sure if that is too dark for a kitchen. Thanks so much for any advice. :)

Note- I know the granite looks slightly different, depending if I used flash or not. The flash seems to bring out the peach in it. It does have a somewhat peachy undertone, but not as bad as the flash portrays.

Featured Answer

PRO

Massey Interiors

6 years ago

Whatever color tile you go with I would use much larger tiles. The current tiles have so many grout lines, paired with the busyness of the granite, it’s way too much.

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Comments (9)

chloebud
6 years ago
Hi Shawn, I think you had the right idea choosing the lightest color from the granite that blends with the cabinets. To my (non pro) eye it would not be boring. Keep it simple so it doesn't clash with the pattern in the granite. The backsplash color in your 4th photo looks really good, at least on my monitor. A simple subway tile would be nice. You can add color with accessories if you're concerned with boring.
Shawn Grauer thanked chloebud
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jbtanyderi
6 years ago
Put a band of light colour between the cabinet tops and the crown moulding.
PRO
Anglophilia
6 years ago
I'd bite the bullet and get new countertops. You're throwing good money after bad on a countertop you dislike.
Shawn Grauer
Original Author
6 years ago
Massey Interiors-- do you mean larger than standard subway tiles?
PRO
Massey Interiors
6 years ago
Yes, an oversized tile is what I would go with but make sure you can get a minimum of 3 rows below the cabinet. But I also agree with Anglophilia, if you hate the counters, wait a little longer until you can get them replaced as well.
RedRyder
6 years ago
IF you keep the counters, then I agree with chloebud. A creamy white, larger tile is the right look. Have you considered a longer subway tile? You need to look for simple if you keep that countertop as it steals a lot of attention. If there is any way you can save your pennies, I’d go with a new countertop AND backsplash at the same time. It would dramatically change your kitchen.
Shawn Grauer thanked RedRyder
Shawn Grauer
Original Author
6 years ago
Unfortunately we have to keep the counters. There is so much counter space, the minimum quote we got for anything decent was $5,000. And $7,500 for the one I wanted. :( We're on a 7 year plan with this house, so it's really difficult to justify. :-/ We're going to go with a creamy white, larger subway tile. Thank you so much for the advice. Can I ask advice about the wall color? Should we keep it as Revere Pewter to flow with the rest of the house? Or would a color help (please see photos above where the color (at least the blue pallet) was drawing terrible attention to the difference between creamy cabinets & white crown molding.. making the cabinets look yellow).
PRO
Massey Interiors
6 years ago
Unfortunately, it is impossible to pick shades over the internet, too many variables. Revere Pewter is a beautiful color but if you want help with shades I would hire a decorator, a color consult is very affordable.
Shawn Grauer thanked Massey Interiors