Any ideas for a new backsplash around an existing tile panel?

amdg1966

13 years ago

I have an old craftsman home and the previous owner said the relief tile on the wall behind the stove was a Batchelder, original to the home. It's Old Mother Hubbard and her dog. 12"x12". We're redoing our kitchen and I've always hated the backsplash ( sand colored subway tiles). They're boring and the grand old Batchelder is lost as it is the same color.
I am looking for backsplash ideas that a) will contrast with and complement that tile and b) look like they could be Batchelder /Claycraft.( I want some variety of size in the field tile)

I'm open to any and all color suggestions but am favoring blue/green. I like the mottled look in tiles- not a solid color.

Featured Answer

feeny

13 years ago

last modified: 13 years ago

I would choose a matte finish square hand-made field tile in that typical green or blue green that you often see in pottery from the Arts and Crafts Movement. Matawi Tileworks makes them, as do some other Arts and Crafts potters. I agree with Maison that a frame of smaller tile around the antique one (maybe in 2" squares?) would be ideal.

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Comments (13)

amdg1966
Original Author
13 years ago
I'm also considering this color scheme for field tiles:
brickln
13 years ago
Love the color, but if you want the tile to stand out, a uniform background is best, I think. Maybe textured glass or metal tiles around the stove?
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Maison Pompeii Antiques and Interiors
13 years ago
How nice that you have a tile original to the house.You seem to already be set on what you want so you just have to find the right thing. So many on this site dont have any idea but you do and that is great as it is easier to help you. I assume that the old tile is just one in the center of the backsplash. I would add a thin pencil tile boarder one tile away in a different color around the antique tile. In other words frame it with a" mat and frame", thus the field tile can then be anything you want. I would try to stay as simple as possible so that this great tile stands out. Also what you choose will depend on the cabinet color and counter top color etc.
PRO
A Crew of Two
13 years ago
I hope these inspire you.
Historic home kitchen · More Info

Hand-painted Fireplace · More Info

Symmetry Ceramic Art Tile - Ann Sacks Tile & Stone · More Info

Glace Glass Tile - Ann Sacks Tile & Stone · More Info

Trail Mix Wood Tiles · More Info
PRO
Maison Pompeii Antiques and Interiors
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
And I agree with feeny that using a color from the pottery of the era like the colors and finish used on Newcomb, or Van Briggle would be ideal. If your kitchen is large enought you can use a decortive tile from that era on a different wall for interest. Yes I thought the 2" tile and then the pencil molding.
feeny
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I couldn't find one using the greens or blues you like, but here are a couple of Craftsman kitchens with darker tiles in that style. If Arts and Crafts ceramic tiles are out of your price range, square slate tiles could also work for a similar aesthetic effect:
Craftsman Kitchen · More Info

Craftsman Inspired Kitchen · More Info
feeny
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
Encore Ceramics also makes some crackle and matte field tiles that I think might work:
http://encoreceramics.com/crackles/
amdg1966
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you all.
The small tile around it to frame it is a great idea! I had thought of using other decorative tiles on the other walls of the kitchen, too. Think I should try to find originals. They'll probably cost more than the rest of the tile but hey, I'm a Pasadena native and the Arts&Craft era of design is home to me. I'll scrimp somewhere else!
Any leads on dealers of old tiles would be appreciated!
feeny
13 years ago
And here's a link to a Craftsman series of tiles, handmade in California:
http://www.tile-shop.com/products/craftsman/craftsman.html
tgmoon
11 years ago
You've probably moved on, but Tile Restoration Center created historic reproduction Batchelder tiles. tilerestorationcenter.com
tom192
11 years ago
I agree with Feeny. Matte finish square tile would look more attractive. You can also go through this link http://www.eskandaristone.com/ for more ideas regarding backsplashes.
PRO
Barnhart Gallery
11 years ago
Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard To fetch her poor dog a bone, But when she got there, the cupboard was bare, And so the poor dog had none. She went to the baker's To buy him some bread, But when she came back He stood on his head. She went to the market To buy him some fish, But when she got back, He was licking the dish. She went to the farm shop To buy him some fruit, But when she got back He was playing the flute. She went to the tailor' To buy him a coat, But when she came back He was riding a goat. She went to the hatter's To buy him a hat, But when she came back He was feeding the cat. She went to the barber's To buy him a wig, But when she came back He was dancing a jig. She went to the cobbler's To buy him some shoes, But when she came back He was reading the news. She went to the seamstress To buy him some linen, But when she came back The dog was a-spinning. The dame made a curtsy, The dog made a bow, The dame said, "Your servant," The dog said “Bow wow!”

So, amdg1966...do you have a dog? You're getting lots of good advice re tile already...I could see having a lot of fun with this!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/213278887/good-boy-gold-dog-print-vintage-dog?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=dog+standing+on+head&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

https://www.etsy.com/listing/184832509/instant-digital-download-printable-dog?ref=sr_gallery_3&ga_search_query=dog+playing+flute&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery

https://www.etsy.com/listing/169238051/dog-riding-goat-vintage-dictionary-art?ref=sr_gallery_2&ga_search_query=dog+on+a+goat&ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery