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trish_walter

I think I picked a backsplash. Thoughts?

5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

I've been struggling with backsplash for my open kitchen.

I'm afraid to wait to long because then it never gets done [past house put temporary beadboard when remodeled and when moved 10 years later still there ha ha]...

don't want too busy or plain white...

saw this and 'swoon'...is it too gray? it's 2x8 elongated marble hexagon. obviously i'll seal before and after grout. will that be too high maintenance [especially behind cooktop?]

ADDING FINISHED PICTURE TO SHOW NOT SPLOTCHY CONCRETE....



I THINK THIS WAS WET FROM SEALER IN PICTURE SORRY..


Here's my kitchen:



Should I also do the coffee station area [with open shelves]...to bottom of first shelf or even w/top of cabinet ?



would love your thoughts.

Comments (34)

  • 5 years ago

    Beautiful kitchen. Can you tell me more about your cabinetry? Particularly your island. What’s the wood and stain, and we’re they made by a major cabinetry line? Thanks. Did you go with soapstone counters? Very nice.

    I think the backsplash is swooning over is pretty, but I think something with a light color would add to the space nicely. Perhaps something in a light green or blue.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Eh, not loving that tile, but I'm not a fan of pure gray. If you really want marble, I think a Calacatta Gold/oro would look better and tie in with the warmer colors of your island, floors and stools.

    Your kitchen is pretty neutral, so you could do something more unique.

  • 5 years ago

    I love your kitchen! Do you have a better picture of the tile? From what I see, i think there’s something better out there for your kitchen.
    Hopefully @Beth H sees this post and chimes in with some unique ideas

  • 5 years ago

    You have a lovely kitchen. I am not a fan of the tile in the photo that you show....the mix seems off (too patchy with dark gray spots, then lighter spots), and I don’t like the direction that the tile is being laid. So....I would keep looking.

  • 5 years ago

    You’ve been struggling to find the right backsplash...and then you found something that made you swoon. And it matches totally well with your kitchen.

    Trust your gut.

    Do not overthink this.

    Go for it.

  • 5 years ago

    More gray?

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I like the glassy look of it and the shape but agree that it is a little splotchy, I would want it more evenly put up. I really love the reflective qualities of this backsplash.


  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Here is a picket fence white marble.

    Also, I did a bad mock-up of the gray tile.


  • 5 years ago

    It’s so very gray. And the size and shape looks bathroom-y.

  • 5 years ago

    It looks like splotchy concrete wall to me in those pics. Pass.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    lol...ok...majority hate. ha ha.

    i think it is wet in that pic[has dividers and sealer on the tile i think]..my bad for adding that one and not including the 'finished' look.

    here's another...same kitchen but finished



    still no? lol

    I like picket tile but only horizontal. vertical bothers me for some reason. I also like Hex and was searching for a larger Hex when I came across this one...


    don't really want to commit to color...i like to accessorize with color ....

    but i do love the one you posted @K H

    thanks for the mockup @User looks bad. lol...

    @Muriel Thompson cabinets were custom by a local shop. If you're in Indy, Kline in Maxwell. They were awesome. The Island is Rustic Hickory and he made a custom stain for me [did a mock door with several stains for me to pick].

  • 5 years ago

    ^^ Ok, well that looks a whole heck of a lot different than your other pics! Based on that photo I think it's quite nice, especially with the dark wood trim and shelves as a contrast.

  • 5 years ago

    I like the tile!

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    one i posted in OP is Carrara.

    they also have calacatta which might read 'warmer' but more $



  • 5 years ago

    Well to the person that said "more gray". Her kitchen isn't all gray and gray happens to be a neutral. Trisha also said she likes to decorate with color. White or gray is a nice backdrop for any color. If you like it go for it.

  • 5 years ago

    I gotta say, that first phot you posted of the tile (ungrouted/unfinished) did not show it off to best effect. And that kitchen doubled- and tripled-down on the gray, which was not a good look (to my eye; obviously you saw the potential in the tile despite that). The grouted tile in the sink photo looks decidedly better than in the ungrouted photo, partly because grout but also the tiles look lighter and more even in color. The ungrouted has quite a lot of variation in tile color from almost white to a pretty dark gray, and the way the tiles are bunched in the ungrouted pit is contributing to the "blotchy" look (also the variation within individual tiles).

    I don't think it's bathroomy and I do think a tile like this could work. But maybe you can find something similar with less color variation. I think a bit warmer color would also tie in with your island better, too.


  • 5 years ago

    2 more ideas.

    I have a sample of this and it looks pretty.

    4x4 Montauk in Gin




    Here's more of a hex with the calacatta



  • 5 years ago

    Here it is again with the dry tile. :) Looks better. As suggested, I would bet a large sample to make sure that the grays do not clash with your cabinet color.



    Trish Walter thanked User
  • 5 years ago

    It does look better in the updated picture but you may find the warmer calacatta matches better. Get large samples for sure

  • 5 years ago

    To the person who said gray is a neutral, so is blue or green.

    And granted her whole kitchen isn’t gray; instead it would become white, brown black and gray.

    My question is why is everyone so afraid of a neutral color like a blue or green?

  • 5 years ago

    "My question is why is everyone so afraid of a neutral color like a blue or green?"

    Not me! I'm one of the ones who often suggests blue or green. But, I took it she did wanted feedback on that particular backsplash. But yea -- countless kitchens posted on the board sorely lack color, even a soft color can add a touch of pizzazz for the color-terrified.

  • 5 years ago

    I like it. Calacatta...meh. I like the classic Cararra. Check the color with a good grouted sample board before you commit. And check how easy it is to stain and to clean. It'll etch when you toss vinegar around. And it'll still look good.


    If you go with a lower maintenance tile (I was thinking "because I sure would", but remembered I put in a slab of marble for a backsplash in a previous kitchen so never mind), I think you should keep in mind that one neat feature of this tile installed sideways--errr I mean horizontally :P --is how it will lay under your window. Maybe look extra hard at long skinny tiles.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    I like it and I think it works. However, I never order online as I find that the samples they show and the product you receive can be VERY different. I'd try to find the same thing in a store where you can see it and be able to return it, if it doesn't look like the sample.

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    I had a color in my old house long past when I stopped enjoying that color and it forced me to continue with a limited 'palette'.

    My personal opinion is that green or blue are not neutral colors nor are some greys. So I am choosing more basic colors for my 'backdrop' if you will. [those items I personally deem permanent, large furniture pieces granite cabinets counter].

    I do lean blue and green currently in art accessories and some walls [items I deem easy to change] but don't want to commit for 10 years to those colors in my 'backdrop'.


    fyi, using descriptions like 'scared' 'terrified' etc. aren't really appropriate.

    Thanks for feedback. I appreciate all opinions. Off to order samples.

  • 5 years ago

    I too find wall paint and accessories to be a better place for color--things I can easily redo on my own. I had a pink kitchen once. Even after painting the pink walls, the counters were still pink. Not Good.


    (Pay no attention to my current very green and not a bit neutral backsplash.)

  • 5 years ago

    I like both the picket tile and the square tile. I do not like the hex tile you posted. Show us when it’s finished!

  • 5 years ago

    I don't think the gray looks right with your other white, black, and brown colors. Have you considered a softly patterned black and white tile for the back splash? That would keep it neutral and still allow you to decorate in whatever colors you choose. Your other finishes are simple enough that a pattern could be nice. Another option to keep it simpler would be white tiles, in any shape, but with black grout to tie in with your countertops.

  • 5 years ago

    I love the original in Carrera!! It is beautiful!

  • 5 years ago

    You could always buy twice as much tile as you expect to need and sort through it to throw out the darkest and blotchiest tiles.

  • 5 years ago

    love the finished elongated 2x8 tile it is very pretty in the carrera and would go well with your cabinet finishes.

  • 5 years ago

    That 2x8 elongated hex is fugly color and shape for your gorgeous kitchen.

    A stone-like white-ish would look much better. @chispa.

  • 4 years ago

    Beautiful!!

    Trish Walter thanked mcpherson007
  • 4 years ago

    Love it!