Help with kitchen backsplash

5 years ago

Backsplash. We are leaning towards getting a 4x16 ceramic wavy tile in white. This is our kitchen now (new white countertops). So I have two questions:

- is wavy a good look for kitchen? We like traditional or craftsman.

- is 4x16 too big for this space?

Kitchen now:

Samples on wall:

Samples: (color is more bright white on the stock photo)

Full kitchen (before we put in white countertops). Also we are changing the hardwood lighter and changing wood trim to white trim. To the left is an eat-in area.

Featured Answer

Beth H. :

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

4x16 is too big. in no way is that craftsman-like.

I even think this 4x12 is too large for this smaller sized kitchen.

How about if you did a glazed brick tile like this? gives you more of the craftsman vibe. see the Cadenza line listed below

to me, a 2x8, 2x10, 2.5X10, 3x9, are all the perfect sizes for a backsplash. Or, since everything is plain, what about a herringbone layout?

there are a million similar white subways tiles in all sorts of smaller sizes.

Tilebar has at least 20 of them. Have you looked there?

https://www.tilebar.com/collection/subway-tiles.html

Cadenza in Salt Cellar, pictured below. 2x9 size

check over here at these glazed brick-look tiles. grab some samples. you get 5 for $5

https://www.tilebar.com/cadenza-salt-cellar.html

they come in diff colors too.

Wales Gray, Tidewater, Thunder, and Cavier. ya know, that black one would look really nice w/the wood and black hardware.

if you look at Ivy Hill on Home Depot online, or even Wayfair, they carry a lot of the same tiles that Tilebar does.

like this one. it's a 2x10. perfect size (Newport on the Tilebar site)

so you have a white countertop, wood cabs (those? or something else) and you want white tile? what's going on the floor?

is this the look you want? white on white? this is a 3x6 tile size and wayyyy overdone. and boring

everything is very solid and plain. how about something w/a little color or design?

this is beautiful, and a lot more craftsman-looking

White Zellige tile in a 4x5. looks great w/the wood

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Comments (6)

HU-187528210
5 years ago
First of all. I say either way the backsplash should be last. Personally the tile looks large and not my favorite. But that’s me!! You gotta do you. I think you’d like a less wavy. But still antique/ handmade looking tile in a little bit smaller.
Diana Vance
Original Author
5 years ago
I wish we could find it smaller.
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Diana Vance
Original Author
5 years ago
We did not change our cabinets so they are the same as the photos. And that one boring photo you showed is pretty much exactly what we originally wanted. But we changed our mind cause I was bored. However we are also very safe so no color or anything trendy. I am thinking 3x6 herringbone but we do have a space that is only 5 inches high so I worry herringbone won't look good there. (See photo from when we moved in, before we put new countertops in).

But my husband and I cannot decide on anything. We have spent over a YEAR with it looking like this (half the old backsplash up) so we just need to decide.
Beth H. :
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
did you like the glazed brick on the cadenza? it's white, but still gives a little interest.

they have plenty of other white tiles. why not grab some samples? (only $5 for 5)

how about this one?

https://www.tilebar.com/byzantine-bianco-ceramic-tile.html

I like this 2x10 one too. and notice the offset layout they did.

https://www.tilebar.com/chance-white-2x10-polished-ceramic-tile.html

a plain 3x6 tile is just way too boring.

Safe? what are you afraid of? it's a backsplash. nothing I showed you is trendy or 'out there'. even something with a little color isn't daring. it's just a tile.

CleTile has these in stock

https://www.cletile.com/products/modern-farmhouse-brick-2x9-matte-white?variant=12249565200455

at the very least, look at the Ivy Hill from Home Depot online. this is the 2x10 in the white.

https://www.tilebar.com/seaport-arctic-2x10-polished-ceramic-tile.html

Tilebar also carries it. get a sample if you get the sample of the others.

What about this white jade marble tile? it's on sale.

would look nice w/the wood cabinets. this is a customer's photo of her install with her white quartz. she also has the wood cabinets. I think it would look great in yours. (and fit fine behind the sink)

https://www.tilebar.com/white-jade-polished-marble-mosaic.html

can't beat the price.

BTW, the space that's 5" high, you can take the tile and run in a regular subway pattern for that one spot, and continue the herringbone on the other wall.

or, do you have any countertop left over? have a 5" piece cut for that specific spot behind the sink.
PRO
Amy Peltier Interior Design & Home
5 years ago
We think you might want to look for smaller sized tiles for your backsplash. Here are a few kitchens we've designed with tiles which might help you move forward with your dilemma.
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