I like it. How does it look up against the stainless hood?

I really like it too. The colors flow so nicely with your cabinets and island. I was at first put off by the shininess until I realized the right side portion still has plastic on it. I think it’s lovely!

……or does it have plastic? I like the matte look under the left cabinets.

I like the color and remember a large portion of that wall will be covered by the hood. Also, you chose a nice color for the cabinets.

VAval, Tile does not have plastic over it. The part that looks shinier is reflecting the sunlight through the window.

Based on the OP comment that the tile will be getting sunlight light that makes it super shiney, and I personally feel that the color is too dark, I would remove it all. I think you want to go for a matte tile in a light color. I don't see why not having a back splash would prevent closing on the house, but if for some reason it will, then at a mimium remove the section above the hood.

Oh I really like it! I think it won't stick out as much when the hood gets installed. It really makes your cabinets pop.

Kiniyagirl, we could close on time if the backsplash is just removed, but reordering new tile and having it installed would delay closing. My hesitation in just removing it before closing is the loss of all the money I spent on it and the additional cost to redo it all which I will want done soon after closing. I’m thinking if I just remove the high section behind the hood it will be easier to replace all of it later and it may even allow time for it to grow on me. 🤷‍♀️

Keep in mind tearing out a portion in a herringbone pattern could be a bit tricky and give the impression you ran out of tile or too $$ to go all the way to ceiling

Here’s a picture of the backsplash my parents put in their house which is being built next door. I wanted to choose a different tile color than theirs like I did with the cabinets. Since their cabs don’t go up to the ceiling and their hood cover will match their island cabinets, we decided to end the tile lower on the wall below the hood. I could’ve gone with the same color tile as theirs or white but when looking at the tile samples I picked the darker color that matched the veining in my countertops, not envisioning how dark the contrast would be on the wall.

Your parents is nice....and safe. Your color choices make it definitely more custom. Is your island blue or black? Either way I like the colors

typeandrun, thank you for your opinion! You make a good point. I’m not usually one to go with safe. I’m hoping the color will grow on me and look better once the hood, lighting and other finishes are in.
My island is dark blue/navy.

I like your tile. You are looking at the space without lights on and all the appliances in place. The "movement" of the tile is nice too.

Thank you Debbi! You're right. It will look better with more lighting and when everything else is finished around it. I think I will take the chance and wait until then to make any drastic changes.

If someone could add the vent hood to one of your photos - it would be helpful for you to see how much of the tile will be blocked once the hood is installed. I don't know how to do that LOL!

If it was my kitchen, I would go grab a big roll of white paper - or several white poster boards - and cover the tile with it in order to decide whether I wanted to remove all or part of it now. Unless you already have photos of the space before the tile was installed - that might help.

It would be difficult to just waste the money spent on the tile (plus, the extra paid for labor in order to install it in a herringbone pattern). How difficult is it to remove the vent hood later if you decide to change out the tile?

EDIT -

To be completely honest - I am not a fan of the tile. I feel like there are many tiles that would look nice with your cabinets/countertop - I just wouldn't have selected a solid brown tile (I don't think the glossy finish is helping either). I think that it's a lot of solid brown - I didn't even notice the herringbone pattern at first (and I love tile installed in a herringbone pattern).

I typically always try to figure out a way to make whatever is bothering the OP about his/her newly finished renovation work - I haven't ever left a comment that the OP should just tear out something that's just been installed. HOWEVER - I don't feel like I would personally ever grow fond of the tile. I feel like I would always be disappointed - and whenever someone came over to see my new home, I would feel like I needed to explain that I was going to replace the brown tile.

I was going to suggest that you go ahead and have it removed down to under the hood - however, it will be MUCH easier for you to install a new backsplash tile if the wall is ready vs. having to fix the wall after removing the current tile. It's usually easier to just cut the drywall out and replace it with new drywall vs. trying to fix the drywall before installing new tile.

FYI - I know several people who installed a backsplash as their first tile installation project. You can use products that make it easier - for example, premixed mortar can be used for a backsplash (that's one of the only tiling projects that professionals will tell you that it's okay to use it for - def not for floors or inside showers or whenever using LFT). Also, you can use Mapei Flexcolor CQ premixed grout (it will provide you with consistent coloring + it's the only grout that I know of that will stick to itself = you can go back and fill in spots later). You do have to grout small sections at a time in order to get all of the grout haze off the tiles - but since it's premixed in a tub, it's easy to work in small sections.

I would not suggest doing a herringbone pattern installation as your first tile project - it can be done if you are very meticulous and watch a lot of YouTube videos - but it's definitely more difficult than doing a simple running bond/vertical stack/horizontal stack pattern).

Even if you decide that you don't want to install the tile yourself - it will cost less to hire someone to do it if the walls are "ready to go" = no old tile needs to be removed + no drywall needs to be replaced/fixed.

I really think once the kitchen is finished, you will like it. As you said, you don't want the same as your parents and white will be too stark. JMO.

I like it. Colorwise it flows great with everything around. The big part will be covered by the hood anyway.

Hope this helps

You still have so many elements missing - the appliances, lights, pendants over the island, chairs, flooring... I like the contrast of the darker tile. It helps to balance the island.

Thanks dani_m08! You make some great points to consider. The first thing I wondered after you said the tile was brown was if they put in the wrong tile color since the color I selected was "taupe". But I think it's just a lighting issue that makes it look more brown. Here is my selection sample photo showing the tile color looking more gray than brown...

I still had the same initial thought you did because of how dark it is in contrast to my cabinets and that it might never grow on me. It's so hard to tell!

I agree with your point that it would be easier to install new tile later if I have it all removed now and drywall replaced... it's just hard to swallow the wasted amount of $$ paid plus the additional labor just to have it torn out.

Yes Debbi, that does help me visualize how it will look with the SS hood. Thank you!! And like you said, with the appliances, pendant lights over the island and other furnishings it will make a big difference.

Chris - I like the taupe color better! Definitely not brown! I think the other photos were just making it look different on my phone. I think that having the vent hood added helps - it's not such an expansive wall of tile.

It would really upset me to have wasted all that money on the tile and installation - only to have it ripped out immediately. I think the taupe color makes a lot more sense - the "brown" tile and blue island was throwing me off! The tile color looks different on my MacBook!

I assume that it won't be that difficult to take the hood down in the event that you decide to remove the backsplash after everything is finished + you've actually moved in and added things to the kitchen.

Also - Debbi is one of my faves on here - so, if her advice is to wait - I'm reversing my comment - I would wait!

Aw thanks! That makes me feel better. I appreciate your time and opinion! Agree it probably wouldn't be too difficult to remove the hood if I later decide to replace the tile. But I'm hoping that won't be necessary.

I will update photos when everything is in and hopefully I will like the tile color better in the finished space.

Thanks Dani! That is so nice of you to say.

There are many designers on here who are waaaaay more talented than me. I think our aesthetics are just different. I like a bit more pizzazz and a bolder design. I am tired of white or light tiles with a light top. I am tired of taj mahal tops. Tired of spaces with all neutrals and only adding character in a rug or pillows or canisters.

It's not that I don't think those spaces aren't beautiful they usually wind up being very nice - just not my thing at all.

Computer monitors, phone screens all show colors differently so often we are all seeing something differently.

You chose the tile and it looks very good with all of your selections. Could it be that it is so different that you are surprised by it?

What is going on the floors? I see that is your house and your parents house the base trim is installed on the island, but the flooring isn't done yet.

It's funny because I truly have never suggested that someone should rip out something new ever before I did on this thread - and then I reversed my advice 😂 . The color of the tile on my iPhone looked like such a "blah" brown - so much better on my MacBook!!

Your cabinets look so much better since they go up to the ceiling - also, I love stacked upper cabinets and am doing that in my kitchen renovation. Is your parents' house the exact same model as your house? It will be nice to have them so close.

I usually play it safe and neutral because I'm afraid I'll tire too easily when color is involved. But I gotta say, the combination you have with backsplash, counter, cabinet and island is very warm and inviting, actually looks pretty classic! Kudos to you for letting your instincts lead the way. It will be charming. And hey, you can always go next door when you want to sit in a neutral kitchen, lol!! Congrats to all!

I love your take on this, Debbi. Tired of all the same boring neutrals too and I definitely did not want white cabinets, although my color choices were a bit limited as it's a semi-custom build.

I think you nailed it... I was just surprised at how different it looked than I had envisioned when I chose the tile and other selections 3 months ago. I don't have a natural ability to envision completed spaces based on seeing a bunch of small samples together, but you're correct that they were my choices and I'm relieved to know that your trained eye thinks they work together.

Here is a rendering I was able to create on the flooring website showing my floor selection in the space...

And here is the pendant I chose for over the island (2):

Like the floor! I think there is a moodiness to this that I like. I know it's not the popular opinion. I think once you have the lights on, it will look great! Please make sure to carry that blue somewhere else in the space. Doesn't have to be in a big way - small things - artwork, chair seats, a decorative bowl etc.

@Chris I’m so glad you are getting such positive feedback. I truly think it’s stunning. And the hood will detract from the newness as will lighting and window dressing. Also, it’s UP THERE! 😂 I figure you’ve got as good a chance of deciding it’s great as you have of deciding you can’t live with it. I’d err on the side of optimism. Time is on your side.

dani, I totally understand. Colors on my iphone and Macbook often look very different and the Macbook color is usually more true. I love the double stacked cabinets too! Always wanted them but never could justify a renovation for them.

My parents house is a smaller single-story ranch plan but their layout is very similar to my first floor layout. They are in their late 80's so no stairs was a must, and yes, having them next door will be wonderful!

jackowskib, Thank you for your input! Hearing more people's positive opinions really helps change my perspective and second-guessing myself. While it's not super neutral I agree that it's still pretty classic and not colors I will get tired of easily. I do like the fact that it will have a totally different feel from my parents more neutral palette next door!

Chris - the floors look good! After seeing the photo of your parents' kitchen, I think that it would be a bit of a shock when you saw your tile installed because of the color + such a bigger portion of the wall being tiled. It is hard for me to visualize some things also before they've been installed/painted. Your kitchen is more moody and has a more dramatic look to it due to the color of the tile + the blue island. I think once you add your pendants + some stools for the counter + some pop of blue, you're going to feel differently about the tile.

Debbi - I feel like Taj Mahal is going to date kitchens to the past 2-3 years - not that it's not a pretty countertop - it is just been used in so many kitchens recently (many times at the suggestion of a designer). I wouldn't ever put Taj in my kitchen renovation just because I feel like everyone has it!

I think I like when you comment on posts because you do have a different take on design - plus, you seem to be able to think out of the box when someone has an issue that needs to be solved. I hope that you will chime in with some ideas when I post my kitchen floor plan (drawn to scale with all dimensions added for everything, of course 🤣!) I'm hoping to draw it out in the next few days and post it prior to the weekend.

keep the tile. when you go get some stools the neutral will be something to align the stool material and shade with. everything will fall into place .

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Thanks, Debbi! I think the floors I chose will look nice too. It actually seems like your opinion is not so unpopular after reading the other comments. I will definitely carry the dark blue into some accents in the kitchen and adjoining dining space.

Couple of thoughts..hope it helps. I really like the tile and its effect, but would try to draw it in more by complementary lighting. I also think your (black?)choice doesn’t work well with the navy island.

Would a different style hood be considered, which could offset the tile’s impact, if still unsure.

Thanks for your thoughts Maureen! The lighting in your first pic looks similar to my pendants with the black on half of the globe. Personally I think of black as a neutral and I chose the black and gold pendants to complement the adjacent dining area fixture and some black metal/glass barn doors that will be separating the kitchen and study area which will have a black fixture as well.

The type of hood you suggested was an option I could have selected to match my cabinets, but I decided to go with a simple stainless steel hood to match my other appliances instead.

rebunky, Thank you! I'm starting to agree that it will look pretty good once it's all put together! Love that rendering you did with the pendant lights, bar stools and other accents. So cool that you selected floors similar to the ones I actually chose!!

I may have to find those barstools... Love their style plus they look comfy which is hard to find!

Your welcome, I have fun doing mockups for people. How nice that you and your parents were able to buy homes next door to each other!.

The bar stools are from Denver Modern. They are called the ”Vail”. I have never seen them in person, but reviews say they are super comfortable! You can choose different fabrics and woods. I wish I could afford them for my kitchen, but they are about $1,100 for the leather ones. I need 3. Ouch! 😳

That mockup with my pendants looks amazing and makes the tile look so much better! Thanks again!!

I did choose a brushed gold faucet and my cabinet hardware are brushed gold and acrylic. The dining area is right next to the island and I chose this coordinating black and gold light to go over the table...

Thanks for the info on the barstools. $1100 each is definitely a bit pricey for me too. Think I'll be looking for some more affordable knock-offs like them!

I'm glad you received viable options for keeping the dark taupe tile.

My concern is that the taupe tile might make the space feel dark. Hopefully the lighting in that area will help.

Trust your choices! Please, no worries until everything is installed and decorated.

I think it will all come together!

We love it when people come back and post a final reveal on their threads after it is finished. It helps people to not freak out during the process to see a positive outcome!

It sounds like you're in a bit of a tough spot! Since replacing the tile would be costly and delay closing, I think removing the tile from the ceiling down to the level of the vent hood could be a practical option. This way, you can avoid further disruption now while still keeping the door open to making changes later. Once the vent hood is installed, the tile removal would be much easier, and it would give you the flexibility to switch to a lighter color when you’re ready. If you’re still unsure, you might want to consider using temporary solutions like tile stickers or peel-and-stick tiles that you could replace once you’ve closed on the house.