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schuberthc

Opinion on backsplash please

8 months ago

Hello, I am a designer and doing a whole interior house gut remodel for a client of mine who I've known for 18 years and worked with for that long. My client suddenly is freaking out that this backsplash is too busy for her. We selected this tile to make a statement. I can walk her off this ledge, but she brought in a friend of hers who used to be an interior designer and that friend told her yes it's too busy and it needs to come out. 🙄

We're also installing beautiful gold sconces where those holes are, flanking the shelves. Would love to hear honest feedback from everyone on what you think. I am going in the morning to do a sample of tile with lighter grout, a whiter grout, to see if that makes the grout lines less delineated so that the tile blends better. Unfortunately, the grout has been installed so we would have to die all the Grout to be lighter. Luckily, the tile is sealed so that would make it easier to dye the grout, but just wondering People's opinions if you like it the way it is or if you think the grout should be lighter and if anybody's had any experience with dyeing Grout and if you have any tips I would so appreciate it. Thank you so much!

Featured Answer
  • 8 months ago

    Doesn't matter how long you've known her, listen to your client since she's the one who has to live with it.

    Comments (13)

    • 8 months ago

      No experience with dying grout, but that backsplash is busy, busy!

    • 8 months ago

      I really like it as is

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    • 8 months ago

      You wanted honest... I think it looks terrible and I understand why your client wants to swap it for another tile. I don't think dying grout is going to be the fix that is needed.


      It is a really awesome tile and wouldn't be too busy were it installed on a large unbroken expanse of wall like a shower wall or another vast space. But it simply looks too busy given the choppiness of the narrow splash space and shelving.

    • PRO
      8 months ago

      I lighter color of grout should cetainly help.

    • 8 months ago

      In the end, the client has to be happy. To me, the tile is pretty, but the grout seems dark and in a colder tone than the cabinetry, so it looks a bit too strong. Are the floors going to be stained a different color? What color will the walls be?

    • 8 months ago

      Ask her to wait till all is in place to let you know if the grout needs to be lightened. Put the countertop in place, add the accessories, then revisit the situation. Make a demo board with the lighter painted grout and let her decide how to proceed.

    • PRO
      8 months ago
      last modified: 8 months ago

      It doesn't wow me in a good way. It's busy, but in a rather ordinary farmhouse subway version, paired with a look that was supposed to ba a "statement".......but I don't see a clear intent in the design on whole.

      Aside from tile? I don't think the arch was necessary......maybe it repeats elsewhere in the kitchen?

      No idea what the rest looks like in surrounding areas, no idea what the counter top will be on this,.


      I'd lose the arch, run the countertop up the back. No idea what the puck light sections are, it just looks like a farm casual/glam hybrid .......bit of a miss. Sorry!!

    • 8 months ago

      Right now it is the focal point, but it wont stay that way once the kitchen is finished.

      (I like it)

    • 8 months ago

      Can you give us a close up picture ? Are the spacers still in? i can’t get a clear pic on my monitor it would help to see the rest of the kitchen..

    • PRO
      8 months ago

      I so appreciate everyone's feedback. The lighter grout almost disappears the lines and allows for the marble and mother of pearl rectangles to show as the elevated subway they were meant to be. Client loves it now.

    • PRO
      8 months ago

      I so appreciate everyone's feedback. The lighter grout almost disappears the lines and allows for the marble and mother of pearl rectangles to show as the elevated subway they were meant to be. It is a bar in a dining room. Client loves it now.

    • 8 months ago

      Can you share what it looks like now?

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