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arianna_urbina

Kitchen backsplash help

29 days ago

Building a house and need help with kitchen backsplash. Behind the stove we’ll be doing the quartz up the wall, but for the sink wall by the window (no uppers as plans show) and in the pantry I’ll be doing a subway tile.

Trying to decide between 3x12 Daltile Mesmerist in Spirit and 2.5 x 10 Bedrosians Marin in Sand Dollar. Both tiles have slight wave in them. Spirit is a more white tile but has some variation in color and sand dollar is creamier, almost beige.

Perimeter cabinets will be Sherwin Williams Alabaster, the island is the stain in the picture and the flooring is also pictured. The countertop is Calacutta Mirragio Cove.

I’m trying to go for classic/traditional/timeless but not boring.

Comments (5)

  • 29 days ago

    Spirit is the second picture and sand dollar is the third picture bottom left. Also here’s a picture of the perimeter cabinet color.

  • 29 days ago
    last modified: 29 days ago

    Be careful with quatrz behind the stove, unless you have a backguard. Quartz has a high percentage of plastics and resin and will scorch badly. I would not pick backsplash tile untill everything else is installed if at all possible.

  • 29 days ago

    Is it too late to change your kitchen window from fixed to operable?

    Sometimes you just need to air out the kitchen!

    Is the range induction or gas? If gas/propane reconsider the quartz backsplash. I would use the same tile for both the sink and range walls. I also think you can find a more unique/special tile for the space.


    I have white cabinets, taj mahal quartzite counters, wood floors and wood ceiling beams. I used this marble mosaic for all my backsplash, and up to the ceiling on the sink wall. I have a large kitchen with 12 ft ceilings and it definitely called for something more than subway tile.

    Don't be afraid to try out different tile patterns/colors. Visit several local independently owned tile stores to see the most options. Not all shops carry the same lines. Borrow grouted sample boards to bring to your house once the cabinets and counters are installed.

    No rush ... I didn't find my backsplash until we moved in and had been in the house around 5 months.


  • 29 days ago

    Do a lot of reading and potentially reconsider quartz as a splash behind your range if it is gas.


    If is fine to narrow down tiles now, but do yourself a favor and wait until the entire kitchen and lighting, including undercabinet lighting, is installed to make decisions. Colors, lighting, reflections, and the impact of the actual space can all change how your splash tile is going to look. Now is too soon to decide.


    Also, remember, what a singluar tile sample does not show you: the pattern of grout in your layout. How busy - or not - is the layout and grout color in combination with the waviness of the tile and the veining of your counter.

  • 29 days ago

    While I'm sure that you are looking for answers just to your question re: which tile to install on the sink wall and in the pantry. However, the information provided in the above comments about the potential for quartz to scorch is something that you need to make sure that you've researched - especially if you have a gas cooktop.


    It would be nice to use a tile that has a bit more of an impact on a wall with only floating shelves.


    Are you able to wait to select your backsplash tile until after your cabinets/countertop/lighting/flooring have been installed? It is best to select your tile after everything else has been completed.