@BunsenBurner just curious - why “don’t do herringbone?” @zipyourlips thanks for the Amerock hardware suggestion It doesn’t look like there is an appliance pull in Revitalize though. I have to buy 3 fairly hefty made-for-appliances pulls.
When I find a pull I like in a finish, sometimes it does not have an appliance pull - or it’s not in the finish CB and I decided today that the choice of backsplash is going to dictate the finish of the pulls.
I am the one holding up the design decisions! Today CB signed up for a “pro” account at Floor and Decor (opened up in my area about 8 months ago), which meant that she could bring back samples. She loaded up her truck and now we have a tile store in my house for the backsplash and possible entry tile design. SERIOUSLY…about 30 samples…does that qualify as a tile store??
coralbrook and dfin, it sure is a puzzle trying to fit all the criteria together, isn’t it? Fortunately, the two of you are doing a brilliant job collaborating. It is such a treat to watch this project come together.
I realized the Amerock pulls might be too traditional. There is an appliance pull but the color is “gilded bronze”. I have no idea whether that’s a different finish or a new name – looks like a different finish to me.
What fun to have 30 samples of tile on-site to choose from. Yes, dfin, your fabulous home is now a fabulous tile showroom!
I am looking forward to seeing your choices and the finishing touches and details of this lovely project.
I really like that brushed bronze! Would it clash with the SS appliances? That is my concern. BTW, the appliances are awesome. And the kitchen looks great! Hope you will find a good tile for the backsplash. I am not sure that any of the samples that CB posted in her Flikr page are good matches for the quartz.
Lots more choices of tiles now! The current ones in the pics I had picked up previously. It’s now easier to visualize the tile with the quartz counters uncovered, and with the flooring installed. CB even had one of her guys install the under cabinet lighting today to properly illuminate the tile showroom
As much as I like the brushed bronze for hardware (warms up the cabinets), as of tonight I’m leaning back to black or satin nickel… this is what I text to CB frequently: aaaaaghhh!
We have 3 areas that we have to finalize tile choices. Two of these areas are holding up progress to finish the project (no pressure!!).
Powder Room
We need to select tile that will go up the entire wall behind a floating marble countertop that isgoing to be built by the granite fabricator. My lead carpenter had to change the plumbing again in the powder room (3rd time!!) to make sure that everything is pulled up high and tucked behind the floating countertop. Don’t want to see those angle valves and hoses hanging under the countertop while sitting on the toilet. This tile decision is not as critical because it has to wait for countertop to get installed anyways
Kitchen
This is one of the key tile choices we need to make as quick as p ossible. Main issue is that I have not scheduled a tile guy for install but I just cannot try to schedule someone until we have tile in hand. However, we cannot install the range hood and outlets until this tile gets installed. Cannot pass final inspection without a functioning range hood
Entryway
Still under consideration is a tile inlay as you enter the house. I need to take pics of this area so everyone can visualize what we are talking about. If it was me… just lay the flooring in an different direction, install some stair nose and call it a day. But, it is not my house and Dfin wants to have a Wow design element as you enter the home. This decision has to be made by tomorrow because flooring guy is going to start installing this area this weekend. Nothing like a little pressure
I brought all this tile from a store called Floor and Decor. This was my first time there… OMG!!! I love this place, kid in a candy store. It is stocked full of every type of tile and flooring and butcher block countertops and anything you can imagine. Even better, it is all in stock right there so you can bring home a ton of samples. I’ve found that I don’t try to make decisions in a tile store. I have to bring EVERYTHING back and see it in the room. This is why I do not bother with fancy tile places where you look at a little sample on a board and you have to special order, no returns, etc. Or they hand you a little cut piece to take back with you.
I’ve loaded photos of all of the tile laid out everywhere for everyone to look at.
I showed that geode backsplash to DW. It got a thumbs down.
The article says its backlit, which would really make it pop. I’m a little mixed on the blue glass counter on the island.
I like the pattern of the 2nd from the left in “kitchen tile sample 10” but I think I would like a more colorful version. Those colors are too close to the countertop and cabinets.
ETA: I turned up an article on using the agate slabs that says that stuff can cost up to $500 *per square foot". Holy moly. Guess I’m going to have to pass.
I’m quite positive you will makes a great tile choice. So really my opinion is just that…my opinion. The counters are gorgeous. I know you want something to “pop” but tile samples you have are very busy…some look like MC Escher prints to me. And they seem to distract from the beautiful counters.
I’d go with something with some color in it…not more grey or beige or black. The kitchen has that. I think if it were me, I would want to somehow tie in the red on those stove controls somehow. Of course that could be happening with a slick red stand mixer or whatever.
Ditto what thumper said. A couple of small red countertop appliances or a set of Le Creuset containers etc. and simple tile will complement the countertops etc. perfectly!
I’d stay away from both arabesque tiles and the painted concrete pattern (or porcelain look alike) tiles, mainly because most of the HGTV decorators have been doing them for the last couple of years. That’s just my negative reaction to anything that seems to be over done.
I like the white hex tiles (sample 4), the white chain link tiles (samples 8 & 10), and the white squares with light grey frames (sample 1.)
Will the electrician do Legrand plugmold outlets under the upper cabinets so that standard outlets won’t mar the beautiful tile backsplash?
I know tile doesn’t have to be permanent, but I’d rather confine bold colors to accessories and even paint rather than something harder to replace. But then, I’m contrary about some things. As soon as we moved into this house, I ordered black knobs from Wolf to replace the red ones. Dh prefers the black knobs, too, but everyone else thought I was nuts.
If it were me, I’d go with a uniform color backsplash – either a white or perhaps a very pale aqua if that would work with the blue island. Some of the multi-colored samples look a little drab, though that could be due to the photos or my monitor. I’d want something that feels fresh. What is that tile to the left in the #6 tile photo?
I’d go with standard outlets and place them where the appliances are supposed to be, so they would be hidden behind the appliances. With outlets placed high on the wall, there are usually unsightly dangling cords… I’d rather look at outlets than that. But that is just my opinion. In a kitchen with ss appliances, I’d use ss wallplates around the outlets.
The outlets have been very carefully set way low just above the countertops in horuzontal rather than vertical. That way cords will be behind the small appliances and not reaching up the wall.
CB and I decided today that the choice of backsplash is going to dictate the finish of the pulls.
