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Kitchen backsplash idea help??

Posted on 9/12/23 at 9:59 am
Posted by i am dan
NC
Member since Aug 2011
28120 posts
Posted on 9/12/23 at 9:59 am
Wanted to get some quick feedback on a couple of backsplash ideas..

We are coming up to the end of our kitchen reno. Cabinets are just a plain neutral off-white.

Countertops are quartz Aria


The original tile we had picked out from Emser has been discontinued and out of stock everywhere. We were opting for a more colorful and interesting backsplash to liven up the blandness.

This is the Emser Diva we had picked out.


I think that tile would've worked great. We are having trouble finding something comparable, size of design, design itself, and color. We don't like really small tile as it looks too busy.

Alternative options:

I am now thinking of just going with a more neutral lantern (we really like this design) tile with maybe charcoal grout.



Or an option with color like we originally wanted:






Looking to make it look nice, but not have the backsplash be overwhelming...

Any thoughts on the best route to go here? I'm not a decor guy. I kinda know what I like. All these options seem okay to me.

This post was edited on 9/12/23 at 10:04 am
Posted by weadjust
Member since Aug 2012
15480 posts
Posted on 9/12/23 at 10:14 am to
Is the backsplash being installed by a pro?

No way would I attempt installing that shaped tile as DIY job. Me cutting that tile straight would be nightmare
Posted by i am dan
NC
Member since Aug 2011
28120 posts
Posted on 9/12/23 at 10:23 am to
Yes, we have contractors doing everything.

I did some painting...
This post was edited on 9/12/23 at 10:24 am
Posted by poochie
Houma, la
Member since Apr 2007
6763 posts
Posted on 9/12/23 at 10:37 am to
quote:

I am now thinking of just going with a more neutral lantern (we really like this design) tile with maybe charcoal grout.


The proper term is "arabesque"
Posted by bluemoons
the marsh
Member since Oct 2012
5771 posts
Posted on 9/12/23 at 10:38 am to
I like this one a lot and think it would compliment the variation in the quartz:



I'm not a designer though . That said, I like color and I think the neutral lantern would be a lot of white. People seem to like white these days though so I guess that's a personal preference thing.
Posted by Kattail
Member since Aug 2020
3930 posts
Posted on 9/12/23 at 11:40 am to
You original choice looks nice, shade blend colors is easy to look at, the others are too in your face and would drive me crazy over time.
Posted by Drop4Loss
Birds Eye Of Deaf Valley
Member since Oct 2007
3967 posts
Posted on 9/12/23 at 2:36 pm to
Good luck keeping all those grout lines clean ........

Go slab
This post was edited on 9/12/23 at 2:38 pm
Posted by Geauxld Finger
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2005
32243 posts
Posted on 9/12/23 at 3:01 pm to
Just a tip, make sure whatever you have is easy to clean. We opted for a smooth longer rectangular tile. More joints means more areas stains can get to the grout.

Simple is always better imo. That quartz is kinda busy with some finite veining. I’d maybe go with a bigger less busier pattern/tile
This post was edited on 9/12/23 at 3:03 pm
Posted by Slagathor
Makin' jokes about your teeny tiny
Member since Jul 2007
38745 posts
Posted on 9/12/23 at 3:17 pm to
the higher the contrast between grout/tile or tile/tile, the busier I think it will look

if you're married to the countertop choice, maybe consider a backsplash of all the same tile (like example 1 and 2) but choose a grout color closer to the tile... like example 2 but not stark black grout, maybe a light greige color pulled from the countertops


Posted by LSUTIGERTAILG8ER
Chance of Rain....NEVER!!
Member since Nov 2007
1850 posts
Posted on 9/12/23 at 3:50 pm to
Thin Brick Tile

not this exact product, but I used something similar and love the look.

you can get your tile guy to do some different herringbone pattern and/or bordering above your cooktop to really set it off.
Posted by Clames
Member since Oct 2010
17749 posts
Posted on 9/12/23 at 6:30 pm to
I just did this tile for my kitchen backsplash, MSI Oasis Blast:

Posted by BilbeauTBaggins
probably stuck in traffic
Member since May 2021
7128 posts
Posted on 9/12/23 at 11:03 pm to
quote:

No way would I attempt installing that shaped tile as DIY job.

You'd be surprised. Most of the odd shaped tiles come in sheets that are held by a rigid plastic net, so all you have to do is mortar it then go over with unsanded grout. It's basically ceramic wallpaper.
Posted by BilbeauTBaggins
probably stuck in traffic
Member since May 2021
7128 posts
Posted on 9/12/23 at 11:06 pm to
We have similar countertops and cabinet colors. Did a white/gray/small metal accent backsplash from F&D. The little metal pieces help the stainless steel appliances pop. I would go with majority white because you may want to paint the surroundings a different color and not be locked into blue.

I've only ever seen blue backsplash look great on kitchens that are extremely blue. Like almost every part of it besides the floor has some shade of blue
Posted by BilbeauTBaggins
probably stuck in traffic
Member since May 2021
7128 posts
Posted on 9/13/23 at 8:26 am to
If you want a bit more pop, consider doing matte black or matte gold hardware. Even those black sinks don't look too bad. I know someone asked awhile back if they were scratch resistant and that seems to hold true. Black faucet with stainless steel sink also looks fine too.

Go on Pinterest and get some ideas for your kitchen as well. I will say that I think subway tiles are vastly overrated, while some alternatives just get too distracting. You already have a lot of movement in your quartz. I would try to minimize the amount of noise you have going on with your backsplash.
Posted by jmon
Loisiana
Member since Oct 2010
9232 posts
Posted on 9/13/23 at 8:50 am to
My suggestion, skip the "busy" tile and go with something traditional, in white, because any of these choices will become dated in a few years. I know this will get downvoted but take it for what it is worth.
Posted by Kattail
Member since Aug 2020
3930 posts
Posted on 9/13/23 at 4:32 pm to
My suggestion, skip the "busy" tile

You will get tired of anything that’s too busy, think in terms of looking at it for 20 years.
Posted by Darla Hood
Near that place by that other place
Member since Aug 2012
14107 posts
Posted on 9/13/23 at 7:45 pm to
Those are all beautiful tile choices, but too much for your countertop, in my opinion.

If there is a lot of movement in the stone of your countertops, the backsplash should not compete with it. Only one clown allowed in a kitchen. Your clown is your countertop. You need a calm backsplash.

One clown




Two clowns, fighting for attention:



In my opinion, if you want the arabesque tile it should be a lighter color and no contrasting grout (as Slag said). I love arabesque tiles, but I would only use them if they were the star (or clown).



Something else to remember is that lighting can completely change the way the stone looks. The same Aria quartz looks more beige (and less appealing) with this backsplash, lighting, cabinet color, and paint color, so take note of how your stone looks in place with your lighting. I would griege it before I would beige it.


This post was edited on 9/13/23 at 7:51 pm
Posted by i am dan
NC
Member since Aug 2011
28120 posts
Posted on 9/13/23 at 8:58 pm to
quote:

If you want a bit more pop, consider doing matte black or matte gold hardware. Even those black sinks don't look too bad. I know someone asked awhile back if they were scratch resistant and that seems to hold true. Black faucet with stainless steel sink also looks fine too.


We have a matte black faucet and gunmetal stainless 33 inch single basin sink. Looks great.
Posted by Darla Hood
Near that place by that other place
Member since Aug 2012
14107 posts
Posted on 9/15/23 at 10:02 am to
quote:

You will get tired of anything that’s too busy, think in terms of looking at it for 20 years.
I know you weren’t talking to me, but if I’m still alive in 20 years, busy anything will seem A-OK to me!
Posted by BilbeauTBaggins
probably stuck in traffic
Member since May 2021
7128 posts
Posted on 9/15/23 at 10:08 am to
quote:

You will get tired of anything that’s too busy, think in terms of looking at it for 20 years.


I've always thought about "what do I like now AND in the future" and if anything, updates can be done in the future. You may think you like what you have now that is somewhat futureproof, but then maybe there's a chance you change your mind later on.

I would say stick with what you like now. Do NOT go super busy with the design. Make it look tasteful with some character of its own.

As mentioned, there is already a ton of movement in the quartz itself. It would be best to try and minimize the amount of noise being created. You have to factor in countertops, handles, appliances, what's being placed on your countertops, walls, windows, paintings, etc.
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