The Kitchen Back Splash Project
Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 2:53PM
Housewise, this past week has been the week from hell. Ever since we moved into the house, it has really bugged me that it is so over amenity-ized (I made that up), yet a kitchen back splash was never installed. I chalk that up to a single man being the previous owner.
I knew that I wanted a mix of glass and tavertine tiles. It took several months to strong arm get husband to come to consensus. He has this miserable habit of considering expense before style. Finally, I found THE perfect tile. It's is very unique. It is beveled convex ribbon glass tiles mixed with small tavertine squares. It was pricey and I had to pitch a real old fashioned fit to get it. Well, actually the only way husband agreed was that the tile guy I found took us to his wholesaler who priced it fifteen dollars a 12x12 sheet less than the previous price quote I had. It was special order and I only saw a 4"x4" sample so I was really hoping that I liked it in a big sheet as there was no return.
The tile guy quoted us a price for labor and said he could do it in two days. Well, he started this past Monday and finished at 5:00PM last night (Friday). There were over 1000 little tiles that had to be trimmed during the fitting. It wasn't just spread the thinset and slap it on the wall. Cleaning after the grouting was a nightmare. He's never done the convex ribbon tile before and the wholesaler has never sold any before. It's new. We voluntarily added extra days pay for the job. The tile setter really killed himself on the job.
I absolutely love the final outcome. As opposed to flat glass tile, it adds depth and dimension to the walls of the back splash. I've had to wash the floor tiles three times to get the dust off. Husband cleaned the counter tops, cabinets and stainless steel appliances. Everything was covered with dust.
Reader Comments (5)
Looks lovely, Dana. At first glance of one of the thumbnail photos, I thought it was John who was setting the tiles! I was all ready to be impressed ...
1) It is lovely. Not my colors, but nice.
2) you have married an angel. I hope you realize how much he loves you.
3) Now if it was shades of blue... and/or turquoise, aqua, emerald, sapphires...
But that's me... I'm a guy and consider funding, project, goals, and think differently that you. We discussed that once upon a time. You told me that I lack the fashion/decorator gene and am "hopeless"... I considered all the above compliments...
1) It is lovely. Not my colors, but nice.
2) you have married an angel. I hope you realize how much he loves you.
3) Now if it was shades of blue... and/or turquoise, aqua, emerald, sapphires...
But that's me... I'm a guy and consider funding, project, goals, and think differently that you. We discussed that once upon a time. You told me that I lack the fashion/decorator gene and am "hopeless"... I considered all the above compliments...
Beautiful, I've never seen anything like that before!
How easy will they be to clean if they get splashed? Just wondered know my cooking gets messy sometimes. Certainly a far cry from the dirty cooker and mess that was there when you first decided to buy the house. Seems a different era looking at your new pics, you must be so pleased with it all, certainly worth all the effort its certainly transformed from a sad, sorry house to a new happy one.