The New Kitchen Backsplash

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Come see the backsplash I chose for our new kitchen!

Even though we have been working on a ton of smaller projects around the house, our main focus has been on completing the kitchen.  Perhaps it’s because finally getting a new backsplash in the kitchen is a lot more exciting than things like new baseboard and new towel bars!

The kitchen is so close to being finished.  It hasn’t been given it’s final paint color yet, but I couldn’t wait to share our new backsplash with you.

 

The white kitchen with a white range hood and the backsplash.Pin

 

I had three requirements when it came to selecting tile for the kitchen:  a) it had to be an updated style, yet timeless – nothing too trendy, b) it needed to be neutral so that I wouldn’t be stuck with a specific color and c) it couldn’t be so busy that it fought with the granite countertops.

 

White cabinets and soft toned countertops in the kitchen.Pin

 

I must have brought home a bajillion samples, but nothing ever seemed quite right. That is, until I picked up samples of faceted subway tile, basket weave tile and pencil tile to use for the “frame” around the basket weave.  As soon as I saw it all together in my kitchen, I knew right away that this combo was THE one!

 

Basket weave tile behind the stove.Pin

 

When we started down this remodel path, I was convinced that I didn’t want white tile for the backsplash and I for sure didn’t want subway tile, but look what I chose – white subway tile.  Go figure.  Now don’t get me wrong – I love subway tile, but I was afraid that it would be too much white.  But THEN, I found a faceted version of it and that was all she wrote. The facets in the tiles throw light and create shadows so that it breaks up all of the white between the upper and lower cabinets.

 

There is a small rug in front of the oven in the kitchen.Pin

 

To keep the look clean, I used white mortar and for a little more interest I laid the tile in a brick pattern.

The only place that I used the basket weave accent is above the cooktop.  On the other side of the kitchen, where the coffee pot is located, I used white subway tile by itself.

 

Bronze lights are above the kitchen island.Pin

 

We’ve added hardware to the cabinets since the last update on the kitchen remodel.  What a difference something so simple makes!  Pookie used a template to make sure all of the knobs where placed just so.  The pulls on the drawers below the cooktop were a bit of a challenge to get lined up perfectly (even with a template), but I think he did a great job.  No telling what the hardware would look like if it had been left up to me.

 

A bowl of green apples are on the kitchen island.Pin

 

I’m trying to decide if I need to add two more dummy knobs to the cabinets in the corner, to the right of the refrigerator.  Those doors unfold when you open them, so I don’t need knobs to make them functional, but it kind of looks like I’m missing knobs on two of the doors.

 

The white kitchen with stainless steel appliances.Pin

 

If you have sharp eyes, you’ll notice that I added a rug in here too.  Another simple thing that makes such a difference in the room.  It’s a brown and white indoor/outdoor rug which is perfect in front of the sink.

 

A brown and white patterned rug is in front of the sink.Pin

I’ve fallen in love with the 100% polypropylene indoor/outdoor rugs that are available now. They’re hard-wearing so they’re perfect in high traffic areas and are a snap to clean so they’re great in a home that has pets.  An added bonus is that they’re inexpensive too.  I have three more located at doors coming into the house and will probably use one in the family room as well.

 

Shiny white kitchen with subway backsplash and basket weave above the stove.Pin

 

And the counter height barstools?  Yeah, I’m pretty much in love with them.

 

Wood and white barstools at the island.Pin

 

Other than giving the room its final paint color, we only have one more project to do before I can officially declare that the kitchen is finished, and that is to add light rail below all of the cabinets to help hide the under cabinet lighting.

Explore the breakfast area of the kitchen HERE.

KITCHEN RESOURCES:

Faceted Subway Tile:  Jeffrey Court Pearl White Beveled Tile from Home Depot

Black and Carrera Marble Accent Tile:  Anatolia Venatino Polished Natural Stone Baskeweave Mosaic from Lowes

Carrera Marble Pencil Tile:  Available from any tile specialty store

Cabinet Hardware:  Home Depot

Rug:  Bermuda Indoor/Outdoor Rug from Ballard Designs

Cabinets and Hood – Lowes, Diamond Brand, Amherst style in White and Juniper Berry (gray) 

Faucet – Delta Savile Pull Down Faucet from Lowes

Lanterns – Thomasville Piedmont Collection from Home Depot

Barstools – Threshold Linen Saddle Stool from Target  

Granite – White Pearl from Lowes

 

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63 Comments

  1. Rattlebridge Farm says:

    Absolutely stunning and timeless, Suzy. Love the subway tiles–it’s so classic and elegant. And your backsplash is perfect. I love how everything works together–the granite, tile, grout, cabinetry. This should be on the cover of a magazine.

    1. Thank you! I sure do hope it stands the test of time!

  2. Looks nice and fresh…hopefully some color and interest will be added. Not a fan of all white even though it’s the style now. So sorry, but just my opinion. It’s too bland and drab even if it’s considered “timeless”.

    1. Hi Karen. I know a lot of people who don’t care for all white kitchens. I agree that some interest needs to be added. I’m just taking my time trying to figure out exactly what to do. For now, I’m just thrilled that it’s mostly complete! lol

    1. Thank you so much, Christine!

  3. Beautiful kitchen. We are moving to a “new” “old” house and our kitchen needs to be redone!! Crazy question, but, could you tell me how wide your kitchen is? Mine may be smaller, but I’m considering the island. Thank you! 🙂

    1. Hi Shelly. Our kitchen is 13′ wide and the island is 36″ wide x 78″ long. The 36″ width includes a 10″ overhang for the bar stools to tuck under. I agonized over whether or not there was room for an island. It really helped me to tape the whole kitchen layout – cabinets and island – on the floor after everything was ripped out. It allowed us to determine appliance placement (fridge and wall ovens) and exactly what size of an island would work best. Our island isn’t centered perfectly – there is 37″ of space on one side of it and 33″ on the other. Hope this helps!

  4. Your kitchen is just stunning !
    Love everything about it – but that back splash? I’m drooling ( and pinning – and possibly copying in the Spring !!! )
    xoxo

  5. Wow! Your kitchen is stunning and definitely will be timeless! Beautiful finishes and nice layout. Love the subway tile and the way you did the basket weave above the cooktop! Everything is gorgeous!

  6. Oh my! What a beautiful kitchen! You did an awesome job!! Looks wonderful!
    Nancy
    wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

  7. Hi Suzy~
    Your kitchen is just gorgeous – I also have a white kitchen and love it.
    I love the stools, and wondered where you purchased them. Do you like those stools??
    I then noticed that you have a list of where you purchased everything – what a great idea.
    I have a overhang on my island and want to push the stools out of site to make more room in that area. I love the look.
    Thanks so much.
    Much love,
    Rose

    1. Hi Rose. I guess you saw that I purchased the stools from Target. They’re very comfortable and seem to be sturdily made. They fit perfectly under my 10″ overhang. I could only find one in the store, so I had to order the other two online. Glad you like my kitchen!

  8. Wow! Just stunning. Glad I stumbled upon your blog!

  9. How did you finish the beveled subway tile where it ends on the right? I can see you added a flat subway vertically but doesn’t the beveled tile look obviously thicker when cut in half. It seems as though when you cut a beveled subway tile in half and butt it up to a flat tile it would sit higher than when the full bevel tile meets the vertical tile.

    1. Hi Lisa. You’re right – the regular subway tile running vertically along the edge is thinner than the beveled tile. To account for the difference, my tile guy put more mortar behind the flat tiles so that they would be even with the beveled tile. Hope this makes sense!

  10. what are the color of your island. ? I can not tell too much difference in cabinet & island. I want to do my kitchen colors like this I love this kitchen.
    carol

    1. Hi Carol. The color of the island cabinets is a light’ish gray called Juniper Berry. Glad you like the kitchen!

  11. Love the kitchen! I am wondering paint color of wallls in the kitchen. It looks very warm against the white cabinets.

    1. Hi Sue. We used Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige on the kitchen and all of the walls in our entire house.