Well, it’s time. We’ve been in this house 7 years, and for some reason I’ve always found another project to come before having a backsplash in the kitchen. I regret it, really. I think a backsplash can make a world of difference for a room.
However, it can also make a major dent in your pocket book. I’ve been shopping (and shopping!) for tiles I like that I can actually afford. Wanna see my top three? You can click on the pictures for the links.
I really like this one, but I think it’s too dark. Too blendy. Too rocky.
This one would probably be my #1 because it has the most glass in it. Love that. However, it’s almost impossible to find. It’s also the most expensive of the tiles in my price range. Of course it is.
My final pick? I think? This one. It has the mix of textures I want, and it combines all the colors in the kitchen. My #1 curse is my indecisiveness. I’ll ponder on this one day and night for weeks until I’ll probably decide to get something entirely different. Let’s hope not. 
Not one to be outdone by myself, I plan on turning my laundry room into this.
Think colors and tile—not shower and tub. I don’t need much tile in that room, so I’m thinking I can spend a little more on it. Carrara marble is at the top of the list, but I want it to have a beige-y swirl in it.
My question for you…do you have some recommendations for tile shops? Most of what I’ve found is on Overstock (I heart you, O). Believe me when I say I’ve been all over, but I’m sure there’s a rock I’ve left unturned. Got any suggestions?
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Ok Chris, here is my two cents 🙂 The one with the slate in them(your final pick) I would steer away from. They have a variety of shades in them that you won't know what you are getting until you get them. And they also have highs and lows on them that make it difficult to clean. I would stick with a porcelin, glass, ceramic or marble tile that is more neutral. I like this one at overstock because it is timeless. http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/SomerTile-12×12-in-London-Subway-White-Handmade-Ceramic-Mosaic-Tile-Pack-of-5/5569384/product.html I know it isn't a color, but you can bring color in with accesoories, or do a tile inset of color behind your stove.
My biggest "get" for tile is Craig's list. Figure out how much square footage you need, and then look to see what people have. Most contractors over order on a job and would have enough left over to do a kitchen backsplash. I got my daughter's kitchen backsplash off craig's list, and it was a walker zanger, upwards of $25 a foot, and I got it for $5 a foot. SCORE! Check it out, you never know.
Go here: http://cadence.redolive.net/gallery/#/?album=3&page=2&zoom=26
This is my dream house.
Here is my other dream house: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RRU-zNs4TRI/SfvROeTu2tI/AAAAAAAABxE/LaIP1BMg1Tw/s1600-h/DSC06678.JPG
I know it’s not what you are shopping for – but I love photo examples – they mixed a really classic white subway tile with a black smaller tile.
Just an idea.
I hate money – not having it totally cramps my style.
LOVE the tiles but (there is one) I'd stay away from trendy and go with classic. You don't want a kitchen where you walk in and know what year it was done. I'm afraid that's what those tiles will tell in a few years. Just 2 cents for ya!
My neighbor installed the glass tile similar to yours. She found it at a local tile shop, but you know what I saw something very very similar in Home Depot.
It doesn't have to be expensive! We did our backsplash for $200 by doing it ourselves. We got the tile at Home Depot. If you want you can see our pics here: http://amidwestlife.blogspot.com/2009/06/some-kitchen-projects.html
Can't wait to see what you come up with!
I love your final pick for making your kitchen even more beautiful. I really think it will look great for years and years to come. Go for it!
Try hakatai.com we bought our glass tile there.
Love the last one! I agree with the above commenter, you never know what you can find on Craigslist. You might be able to find the carrera for the laundry on CL.
Another thing I like to do is to get real friendly with the guys at the local tile shop. Contractors often order much too much and sometimes will return several boxes to the tile shop. If you let the tileshop guys know what you're looking for, they'll call you when some shows up in their markdown pile. That's how I snagged the carrera I used in my backsplash.
My sister loved the glass tiles when she was doing her back splash but they were too pricey so she did this…please excuse the mess. Subway tiles except for over the sink. Maybe you could do something like that but just glass over your oven.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb313/laurelshiner/DSC01588.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb313/laurelshiner/DSC01586.jpg
My two cents is this, LOVE the ones you picked out. We really wanted all glass tile, but it was $20 per square foot. So we went with just an accent of the glass tile and the rest is slate tile. Not saying you have to do slate, but a nice white subway tile with a stripe of the glass tile going through it would look gorgeous!!! Here is my kitchen backsplash. http://thedecorscene.blogspot.com/2011/02/house-tour-how-my-kitchen-was-born-part.html
Here is the finished Kitchen post. http://thedecorscene.blogspot.com/2011/02/house-tour-how-my-kitchen-was-born_25.html
And if I had to do this again, I would not put the granite backsplash up, just the slate and glass tile.
Your kitchen is gorgeous, so a backsplash will take it over the top when you are done.
I think your choice in tiles will be beautiful! I love the stone/glass combination, and wanted that in my house! Unfortunately, none of them went with our counters, so we went with skinny glass strips, but I'm still happy with it! Can't wait to see your kitchen transformation, 'cuz it really does transform the look!
Not sure where you live but here on the east coast, this is THE place for inexpensive top of the line tile.
http://www.bargain-outlets.com/
It's awesome. Just got all of our tumbled marble tile for our new bathroom for under $180. HUGE savings from the big box stores!
I also had the worst time with our back splash. I wanted tile but couldn't find what I could afford and liked and matched the current counter. I ended up doing wallpaper with a few coats of poly. It was easy, fairly inexpensive and if I decide I want something else in a few years I won't feel I wasted my money. Good luck with your decision.
HI Chris!
When I started to read this post, I got so excited! I have the same colors in my kitchen (white cabinets, gray corian,) and I've also picked out similar backsplash! My kitchen in painted a warm sage/moss color. I found this site called http://www.designforless.com and saw exactly what I wanted. Then, I went to my local Lowe's and found it there, too. We think it will be about $250 for materials, then a friend of ours will do it for some pizza and beer. 🙂 I would LOVE to do white subway tile, but I think it will look too bland with my countertops. If they were darker, I'd definitely do the subway tile. Good luck! And hurry, I want to see it before I do mine!
Go with your instincts! As for a couple comments about cleaning it, it's multi colored, you will never see the dirt and grime, just another bonus! I also don't think it will date your house for a long time. If in ten years it does, you'll be ready to try something new anyways:)
http://www.flooranddecoroutlets.com
Floor & Decor Outlet is my fave place for tile- I've bought til flooring there but I've been eyeing their selection of backsplashes lately (I think travertine would do well for you- since youre a neutral loving gal) and they have more selection and better prices than the big box stores.
If they don't have one in your area then maybe they ship it, not sure.
I'm headed there this weekend for some hardwoods (hopefully!)
I just tiled my backsplash in your number one pick! So funny! I LOVE it. It's modern and an WOW element. Where do you live? I got mine at Kent Building supplies and found someone to get it for me at a contractors discount.
We just tiled our back splash – it took us about 4 yrs to decide what we wanted so I understand. I, too would stay away from anything too trendy. We got our tile at Lowes – spent under $500 (my husband and a friend installed it) and our kitchen appears to be roughly the size of yours. For me it was just easier to buy everything @ Lowes since I could return the excess. Can't wait to see what you do!
flooranddecoroutlets.com
they have the cheapest prices & ours has a designer studio that can give you amazing ideas. good luck@
Good Morning, Chris – If you have a Habitat Re-Store near you, it is totally worth the trip to look: Our Re-Store had oodles of tiles a couple of weeks ago (even white subway tiles) for 25 cents per square foot. And there was enough of some of them to complete some decent-size projects. Run, don't walk!!
I love the first one. It looks higher end and the colorations in the rock made my heart skip a beat. I don't see too "rocky" at all. 😉 ~Jenn
#3 hands down. I feel your pain in the indecisiveness department. I am my own worst enemy sometimes.
Im with Jen, i like the first one.. i didnt think it was too rocky at all.. it is neutral and would go beautifully with your kitchen (in my opinion) and i think it looks more classic then the others.. there are my two cents 😉
Just a thought but if you decide to order/shop Lowes or Home Depot, those coupons you can buy on eBay go a LONG way! In addition if you have a discover card, this month for example they are offering an additional 5% cash back at home improvement stores.
Have you tried Ebay or your local Habitat for Humanity? I got some nice square 1inch tiles there the same color as the coffee colored ones in some of the samples you like. I paid 20.00 for a box with 11 1' x1' sheets.
We waited over a year to find the right tile for our backsplash accent, and believe it or not, found it at HOME DEPOT of all places. We only wanted a small strip to accent the subway tile we already had. It came in 12 x 12 squares and cost 7.99 each! We took each 12×12 and cut it to the size we wanted. I love it so much and am so glad I got the one that had a bit of color in it (in our case an aqua blue) It adds so much to the kitchen! Here is the link to my post about it: http://housefinally.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-years-project.html Good luck! Can't wait to see what u pick!
I've seen glass tiles on amazon too.
i wish i had some suggestions. all i have is love for that glass tile. I've been trying to convince myself that we need it somewhere in our house. no go. maybe next house. it's gorgeous!
Ok advise from your mom. Don't worry about being trendy. I am looking for Back Splash tiles too and the trendy subject always comes up. My theory, get what you like. It is not that hard for (Jeff) to redo if you get tired of it. Love your choices! PS.. on a side note, when I got my marble tiles out of the box, there were several tiles that looked quite a bit different. Don't worry, just buy a few extra to mix around. Return the excess! Love your choices, never thought of Craigs list. Mom