Quick tile decision: kitchen renovation angst

[Anonymous]

Our contractor, with whom I have too many beefs to list right now, texted this morning saying we have to decide on how to edge the backsplash tile that is being installed TODAY. He never mentioned this or asked about it and we are at work without resources to do much research, but I did a little Googling and am still stuck. Help?

The backsplash is geometric, this pattern but in cobalt blue: https://mercurymosaics.com/products/medium-diamonds-75-emerald

Paint on the upper walls and dining area (open to kitchen; the backsplash will end against this paint on two sides) will be some sort of greige but I haven't selected it yet. Countertops are cream quartz with a gray vein.

Sink and lighting fixtures are brushed nickel.

We are supposed to choose between bullnose and Schluter (metal) trim. I like bullnose but don't know that it can be found in the correct blue at this very last minute. My instinct with Schluter is that it looks cheap, but I think that's what being used against the green tile in the same pattern in the link above, and it looks OK. I don't know how one chooses a color for that when the paint color isn't even selected yet, nor is the grout. Communication with this contractor has been abysmal and we're furious.

Advice? Experience? The house is a colonial that's generally pretty traditional in style. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Is this just the edge at the end of the kitchen - ie vertical edge? BC I don't see any edging at all in your example - the tiles appear to run right to the countertop and cabinets.

I found this, and like option 5 to tie into the wall color. I agree that finding a bullnose in that shade would be difficult to do last minute.

[Anonymous]

I also like the edgy approach in this article: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/where-to-start-and-stop-your-backsplash-stsetivw-vs~86843211

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this just the edge at the end of the kitchen - ie vertical edge? BC I don't see any edging at all in your example - the tiles appear to run right to the countertop and cabinets.

I found this, and like option 5 to tie into the wall color. I agree that finding a bullnose in that shade would be difficult to do last minute.

OP here-- sorry, the link to what you found didn't come through; can you repost?
Yes, it's just vertical edge, in only a couple of spots. Against the vivid backsplash, I don't think it will be super visible. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Bullnose.

BTW, you don't have to have it right now. Ours was backordered and the tilers put in the tiles first, then came back weeks later to finish with the bullnose. I was determined to avoid getting schluter.

[Anonymous]

Bullnose. Don’t use the metal trim. It’s so cheap looking. Your kitchen is not a Wawa bathroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bullnose.

BTW, you don't have to have it right now. Ours was backordered and the tilers put in the tiles first, then came back weeks later to finish with the bullnose. I was determined to avoid getting schluter.

She does if she wants the metal trim. It slides into the wet thinset when they place the tiles.

[Anonymous]

Are you doing white grout? I think a white shcluter trim would be fine then (and not noticeable).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you doing white grout? I think a white shcluter trim would be fine then (and not noticeable).

No, probably something grayish. I am supposed to choose the grout tonight and they'll grout tomorrow when they finish tiling.

But a grayish Schluter could blend in with the grout and the wall color, I guess. Grrrrrrr.

[Anonymous]

Bullnose if you can get it.

I will say that ours has schluter edge trim and I don't even notice it any longer. But bullnose would be nicer.

[Anonymous]

I like the schulter, can you match it to your cabinet hardware? That tile is gorgeous and I think that is what your eye will be drawn to in the end.

[Anonymous]

That tile is super pretty!!

[Anonymous]

I hate contractors who do this. We're working with one right now that has done this sh*t at the last minute every time. They claimed all the materials we needed we ordered and we had them check like five times.

I'm not good at resisting their pressure myself but if you can do it make them wait while you figure it out. I do think the metal schluter would look weird.

[Anonymous]

I vote for brushed nickel shluter, and I think it'll look great.

I have the same pattern backsplash in white, and have you considered laying the tile on a 90 degree turn from the picture? That way they form diamonds instead of boxes. Comes down to personal preference, but I prefer the diamond pattern.

[Anonymous]

Have you looked at Schluter's non-metallic options? We are using a matte colored edge in a similar color to our tiles.