Backsplash. Hippest, hottest, newest

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok- sorry to hijack, but if we're talking backsplashes, help me out. My house has cherry cabinets. I'm not crazy about cherry cabinets, but they are fairly new and solid and for a variety of reasons, we're not replacing them. There is no backsplash, but I want to put one in. What would look nice?

When I looked around (albeit briefly) on houzz and a couple of other places, it seemed like cherry cabinets were most often paired with the rustic tumbled marble tiles like the ones linked above, or small glass mosaic tiles (which I truly hate). But I'm really not aware of where to even look for design suggestions.

I've seen large(r) glass tile in a brick pattern look good with cherry cabinets, larger glass tile in a grid pattern for a slightly more modern look, same surface material (granite, quartz...) if you're replacing the countertop too. Cement tiles with a pattern like in the previous link for the flooring are popular with design bloggers right now. I too hate small tile mosaic in general, but an exception (for me) is tile mosaic that is all one color but different textures. And really, unless you're planning to sell soon, just pick something YOU like. Replacing a backsplash isn't so outrageously expensive you can't redo it if you hate it in 7 years.

Hmmm, thanks! I do like the patterned cement tiles, I was concerned that they are a bit too specific but as you say, it would be an easy fix if we sell. They would punch up the kitchen a bit and be more my style. We may replace the countertop (which is black, also not my fave with the cherry), undecided. Good suggestions!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ I hate the above tumbled marble squares. It's very dated and looks 1990- 2000s

no that's timeless, people will be ok with tumbled netural grey it may not be a selling point but it will always be the 'that's ok we don't have to rip that out' , trendy is the glass or mosaics small tiles.

Sorry, that's not timeless. It's not even a trend on its way out. It is a long over trend for at least 7 years now (and, honestly, was never popular among design people - just housewives). If I came into possession of a house with those tiles, I would think the opposite of "that's okay we don't have to rip that out". They would be torn out within weeks they are so ugly.

White kitchens are timeless. There has never been a time in the last 100 years that white kitchens were not workable within that periods trends. A quick update of hardware, lighting, backsplash and counters, and a white kitchen looks brand new.

Subway tiles are definitely a little oversaturated, but I think if done correctly still feel classic. Marble, herringbone patterns and the like I think will always look pretty classic. Also, non-standard sizes (like extra long, or oversized) are still interesting and new. Someone else suggested granite - which can look classic if you choose a contemporary granite. But if you choose a granite straight out of 2006 (which is what most people seem to choose), then it looks terribly dated and heavy.

Sometimes I wonder if people have opened a design magazine in the last 5 years!

You are clearly out of touch, most people buying houses are not designers. Do we need to flag you as the out of touch kitchen designer? Kind of like how all architect rave over modern home design but buyers just prefer colonials?

NP here and I agree with this sentiment. Housewives buy the houses. They don't need to rip out things that are gentle classics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok- sorry to hijack, but if we're talking backsplashes, help me out. My house has cherry cabinets. I'm not crazy about cherry cabinets, but they are fairly new and solid and for a variety of reasons, we're not replacing them. There is no backsplash, but I want to put one in. What would look nice?

When I looked around (albeit briefly) on houzz and a couple of other places, it seemed like cherry cabinets were most often paired with the rustic tumbled marble tiles like the ones linked above, or small glass mosaic tiles (which I truly hate). But I'm really not aware of where to even look for design suggestions.

I've seen large(r) glass tile in a brick pattern look good with cherry cabinets, larger glass tile in a grid pattern for a slightly more modern look, same surface material (granite, quartz...) if you're replacing the countertop too. Cement tiles with a pattern like in the previous link for the flooring are popular with design bloggers right now. I too hate small tile mosaic in general, but an exception (for me) is tile mosaic that is all one color but different textures. And really, unless you're planning to sell soon, just pick something YOU like. Replacing a backsplash isn't so outrageously expensive you can't redo it if you hate it in 7 years.

Hmmm, thanks! I do like the patterned cement tiles, I was concerned that they are a bit too specific but as you say, it would be an easy fix if we sell. They would punch up the kitchen a bit and be more my style. We may replace the countertop (which is black, also not my fave with the cherry), undecided. Good suggestions!

I don't have a great suggestion for you, but definitely don't do the tumbled marble squares. Tumbled marble squares plus cherry cabinets just screams dated. I would go with something light, especially since your countertop is dark.

When we were choosing backsplashes, we picked out about 4 and brought them home and leaned them on the wall. You can always return what you don't like. It helped us a lot though.

[Anonymous]

I love how people always refer to their own personal kitchen style as "timeless" or "classic." There is no timeless style in kitchen design. There is only what is current and desirable and what is not. Your traditional style white cabinets most definitely look old, just like your neighbors white shaker kitchen cabinets and flat panel cabinets will look old in a few years.

To me, white kitchens always look dated. We tore ours out immediately after moving in. And white subway tiles scream hotel bathroom to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why would you pick something trendy knowing the trend will end -- as it has with subway tiles?

And I agree -- white/cream cabinets are yesterday.

White and cream cabinets are timeless, not "yesterday."

However, they are also not cutting edge. In any simple, modern design white cabinets are going to look cheap and trendy very quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ I hate the above tumbled marble squares. It's very dated and looks 1990- 2000s

+1 We have these in our kitchen (complete with medallion accent tiles), and it looks very dated. And dark and dirty. /goes great with the dark cherry cabinets. Ick. I wish we could afford to renovate! Like this:
http://www.creativerr.com/Pages/Backsplash007.html
Yuck!

Sleek, clean, light reflecting is in. I want glass tiles like these:
https://www.modwalls.com/shop/lush-glass-tile/lush-three-six-tile-subway-tile-glass/lush-surf-3x6-green-glass-subway-tile.html

This looks modern: http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgrm/fullset/2013/4/24/6/CI-Farrow-And-Ball-The-Art-of-Color-pg244_red-cabinet-and-backsplash_3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.1288.jpeg

http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgrm/fullset/2013/1/8/3/original_metal-backsplashes-ribbon-silver_s4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.725.jpeg

http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/3/18/0/original_Nathalie-Tremblay-white-glass-bricks-kitchen-backsplash_s4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.725.jpeg

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ I hate the above tumbled marble squares. It's very dated and looks 1990- 2000s

+1 We have these in our kitchen (complete with medallion accent tiles), and it looks very dated. And dark and dirty. /goes great with the dark cherry cabinets. Ick. I wish we could afford to renovate! Like this:
http://www.creativerr.com/Pages/Backsplash007.html
Yuck!

Sleek, clean, light reflecting is in. I want glass tiles like these:
https://www.modwalls.com/shop/lush-glass-tile/lush-three-six-tile-subway-tile-glass/lush-surf-3x6-green-glass-subway-tile.html

This looks modern: http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgrm/fullset/2013/4/24/6/CI-Farrow-And-Ball-The-Art-of-Color-pg244_red-cabinet-and-backsplash_3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.1288.jpeg

http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgrm/fullset/2013/1/8/3/original_metal-backsplashes-ribbon-silver_s4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.725.jpeg

http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/3/18/0/original_Nathalie-Tremblay-white-glass-bricks-kitchen-backsplash_s4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.725.jpeg

I love the examples you posted!

[Anonymous]

NP here and I agree with this sentiment. Housewives buy the houses. They don't need to rip out things that are gentle classics.

housewives?

[Anonymous]

Sleek, clean, light reflecting is in. I want glass tiles like these:
https://www.modwalls.com/shop/lush-glass-tile/lush...6-green-glass-subway-tile.html

This looks like something you'd see on a locked psych ward -- that green is clinically proven to reduce suicidality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would you pick something trendy knowing the trend will end -- as it has with subway tiles?

And I agree -- white/cream cabinets are yesterday.

White and cream cabinets are timeless, not "yesterday."

However, they are also not cutting edge. In any simple, modern design white cabinets are going to look cheap and trendy very quickly.

I'm sorry your kitchen is old, but you're just not going to convince people that there is such a thing as timeless.

[Anonymous]

Cream is the absolute worst color for cabinetry. It just looks dingy. And it's even worse in bathrooms against the stark white of the toilet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cream is the absolute worst color for cabinetry. It just looks dingy. And it's even worse in bathrooms against the stark white of the toilet.

Totally agree. White is fine -- boring and ubiqiuitous these days, but fine. Cream looks dirty and old -- like you've been smoking in the kitchen for 50 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:that wood backsplash is gorgeous but so terribly impractical. Marble is modern and will last forever... but not for the countertop, not durable enough.

I believe the wood backsplash is vinyl tile (they said faux wood)

Anybody find it ironic they covered faux wood floors with graphic pattern tiles designers are liking for backspashes, and covered the backsplash with faux wood tiles?

I've actually been considering similar tiles for my kitchen floor. My kitchen is galley with a lot less floor space. We'll do white cabinets with marble or soapstone counters and subway tiles. I thought the encaustic tiles would bring a little surprise and character. I'm not so sure after seeing them in that kitchen.

To the OP, have you thought about something like copper or metal tiles? How about a mirror? The property brothers always seem to come up with cool ideas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ I hate the above tumbled marble squares. It's very dated and looks 1990- 2000s

no that's timeless, people will be ok with tumbled netural grey it may not be a selling point but it will always be the 'that's ok we don't have to rip that out' , trendy is the glass or mosaics small tiles.

Sorry, that's not timeless. It's not even a trend on its way out. It is a long over trend for at least 7 years now (and, honestly, was never popular among design people - just housewives). If I came into possession of a house with those tiles, I would think the opposite of "that's okay we don't have to rip that out". They would be torn out within weeks they are so ugly.

White kitchens are timeless. There has never been a time in the last 100 years that white kitchens were not workable within that periods trends. A quick update of hardware, lighting, backsplash and counters, and a white kitchen looks brand new.

Subway tiles are definitely a little oversaturated, but I think if done correctly still feel classic. Marble, herringbone patterns and the like I think will always look pretty classic. Also, non-standard sizes (like extra long, or oversized) are still interesting and new. Someone else suggested granite - which can look classic if you choose a contemporary granite. But if you choose a granite straight out of 2006 (which is what most people seem to choose), then it looks terribly dated and heavy.

Sometimes I wonder if people have opened a design magazine in the last 5 years!

Sorry lady who recently installed a white kitchen with subway tiles, niothing is timeless.

[Anonymous]

btw this is the large mosaic backsplash I was talking about. I'm seeing it everywhere in decorator styled places. It's in the new HGTV dream home. http://hookedonhouses.net/2016/04/12/hgtv-smart-home-2016-in-raleigh-north-carolina/