I must have visited all the tile stores on Maui at least twice, one of them a dozen times. Choosing tile doesn't come easily as I am quite the novice. I'm afraid if I make a mistake not only do I have the tremendous expense, but also the nightmare of ripping it out and installing new stuff. Okay, that will never happen. A more likely scenario would be that we would just live with my bad decision for years until we are fed up enough to redo it.
First up is this sweet honey colored tile mixed with a neutral grey in a basket weave pattern. Seeing it next to the marble, I realize the browns are too much for the grey and white:
Next is this tumbled Emperador marble. This is closer to the texture of the marble, but still too brown:
Just to be safe, we are considering plain white subway tile. Many of the kitchens I've seen in the style of ours have white subway tile on the walls. I like it, but frankly it's a little boring.
So to add interest, we are considering marble tiles. I like the differing sizes of the subway tiles. It's safe, it matches, and if the next one doesn't work out, this one wins.
Finally, I brought this one home upon the urging of the saleslady. When I saw it in the store, I thought it was too contemporary for our traditional kitchen, but when I saw it in our kitchen it really grabbed me. It's a recycled glass tile from Lunada Bay Tile. I just love the variation in color, the visual depth it has, and the subtle sheen it has in the light. The fact that it is a green product is a plus too!
Anybody with an opinion here? I could use all the help I can get!
13 comments:
So, I was thinking, "what's wrong with subway tile?" I actually prefer the way the plain white complements the marble to the matchy marble.
BUT, then you show the recycled glass. That looks really cool and I like the green aspect as well. My vote is for the lighter grey one on the bottom -- just different enough from the marble to look intentional, yet still pretty neutral.
That saleslady has a good eye - even from the photograph those recycled glass tiles look wonderful and look like they would work well in your new kitchen. Their subtle colour should be easy to live with for years to come.I had the same dilemma a few years ago, went with my gut instinct rather than a bland safe option and never regretted it.
I think the last one looks great and would be a fantastic addition to your beautiful kitchen!
Robin, I like the marble tile and the glass tile. The marbel tile would be a very safe choice, but the glass tile might just add that little sparkle and add just enough color. What ever you choose I am sure it will be beautiful!
A friend of mine used a beautiful bluish green sea glass type tile which added a spark of color & interest. The color is like the sea glass that you find on the beach - beautiful and not so matchy matchy. But I'm sure whatever you pick will be beautiful! - Karen
Hi Robin
I've enjoyed your blog and it's been interesting watching your renovations. I have to say I really like the Lunada Bay tile, it just has some nice visual interest. The tile directly above would just blend in and be the same old, same old. I checked out their web site and they have some wonderful products and interesting colors as well.
I guess it all depends on whether you want something a bit unique and original which then means go with the Lunada Bay tiles or if you want something that everyone else has, then it's the previous selection.
Good luck
Vicki
Ooh! Definitely the last one, the glass tile! I agree that the 1st 2 are too brown. With the white cabinets, if you put in the white subway tile you won't even see it - which although may not be bad, it doesn't give you any contrast, and backslashes are supposed to be fun, and an accent. The shapes of the last one are great, love the running bond pattern.
Although your quilts usually run to vertical (to my eye, at least), think how fun it would be to make a quilt that is based on horizontal stripes suggested by the tile!
just my humble opinion, but don't do the white subway tile...we have it in our kitchen and i'm about to rip it out. boring is such a good description. i'm voting for the glass tile...you will love its depth and warmth. can't wait to see what you choose!
Definitely the last one you showed - the glass tile. It pops, is not too brown. Of course I would be looking at red and lime green for myself!!
If you can avoid do not get tile...Particularly white. Eventually the discoloration of the grout will drive you nutty. Consider going with Corian or something like that. Or Granite if you can afford it. You want a seamless surface which is more attractive and easier to care for. I got italian tile 8 years ago for my counters and I hate it because of the aforementioned reasons. I love tile on the floor though provided the grout is dark. Easy to clean, but on a counter....yuk!!
2nd note: Is this tile for your floor?? You definitely don't want a light tile for your floor with children. Get a rich color that's mottled...dark grout. It'll never show dirt. Don't do boring beige. Be wild, if it's your floor.
The marble is pretty, but that glass is wonderful! It blends nicely with the marble but has it's own interesting look. That would be my vote.
I would avoid the subway tile. My feeling is it will be the avocado, harvest gold and burnt orange of the 2000's! Everyone is doing it and people will tire of it.
I liked the marble tiles as they gave a cohesive look.
Then I saw the glass tiles and they have everything you want. There is color variation, value variation and they will give some interest without overpowering.
They look good in the sample and will be even more appropriate when you have the whole area finished.
They won't become dated and will still be there 50 years from now.
KS who had been doing a lot of interior design consulting recently
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