Home Makeover Diva

Home Design Makeover Ideas

Granite As A Backsplash

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Today Mary writes:

Dear Diva, I’m going to use Baltic Brown granite in a small kitchenette studio apartment. The backsplash will be 7 foot long by 2 foot . On the 2 foot wall will be a white refrigerator (All cabinets and appliances are white). I really like the new glass tiles and would like to use a coordinating color. The studio will be somewhat modern and it’s 19’x19′ one open room, should I use 3-4″ of granite as the backsplash for expansion, then add the glass tiles? Please give suggestions. Thank You

Mary, there really is no right or wrong answer to your question. Basically it boils down to what do you prefer? Do you prefer the look of the countertop being extended 3-4″ or do you prefer a backsplash made entirely out of the glass tiles instead? Either answer is perfectly acceptable and will look great! If you’re unsure exactly which you prefer, here are three questions that may help you narrow down your choice:

What can you afford? If budget is a concern, then go with the option that is least expensive. If the granite is less expensive than the glass tiles then by all means supplement the cost by doing 4″ of granite first. If the granite is more expensive than use the glass tiles for the entire space.

Is the countertop slab or tile? If the countertop is slab then I’d suggest not doing a 4″ granite backsplash, instead just going with the glass tile backsplash. This is mainly because there’s a considerable up charge for backsplashes on slab countertops and if you are planning on adding a backsplash you might as well save some money. Also typically I consider granite backsplashes on a slab countertop as a substitution for a tile backsplash. However if you’re going with granite tiles, then either solution is a good one.

Granite As A Backsplash

Are you living there or renting it out? If it’s being rented and you’re unsure of how the renters will treat things, I would suggest going with 3 or 4″ of granite. Mostly just because granite will be heartier then the glass tiles and can take a beating better in the long run. This is especially true if everyday kitchen items get slammed towards the wall. If you’re the one who is going to be staying there then you can go with either the granite or the glass tiles. Because you will most likely be more careful since you’re more attached to the items, than someone you’re renting the apartment out to would likely be.

This is also a great time to remind you to purchase extra tile of whichever one you choose, incase you have to repair something later on down the line. This way you will be ready to make a repair without experiencing the difficulty of matching different dye lots of tile or having to get creative finding something that will work with the original design.

Other than these three questions to consider, the bottom line is both options work. It just depends on which one you find more visually interesting. Especially when you consider the fact that Baltic Brown granite as a backsplash is beautiful and will look great in both scenarios!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe(diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!

Choosing A Metallic Tile Backsplash

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Today Tamyra writes:

Dear Diva, Please help!  I am in the process of choosing a metallic tile backsplash and I just can’t decide on the color.  I have a stainless steel appliances, a neutral beige countertop and cherry cabinets.  On top of that my faucet and light fixtures are satin nickel.  Originally I thought I’d have to go with some kind of a silver color but it looks blah because it blends in with the appliances what should I do?

Choosing a metallic tile backsplash can be difficult, especially when you’ve already got a metallic finish in the kitchen it is going in.  It sounds like you started off in the direction I would have gone in first too.  You’ve probably noticed that while the silver metallic tile matches your stainless steel appliances it does nothing for your cherry cabinets.  That is because silver is such a cool color while Cherry wood is warm and rich.

Choosing A Metallic Tile Backsplash

While it sounds contrary to your initial instincts, I’d suggest going with a copper or aged bronze tile.  A copper tile would accent nicely with your cabinets and it would also stand out from the stainless appliances and nickel fixtures in the kitchen.  An aged bronze tile could work as well depending on the shade of your cherry cabinets.  If the color of your cabinets are dark, the aged bronze tile may end up just blending in with them, and creating a similar problem that you were running into with the silver metallic backsplash tile.

Whichever way you go, remember to bring a sample tile home into your space and look at how the different light affects the way it looks throughout the day and evening before purchasing.  There is nothing worse than installing a new metallic backsplash tile only to find out, it doesn’t look the same at a certain time of day.  I speak from experience on this one! Only I made my mistake with paint and ended up having to paint over 2 huge rooms.  Trust me this is something you can avoid with only a bit of patience before beginning your project!

If you can’t get a sample or the sample isn’t very big, one trick that has always helped me with any solid backsplash tile is to bring in paint samples to the tile shop.  With a metallic backsplash tile this will be even easier to match up.  Compare the paint samples to the tile you are looking at and find one that matches.  You can then get a quart or sample can made at your local paint store.  Back at home, paint a piece of masonite or even poster board with your sample color.  Once it dries you can set it up in the kitchen in the backsplash area and find out if the color works for you.  This trick takes a bit of the guess-work out of choosing metallic backsplash tile!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog.

How To Tile A Backsplash

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Today Cindy writes:

We’ve just replaced our appliances in the kitchen and are now looking at doing something about behind the stove. Frankly, I have asked my husband about adding a new backsplash and needless to say he was less than excited at the idea. So know I am asking you, Diva. Can you teach me how to tile a backsplash? Is it really as big of a pain as I’ve heard it can be?

Well Cindy, learning how to tile a backsplash can be made into a really intensive project if you take the usual approach. However if you’re willing to mix things up a bit, try some non-mortar products that help make the job easier, you’ll find it’s not all that bad.

How To Tile A Backsplash

The key to learning how to tile a backsplash really comes down to the following points.

– What kind of tile are you going to be using?

– Something else to make your backsplash tile stay in place?

The tile, really comes down to what type of surface you’re looking for. Ceramic, glass, metal, the list goes on. Because this really comes down to personal preference, there is no really right or wrong choice here. Style, colors or perhaps even going with something that uses vinyl are all good options depending on the end result you might be seeking.

How to tile a backsplash made simple

Believe it or not, there are two great products out there that will allow you to make tile backsplash happen with less effort that most people might think initially. The first product is called Bondera and it’s a tile mat set. Then there is also SimpleMat as well. Bondera is available at Lowes while SimpleMat is a Home Depot product.

Not too long back, I demonstrated how one could use Bondera and some glass backsplash tile to make a small tray for the kitchen. It was applied in the same way as it would be when used for a backsplash. Apply the Bondera, apply the tiles, grout and enjoy. Obviously there is some prep time for the grout involved here, but when you’ve removed the need for mortar, you will see that learning how to tile a backsplash isn’t really that difficult. Take the simple approach, use Bondera. It’s works great!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog.

Mosaic Glass Tile Backsplash Design Ideas

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Today Ruth asks:

Diva, I am lost. I’ve been trying to find some new and exciting mosaic glass tile backsplash design  ideas, but I am really coming up short. I’ve been all over the Internet and nothing really seems to meet the mosaic glass tile criteria that others have described to me. Can you provide me with some mosaic glass tile examples so that I can make sure the ones I am looking at actually mosaic glass tiles? Thanks!

Ruth, I feel your pain. Trying to track down something like mosaic glass tile backsplash design ideas is quite a big job given all of the samples out there to discover. To make matters worse, is that there are more than one category of mosaic glass tiles available for use in a backsplash. Let me help to set you straight by making sure you understand the different glass tiles available and what their patterns will look like.

Glass backsplash tile – This is as general as you can get. Circles, squares, plus a lot of other shapes will fall into this category. Large, small, stained, transparent, just about everything in this category is as different as the next item. It’s all glass tiles. And so long as it states that it is usable for a backsplash, you should be good to go. Most glass backsplash tile is available both with and without mosaic themes.

Roman glass backsplash tile – Again, there is a lot of variety here. Common traits generally includes squares, triangles or solid prints. Plenty of faded browns and tans. Occasionally some colors such as cream, mint green or something more rustic in one of these color schemes is available. The biggest common theme is the rustic appearance. Generally, mosaic themes are less common here. When they are present, they are much less pronounced visually.

Mosaic Glass Tile Backsplash Design Ideas

Perl glass backsplash tile – From the color standpoint, you are often looking at white or gray. Sometimes, you may find some browns or black color choices available. But the collective nature of pearl glass in a tile is the reflective look to each tile. Like the roman glass above, the pearl glass is generally only available in a subtle mosaic pattern. Just something to consider if you are looking at that pretty pearl finish.

Now after everything above, you are still wanting something with a stark, heavy mosaic quality, I would suggest looking at the standard glass backplash tile, even better – think stone and metal blacksplash tiles. Often times you will find better mosaic patterns when pulling from these tile batches than with roman glass or pearl glass tile.

The most striking option that comes to my mind personally, would be the painted mosaic themes. Bright as you want them to be. And with some creative under the cabinet lighting solutions, you could easily have the kind of backsplash you’ve always dreamed of!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe(diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog.

Tile Medallions

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Today Chris writes:

I’ve seen these elaborate tile medallions that cost hundreds to thousands of dollars.   Is there a way I can create my own and only spend a fraction of the cost?

Honestly, it just depends on what type of look you are going for and your skill level.  If you’re creative, a master with a tile saw and tile nippers, I say go for it.  If you aren’t you might want to consider some less elaborate designs or something less expensive.

You can find tile medallions for as little as $19.99.  Usually the ones that price are small, more the size of a medallion in a kitchen backsplash behind a stove.  I have also seen some as low as $99 at home improvement stores.  So if the only places you’ve looked are high-end tile shops, you may want to broaden your search area.

Tile Medallions

Another thing to consider if you are trying to create a medallion yourself is that you may be able to create another visually stunning design with out all the hard work.  Working in a square design is easier than trying to complete a circular design.  Consider using a decorative square mosaic to border your area.  Then use a different size tile inside the border. Or create another pattern inside the border.  You can find many different pattern template’s online to help you plan out your space.

You don’t have to use a tile medallion that costs an arm and a leg to make your space stunning.  Sometimes just a little more planning can get you a great design and a great look!

Do you have questions about the selecting or the installation of: tile, carpet or wall treatments (window blinds, etc)? Then email me your tale of woe (diva(at)homemakeoverdiva.com) and perhaps I will be able to answer your questions right here at the Home Makeover Diva Blog!