During this time when we’re all at home more, you may notice your kitchen is in need of a refresh. The foundational, and most costly, elements of a kitchen are the cabinets, counters and appliances. Walls, floors, and backsplashes can be easily changed for huge impact on a minimal budget. In this kitchen, changing the wall color, backsplash, cabinet hardware, and pendant light coverings created a whole new feel in the space. Lighter tile colors opened the space between cabinets and counters, as well as adding a dose of glamour and artistry to a priorly bland space. Updating the early 2000s bronze hardware to a contemporary matte black elevated the natural wood cabinets. And lastly, simply updating the pendant covers to echo the creamy white tiles helped to pull the look together.
Old kitchen on left, updated kitchen on right.
The TILES: Feature Tiles are Clay Decor’s Thistle 6x6 inlaid with Medium Grey glass and bordered by a custom dimensional 1/2 round-over listello (1/2 deep). Subways are 2x8 inch handmade tiles in Gloss White. The glaze was applied so that the warm off-white clay color softened the white glaze in order to coordinate with the natural tones in the granite counters and natural Ash cabinets.
Old backsplash in slate on left, new backsplash on right in handmade ceramic tiles (lighting unchanged).
How It Was Done: The old slate tiles were chiseled out using a hammer and small pry. Outlets and switches were moved higher to make way for the feature tile band. Holes from the tile removal and outlet repositioning were patched with drywall and spackle. The entire splash was coated in a thin, even layer of tile mortar to make way for the regular installation of the new handmade tiles.
Closeup of the old hardware on left (Bronze), updated hardware on right (matte black).