Looking to make a splash? Consider colourful glass mosaic tiles for your kitchen backsplash. Although today's ubiquitous white subway tiles remain on trend (if you just installed them, don't worry: they'll look great for years to come), if you're designing from scratch this year, consider taking a pass on that trend and trying something newer, something edgier, something eminently funkier – but versatile and sophisticated too.
And that's mini mosaic tiles in a look-at-me hue like cherry red, royal blue, mineral white or even the deceptively neutral "colourless" natural glass hue. Making their presence known in a number of designer booths and installations at this year's Interior Design Show, held in Toronto this past February, miniature glass mosaics are a bold alternative to the subway tiles so popular in the 00's. Their translucent finish also offers a lighter, more modern feel than opaque ceramic or natural stone tiles.
Go small
Available in intriguing shapes, including 5/8-inch-by-5/8-inch squares, 1-inch-by-1-inch squares, 5/8-inch-by-2-inch rectangles, tiny "penny-rounds," ovals, or even "shards" of thin, long tiles resembling mineral crystals, these pretty wonders are usually sold as 12" by 12" "tiles" adhered onto mesh backing for easier application. Just apply them with organic mastic (a latex- or petroleum-based "mortar" for vertical surfaces – conventional thin-set mortars take too long to set), and grout when dry.
Because the tiles have a repetitive pattern (all those tiny grout lines!) and, in many cases, eye-catching colours, they work best in a clean, streamlined contemporary kitchen. Consider them a natural if you have flat-panel cabinetry in a high-gloss lacquered finish. (Or, if your paste is more transitional, they also work with plain Shaker-style cabinets.)
To avoid sending mixed design messages, skip basic-issue white appliances in favour of appliance panels, or stainless steel or black finishes – unless your idea of white is conveyed via luxe revival whites as shown by Aga.
Kitchen & Bath - Kitchen
Make a splash: Kitchen backsplashes
Update your kitchen with a beautiful and colourful backsplash.
- Page 1: Kitchen backsplash trends
- Page 2: Pricing considerations
4 Comments
Like the updated site, however, my only comment for improvement would be to add more pictures for inspiration in your articles! For example, this backsplash article...I was expecting to gather some ideas for inspiration for my own project, but there was only the one main picture. Just something to think about to reach your target audience. Thanks for a great magazine though!
I am moving from a house to a 1 bedroom apartment and am nervous because you can't paint in them or change a color scheme at all.I was wondering what to do to make a splash of color in each room.Was thinking of using placemats as a backsplash in kitchen? What abut a flat sheet on wall in livingroom onthe smaller wall? Any other suggestions? HELP!!!!
Stainless Steel Backsplashes are awesome, I installed one and it looks great. They are much more sanitary than stone or ceramic. Mine came from RIDALCO Industries in Ottawa,Ontario Canada. visit them at www.ridalco.com
I too was hoping for more pictures. What do you suggest as a backsplash for white cabinets and appliances. My table is dark cherry and so is the stair banister