Backsplashes – it’s a minefield out there do you plump for ceramic or stone, paper or copper, concrete or mirror? How about tiles – patterned or mosaic, subway, laser-cut shall I go on? I haven’t really nailed ours yet. There is a slight return on our countertop in the kitchen, but it doesn’t really do the job of a full-on backsplash, so I’m forever touching up the paint. What to do?
Here are three of my favourite ideas for backsplashes although the choices are endless. It really comes down to whether you want them to stand out and be one of the focal points or quietly let them fade into the background. There is as always no right or wrong. Decisions, decisions…
TILES
Subway tiles are cheap, easy to install and terribly in vogue right now. You can go two ways. Option one is to grout out in the same colour as the tiles, and option two is to go for grout in a dark hue. Seems like everyone is doing the white subway tiles black grout thing – makes them look a lot edgier I find!
My favourite tile source of all time is Emery & Cie, classic, beautiful and something I would never tire of. I want them everywhere in the kitchen, in the bathroom all over. Love!
METAL
This is a really versatile choice, because it works in kitchens that are super glam or really industrial – case in point the pictures above! The image on the right shows Cameron Diaz’s kitchen designed by Kelly Wearstler, which I’m totally obsessed with. It’s an uber-luxe look, but if you wanted to get it on the cheap B&Q sell anodised Aluminium Textured Panels (copper in hue), which I think would make a great backsplash.
Tin tiles are great as backsplashes too. They’re durable, usually affordable (you can buy new or reclaimed) and they add oodles of texture to a space. I love the vintage kind sold by Olde Good Things in NYC, they specialise in the most beautiful ones.
MIRROR
I love the idea of mirror tiles as a back splash, especially ones that look antique. Anne Sacks do the most beautiful ones. Someone who came to one of my Design Classes a while back said she has used acid on the back of a normal mirror and it did exactly the same thing for a fraction of the cost. I haven’t tried it out, but if any of guys have do let us know.
UPDATE: MY NEW BACKSPLASH
Solutions come from the most unexpected places sometimes! In the end I was experimenting with some of the sample mirrors that arrived for our own-label collection. My new backsplash is now two of the Hampton mirrors lying on their side and propped against the wall. Perfect fit, and I love how they extend the sense of space. Sorted!