Once our countertops (sans the island) were installed, it was time for the backsplash. We love the view into the kitchen. It’s a huge wall with an arch that has become our building love language of sorts. (Workshopping the motto, “Put an arch on it.”) Huge wall means huge statement right?
We went with white subway tile. Why? Because it’s classy. Plus it’s inexpensive. Also 99% of the kitchen I love (i.e. pin) have white subway tile as the backsplash. (Same percentage applies for bathrooms too.) Shouldn’t mess with a good thing.
With just having open shelving on that wall we decided to do something big.
Why stop at the top shelf? Let’s do the whole dang wall. I was worried about the kitchen looking amiss without upper cabinets, but the wall of tile was the cure for that. There will be crown molding at the top, but they have to wait for that until the vent hood is installed.
Love how the tiled arch looks (this picture is without grout). I am slightly terrified that I will hate the open shelving and have this wall of tile that pretty much commits me to the shelving regardless. Only slightly though and I feel like that can be contributed to the several “it’s not my style” comments I got from my mom and sister. True story. The tile guys said they’d never done a job like this and “maybe people will like it.” Nick and I died laughing. Confirmation of what we already knew, we be cray.
We decided to go with white grout. It’s hard to even tell the whole wall is tiled in this picture. Once all the window coverings from the paint are off and the glorious natural light returns, it will look amazing. We thought going with natural grout which is a gray would be too high contrast for such a large area especially since there will be a ton of items displayed on the shelves.
You can see how the kitchen is shaping up in Nick’s coffee station. The natural stained shelves, black granite, white cabinets, and wood floors. The floors still aren’t finished, but I am really loving the lighter natural look in the photo.
Getting really excited friends!
Maybe people will like?????? I’m in love!!!! That arch is totally killing me. I want a tiled arch.
Nick just giggled and said well we hope so. Bahaha.
i am trying not to be jealous. trying.
It’s ok. Give into that feeling. I do when I read your blog, so it’s cool.
Oh. Gurl. My heart yearns for that tiled wall. At first, I thought you guys were crazy for building but seeing how you guys get to pick literally EVERYTHING from the start is awesome. I have white tile with white grout in my house too- I love it, everything kind of disappears (except for spaghetti sauce…)
Good to know on the spaghetti sauce! For the record we are crazy for building.
Looks amazing. I love the arched tile. Impressive pick.
Thank you! Just keeping it classy over here!
I am ridiculously jealous. No shame to my game:)
Totally awesome! I find it refreshing after years of seeing dark kitchens with tall hard wood cabinets. Subway tile looks great. We are inspired to start moving our kitchen I a similar direction, . We love our white cabinets and black countertops.
Thanks Eric! It’s funny to see things shift back to the classics like subway tile. I guess because we all see these incredible apartments in NY! Well maybe it’s not a shift back, it’s an appreciation for. I don’t know either way it’s pretty! Can’t wait to see your kitchen!
LOVE the entire tile wall! Way to be brave and do it your style. Love love!
Thanks! We were just talking about how we feel like we scaled things down a bit to avoid doing anything too crazy. I guess it’s just a departure from the kind of house they usually build.
That is going to be soooo lovely! xo Kristin
Thanks! Hopefully we will have some gorgeous vignettes like yours!
Looking good. I like that you did the whole wall. Can’t want to see everything pulled together.
We can’t wait either! Getting very anxious over here!
I am LOVING everything you’re doing in your home! That tiled arch is what dreams are made of. Well, my dreams haha Any chance I can move in? I mean, I could be your in-home stylist! You can’t really say no to that, can you? 😉
Don’t even joke Caitlin because you know the answer is YES!! I could never say no to that! I’ll expect you by the beginning of the year then?
I LOVE WHITE TILE AND WHITE GROUT! Wow, this wall blows me away!!! There is nothing more classic than white subway tile. It’s timeless and beautiful. I love it so much. I can’t believe how stunning that arch doorway looks surrounded by tile. It’s amazing. I am so in love with your kitchen. It is looking magazine status! I hope BHG has been keeping their eye on you
bhg? PSSSSSSHHHHHHH……We’re shooting for the stars with this one…. like Parker County Today!
Bahahaha! Cause Weatherford Now is a buncha bitches, right?
ON. POINT.
I want be buried in your tiled wall. It is absolutely gorgeous!
Coincidentally, we’re offering some pretty attractive rates on tiled wall burial plots for Christmas this year. Helping to subsidize the upstairs and such.
Hurry. Offer ends soon.
Oh eM Gee. That is one beautiful kitchen wall. I love the natural shelves. That is so on trend. Actually a bit ahead. I think natural wood is coming back big time now.
Love everything you have going on here.
Thank you Katja! I’m loving natural wood tones right now especially with all the white, black, and gold happening around it!
The kitchen just keeps getting better! I love me some subway tile. And I’m sure you will love the open shelving. I love mine and wouldn’t mind all of our uppers being like that but maybe in my dream home!
It has definitely been the most exciting room to see come together. Now if we can get the appliances in there!
tiled arch! that’s so fabulous. as is your whole giant wall o’ tile!
Thank you! It’s currently winning for my favorite thing in the house right now.
Love the backsplash and arch. May I ask, what tile did you use?
It’s just 4×6 white subway tiles. I think our tile guy ordered them from Daltile.
Thanks, it looks lovely with the floating shelves!
I recently found your blog:) I’m so appreciating going back through your kitchen reno posts. Our kitchen is almost identical to your layout – even an arch! We are in process in redoing things, and it is so helpful to have a finished example! Love your kitchen! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Alicia! I bet your kitchen is going to be gorgeous! I have a thing for this layout and any room with an arch!