So remember how we got new counters, painted our cabinets, added hardware, and got new lights?
Well, one of the few things we still had to do was put up our backsplash.
Lucky for me, my dad is a contractor and put it up for us. Holla!
I knew I wanted subway tile (3×6 tiles staggered in a brick pattern) because it’s classic and timeless.
As I researched (code: spent way too long on Pinterest), I found that MOST subway tile backsplashes are white ceramic.
And then, I saw glass.
Glass subway tile.
To match my glass cabinet knobs.
Had. to. have.
And then I saw the price difference.
And about had a heart attack.
You can get cheap white ceramic subway tile for as low as $1.99 a square foot.
Glass tile can run you anywhere from $11/s.f. to $16/s.f….and more!
BUT.
Do the math.
You don’t really need a lot of square footage for a backsplash…so you might be pleasantly surprised that even though it’s leaps and bounds more expensive, it’s still not THAT much money, you know?
Besides, it’s downright gorgeous ifidosaysomyself.
Let’s begin with the only picture I took of the my kitchen a before shot:
Considering my house was built in 2006, this kitchen looks older than it actually is.
And let’s not even mention the white grout thing.
Here’s the kitchen after paint, knobs, lights, and counters.
But no backsplash.
BACKSPLASH!!!!
(My kitchen has terrible terrible natural light. My one perpetual complaint. That I can’t fix. So please be patient with my amateur photography.)
Oh, the happy reflective glass!
All shiny and clean!
Now is a good time to point out that the tiles are NOT BLUE.
Nor are they green.
Well, they ARE…but that’s not the color I ordered.
The tile we got is Arizona Tile Skylights
You see, the paper (or whatever it is) behind the glass is, in fact, white.
But the glass itself…has a blue/green/aqua tinge to it.
Think of an old coke bottle.
The glass is so thick and whatnot that it has an aqua-esque tint to it.
Samesies goes for the glass tiles.
For me, it’s awesome, and I love love love it.
I kinda want to marry it.
It matches my kitchen style and is almost a perfect match for my pendant lights.
But it’s probably worth noting that Arctic White isn’t going to be pure white if that’s the look you are going for.
Glass tile requires a special kind of thin set (the adhesive that sticks it to the wall) and sandless grout (or it’ll scratch up your tiles while it’s being applied).
So be sure to ask about all of that stuff when you order.
And include it in your budget.
It’s quite a bit more expensive than the standard stuff.
Of course.
I’m a happy girl.
Countertops by Wilsonart. Pendant Lighting by Barn Light Electric. Cabinet hardware by House of Antique Hardware.
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oh. my. goodness. that is so pretty. “green” with envy over here. ;) hardy-har-har.
i am loving your kitchen redo!!! amazing!!! i need to find you on pinterest. i just joined and am having a hard time figuring out what to do with my account. haha!
I am in LOVE with your kitchen. WOW. Those pendant lights. WOW.
I am super jealous of your new kitchen, just so you know.
LOVE IT!! I love the before and after. We too have the same white tile/grout and I. HATE. IT! We went to HD to look at the Wilsonart and what they had must not be the same as what you have because it looked like the old school laminate :(
Your kitchen looks AWESOME. But of course you knew that:-).
the kitchen looks great!! loved white subway tile previously, but i like the glass even more!!! looks great with your red pops of color!!
STOP. STOP. STOOOOOP. dying. in love. i want to go to your house and rip them off your wall. and put them up in my house. but i wont.
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!
your kitchen makes me happy.
it looks gorgeous! subway tile backsplashes are my newest obsession!
L.O.V.E. IT! Where is that second video you mentioned???
Wow, looks so great! I love it!!
So jealous! But also so jealous of any kitchen after dealing with my 1976, cabinets don’t close, leaky ceiling, black paint over GOLD trash compactor kitchen! Good job on the redo! Do you plan to paint the interior sides of the aqua door-less cabinets?
P.s. I found your blog when I was preg with my twins, fraternal girls born last march. Plus their 3 1/2 yr old sister–twin tips please!!!
I also LOVE your kitchen! (And we have the same tea pots, so I’m a little partial :))
Subway tile, red toaster and red tea kettle..love…what a great look.
Wow! That looks wonderful. It really finishes off your kitchen! Yeah!!
You have done a FANTASTIC job. It is perfect perfect perfect. I love the lights, the counter, the splashback… everything!
One thing though – have you considered painting the front part of timber shelves and the side walls of the cupboards that you took the doors off? IMO they should be white… but hey, that is me.
That tile is absolute PERFECTION!! Gorgeous!
I love love love your kitchen & love the subway tile backsplash even more! You are totally making me get the itch to re-do our kitchen! ha!
So…ummm…that tile back-splash makes my heart go pitter-patter a little. But what really might land me in the emergency room (you’re footing the bill for this, you realize) is your pendant lights. I just found you via The Pleated Poppy (and double-posted on your linky…sorry), so you’ve probably already answered this a bazillion times, but my baby girl is screaming, so I don’t have time to look (deeeep breath), so…could you tell me where you got the pendant lights?
Love your writing style, btw. Hmmm…wonder why?
P.S. Despite my double-references to heart-palpitations, I’m not an octogenarian, so you’re in very little real danger of paying for an emergency room visit. In case you were worried.
I LOVE it!!! It’s beautiful!!!
Totally loving this… and glass subway tile has been on my wish list for a LONG time. Yours looks like a perfect match for your fun and classy kitchen!
I absolutely love your glass suwbay backsplash! AWESOME!! Love the pictures with the bright focal point items as well!
Love the new backsplash! You couldn’t have found something more perfect if you tried:-)
Its reallly beautiful!
That is a beautiful kitchen. I can see several people having the ability to work in that kitchen. Very nice.
Late in commenting as usual….LOVE the tile. Stop taunting me with your awesome kitchen!
GORGEOUS!!! and I’m SOOO jealous of all that counter space you have!!
First let me tell you how beautiful your kitchen looks. I too am thinking about a glass subway tile, but my husband is dragging his feet, saying it will show water spots and splatters. I must know what is your opinion on keeping it clean looking? Is it difficult to keep looking so great? Thanks for the great post and inspiration.
Oh, girl. Now that I’ve since this we are TOTALLY gonna be twinies. I love it!
Hi, thanks for sharing.
I like the glass option for subway tiles, but try a basket weave pattern for a really unique look.
I have been considering the same tiles – look great in your kitchen. Did you use glass knobs on cabinet? What color? thank you so much
Do you mind me asking how much the backsplash was? Also, what kind of paint did you use for your cabinets??
I love love love your back splash and I am trying to order the same glass tiles. It is for sure Arizona Tile Skylight Arctic White? There is one picture on Arizona Tiles Website where those tiles look very green. Is it your lighting that makes them look so nice (more grayish, green, blue…)? I can’t go there to take a look because I live in Canada and I will need to get them shipped.
Here’s a link to that picture:
http://www.arizonatile.com/SKYLIGHTS-SOLID-GLASS-P776.aspx
Great great kitchen! Love it!
-Eva
Wow!!!! I just love your kitchen. Yeah, I know that kitchen is the heart of any home and everyone wants that their kitchen will look fabulous. For a long time I am thinking about renovation of my home especially he kitchen but I don’t get any idea. But when I came through your blog I found it helpful for me and for sure I’ll join you on pinterst too because your kitchen is more than wow.