Installation Day! The Kitchen Backsplash Project

Today is makeover day for our kitchen. This is our kitchen this morning – minus the rug which I replaced with a new blue and white striped rug. See our backsplash? Black slate tile.

I don’t hate it one bit, it’s just that our kitchen is quite dark – though this photo you wouldn’t know thanks to a tripod and slow shutter. The darkness is due to a covered deck right outside those windows. Great idea for the heat – but difficult for little Miss Sunshine who likes to take photos in her house.

The cabinets and flooring were already as is when I bought the place five years ago. I like it and it works. The cabinet shaker wood is a beautiful finish and I’m glad I didn’t paint over it like I thought I would (the trendy dark green at the time). The backsplash tile is one of those projects I talked about but wasn’t quite sure if Benjamin would get on board for this mini makeover.

Who else got on board? Walker Zanger tile and Build.com.

I am so happy I could kiss them both, brands that I have adored. You have probably seen Walker Zanger on Flipping Vegas on HGTV and I’ve worked with Build.com on Mr.’s bathroom update.

Both will be involved in different ways. I had come across a photo of a tile in a magazine and I ripped it out hoping I would one day see it again. I did – on Pinterest which landed me to a site, then I found the source! Walker Zanger’s 6th Avenue Cocoon Mosaic and that, was that, ladies and gentlemen.

After confirmation from two girlfriends who flip homes for a living, and my stylist friend – that it was in fact a good choice, I went ahead.

I figure since we’re already ripping out the tile, why not poke a hole through the dry wall and add a pot filler above the stove? It may be an unnecessary luxury for this unenthusiastic chef, but such a convenience. You know, I don’t have to fill up a pot at the sink and then drag it over to the stove. I’m trying to be efficient in my kitchen so I can get the cooking done and move on.

Build.com sent this Brizo Euro wall mounted pot filler after I searched their extensive selection. Brizo is Delta’s high end line. Build.com has online customer service that are experts standing by to answer your questions – just as if you would find if you were at a hardware store! But you can shop in your pj’s and talk to someone without having to brush your teeth! Oh online shopping I love you. They have flooring, lighting, fixtures, ACs, you name it.

I also think making my kitchen lighter will make the cooking process more enjoyable. We will all win around here.

The process began after the dining room makeover – you know, that dreadful, expensive dining room makeover. Oh, and that original oil painting that I bought off eBay that ended up costing a grand to get framed. I suppose we’ll be willing our things to our friends children, the one who checks in the most with Auntie Diana and Uncle Benjamin when we’re old haha!

Here’s the BEFORE with my dinky chandelier –

And the AFTER, currently –

Brightening up the space, swapping curtains from the living to the dining room has really helped. I wish we installed an additional skylight in the kitchen when we added one to my office but, let’s be content!  Since the dining room is lighter, I figured adding white tile would definitely compliment the space – and I’m keeping the tile vertical.

If you follow me on Snapchat, you may have seen that I replaced these curtains below with new white double pleated curtains. Custom, because I made them. I’m sure now that you know I Snap sewing projects that just really makes you really want to follow me on Snapchat now, haha.

Fingers crossed this process goes smoothly (no repeat of the dining room hiccups!). Stay tuned!