What do you do when paint alone is not enough to fix a decorating problem? Our kitchen counters in our 1990's kitchen were worn out. They were in bad shape and the joint in back of the sink was swollen from water damage. I would have loved to get granite counters but I just could not spend that much with a child in college. I couldn't stand the counters anymore and did not want to wait another 5 years until everyone was through with school. I decided to try tiling them.
Our house when we first got married had 4x4 square tiles in a light tan and brown. After 30 years they still looked pretty good. I thought white square tiles would look like a french bakery.
I figured the tiling part would be easy except for the corner by the sink. Bill and I have tiled quite a bit, so I knew what to do but I was putting it off because of the mess that the tile saw makes. But it is a wonderful tool and it is well worth the money if you are doing a big project.
I got enough tile to do just the long buffet. I figured if it didn't work I could do a different kind of countertop and I wouldn't be out too much money. Mixing materials in the same kitchen was being done quite a bit so I thought it was worth a shot. The old Formica peeled off in one big sheet. I tiled right on top of the plywood. I didn't even do anything to clean off the old glue. I have had no problem with the tiles staying put.
The walls in the old paint color: Sherwin Williams- Halycon Green.
The kitchen color now: Kilim Beige also by Sherwin Williams
It was so easy, I went back for more tile. This corner was also a piece of cake.
The island required some figuring out to get the cuts in the right place.
The challenge was the corner by the sink. I knew that I needed Mr. Bill's help with that. We took out the old sink and discovered that there was mildew and water damage from the old counter. Bill and a friend rebuilt a new counter out of plywood topped with hardy board. We shouldn't have the same water problem again.
This project typifies Bill and I and our spending. He thought we should splurge on the sink because we were saving on the countertop. I seem to always want to do things inexpensively. In contrast he knows when and where we should spend to get a good look. I think the Elkay sink is beautiful.
The lighting is from three different stores, Lowes, Home Depot and a lighting outlet. We just went with Oil Rubbed Bronze with frosted shades.
I see my pup slipped in the picture before the timer when off. I was looking for her too.
We have replaced the appliances as they break. We now have 3 out of 4 in Stainless. All from Sears. (Now if that white refrigerator would just...)
I suppose you are wondering about the wall color. I painted the Robin's Egg Blue in 2006. I loved that color but felt it to be somewhat dark. Someone also told me they thought blue in a kitchen was unappetizing. I think they were right because something always felt off to me. I thought about repainting many times but just didn't feel up to it. This kitchen has a lot of cutting out around cabinets and doors. Finally last summer I was ready for something neutral.
I love accessorizing with a neutral kitchen. I had fun pulling out my blue willow last summer which had not been out for a long time. Next I may go with red.
I am wild about red kitchen accessories.
I have had friends that have gone with 12 by 12 granite tiles. They look fabulous.
If I had it to do again. I think that is what I should have done. But I was afraid of cutting granite.
I knew that my white tiles would not be maintenance free. I bleach the grout every two weeks and have had to float some more grout in a couple of spots. One tile has cracked (no one has owned up to that) and a couple have chipped. I hoped that this fix would be a five year fix. And that by that time we could afford a solid surface. Tiling was worth it to get rid of those awful laminate counters.
Sprinkled with tiles,
Katie
