The tile I chose is made by Horus Art, the style is Tiffany in Biancho Crackle.
It's a nice soft white...with a little dash of cream. I thought it was perfect.
But let's talk about your grout feedback. It was really fun.
via SA Decor |
According to your feedback about gray grout:
Pro: Wouldn't look dirty
Con: Looks dirty
Pro: Looks like your favorite oyster bar
Con: Looks like a Soviet butcher shop
Pro: Adds interest
Con: Too distracting
Does that clear it up?
There were some of you that have used light gray in your bathrooms
and others that wished they had. Some of you liked both. And one
anonymous comment said if I used gray, our romance was over.
That's pretty serious stuff!
Overwhelmingly, though, most of you said white.
Mill Valley Loft, Remodelista.com |
I'm in camp that likes both but I think they each have their place. I see dark
grout as being industrial, even restaurant, perfect for a modern, loft-like space.
One commenter also suggested it's a vintage look and I can almost see it in
a place like The Breakers kitchen in Newport, Rhode Island.
It's also a great way to add pattern in space with clean lines.
Michelle's Mill Valley Kitchen, Remodelista.com |
I wanted a nice, clean look that didn't detract from some of the other unique details
I've put in the kitchen. I love a lot of different styles and I'm slowly learning
I don't have to cram them all into one room. So I'm doing white.
The light fixtures are all installed. This is the Circa Milton Road pendant
and in the background is the cutie patootie E.F. Chapman Marine flush mount
in bronze also from Circa. I'm not sure yet whether I'll have a table or island
underneath it. I'm hoping my dining room table will work so I can turn
the dining room into a keeping room/den/library. We'll see.
I chose the Milton Road pendant (by Thomas O'Brien) because
its flutes beautifully echo the flutes in the columns in the cabinets.
I ordered another light from Circa for over the sink but it was very
backordered so I bought a backup which is the Franklin light from
Schoolhouse Electric. I'm not in love with it and, yes, it's crooked. I'm
pretty sure it's the shade, which incidentally fits horribly into the bronze
ring, so Schoolhouse is sending me a new shade. Stay tuned.
In the last post, and a few photos back, you'll remember the blue tape
I put up to mark where floating shelves would go. I wanted to show you
how those were made. Holes were bored into the studs just slightly smaller
than the diameter of the 3/4 inch rebar. And then the rebar is banged in to
the holes. It's extremely solid.
The shelf planks also have holes bored, just slightly larger so
they slide on easier but are still fairly snug.
These will be painted either white or light gray, I'll have to experiment.
Should I do white or gray? I'm just kidding.
I'm off to pick up my tile and white grout.
I like the white grout choice for the wall. I'd go gray on the floors because there are some things that just never come out of grout lines short of using a bomb. I LOVE the open shelving.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kerry. I love the shelving too. The bottom one will be very utilitarian: salt, pepper, oil, etc. and the upper one can either hold some plates and bowls that I use every day or just decorative pieces, depends how much I can fit in the armoire.
DeleteOh thank God you chose white grout, I didn't want to have to break up with you. I just would have been forced to if dark had been your choice for all the obvious reasons. It would have meant we were no longer in synchrony. End of romance.
ReplyDeleteYour kitchen shows intelligent esthetic decisions, each one headed in the right direction. For me, I walk into a room not be bowled over but to be subtly surrounded by beauty and comfort. Surely you are achieving that. And it has been such a pleasure to take the journey with you.
I'm so relieved!
Deletesince you didn't ask...white i hope.
ReplyDeleteTroublemaker.
DeleteI'm with Janet, I hope white too.
DeleteSo glad you chose the white grout (I kept my opinion to myself), but the gray would have looked fantastic too. Thanks for posting the technique for the floating shelves. I've always wondered what keeps these types of shelves afloat, so to speak. Your kitchen is looking great! How nice too, that it is a very personal space suited to your taste and not something out of a catalog.
ReplyDeleteNever be shy, Deborah. Differences of opinion is what keeps things interesting. Thanks for this comment too. This wasn't the easiest route to take when you can't see what it's going to look like in a showroom...and at times questioned myself for taking this path.
DeleteI had to laugh at the comment breakdown on white vs. gray grout. Your fans are nothing if not opinionated, but by no means united. Except, probably, in our confidence that your final choice will be perfect. (But I'm glad it's white!)
ReplyDeleteYes, I got a big kick out of reading the comments. They were fun.
DeleteAs a member of Team White I'm glad you picked that! The shelves are great. I have 3 in my kitchen and think what you've got planned to put on them makes a lot sense (saw your reply to Kerry) Too funny about the romance is over comment.
ReplyDeleteYes, things on those shelves do get dirty so it's best to have things that you use all the time.
DeleteI guess I'm Team White Grout, too, but hesitantly. I have white subway/white grout. But I recall when the tile was first set, before the grout was applied, and you could see the outline of each tile that mimicked what gray grout would look like. For 24 hours, I was convinced I had to have gray grout. I ended up with white grout, but I think the best part is, you can't go wrong either way! Both are fabulous, classic looks. And I have floating shelves similar to yours--the combination is just so pleasing.
ReplyDeleteGreat pendant, btw!
Angela
I agree, neither would be wrong. Just different looks.
DeleteJust had to share because great minds think alike: ;) In the client bathroom I just did, I used Deep Creek for the exterior of the antique clawfoot tub and Horus crackle in bianco for the shower tile (horus crackle biscuit for the kitchen). I also had a hard time deciding between dark and light grout and sort of went in between with a very light warm gray. It's almost white but gives a hint of an outline. I absolutely adore what you are doing with your base cabs. Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThat's almost weird, Lane!
DeleteI love the tile and think the white grout will be perfect with it. I am in absolute love with everything you have done with this room thus far, but that light above the sink has got to go!
ReplyDeleteYay, good choice! I agree that gray looks amazing in restaurants. The General Muir in Atlanta comes immediately to mind.
ReplyDeleteGrout pros and cons are hilarious! And so helpful. :)
ReplyDeleteLove your tile and everything else you have going on in your aweseome new kitchen!
I am late to the vote but I like white. Then again, I am too OCD and so alot of lines bother me. Striped rugs make me feel uneasy and I like a home to feel calm because it is our haven. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI used "Silverado" grey grout on my 1in mosaic marble floor but white on the subway in the shower. The Silverado is barely grey and just enough to keep the marble from the punctuation that white would have given it (I think). Love both.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Niisei on a gray for marble. Its background color isn't very white at all.
DeleteThe tile and light fixtures are so pretty! What a great shelving solution, can't wait to see the end result!
ReplyDeleteE+J
I am so loving all of your choices so far! It's going to be an amazing kitchen!
ReplyDeleteHi, Steve,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you went with white! Your kitchen has so many great details that you certainly won't need to accentuate the tile. In fact, I'm looking at the image of the range and the Milton Road pendant, and thinking that you're creating an altar in your kitchen. It's where your dinner guests will come to worship.
Even thought I went with gray I know white will look absolutely beautiful. I like the tile you chose very much and love the pendant lamp. I always like the fluted design and love milk glass. I like the idea of the table in the kitchen, if mine were big enough I would love a wood farmer's table, makes it so homey.
ReplyDeleteThe tile is absolutely beautiful....white, hint of cream, crackle....so simple, but elegant! Rest of the kitchen looks beautiful. I love hearing all the little details!
ReplyDeleteJulia
Such a tease! jd
ReplyDeleteI wish I could offer a decision, but I know you are going to pick what's best for your home. I'm loving how it is all coming together and I'm really jealous of the plank ceiling.
ReplyDeleteSo now the next question-how much of a grout line are you lookin' at? LOL Decisions decisions!
ReplyDeleteYea Team White and darker cabinet paint. Love the floating shelves-I had one in TX and two in OR, so I figure I should be up to three here in CA, but we really only have room for one ( with a pot rail).
I think you should have a grand unveiling via SKYPE or at least a video your-you too can be a vlogger! Maybe a virtual dinner party with all your online pals :)
The tile is going to light up the room and it's going to be so pretty with the marble. Very glad you chose white. Can't wait to see the finished project
ReplyDeleteWhite on white...so easy on the palate. Simply divine.
ReplyDeleteDid I not vote? I bet I would have gone for grey cause it's a hipper choice...or so I would think, but I would have secretly voted for white.
ReplyDeleteSo my candidate wins without me even casting an official vote.
Grey, white, what done of us are saying is that we are all peagreen with envy.
xo J
Love love love all the choices you've made so far - but I'd say don't paint the floating shelves. Oil and/or a clear coating will protect them and bring out the natural color. The rest of the surfaces are white/grey/silvery and a black armoire. The little bit of shelf edge in natural wood might be a visual break, almost sculptural. ( and I like Susan's idea for you to have a video unveiling! That'd be wicked cool!)
ReplyDeleteVery pleased you chose white. As you said, you have enough detail going on already. I love the fluted light you chose to go with the fluted columns. Perfect detail. It is all looking very exciting.
ReplyDeleteThough I don't have ceramic tile and picked white carrara marble for my kitchen back splash and for my master bath floor and shower/bath surround I went through the same agonizing over the grout! I eventually picked a light dove grey and am so glad I did! Easy to keep clean and it looks beautiful. Here's a pic, http://www.daiseyjayne.com/2012/12/27/testing-testing/ . This is a personal decision though and I know yours is going to look stunning!
ReplyDeleteYes, that's beautiful!
Deletewonderful post. so much fun to read - love your humor.
ReplyDeleteremember how I'm jealous of your refrige? ...add the shelves in there, too.
You have a wonderful sense of humor! You kitchen is beautiful. It is really coming together. I like the comment about not painting the shelves, perhaps using an oil or stain. I think it would be a nice contrast. Have fun with your grout/tile pickup!
ReplyDeleteYes, consider leaving the shelves in a natural color--nice contrast and a touch of warmth.
DeleteHey, wait a minute. Piling on! The supposed white team folks look like they are out-numbering the people who actually voted. Voter fraud! Ballot rigging! Changing sides after the vote!
ReplyDeleteOh, guess it's not really a democracy. I like the floating shelves a lot!
I think the white grout will look best particularly with your shelving (ya, sorry, late opinion party). Finding the right light can be so difficult. We're still looking for the right ones for our dining room. Yours are perfect.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering how you were going to have "floating" shelves. That's a great idea and the right look for your kitchen. Now I know how they are installed. Color?
White grout, good choice. Enjoyed the wrap-up of feedback you received. I'm with you on the Schoolhouse fixture. It just doesn't have the rich look of your other fixture or the other elements in your kitchen. Maybe you should wait on the first fixture you chose. Love the marble countertop, range and fridge!
ReplyDeleteClaudia
The crackling on the tiles is a really nice subtle way of avoiding the slickness of non-crackled ones. I love the Milton Road pendant, and the way its fluting picks up that on the columns is a brilliant choice on your part.
ReplyDeleteI hope your table fits, because your dining room would make a wonderful library/study/keeping room.
If I ever redo another kitchen I'm going to consult with you!
"Soviet butcher shop". So funny. I didn't comment because I thought either one would be nice, but now I've got to go back and read the comments. I LOVE the subway tile you chose, and the light fixtures too. So far, all beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you chose white :-) loving keeping up with your kitchen, and love the last comment about the shelves, cant wait to see the end result
ReplyDeleteAnnie
I guess I was the bathroom comment! Glad you're going for white.
ReplyDeleteThanks for explaining about the floating shelves!
ReplyDeleteI have a "sloping" shelf and I've been frustrated as how to solve that problem. So, Thanks!
Love how you have the flutes echoing.
I'm holding my breath on that shade though...
I'm also liking the idea of you using your dining room area as more of a den/library room.
It's all looking Marvelous!
(I'm off now to Google "keeping room")
I like you. You crack me up. And you're smart. I could learn a lot about design from you.
ReplyDeleteI vote for you staining the shelves...
ReplyDeleteI knew you'd go white. I think white for the shelves too.
ReplyDeleteFunny. Everyone has such different opinions. You opened a can of worms! Love how it's shaping up. That pendant fixture is perfect! (Not to stir the pot, but I was a fan of the dark grout for you.:-)
ReplyDeleteLooking good there, Steve! I have always used bracket supports for open shelves, so this is a great alternative. Thanks for sharing the install detail.
ReplyDeleteSoviet butcher shop? I laughed out loud and found that to be perfection!! Gray is great in some settings, for sure, but I love the white. Now c'mon and keep this all moving quickly so we can see the finished kitchen!! Dying.
ReplyDeleteI have to chime in here because for some reason I personally have a really negative reaction to the dark grout look. I have a very similar lovely crackle tile backsplash in my kitchen, installed three years ago. I love it so much. I think mine is just a little creamier than yours, with creamy off white grout, and I don't have any problem with staining/dirtiness, even behind the cook top.
ReplyDeleteThe dark grouts that I see look automatically dirty, even if they are brand new and perfectly clean. They remind me of moldy old grout, I just have this visceral "ew" reaction. I know it's silly but there it is. My secondary reaction to them is the brick thing. They remind me of my attempts to draw houses when I was six years old, that's how my chimneys would look, in black and red crayon. I don't know why that would be a negative association to me but I guess it's the ham handed clunkiness of the look to me. Just not elegant or subtle at all, for me.
So I am another follower happy over your grout choice. Love your home, thanks for your blog.
I just love to following this kitchen reno. Love your tile and thanks for explaining your floating shelves...brilliant. Hope youre having a great weekend. xo Nancy
ReplyDeleteWonderful progress! So thrilled to see...lovely choices all. I am in love with Thomas O'Brien and his fluted lamp is not bad either (love). I also like the cutie patootie.
ReplyDeleteThe floating shelves are heavenly...and just think how much time you'll have for dusting now that your renovation is almost done! ;)
Oh and so happy with your grout choice and that it doesn't look like a pizzeria in there. Instead it looks P E R F E C T!! xox
xo
xo Terri
Looks amazing! Because the tiles have slight color/crackle/interest, the white grout won't make it a blinding white wall. Good choice! Call me crazy, but I think the same gray at the trim for the shelves. Is that Cape May Cobblestone just like cabs? Can't wait to see the next post about this gorgeous kitchen!
ReplyDeleteErin,
DeleteThe cabinets are Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray. The Cape May Cobblestone proved to be too lavender and I wanted something with a little more heft. Right now that window casing is Farrow & Ball Lamp Room Gray. I wasn't sure if I was going to lighten the Chelsea Gray for the trim or do the casings the same as the wall but paint the window sashes and mullions the same as the cabinets. It's a tough decision.
Hello and I'm not the anonymous who said the romance was possibly over! Had quite a chuckle over that! Love the way that you presented this study and loved reading the results. Truly a difficult decision but in the end the correct choice. Can I tell you that waiting for the completed project is like pining for Downton Abbey's return?
ReplyDeleteIt looks amazing and LOVE your choices...dying to see it all together!!
ReplyDeleteThis is coming along nicely. Very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteHaha…I love the feedback you got! Love your choices, can't wait to see it!
ReplyDeleteFabulous light fixtures...had to pin them.
ReplyDeleteSteve,
ReplyDeleteThis is so great....ask a question and get whatever answer you are looking for! Loving your kitchen, every inch of it!
annie
Steve,
ReplyDeleteI'm from Mill Valley and believe me there are very few lofts. I bet your ocd just doesn't let you sleep at night with that crooked lamp, does your eye go there when you walk in the room? Be honest. There is a new bread store in town here in Italy that reminds me of this whole discussion before that you brought up about warm wood.
If you weren't so nice I would really hate you cause of this great kitchen....I know...don't be jealous....but I can't help it. It's just me...I want what you have. It is looking pretty damn fabulous.
ReplyDeleteYour kitchen is looking great!. I like the tile you chose very much. Hanging shelf like simple and so beautiful.
ReplyDelete