$100 Room Challenge, Wk 3: My Kitchen- Backsplash & Paint
/The babysitters are watching my boys, my husband is sanding on the patio, and I snuck out to Starbucks to write my Wk 3 blogpost for the #100roomchallenge on Instagram. Okay, let’s talk backsplash!
First I shopped on Homedepot.com to get an idea of what they have. I was hoping to go to a more specialized tile shop, but they were closed at my availability to go out yesterday afternoon. I found 6 mosaics that I liked, and then popped over to check them out in real life. Without looking at my list, I chose my top 3 at the store, and of course I had also selected the same ones online. I love when the happens, because it just proves to myself that I KNOW what I like. Here are photos of them on my countertop top (which will be replaced, eventually) at home:
As you saw in my inspiration image last week, I’m going for a 2-tone cabinet design: White on the uppers and a color on the base. I asked the associate at The Home Depot paint counter if there is a popular white to match white appliances…He gave me a funny look and said, “No, it’s really a personal preference.” I had a feeling that was going to be the answer, but thought it was worth a shot! I grabbed a large handful of white swatches and walked back to the appliances.
Never underestimate the color white. There are so many tints and shades, and it will look different in every light and in comparison of what you hold the swatch next to. I think I selected a white that works pretty well- at least with the white appliances I saw at the store. The name Vibrant White scares me a little, cause I don’t want a stark white, but I do feel it matched well. My fear is selecting a white for the cabinets that makes the appliances look dirty, or vice versa. White was my preference with the tiles, but Vibrant White looks better with the appliances.
After staring at swatches for so long in the horrible fluorescent light of a big box store for so long, I started to get paranoid about an almost all-white kitchen, so then I thought maybe I should do a 2-tone palette with the same color. I chose these grey and mocha options below.
I was feeling good about my new 2-tone idea, but when I rendered it at home, i was definitely not feeling it. I really want a WHITE kitchen, and this was not doing it for me…
Now, THESE renderings feel light and bright- exactly what my gut feeling has been for this kitchen since we moved in 3.5 years ago. I have a crush on the elongated hex tile, but I think it’s too white. (Yes, I just said that- haha). In my opinion, that was the sexiest tile, but I’m just not convinced it’s the right tile for this project :(
Herringbone backsplash
mini subway tile backsplash
I have not made my final decision on the backsplash yet, but not to worry. For this $100 Room Challenge I’m focusing on painting the cabinets, hallway, and adding hardware if budget allows. What is important is that I’ve decided on my paint colors for the cabinets: white on the uppers and light mocha base cabinets.
Meanwhile, the sanding of the cabinets continue. My hubby is really pushing through! Just 2 more cabinet doors and the faux panel for the sink left to go- YAY.
Lastly, I took an inventory of our leftover paints from previous projects. I think I’ll be using the same mocha as our master bedroom, but that can was quite empty. There is a ton of light grey, so I’m considering that for the hallway. Official hallway color TBD.
I’ll be posting behind-the-scenes on my InstaStories, so be sure to follow me and tag along! @decoranddiapers . And remember to follow along with the other participants. Let’s get ready for some clever design transformations!!
