As you know I ended up choosing to repeat my beveled arabesque tiles in the new kitchen. I found every tile I brought home I would compare to the arabesque. I wanted to do something different though. I had so much help from all of your suggestions, I even did try a gray arabesque tile, but it was too dark. Some of you suggested I ask if it could be made a lighter gray. I did. And guess what? They are making a lighter gray. But I had a deadline and could not wait. So, I ended up back at square one. The white beveled arabesque tile. It is the tile that was in my head when I designed this kitchen.

With the desire to do something different still in my heart, I did a sample board with gray grout. It was lovely. Most of you expressed your opinion that I should do gray. As we all know this was not an episode of "Run My Renovation" and it was not an actual vote to determine the grout choice. I like to think of all your feedback as an opportunity to hear from you why you liked gray or why you thought white would be best. And there were powerful arguments for both sides.

However, none of you were here to experience the light in my kitchen, and the overall look of the counters, which are busy. As we often say to each other, "only you as the homeowner really know what looks right and what looks wrong". So, ultimately, the decision had to be made based on how the tile looked in this kitchen.

Corgimum was so kind to do various photoshop mock-ups for me. They were very helpful. I loved the way the gray emphasized the bevel and the shadow.

I did make a decision that I was 99% confident would be the right decision. But I still wanted to wait to see the first part of the wall done to make a final decision. After seeing the tile without grout and having the darker shadows my decision was finalized.

It's not what you might be thinking.

I went white. Again. My dh didn't care for the gray from the first time he saw it. And I was so scared that with the gray the first thing you would see was the tile when you walked into the room. It was actually distracting, and it didn't enhance as I had hoped. I needed the bs to read as "one" vs a sea of tiles. Another factor that came into play was the tile looks brighter with the white grout. It had a creamy look without grout. But when I added the white grout, it brightened up.

I did change one thing though. I went with unsanded grout. The joints were tight enough to do this, and I was able to have very small grout lines compared to last time. I actually think there are more shadows this time.

It took 2 full days to install the tile. It took me about 10 or so hours to grout it, which I spread over 3 days. My fingers are cut up and very sore. I still need to caulk, but I don't have any finger tips left to do the apply the caulk. I'll wait for Mr. Bee to return to the hive...he's off at a conference in Florida.

I just want to thank you all for your opinions. I do value all of them, and I hope this won't turn into a case of "why do we even give you our opinions if you do the opposite". I was so torn about which way to go, but in my heart, I know this is the right decision.

Without further adieu...

A template was made from styrofoam to be able to cut the tiles in 1/2 perfectly. Once we realized that there was going to be 76 tiles that had to be cut in 1/2....the time to design and cut out a template was well worth it.

This wall took about 3 hours.

ungrouted

grout on right, no grout on left

closeup

Last night I cleaned up all the icky grout supplies. I started to play with ideas for styling the kitchen for the photo shoot. Here is a quick vignette. I'll be playing around with the kitchen to figure out the right look. It's going to be a January magazine. So, I'm thinking the story will be "prepping for a dinner party" Colors will be yellow and blue. Ben Moore's color of the year is a yellow, and we have been seeing lots of of blue too.

My preference is always "blend-in" grout. In your case though, I really think you could have gone either way and ended up with a terrific-looking backsplash. Though I liked the white (of course!), I actually (surprisingly, for me) thought the grey grout looked great as well. It (the sample board with grey grout) just gave it a slightly different look, not better, not worse. In other words, there really wasn't a "wrong" choice. So, that being said, I am happy you chose the option that made YOU the happiest deep down.

Lookin' good bee!

I don't think anyone would think "why do we even give you our opinions if you do the opposite"? It truly is just good to hear arguments in both directions to help you decide. Sometimes you get a 50/50 response but at least you usually lessen the chances of ending up with an unexpected result b/c of something you didn't think of! People around here are so great at coming up with just about every angle : )

Enjoy your beautiful kitchen!

Thanks for your reveal story. I didn't peek until I read it. It's perfectly okay to ask for opinions, mull them over, and then make the decision that's right for you. Others' input helps clarify how you're seeing things and how you feel about it.

Initially I did like the look of the sample with the gray. But it was a small piece and pretty much in isolation from the whole kitchen. Scale plays a huge factor.

You did real good! Again. :)

I didn't vote and since everyone was in agreement that it would be great either way how can you go wrong...so instead I've been waiting for this reveal post and stalking continually for it!

Your kithcen is beautiful - enjoy and quick healing to those fingers!

Oh and I too followed directions and read before I scrolled - it wasn't easy but I am a quick reader, lol!

On another note, I can't believe how excited I was to see this post :-D

I hope your poor fingers heal very quickly.

I don't think anyone ever judges our final decision because when it comes down to it we aren't living in your space and we have never seen it IRL - we don't know how the light plays or how the different elements interact and so make the best decision for ourselves. What we can do is just point out different things to consider, our pick and the reasons for it. (But then white was my choice).

Now, I hope you will post the formal shots when done. Or any other pics you want to share.

Hey, if you are going blue and yellow, get some props form Beagles!

As for "why do we even give you our opinions if you do the opposite", I feel that way sometimes too. But I think it is, or should be, an unwritten rule, that the OP should consider and respond to feedback, but is in no way obligated to take it!

I think if you had listened to all our differing opinions, you never would have put up any tile or grout!

don't remember if I 'voted' on your thread by typing it out but I did in my head - for the white. I did think the grey grout would make it too busy.

enjoy - and hope your fingers heal soon.

My computer tanked this afternoon and I couldn't get back on and reply.

Just let me say thanks for the kind words. I will post some more pics in a bit. I'll start another thread and ask for some styling tips...what do you think looks better in the photos, etc. (square or round plates....white or yellow...blue or white napkins...etc.)

Thanks again
Bee

PS--it hurts to type with 2 holes in your pointer finger :(

Have fun styling up that kitchen!

You have great taste, it amazes me that you even doubt your judgement!

You made the absolute right decision - I kept vacillating on the computer pictures - but only you can see it live and in person!

Love your theme - how could I not - maybe make it "maize and blue" - In reality, I am not a true blue Wolverine fan despite my handle and location. (If I am home and nothing else to do - will watch a game)

Can't wait to see your award winning pictures in print.

Congratulations on an awesome kitchen and backsplash!!

Great job. Did you cut those tiles? Awesome job around the outlets!

In all serious, and as others have said, you really couldn't go wrong with either color, and the white really does look stunning!

Enjoy your space, and good luck with the photo shoot! Blue is my favorite color, so I look forward to seeing the pics...

What brand is it?

Did the hood come with the range backsplash and shelf, or was that custom?

Can't wait to see what you do in your next one ;)

And, I too just got back from a conference in Florida. Small world - I bet you it was the same one as your DH (the IECA?).

We STILL haven't chalked! Hubby is out fishing this weekend so maybe next weekend.

Did the hood come with the range backsplash and shelf, or was that custom?"

It is by the now defunct Independent. I bought if from a distributor on eBay who was stuck with inventory when Independent went out of business. They were always so highly regarded by GW members. It is a 1200cfm fan and I love it. It is also 27" deep which is a joy when stir frying on the front burner!

The shelf is part of the 24" back guard that came with the Blue Star range top. We had the piece b/n the shelf and the hood fabricated by a local Amish sheet metal fabricator.

akchicago-he was at K2. It was on Amelia Island.

glo1751--I personally didn't cut them, but dh did.

Thanks again to everybody.
Bee

Now onto your more recent staging threads. I was traveling and couldn't get to a computer and was hoping I'd find the big reveal next time I logged into Gardenweb!

Thanks for sharing.

I shared the thought process with you. I loved the arabesques and identified them with your kitchen. That made them right for you, but I could understand wanting to do something different. The grey grout was a nod to different and looked great with the tile, but I think you made the right choice for your kitchen.

You had the last kitchen such a short time that I don't think it is bad to repeat something you loved. The greatest risk is tiring of something too soon, but I don't think that is going to happen here. This also doesn't look like a copy of your last kitchen, I really like the tight grout lines you got this time. It's beautiful.

I did see your staging thread. Have fun with that.