Kitchen Chronicles: A DIY Subway Tile Backsplash, Part 2

On Monday I left off with a recap of how we <a href="http://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2014/03/kitchen-chronicles-diy-subway-tile.html">installed our subway tile</a>...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpEH6ftt1V4DWA7qaP20Z-vaLIb2FCcuk3XHFuDhIECvrnhZPsR_LFCW5rlYKE8JzVa4_AKfjEeXeMSJ713-aXTNvxjAQDAzC3cPnxzfsQJNi4V3Q-6eU2jhyphenhyphen8SzesC3COiaEEzA6tszH/s1600/IMG_2288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpEH6ftt1V4DWA7qaP20Z-vaLIb2FCcuk3XHFuDhIECvrnhZPsR_LFCW5rlYKE8JzVa4_AKfjEeXeMSJ713-aXTNvxjAQDAzC3cPnxzfsQJNi4V3Q-6eU2jhyphenhyphen8SzesC3COiaEEzA6tszH/s1600/IMG_2288.jpg" /></a></div><br />A few hours after that post, we started on the grout. Here's what we used:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wghfbPDNIYKc3bAyJBXqtadYqEbL2AbFG2h-SIoSUlLsU5SyxBinvWuKZnOKYR50dqALYiF87ztIyPdJRok_u_bWXuPTZj5qADvH2VhYPiU28o4YrqU2wq0FdL35srt-1bl-AXpSUXKI/s1600/IMG_2291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wghfbPDNIYKc3bAyJBXqtadYqEbL2AbFG2h-SIoSUlLsU5SyxBinvWuKZnOKYR50dqALYiF87ztIyPdJRok_u_bWXuPTZj5qADvH2VhYPiU28o4YrqU2wq0FdL35srt-1bl-AXpSUXKI/s1600/IMG_2291.jpg" /></a></div><br /> I went with an unsanded grout to be safe (Mapei's Warm Gray), because some of the seams were less than a 1/8" (you'd normally use sanded grout on 1/8" or larger seams, unless the tile is easily scratched like glass). I'm sure I would have been fine either way though.<br /><br />I mixed the grout by eye, making sure it was peanut butter consistency...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82GpR8PVubWKojCLnigL8s6nGmKINj2Or4Neaf2eQ5Whk7sItYROc-WQsE1TCmtfeSPzTVM97U0xLvvk9ZVP3MHCq1z_X0ZNG5sYZVVb2Fm0dCgivaWBxi1Omo5jGavdr7JQcIlI1-vuj/s1600/IMG_2301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82GpR8PVubWKojCLnigL8s6nGmKINj2Or4Neaf2eQ5Whk7sItYROc-WQsE1TCmtfeSPzTVM97U0xLvvk9ZVP3MHCq1z_X0ZNG5sYZVVb2Fm0dCgivaWBxi1Omo5jGavdr7JQcIlI1-vuj/s1600/IMG_2301.jpg" /></a></div><br />It's said to have a "working time" of around 25-30 minutes, so I mixed it in small batches. Then we just plopped it on and spreaded it into the seams, moving at different angles to make sure it was in there good.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaG7PMSqX3NEGbqK0OVj3Z4fk2m-okt90YqyZ5fThXIc_Ot329DsUNkG-MAV1FJ4Edx_uZ3XGGhuTavyh1LqGFuP4Cd6l8P2mxAzR7s15HZp7MaigS5wonu9W5dHYuTEwym-b34dsykAO/s1600/IMG_2302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihaG7PMSqX3NEGbqK0OVj3Z4fk2m-okt90YqyZ5fThXIc_Ot329DsUNkG-MAV1FJ4Edx_uZ3XGGhuTavyh1LqGFuP4Cd6l8P2mxAzR7s15HZp7MaigS5wonu9W5dHYuTEwym-b34dsykAO/s1600/IMG_2302.jpg" /></a></div><br />Sidenote: grout floats with handles like these suck. Horrible design. Get the kind with the handles on the center.<br /><br />It actually would have been somewhat enjoyable if my arm didn't start to ache after a while. I like activities that involve small details. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemNAZk2uyliOdcCBXI9jA2alj-9i1leAZtLv35PBsJFaj5mep2sKsXeThZN7Aqlc_ruaqCZRt6vTauvagBI8HExEA0N4mcmVF12mqFOWMFNMTvBEWGuVpwgdpG9R9i-SxoyIjSaK_LqX2/s1600/IMG_2293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemNAZk2uyliOdcCBXI9jA2alj-9i1leAZtLv35PBsJFaj5mep2sKsXeThZN7Aqlc_ruaqCZRt6vTauvagBI8HExEA0N4mcmVF12mqFOWMFNMTvBEWGuVpwgdpG9R9i-SxoyIjSaK_LqX2/s1600/IMG_2293.jpg" /></a></div><br />Here's the big wall, you can see the difference between the ungrouted tiles (top) and the grouted tiles below.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeJ0NH629oB87CUotC3CViY_A2rbKBXdhctZyH5geXJ9bZ7dlqKFskXf63CCwCqLt-A_I_yf8gm_Bm43pxyfihLAg6BRTjLPC5MvHkObg13V0NKQyuCXKYGKSKNLt4VAxpb_GwolpWIOo/s1600/IMG_2296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeJ0NH629oB87CUotC3CViY_A2rbKBXdhctZyH5geXJ9bZ7dlqKFskXf63CCwCqLt-A_I_yf8gm_Bm43pxyfihLAg6BRTjLPC5MvHkObg13V0NKQyuCXKYGKSKNLt4VAxpb_GwolpWIOo/s1600/IMG_2296.jpg" /></a></div><br />Brad followed behind me with a damp sponge (after letting the grout set for about 10 minutes) to scrub any excess off.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgydB1CjiXrXRMPuarRg9xH82_4R2Qf5xRSWz5N0_6Kt541-Mt_oeBHuebjJm1YbYN3nlb5HnnKyCLBvEqa83VEprATITzeWapGQqmKd5XJiApI7LD9qEkmnAVL0GxfWm3TmFswiQM-aR/s1600/IMG_2297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgydB1CjiXrXRMPuarRg9xH82_4R2Qf5xRSWz5N0_6Kt541-Mt_oeBHuebjJm1YbYN3nlb5HnnKyCLBvEqa83VEprATITzeWapGQqmKd5XJiApI7LD9qEkmnAVL0GxfWm3TmFswiQM-aR/s1600/IMG_2297.jpg" /></a></div><br />Here's the same wall after the grout has been wiped down at the bottom:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKE0mjXGjVN8weLEQg9UoY2PP0A-C6Q8oz3kXLyN3GO_nZCJAwyxg2VuIafOsq2GI5T0g849OL_ltQ4yizUFbzbBDmAgB4S9fu_e9FwTcgEn4jRKAQRs8y_TNd43FQxfh10jJwhtX1TDz9/s1600/IMG_2300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKE0mjXGjVN8weLEQg9UoY2PP0A-C6Q8oz3kXLyN3GO_nZCJAwyxg2VuIafOsq2GI5T0g849OL_ltQ4yizUFbzbBDmAgB4S9fu_e9FwTcgEn4jRKAQRs8y_TNd43FQxfh10jJwhtX1TDz9/s1600/IMG_2300.jpg" /></a></div><br />We made sure not to grout where the tiles met the counter, in the corner, window sills, etc because I'll be using color matched caulk for that.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxSasVUluu8uD1j63JVHGXNUjCN0n_ayT-5_CfRXX0_NwN74vlwlzKFIvvJiIbL6NGNCddFKT5W6a8opCAS5HviTYYaEqmSU6fBMtSm75kqEp0z49WGelaG7ktKofheQ7YUuRY89VdoGA/s1600/IMG_2328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxSasVUluu8uD1j63JVHGXNUjCN0n_ayT-5_CfRXX0_NwN74vlwlzKFIvvJiIbL6NGNCddFKT5W6a8opCAS5HviTYYaEqmSU6fBMtSm75kqEp0z49WGelaG7ktKofheQ7YUuRY89VdoGA/s1600/IMG_2328.jpg" /></a></div><br />The whole process took more than a couple hours (for ~65 sq ft for reference). It requires more time than you would think!<br /><br />But again, worth it when you see the results of your hard work.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8CKiiVqrmH32Sf2xOv7NaBGr4UzgS6sdTslZjZQl10NOX-vs3i572COMko1s9xYoH381E7pQCxZsHy06mI5kLxPp8EZd7T1TSyJO4AOfr0pOcS3W2FNjQToNEJeUbTgELP78N5v78N-4/s1600/IMG_2304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8CKiiVqrmH32Sf2xOv7NaBGr4UzgS6sdTslZjZQl10NOX-vs3i572COMko1s9xYoH381E7pQCxZsHy06mI5kLxPp8EZd7T1TSyJO4AOfr0pOcS3W2FNjQToNEJeUbTgELP78N5v78N-4/s1600/IMG_2304.jpg" /></a></div><br />The one issue we had that I didn't read about anyone else having was lots of "gunk" left behind after grouting...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBOAN3uyRANJBZ_2ILOqntG0hvMTqE_cfCD861lmppkk3dPJoQfrIwdzRYyGeQ7sM-AA4CQLechyyBsgbiidZN-tCAB6v7tn5LoW4B7j2qvQ_stDXPIFJq4GY5X-1j8V66NhDguHaKEiY/s1600/IMG_2305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBOAN3uyRANJBZ_2ILOqntG0hvMTqE_cfCD861lmppkk3dPJoQfrIwdzRYyGeQ7sM-AA4CQLechyyBsgbiidZN-tCAB6v7tn5LoW4B7j2qvQ_stDXPIFJq4GY5X-1j8V66NhDguHaKEiY/s1600/IMG_2305.jpg" /></a></div><br />I'm pretty sure it's mastic residue that wasn't wiped up, and the grout made it more visible. We tried to wipe it off as best as we could, but man... it's hard to get all of it when your hands and everything around you is covered in it!<br /><br />So I spent another couple hours just scrubbing with a damp brillo pad. Sometimes I had to scrape it off with a putty knife.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDO6LUVHKHjBn7ttlEpTeGrCCTCgRCnVp6WlQ-4gOWRh-ZJFx1UJbbRQgXBc3bt2Jg5t1wx3uJnME4T62iFR258QGdwWSJ2h7UMUC_jVEhnX2dB6Vvc81DHXL9kS0CaMqycOGPMs2rYcIO/s1600/IMG_2306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDO6LUVHKHjBn7ttlEpTeGrCCTCgRCnVp6WlQ-4gOWRh-ZJFx1UJbbRQgXBc3bt2Jg5t1wx3uJnME4T62iFR258QGdwWSJ2h7UMUC_jVEhnX2dB6Vvc81DHXL9kS0CaMqycOGPMs2rYcIO/s1600/IMG_2306.jpg" /></a></div><br />My forearm hurts just thinking about it.<br /><br />Anyway, we're now ready to seal the grout. As of today it has been 72 hours (the recommended waiting time) so we can get started tonight. I had read about people mixing a sealer additive in their grout (in place of water) to save the extra step of sealing afterwards, but I passed when I saw that it was $40 for a container... and now I'm totally regretting that decision. I'm ready to just be done with this tile already!<br /><br />Here's a shot of the quarter round installation:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzix7eaJEBbrpb1Fi_zm7i_bJDJrlj_KJe07W4bj8-3-T2tcIUu9GU4FF-6UnRwalhr0u8-6Qo1dL9ZKkfYTRTl8v14NxqmqIUrh13DY-B5CIKL1JkVCcm-xYV3D_2tPTdYR5_EgIH0Qx/s1600/IMG_2309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzix7eaJEBbrpb1Fi_zm7i_bJDJrlj_KJe07W4bj8-3-T2tcIUu9GU4FF-6UnRwalhr0u8-6Qo1dL9ZKkfYTRTl8v14NxqmqIUrh13DY-B5CIKL1JkVCcm-xYV3D_2tPTdYR5_EgIH0Qx/s1600/IMG_2309.jpg" /></a></div><br />All along the ceiling, too...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRdj19dKIExlc9RMgqCcLbksbKQGRBAp7q9DZ2vi2O8GVjATLQhU6sETjGTTnM9gfjmqd9fRrZNjcXNcCNH0J3hC1lkZUBZzrXR8J815cJkrCk4fsHCBBMouaa6gZ01VplSLlz9oRL5gH/s1600/IMG_2310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRdj19dKIExlc9RMgqCcLbksbKQGRBAp7q9DZ2vi2O8GVjATLQhU6sETjGTTnM9gfjmqd9fRrZNjcXNcCNH0J3hC1lkZUBZzrXR8J815cJkrCk4fsHCBBMouaa6gZ01VplSLlz9oRL5gH/s1600/IMG_2310.jpg" /></a></div><br />I used some leftover cabinet trim for the sides of the cabinets:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWzEsHS141goOew4RMcm3KKTokO6PclvMF429MxQU_hR9WZSIz_Bh6nujIBKRQS1i1gahphoMjcQXngiUIFvnZChoR3B_TPMQmPTH1wJojFOO_Yz1ZzrHZDBQdYU3R20tSDT-aHFHxg2Z/s1600/IMG_2324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWzEsHS141goOew4RMcm3KKTokO6PclvMF429MxQU_hR9WZSIz_Bh6nujIBKRQS1i1gahphoMjcQXngiUIFvnZChoR3B_TPMQmPTH1wJojFOO_Yz1ZzrHZDBQdYU3R20tSDT-aHFHxg2Z/s1600/IMG_2324.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Yesterday I got everything caulked and painted, and this is where we're at now:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLcK9yyA5Ii62ej5SwGQ1XGmoJamuAhr9e6S3jCXBkrNjaPbHEgCcCFQvTJ8ZH1PGsn1dTX5Vlc-KhCLwTGrziWbuYlempd_NL2N3zmZPjvfk_ogeyNZ9stmSl1vJqCQraMSyTpc5Mxh-/s1600/IMG_2330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLcK9yyA5Ii62ej5SwGQ1XGmoJamuAhr9e6S3jCXBkrNjaPbHEgCcCFQvTJ8ZH1PGsn1dTX5Vlc-KhCLwTGrziWbuYlempd_NL2N3zmZPjvfk_ogeyNZ9stmSl1vJqCQraMSyTpc5Mxh-/s1600/IMG_2330.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nPxPjc-PyL8TIKlbLoyCHwGKZKwu_0wDRi7jw_JeAH-QNMwNtHswpFPQ2H8Ev99suRoypurhhMqPwyfgv6JoIr9Fa-cmrrCkcTswHlX5yhzKfad6tNCPbjH7jb6K0vwywouEZ4cTsyPm/s1600/IMG_2320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nPxPjc-PyL8TIKlbLoyCHwGKZKwu_0wDRi7jw_JeAH-QNMwNtHswpFPQ2H8Ev99suRoypurhhMqPwyfgv6JoIr9Fa-cmrrCkcTswHlX5yhzKfad6tNCPbjH7jb6K0vwywouEZ4cTsyPm/s1600/IMG_2320.jpg" /></a></div><br />Wowza, that's a lot of white.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4b5L9-qX6LCw1rPkmztqON3AvqLFUPgM7a1dVpZXi8wdM9-J2A-GL40VOqU1D4on6X9ZMCo12XRd0ZXSP0fOATliWVSfzm_xtxcD9il7mJVBwuQ1EGHNvhA5_b7wggIrGjoQS51-jexVi/s1600/IMG_2319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4b5L9-qX6LCw1rPkmztqON3AvqLFUPgM7a1dVpZXi8wdM9-J2A-GL40VOqU1D4on6X9ZMCo12XRd0ZXSP0fOATliWVSfzm_xtxcD9il7mJVBwuQ1EGHNvhA5_b7wggIrGjoQS51-jexVi/s1600/IMG_2319.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0ZuDUm-Tzg0qKrCk0qcb-a09LH4TAMVtaLte4J15CLjYUHdK6G1MP_dlVz6WoH4cTE2qtdnYcoWEpEmwwjFMEGkWiqHGVVEsNJiK5AC2Th3OKzoXUgrZwOSYxMpGtNxwG50TEX5_9LKj/s1600/IMG_2325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0ZuDUm-Tzg0qKrCk0qcb-a09LH4TAMVtaLte4J15CLjYUHdK6G1MP_dlVz6WoH4cTE2qtdnYcoWEpEmwwjFMEGkWiqHGVVEsNJiK5AC2Th3OKzoXUgrZwOSYxMpGtNxwG50TEX5_9LKj/s1600/IMG_2325.jpg" /></a></div><br />After some caulk & sealing, this project will finally be over!<br /><br />Meanwhile, we have a couple other things going down.<br /><br />Our hinges finally arrived from Ikea, and now our bench seat has all its doors!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVadORfnmBtG-t-Kb7_PlIU5CseAkf0Uw1Uj8VmrTwFpoW7Tp2z3StT4CMKjK6mNMy5UqSH0z_53CEt5Xc3Ardq7Ykof63yJywFeBc-CmV5unFWffb7lsd5QCyIHUznS-ffuRaDB5IvSZ1/s1600/IMG_2312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVadORfnmBtG-t-Kb7_PlIU5CseAkf0Uw1Uj8VmrTwFpoW7Tp2z3StT4CMKjK6mNMy5UqSH0z_53CEt5Xc3Ardq7Ykof63yJywFeBc-CmV5unFWffb7lsd5QCyIHUznS-ffuRaDB5IvSZ1/s1600/IMG_2312.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Yes, that's foam you see sitting on top. A cushion DIY post will be in the near future.<br /><br />I have to say, the gaps between the doors didn't bother me quite as much after they were all on. But I still wanted to test it out. I cut a scrap piece of wood and taped it up there to get a rough visual:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nfQ6x28yjGXHlyeXQqatHLdXDDOvBJo0OAMwm6JJjB3uH3Cpc660v6tZxUnFHRjm-LnvZMvLenTWBG9VuVxKvxg3Yv7ViwbYOln-ktE30qbL63j1FxX1IXR6x0ZYEzV_397wmCz7ElXl/s1600/IMG_2332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nfQ6x28yjGXHlyeXQqatHLdXDDOvBJo0OAMwm6JJjB3uH3Cpc660v6tZxUnFHRjm-LnvZMvLenTWBG9VuVxKvxg3Yv7ViwbYOln-ktE30qbL63j1FxX1IXR6x0ZYEzV_397wmCz7ElXl/s1600/IMG_2332.jpg" /></a></div><br />What do you think? I think I like it slightly better than the empty gap, so I'm going to pick up some wood at Lowe's tonight to fill them in (and probably a test pot of paint color matched to the doors).<br /><br />In other bench news, we started on the back of the island seating!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zD9q01g83lrQNFrW3mrrV5Lzw1NynniunnTrA5AZYdpUws9kkymQDof1YQkVEc98HKa9I-6px5tosrZyUR7scwREIY1dx1EHbwz0541VRAkiM202VZRf_dEFxjCWLxLYrAflShFjZBvD/s1600/IMG_2333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zD9q01g83lrQNFrW3mrrV5Lzw1NynniunnTrA5AZYdpUws9kkymQDof1YQkVEc98HKa9I-6px5tosrZyUR7scwREIY1dx1EHbwz0541VRAkiM202VZRf_dEFxjCWLxLYrAflShFjZBvD/s1600/IMG_2333.jpg" /></a></div><br />We're building this one the exact same way—except with 3 36" cabinets instead of 4 30" cabinets.<br /><br />First I had to build the base.<br /><br />I measured and cut my 2x4's and laid them out...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwDfqyT250fD-iqwUKTgfaHgWDMKjdrptCtbWAfVwLSDknCuQEPLmLq_NfLIenuyaeIwQNHRzM4VuCzmK9586yjem2uYH_35DbkS0tVpeyd_aZdhi8HvA_YIkcvtKQuvP-JPeBUBZKJRn/s1600/IMG_2334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwDfqyT250fD-iqwUKTgfaHgWDMKjdrptCtbWAfVwLSDknCuQEPLmLq_NfLIenuyaeIwQNHRzM4VuCzmK9586yjem2uYH_35DbkS0tVpeyd_aZdhi8HvA_YIkcvtKQuvP-JPeBUBZKJRn/s1600/IMG_2334.jpg" /></a></div><br />Then screwed the pieces together...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTMU0wY9NEdw4jmGIWIhA8f_TAuNqLfFN968sI-0OqGv5We38xjNDgrYJFBttxCYSfaRold86R1I97BIiMf481RuIvQVWB4boFVh7cyRA5Onl-fif1VI98ARQ0Jbiv7zp-2mzpOftwBcL/s1600/IMG_2336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTMU0wY9NEdw4jmGIWIhA8f_TAuNqLfFN968sI-0OqGv5We38xjNDgrYJFBttxCYSfaRold86R1I97BIiMf481RuIvQVWB4boFVh7cyRA5Onl-fif1VI98ARQ0Jbiv7zp-2mzpOftwBcL/s1600/IMG_2336.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Then we secured it to the back of the island.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjST_BBwfNLRFDdaAwrrJPCSpjPr_-cvDswEkCobykVXdDktKCzjFSm9cuIZklJfYfvowtUtofKGwvjA4NXIj1LD30B0UPivdWHdU489j9phNGLBpybwuuK0SHrrJnxVFd-m17mjGL5VOAj/s1600/IMG_2337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjST_BBwfNLRFDdaAwrrJPCSpjPr_-cvDswEkCobykVXdDktKCzjFSm9cuIZklJfYfvowtUtofKGwvjA4NXIj1LD30B0UPivdWHdU489j9phNGLBpybwuuK0SHrrJnxVFd-m17mjGL5VOAj/s1600/IMG_2337.jpg" /></a></div><br />Now I just need to finish painting the cabinets and set them on top. I primed them yesterday, but ran out of foam rollers so I couldn't paint them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJYCSK34rKGQ_I1-BlzoFeuc0we_91IWQ1HRNoseOQ1FaacNYDCNYifyrSof-zPPUWXkGWnR0eKHj5tcgDqeRvmDlX869_ciMWNVsZDu3BXzjJTi59850BlA1wYWYkE1-qUgeTWS-m3z2/s1600/IMG_2338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJYCSK34rKGQ_I1-BlzoFeuc0we_91IWQ1HRNoseOQ1FaacNYDCNYifyrSof-zPPUWXkGWnR0eKHj5tcgDqeRvmDlX869_ciMWNVsZDu3BXzjJTi59850BlA1wYWYkE1-qUgeTWS-m3z2/s1600/IMG_2338.jpg" /></a></div><br />We plan on getting these installed this weekend, along with tiling our bar wall (!) so I should have some pretty fun stuff coming up next week.<br /><br />I also have a very important decision to make. I ordered swatches from <a href="http://justblinds.com/">justblinds.com</a> for the kitchen, dining room and studio windows. I'd like them all to be the same since the rooms are open to each other.<br /><br />I've narrowed it down to these 3...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://distilleryimage7.ak.instagram.com/f7808082b03a11e3aaff12e553090a3f_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://distilleryimage7.ak.instagram.com/f7808082b03a11e3aaff12e553090a3f_8.jpg" /></a></div><br />I posed the question to <a href="http://instagram.com/p/lxIFk4vQ0C/">instagram</a> this morning and Tibet Oak seems to be the favorite so far.<br /><br />At first I was set on Antigua Natural, after seeing similar styles in kitchens...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hollymathisinteriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/hollymathisinteriorsstinsonsink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.hollymathisinteriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/hollymathisinteriorsstinsonsink.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hollymathisinteriors.com/2014/02/young-houston-familys-home/"><i>Source</i></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/88/6c/65/886c65ed53371527aa991c8570683c4b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/88/6c/65/886c65ed53371527aa991c8570683c4b.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://theinspiredroom.net/2013/04/02/kitchen-remodel/"><i>Source</i></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />But I'm really drawn to the Tibet Oak. I think it would look lovely in the living room and contrast with the dark wood across from it in the kitchen.<br /><br />But then I wonder if it's too dark and heavy for the kitchen, with the dark beams and bar counter there already, and I wonder if something like Singapore Oak would work better? The medium brown shades will tie in with the jute rug that will be in there soon.<br /><br />I have no idea! I'm trying to order these today so I'm counting on you guys to help me figure this out. WWYD?<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> I just snapped this photo for a better visualization. After reading some comments in favor of the Singapore Oak, I'm leaning that way. It's a very close match to the jute rug I'll be using (which will take up most of the dining area)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOj0tQJO_FUROBrEti7vr1qEkCaDVNiYrmvzQPPaBQHCqU0LnfJ-q2ItFGoo8GFdGiSMGKSYqhAmdkjlQwT_bCIi5CVfxB1SPziBIWKXDYT_Ys5KD9esN7srCNApzxSxJ6l6y8Srm0Dwx/s1600/IMG_2341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOj0tQJO_FUROBrEti7vr1qEkCaDVNiYrmvzQPPaBQHCqU0LnfJ-q2ItFGoo8GFdGiSMGKSYqhAmdkjlQwT_bCIi5CVfxB1SPziBIWKXDYT_Ys5KD9esN7srCNApzxSxJ6l6y8Srm0Dwx/s1600/IMG_2341.jpg" /></a></div><br />Thoughts?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wgVAW4CkQJKe7F9T2TN0wW1SrDi-slD9gmVbLIZalyLM_SjovLgmJd6T5JVGN-zGsPjsUT8JqpC0Hg0bvBSKNbL2vSFE5zPRGb85uqM6xT3uwkNviMJoN_gRPvh-14Y8_L7ctp1v1IQ3/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wgVAW4CkQJKe7F9T2TN0wW1SrDi-slD9gmVbLIZalyLM_SjovLgmJd6T5JVGN-zGsPjsUT8JqpC0Hg0bvBSKNbL2vSFE5zPRGb85uqM6xT3uwkNviMJoN_gRPvh-14Y8_L7ctp1v1IQ3/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><br />

Kitchen Chronicles: A DIY Subway Tile Backsplash, Part 2

On Monday I left off with a recap of how we installed our subway tile ... A few hours after that post, we started on the grout. Here's w...

Read more »

Kitchen Chronicles: A DIY Subway Tile Backsplash, Part 1

Happy St Paddy's Day! We celebrated this weekend with a new backsplash...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_62Op13F4SfPOCR-Lx6J8IZdWc-2FuDsJ4-x6sn2SZ8USMX9EV0EmHIxNU9Ah_QC6WiM9-HsaYkGu4s8J24zPUe4tA8iMaq2esOVALcXZXiYzivWYngx0ww-AqIgpE_wRS3hyphenhyphenKbaov1EI/s1600/IMG_2286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_62Op13F4SfPOCR-Lx6J8IZdWc-2FuDsJ4-x6sn2SZ8USMX9EV0EmHIxNU9Ah_QC6WiM9-HsaYkGu4s8J24zPUe4tA8iMaq2esOVALcXZXiYzivWYngx0ww-AqIgpE_wRS3hyphenhyphenKbaov1EI/s1600/IMG_2286.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, almost. It's not done yet, but the hardest part (hopefully) is over.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you've been following along for a while, you'll remember that subway tile wasn't my first choice. I wanted a natural stone look, and I found it at Lowe's:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2eNK2VASZJuzwOzpQ4kLw1GN-544J3eL0bqmrMGs-TazX_Rs9sF5Aw98Zf7FksG5nPfhxnMluiZDMfhYWlzeFRdJi36_Q99DoOwgydq0r4K7ly_ALcLeyRrvBuoTmQ3GHfyON0Ffd3fF/s1600/IMG_3196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2eNK2VASZJuzwOzpQ4kLw1GN-544J3eL0bqmrMGs-TazX_Rs9sF5Aw98Zf7FksG5nPfhxnMluiZDMfhYWlzeFRdJi36_Q99DoOwgydq0r4K7ly_ALcLeyRrvBuoTmQ3GHfyON0Ffd3fF/s1600/IMG_3196.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But after the cabinets went in, I was worried it was just too much gray. So I set my sights on something similar, but in white, like this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/891992/891992001171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/891992/891992001171.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_100079-60692-4022_0__?productId=3143877&cm_mmc=SCE_PLA-_-Kitchen-_-BacksplashesWallTile-_-3143877&CAWELAID=1024058848&kpid=3143877&%22cagpspn=pla%22">Source</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />Only problem is... this stuff isn't cheap. We even made a trip to the city where we spent all day at 14 different tile shops, and everything similar was around $20/sf. Because we wanted to cover the entire back wall, we needed around 80 sf. $1600 for tile is <i>not</i> happening. Nor is $1000. I didn't even want to spend $500. So it was back to the drawing board...<br /><br />Classic white subway was always in the back of my mind as an option. Half of the kitchens I've been drooling over on Pinterest have it...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtk96htLQTEtlT37WiYiVoTKrSnJvblF9THAPXG1Hi-GISxO1mjq2KDbyVray4dp6j9x4S6CnFNc203JURv3ENdZtzw72YsXU-htgm9SSKr8yQjdfYi4eERDstSnxJDRwwtBEGK7vTN2x2/s640/IMG_7112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtk96htLQTEtlT37WiYiVoTKrSnJvblF9THAPXG1Hi-GISxO1mjq2KDbyVray4dp6j9x4S6CnFNc203JURv3ENdZtzw72YsXU-htgm9SSKr8yQjdfYi4eERDstSnxJDRwwtBEGK7vTN2x2/s640/IMG_7112.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://dougelissa.blogspot.ca/2013/06/kitchen-reveal.html">Source</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>But that's the thing, I didn't want to look like every other kitchen. But then you realize that Pinterest =/= real life, and white subway tile probably won't ever go out of style, and it's a very economical option. So I went for it.<br /><br />Instead of the individual standard 3x6 tiles, we opted for the smaller 2x4's that come on a sheet—because I thought the smaller scale would add more interest, and they seemed easier to install.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqeg5cOjRnJnZD_JC00cPiQpaeTvQjKjnBCO529Jc9ifm693fT8GSjDGrte8Dogaqtk-TWqqgeKKVkAPgJvwmtjDn7WilzWCOO-S2jL4U3OobyZZkrIWyoPg0v14uMF_AvQmLAxFBFkXm/s1600/744704354976lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqeg5cOjRnJnZD_JC00cPiQpaeTvQjKjnBCO529Jc9ifm693fT8GSjDGrte8Dogaqtk-TWqqgeKKVkAPgJvwmtjDn7WilzWCOO-S2jL4U3OobyZZkrIWyoPg0v14uMF_AvQmLAxFBFkXm/s1600/744704354976lg.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We originally got bids for the labor (tile has always been something we've hired out because we've never trusted ourselves to do it right)—but the quotes all came back at over $1000, which we did not expect at all. I guess labor is cheaper in Florida? Anyway, with all that we've accomplished since owning this house, I was feeling confident and told Brad I thought we should go for it. My dad said he'd help out on the first day so that sealed the deal.<br /><br />Here's what we bought from Lowe's to get the job done:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.lowes.com/pd_355358-74035-SL1024BJHC1P2_0__?productId=3477577&Ntt=white+subway+tile&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3Dwhite%2Bsubway%2Btile&facetInfo=">Tile</a> (80 sf)<br />Type 1 Mastic (a 3.5 gallon bucket, and we used maybe 2/3 of it)<br />Grout (Mapei in Warm Gray)<br />Colored caulk to match the grout<br />Grout sealer<br />A 1/4" notched trowel to spread the mastic<br />A grout float trowel<br />A sponge<br />Spacers<br /><br />Our family friend let us borrow his wet saw which was a huge lifesaver. We were concerned that we'd need a scoring knife or tile cutter for smaller cuts but it wasn't necessary at all.<br /><br />The total for the tile came in at $299 (we have two sheets leftover so we can return them for $7, woohoo) and it was about $110 for materials.<br /><br />I spent some time researching (thanks everyone for the advice in my last post!) and here are a few helpful tutorials I found:<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkacw555Z5pnH2jYHAdG9rYAIjQ78zbNcPfV7erjdeF4savmKce_qennec9Va-IiYVkgx7iQ-npnB6S41V-z4bQ5w7U_QW5B3U-0i8Ze8qKbxiMwq2fWakgLbteUf4kkNd1g4ozMmI7iV/s1600/IMG_550222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkacw555Z5pnH2jYHAdG9rYAIjQ78zbNcPfV7erjdeF4savmKce_qennec9Va-IiYVkgx7iQ-npnB6S41V-z4bQ5w7U_QW5B3U-0i8Ze8qKbxiMwq2fWakgLbteUf4kkNd1g4ozMmI7iV/s1600/IMG_550222.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://duoventures.blogspot.com/2014/03/kitchen-makeover-subway-tile-backsplash.html"><i>Source</i></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/white-subway-tile-backsplash-121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.remodelaholic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/white-subway-tile-backsplash-121.jpg" width="418" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.remodelaholic.com/2013/01/white-subway-tile-back-splash-tutorial/">Source</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zQhDOZqzSr1Jqz8ZRDQ3_B_-bTKUmiyJWauq3b8m5jlUeZ-KzhUJC1xqbSsC0uj48AfMus6fG3bAv6dg89OMeNAf_udTMbq71G0cea0Qhx9JTlngTUuTjFA4gmxaTjMfnZY-ux7MSqw/s400/IMG_7548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zQhDOZqzSr1Jqz8ZRDQ3_B_-bTKUmiyJWauq3b8m5jlUeZ-KzhUJC1xqbSsC0uj48AfMus6fG3bAv6dg89OMeNAf_udTMbq71G0cea0Qhx9JTlngTUuTjFA4gmxaTjMfnZY-ux7MSqw/s400/IMG_7548.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><a href="http://www.thisfreshfossil.com/2010/11/kitchen-remodel-tile-backsplash-part-2.html">Source</a></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Armed and ready, we began our journey Saturday morning...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRZfuaDWLxq8P2It3Uj7vBkekZEUbpM7ZC8dwHGedcBArqTmKZhgaEswfCU2vZ-vrugwJ-zTrCaRQZysjm91kZnUR2oGh-DvzqFnF6eL9RnylyXvTsrp4GuIsiJAFJU8H8pzahJQ_9_id/s1600/IMG_2251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRZfuaDWLxq8P2It3Uj7vBkekZEUbpM7ZC8dwHGedcBArqTmKZhgaEswfCU2vZ-vrugwJ-zTrCaRQZysjm91kZnUR2oGh-DvzqFnF6eL9RnylyXvTsrp4GuIsiJAFJU8H8pzahJQ_9_id/s1600/IMG_2251.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />We got a system going—Brad and my dad cut the tiles while I spread the mastic and installed them.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtx75UqA5xyfFe-RXb681q6RpzeRJ-SURJZbdZB271zyxRDBSKKlJ3wsKu4FepuAtVoSt5f-jbZagI18cn25XD2YQFsDAhAVJCUc4dq-a76vr-1JwG-HOUl-53-X2XNRQ7Gp9oUn3S61P/s1600/IMG_2252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtx75UqA5xyfFe-RXb681q6RpzeRJ-SURJZbdZB271zyxRDBSKKlJ3wsKu4FepuAtVoSt5f-jbZagI18cn25XD2YQFsDAhAVJCUc4dq-a76vr-1JwG-HOUl-53-X2XNRQ7Gp9oUn3S61P/s1600/IMG_2252.jpg" /></a></div><br />I was so relieved after the first few tiles went in. We could actually do this!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0xU3wre0q7mrjaL6FY0vyZ3h77ah2NoznzchEqeg4X5eDNc5kEibGuIDsmCDdt0f2oY04giNuOQgrMjvC5ar2SSseSgT-DH-Qe-VU0H2sVqv8HVqG_aWLPJmGjSLXhfAG4sf6AGDo3xV/s1600/IMG_2253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0xU3wre0q7mrjaL6FY0vyZ3h77ah2NoznzchEqeg4X5eDNc5kEibGuIDsmCDdt0f2oY04giNuOQgrMjvC5ar2SSseSgT-DH-Qe-VU0H2sVqv8HVqG_aWLPJmGjSLXhfAG4sf6AGDo3xV/s1600/IMG_2253.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was also relieved we bought the smaller tiles on sheets. I think it would have taken forever to set them individually. These had built in spacers which was nice too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The great thing about these tiles is that you can easily remove individual pieces to work around obstacles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcDAROcKDngH_KjA2eTzlLazXjU2AKOw-vrGF-mUyXp3QeImvC7sarK_PfzHhgSa_K80fwtdfWIJxG6Nvm0SalI7y1U1KL6QM8yMEEDTF_-7SBS_RJ_y0_Jn0TTeQMcM4yT3qspvg8IVD/s1600/IMG_2264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcDAROcKDngH_KjA2eTzlLazXjU2AKOw-vrGF-mUyXp3QeImvC7sarK_PfzHhgSa_K80fwtdfWIJxG6Nvm0SalI7y1U1KL6QM8yMEEDTF_-7SBS_RJ_y0_Jn0TTeQMcM4yT3qspvg8IVD/s1600/IMG_2264.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Whenever there was an obstacle, we'd remove the tiles that were in the way, make our cuts, and set them back in. Easy peasy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nPWgRw-Pfom6VaJs7FRJoUw4QKg0NFOYyb9y-jy6-C-xEjecdHPtrOYblgcw2yDEKEf2jbuRNjl4WHQj9goPR2I3G3qVvf2ThFqPTmo8CqlrxOZZnZhY56ZUVyXG5qb96drB0d5W6r_T/s1600/IMG_2260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nPWgRw-Pfom6VaJs7FRJoUw4QKg0NFOYyb9y-jy6-C-xEjecdHPtrOYblgcw2yDEKEf2jbuRNjl4WHQj9goPR2I3G3qVvf2ThFqPTmo8CqlrxOZZnZhY56ZUVyXG5qb96drB0d5W6r_T/s1600/IMG_2260.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My dad had this special crayon for marking tile. It was so useful because it was waterproof, but it wipes right off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRo2Iu6QV0VqQ-V4xuXEpU9dcbw3dSx7sOCJ4j5gtIIuN5-phrRDE7iKvL_ytu1QD_yG6UK6CP-vloxNhRe6DcVwqOcT7BuHb6xDkEVrf1KwO-r_4zeQpcU37a98wMDr8OuKD93i5nhcB/s1600/IMG_2279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRo2Iu6QV0VqQ-V4xuXEpU9dcbw3dSx7sOCJ4j5gtIIuN5-phrRDE7iKvL_ytu1QD_yG6UK6CP-vloxNhRe6DcVwqOcT7BuHb6xDkEVrf1KwO-r_4zeQpcU37a98wMDr8OuKD93i5nhcB/s1600/IMG_2279.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once we got the hang of the saw, it was pretty easy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdO6r1e6AMDC5DKHJR2cyczqvvZ8NKKWPS3f1VFK6Vxv0XX8p07bUFyWjQHVxYvVWMdTIqJn7ltsuQ9pZTWwf5VIAOOiuevXXkX8SsC0q9lpfDxm5Y6vOCY76rauEqGDmMpPyy00NBNDAq/s1600/IMG_2280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdO6r1e6AMDC5DKHJR2cyczqvvZ8NKKWPS3f1VFK6Vxv0XX8p07bUFyWjQHVxYvVWMdTIqJn7ltsuQ9pZTWwf5VIAOOiuevXXkX8SsC0q9lpfDxm5Y6vOCY76rauEqGDmMpPyy00NBNDAq/s1600/IMG_2280.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The trick to get the smaller notched cuts? lift the tile up at an angle so the saw would cut all the way through the back without cutting too far forward.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a messy job, so I had a wet cloth nearby to wipe the extra mastic off each section as I went.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1wW4dnA4-rmLsRoe0eJcFEMSZN9ye3vArwl2v9hyFiATzoLu0Q8elHT9rkK2AmmCDp4tgNGqOYrSMoNjI3tVpKPszyEaLGknYhQkRUN41wossgqzqhInLXfx19kX8gI3Ro7fiwbZKzxq/s1600/IMG_2254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1wW4dnA4-rmLsRoe0eJcFEMSZN9ye3vArwl2v9hyFiATzoLu0Q8elHT9rkK2AmmCDp4tgNGqOYrSMoNjI3tVpKPszyEaLGknYhQkRUN41wossgqzqhInLXfx19kX8gI3Ro7fiwbZKzxq/s1600/IMG_2254.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>To make sure they properly adhered to the wall and were all level, I nudged each tile in with a rubber mallet.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOJR1YWuKqEIPifBBF0PnOYVmSJoR6jXpXwm0ij87RcN3nL6rTq3NpzAvBgtWCzAR4F0kmh9SrUxqFU_W-sn3-jxa7xLLK84lJBkyKKjSXe5Sl1hR0pGyEUvJitWI_ELEeRUMjeQiAog5/s1600/IMG_2255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOJR1YWuKqEIPifBBF0PnOYVmSJoR6jXpXwm0ij87RcN3nL6rTq3NpzAvBgtWCzAR4F0kmh9SrUxqFU_W-sn3-jxa7xLLK84lJBkyKKjSXe5Sl1hR0pGyEUvJitWI_ELEeRUMjeQiAog5/s1600/IMG_2255.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />If there was too much mastic, it would seep through the cracks so I swiped it up with a small screwdriver.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVzG-p3A5P8KiBK9gRFHs7X4YA67Gs2aDfrhcq1mgPWiGcSxQTvuVU_Sd83sDpywykV5e9qaXg3HOr9e0KWCwO9UA7pSUWiGksaOuMGqJZ905-3LM1g8ksP8ySq7MeMjjn6RZ7HEJ3VAW/s1600/IMG_2269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVzG-p3A5P8KiBK9gRFHs7X4YA67Gs2aDfrhcq1mgPWiGcSxQTvuVU_Sd83sDpywykV5e9qaXg3HOr9e0KWCwO9UA7pSUWiGksaOuMGqJZ905-3LM1g8ksP8ySq7MeMjjn6RZ7HEJ3VAW/s1600/IMG_2269.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In less than an hour, our first wall was done!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVVHG806sduQrzfNs9gzso0h_t3RDWNEDJapMkQymIRF7Hnful-LXu3v75GSSNJ2M56-se6F7eJ9mFmx-vtuyPnfRWEDxw5l0dqFSL8atzFr10Z5Nvqhm9KFnuW9uSE2UUOitlTjuTDo1/s1600/IMG_2259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVVHG806sduQrzfNs9gzso0h_t3RDWNEDJapMkQymIRF7Hnful-LXu3v75GSSNJ2M56-se6F7eJ9mFmx-vtuyPnfRWEDxw5l0dqFSL8atzFr10Z5Nvqhm9KFnuW9uSE2UUOitlTjuTDo1/s1600/IMG_2259.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh—it's important you do a dry fit first to make sure you don't end up with any slivers in obvious places. The wall above was an inch larger than our four rows of tile, so I opted to have the 1" pieces on the left side (which is more inconspicuous) instead of the right.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My favorite part was actually the details. I liked working with individual pieces after they had been cut. It's hard to get the mastic around smaller areas (especially when there's already tile in place around it) so for these I'd "butter" the back of it and set them in place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHofYbmGYlooqRyyOeMyQ7XAj7inPvb-VAxL8lRABZYANNmq7iCF-_nOin5oOWCklGshR4gLL7hp0JQs4ty-g1zdbNdzqL-bpZw5ncPKt3d8hA0CQUJ5D3YF6kXWRSzNwbjoew5XsJ_z3r/s1600/IMG_2270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHofYbmGYlooqRyyOeMyQ7XAj7inPvb-VAxL8lRABZYANNmq7iCF-_nOin5oOWCklGshR4gLL7hp0JQs4ty-g1zdbNdzqL-bpZw5ncPKt3d8hA0CQUJ5D3YF6kXWRSzNwbjoew5XsJ_z3r/s1600/IMG_2270.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouTcGdE5VLG1BzjQGWV1OgWkv0ADdtlLgU-nnExmKllD6jqR7rgy4TmyLb8tA4EznCdFwhwPvCWzIdvzUNhyphenhyphenbL4i1QXbSdP2SJK6X4XYWyMSVxoNrYD2XFECbr4Q9vgb6Pmah7enMa2SC/s1600/IMG_2271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouTcGdE5VLG1BzjQGWV1OgWkv0ADdtlLgU-nnExmKllD6jqR7rgy4TmyLb8tA4EznCdFwhwPvCWzIdvzUNhyphenhyphenbL4i1QXbSdP2SJK6X4XYWyMSVxoNrYD2XFECbr4Q9vgb6Pmah7enMa2SC/s1600/IMG_2271.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also, around the narrower areas with less room to work, I used a smaller putty knife instead of the trowel to get into all of the nooks and crannies. Then I'd come back with a trowel to smooth it out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uRVMAUFJI3CVTC8wRNnJrmvgm-VRExT45Zhv0Qr_4idWcruOyNBREvADnLIy-CA8255eyHhLYMA6eMfE8B2q07hoFOlsicDGfWu0-UnP7uXUa6rGB8a4NsXObFsd_5MnBdPZidV_c8z2/s1600/IMG_2266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uRVMAUFJI3CVTC8wRNnJrmvgm-VRExT45Zhv0Qr_4idWcruOyNBREvADnLIy-CA8255eyHhLYMA6eMfE8B2q07hoFOlsicDGfWu0-UnP7uXUa6rGB8a4NsXObFsd_5MnBdPZidV_c8z2/s1600/IMG_2266.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />We were so lucky here... the area above the sink fit four rows of tiles perfectly so we didn't have to make any cuts.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFmRIMLWNpomcB-IYRC69indRe0xFA0QVdy-LZD3_61xTzpPn11aS7lKmOdcuN5dKqZPABNG2MVdoU6LLkEcu8Bdm0_E1S5UYpEHdv4boXuDIWzCQJhL7hBhrJ_11agi4xt500lD-t7Fy/s1600/IMG_2265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBFmRIMLWNpomcB-IYRC69indRe0xFA0QVdy-LZD3_61xTzpPn11aS7lKmOdcuN5dKqZPABNG2MVdoU6LLkEcu8Bdm0_E1S5UYpEHdv4boXuDIWzCQJhL7hBhrJ_11agi4xt500lD-t7Fy/s1600/IMG_2265.jpg" /></a></div><br />But of course it evened out in other areas, like this one, where there were some small pieces against the window. We also had to leave a gap next to the door, otherwise it wouldn't be able to open all the way (bad design).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQrvX0EbMkppmw2CvGRHc43tr3u7zR1nas5YbFumoWRHgKQYdv5D5pSMfWb1DLBRs5hyJyxN0we0Mh8zFe-SO6HBZKHQauEYWKG1-uF2IZEHKrLDdpdjtawq_QpSEMRJuT1mazyL_AQMM/s1600/IMG_2274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQrvX0EbMkppmw2CvGRHc43tr3u7zR1nas5YbFumoWRHgKQYdv5D5pSMfWb1DLBRs5hyJyxN0we0Mh8zFe-SO6HBZKHQauEYWKG1-uF2IZEHKrLDdpdjtawq_QpSEMRJuT1mazyL_AQMM/s1600/IMG_2274.jpg" /></a></div><br />Here's the other side of the window:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3J_1bhm-HNFzABmXz5RPaQNSmsG1p7PBYEzGCjXu5pmn7hzetofmGPJJawxPetk-tCRBgL8fXKUIJYdoVxIKmHzigtEkE8BViY_7pzXCxTbTL8s9apORaXTv0UThjdkdLyGf6js7Rl1JT/s1600/IMG_2275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3J_1bhm-HNFzABmXz5RPaQNSmsG1p7PBYEzGCjXu5pmn7hzetofmGPJJawxPetk-tCRBgL8fXKUIJYdoVxIKmHzigtEkE8BViY_7pzXCxTbTL8s9apORaXTv0UThjdkdLyGf6js7Rl1JT/s1600/IMG_2275.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />When stacking sheets of tile vertically, it's important to use your spacers! Even when they go in perfectly if you don't think you need them—they tend to shift. Often times I would step back and find tiles from earlier that had moved and I had to go back and shove spacers in before the glue dried. Fortunately, mastic gives you a pretty generous window (~30 minutes) for making adjustments. But my advice is don't skimp on the spacers, they're good insurance.<br /><br />At around 4pm on Saturday (after 5.5 hours), we called it a day.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6o-qwngRoroQajPDrtpEcf7wouIhl28RQnxovYtv56jPefJn_uNG7_QV7U9_bQiSP57mMcdfh6aVeLkXlM4XCaFP0YFAe_758_Q74ODHI4QMi9b8lGgVabdNlbNpmnmznjYuLm0KouVX/s1600/IMG_2272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6o-qwngRoroQajPDrtpEcf7wouIhl28RQnxovYtv56jPefJn_uNG7_QV7U9_bQiSP57mMcdfh6aVeLkXlM4XCaFP0YFAe_758_Q74ODHI4QMi9b8lGgVabdNlbNpmnmznjYuLm0KouVX/s1600/IMG_2272.jpg" /></a></div><br />The next morning we were setting up and realized we'd forgot to wipe the mastic off of our starting point, which meant we had to scrape it off so the wall was even and the next sheet of tile would be level.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcN0VWCWQOFrPz_J8gCrL666XFc7gdh4-ckErnmcq3Q4siK8ohkgrQ13Z02WSnKuf-3QzqdrV9vyfZurYPKiD9-6jP5WySZ-96fyVdspUSNxI4Kz4xrPGaDFN4jM9-rWjzukQ564mQtl8Z/s1600/IMG_2277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcN0VWCWQOFrPz_J8gCrL666XFc7gdh4-ckErnmcq3Q4siK8ohkgrQ13Z02WSnKuf-3QzqdrV9vyfZurYPKiD9-6jP5WySZ-96fyVdspUSNxI4Kz4xrPGaDFN4jM9-rWjzukQ564mQtl8Z/s1600/IMG_2277.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />Don't forget to clean the mastic off first if you are going to take a long break!<br /><br />On the second day I got smarter and wore latex gloves. SO much better than having mastic stuck all over your hands and having to scrub it off.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFHW9NHFZHHtLnbJFa__bJHqaiYAe195Vo8Ewbyu8toRKTSt9-oFnSRRtFLwAvSFDlbwn_9UQiirl0G-GfE9vhK_guT1fzSBn1RBtYMKo_Yey08iApsvivpqlS52o5P9n9RCF2HUg052o/s1600/IMG_2278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimFHW9NHFZHHtLnbJFa__bJHqaiYAe195Vo8Ewbyu8toRKTSt9-oFnSRRtFLwAvSFDlbwn_9UQiirl0G-GfE9vhK_guT1fzSBn1RBtYMKo_Yey08iApsvivpqlS52o5P9n9RCF2HUg052o/s1600/IMG_2278.jpg" /></a></div><br />Really, the most difficult part of the whole job is just the physical energy it requires. Cutting and measuring is the easy part—spreading mastic for 5+ hours gets tiring. I'm still slightly sore.<br /><br />But watching it all come together is oh so worth it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJNxT4XS4_hivu2vr3bC3bgDXPfTc4mvXeiITGgWYxPO5ZaxdeDs1jawmyl9Sizfx8Y9aXwYhHSew-sLCYX15izdImDcOQt4FmNSkhOHcUbeqacpyf3py5ZuaLKIs2TC9n9JO705JuxIY/s1600/IMG_2281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJNxT4XS4_hivu2vr3bC3bgDXPfTc4mvXeiITGgWYxPO5ZaxdeDs1jawmyl9Sizfx8Y9aXwYhHSew-sLCYX15izdImDcOQt4FmNSkhOHcUbeqacpyf3py5ZuaLKIs2TC9n9JO705JuxIY/s1600/IMG_2281.jpg" /></a></div><br />Finally, we made our way underneath the window and back around to the end.<br /><br />Actually, the end was the hardest part. Since we made a big loop around the window, the tiles had to meet back up at some point. Making sure the right side matched the left side so that they were perfectly interlocking when they lined back up was a challenge.<br /><br />We actually didn't even think about it until it was too late, so the gaps were a little larger than they should have been.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IXPmAQGPx3kAfyXG0OTrRw5Ua3G1G36muF981WEDloTTdsgnFGGYYgte6Obih2OeogORn60zStKkK_6fQpckgPYdDkiqo_mg1a_84qclEc-wlOORONCg3RaIgL1W-fYuiVeqqtSP9Pis/s1600/IMG_2283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IXPmAQGPx3kAfyXG0OTrRw5Ua3G1G36muF981WEDloTTdsgnFGGYYgte6Obih2OeogORn60zStKkK_6fQpckgPYdDkiqo_mg1a_84qclEc-wlOORONCg3RaIgL1W-fYuiVeqqtSP9Pis/s1600/IMG_2283.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />It's important to note that tiling is an imperfect process. Even from the factory, some gaps were closer to 1/16" and others were over 1/8", so I wasn't going for perfection here.<br /><br />And when you look at the big picture it's not really noticeable...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6riql5STIpseLuoF_xHhRXB_gLKhZd1VE2HgXHTtxKhLxcI4dkWdkVbqGtpBgfcmtgEGISAtdhke1to2H1b5s6VfDQY9br84UmCtpOyJUFy2tMatzQUPELiARg552U61eS1brnmHEEyT/s1600/IMG_2282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6riql5STIpseLuoF_xHhRXB_gLKhZd1VE2HgXHTtxKhLxcI4dkWdkVbqGtpBgfcmtgEGISAtdhke1to2H1b5s6VfDQY9br84UmCtpOyJUFy2tMatzQUPELiARg552U61eS1brnmHEEyT/s1600/IMG_2282.jpg" /></a><br /><br />There will be pillows there which should help, and I also have a backup plan if it ends up bugging me (hint: white nail polish).<br /><br /><br />Walking into the kitchen is like a breath of fresh air now...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_62Op13F4SfPOCR-Lx6J8IZdWc-2FuDsJ4-x6sn2SZ8USMX9EV0EmHIxNU9Ah_QC6WiM9-HsaYkGu4s8J24zPUe4tA8iMaq2esOVALcXZXiYzivWYngx0ww-AqIgpE_wRS3hyphenhyphenKbaov1EI/s1600/IMG_2286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_62Op13F4SfPOCR-Lx6J8IZdWc-2FuDsJ4-x6sn2SZ8USMX9EV0EmHIxNU9Ah_QC6WiM9-HsaYkGu4s8J24zPUe4tA8iMaq2esOVALcXZXiYzivWYngx0ww-AqIgpE_wRS3hyphenhyphenKbaov1EI/s1600/IMG_2286.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />It really adds so much.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnSlUMhs-3CSdOSDet6Qys9pTm-8xZ0MdsLWkKHC7UzhlqKNYeFmanXlgl-MDUVjTdxGA6hCF86R3rByamEsVRyQuMwayowarvQ7DwUqyvTvsYfpRT0hnyZpXb_X1XIHPapyhliTf8mgx/s1600/IMG_2287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnSlUMhs-3CSdOSDet6Qys9pTm-8xZ0MdsLWkKHC7UzhlqKNYeFmanXlgl-MDUVjTdxGA6hCF86R3rByamEsVRyQuMwayowarvQ7DwUqyvTvsYfpRT0hnyZpXb_X1XIHPapyhliTf8mgx/s1600/IMG_2287.jpg" /></a></div><br />Oh, and we'll be trimming out the top and the right edge where it meets the planks with quarter round.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpEH6ftt1V4DWA7qaP20Z-vaLIb2FCcuk3XHFuDhIECvrnhZPsR_LFCW5rlYKE8JzVa4_AKfjEeXeMSJ713-aXTNvxjAQDAzC3cPnxzfsQJNi4V3Q-6eU2jhyphenhyphen8SzesC3COiaEEzA6tszH/s1600/IMG_2288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpEH6ftt1V4DWA7qaP20Z-vaLIb2FCcuk3XHFuDhIECvrnhZPsR_LFCW5rlYKE8JzVa4_AKfjEeXeMSJ713-aXTNvxjAQDAzC3cPnxzfsQJNi4V3Q-6eU2jhyphenhyphen8SzesC3COiaEEzA6tszH/s1600/IMG_2288.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjs3SmGxMm0xljUA0ok2j0T6YEqA40NRRSSOelAk6tuHFn_9Ycoxj1VicnZRxFSPf9i55GtatTaLIBmn-COfOl2ZKLCZIiZZKH88C2LJEINYJBUKL00Nd-gsGovxchHKhdUMRUedC3Kj1U/s1600/IMG_2289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjs3SmGxMm0xljUA0ok2j0T6YEqA40NRRSSOelAk6tuHFn_9Ycoxj1VicnZRxFSPf9i55GtatTaLIBmn-COfOl2ZKLCZIiZZKH88C2LJEINYJBUKL00Nd-gsGovxchHKhdUMRUedC3Kj1U/s1600/IMG_2289.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0VE2rZNvP4bABVaHUX5mjNlBmXWz030GJD3j_SaPehtvIzfn1oau9sePmOwq_yVwaj7Cj1QW2CByrIqUUSkoGZtkn7pjI7x35geguAhxFyMiH7QBUMZeMgWuQEoOYDxREKp0AiZDMInO/s1600/IMG_2290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0VE2rZNvP4bABVaHUX5mjNlBmXWz030GJD3j_SaPehtvIzfn1oau9sePmOwq_yVwaj7Cj1QW2CByrIqUUSkoGZtkn7pjI7x35geguAhxFyMiH7QBUMZeMgWuQEoOYDxREKp0AiZDMInO/s1600/IMG_2290.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />This afternoon I'll start grouting. The matching caulk was special order and won't be here for 1-2 more weeks, but we have plenty more to do this week (like build the second bench seat and tile our bar wall!)<br /><br />More to come in a few days...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wgVAW4CkQJKe7F9T2TN0wW1SrDi-slD9gmVbLIZalyLM_SjovLgmJd6T5JVGN-zGsPjsUT8JqpC0Hg0bvBSKNbL2vSFE5zPRGb85uqM6xT3uwkNviMJoN_gRPvh-14Y8_L7ctp1v1IQ3/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wgVAW4CkQJKe7F9T2TN0wW1SrDi-slD9gmVbLIZalyLM_SjovLgmJd6T5JVGN-zGsPjsUT8JqpC0Hg0bvBSKNbL2vSFE5zPRGb85uqM6xT3uwkNviMJoN_gRPvh-14Y8_L7ctp1v1IQ3/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></a></div><br />

Kitchen Chronicles: A DIY Subway Tile Backsplash, Part 1

Happy St Paddy's Day! We celebrated this weekend with a new backsplash... Well, almost. It's not done yet, but the hardest part (hop...

Read more »