How about a small tiled back splash for the bathroom sink? In addition to being practical in the way all back splashes are, they provide an opportunity to use some more decorative or high end tile in just a small area, making a slightly more adventurous (or expensive) choice a bit more possible without the giant leap...
... of design faith or final bill. Also a small job like this is one that more of us would take on as a DIY, even if we haven't attempted tiling before.
A few examples:
Very ornate tiles in plain white (like the rest of the bathroom tiles and fixtures) make a big statement in a small space.
Classic subway tiles with a modern sink and faucet - plus a great looking oversized map on the wall.
We also decided to include this one, which is not an official tiled back splash, but has a bit of the same feel created by hanging the large mirrors down very low over the sink.
We're thinking this is more of a trend in Europe since the source of these photos is Living Etc., but we have seen it from time to time stateside as well and like the look. Has anyone tried this? Let us know in the comments or send us in a photo or two...
Photos: Living Etc.
Domino 04.08
Wall Street Journal 03.21.08
Copyright © 2007 Apartment Therapy
Am I the only one who thinks that these look like unfortunate afterthoughts?
IMO, the tile should come up from the floor behind the entire sink and along the entire wall, like wainscoting.
view bepsf's profile
They all look really diy; unbalanced and awkward...
view paulinet's profile
Yes, they look like they're in the middle of a tiling project and trying to figure out what to do next. I like the mirrors, though.
view oakland's profile
Ditto--bad idea in so many ways.
view southender's profile
I agree. Just say no.
view DesignHole's profile
I think they can work (have one myself) but these are way out of scale so they appear awkward.
view Indy Jeffrey's profile
It looks a little like they had a few tiles left over and didn't know what to do with them.
view judy in TO's profile
They all look unfinished.
view martita's profile
I like the last three.
view harmonyfrance's profile
Definitely has an unfinished look to it. Not a fan.
view suzy8track's profile
I ditto most of the comments above and think this looks very unfinished and like a diy project gone bad, which was stopped midway.
view 4ddh's profile
I have to jump on the bandwagon and say I hate most of these. The only one that works for me is the one with the world map -- I think because of the shape of the sink, the fact that the tile comes exactly to the edge of the sink and also the height of the tile mimics the area of the sink.
Otherwise, bleh.
view purplemonster's profile
could be a nice way to use tile that is vintage, salvage, etc - but i agree that maybe it needs to be done a little better? it seems like it would make most sense for a sink that's in a narrow space that is more 'framed' out than an open bathroom, where it looks kind of random.
view cocokelley's profile
agreed- awkward. and it's putting the mirrors way too high, in my opinion. scale is way off.
view marisajane's profile
gosh, just how much sloshing and slathering and spitting do these folks do to need such large and hefty back splashes?
view *heather leaf*'s profile
DIY gone bad
view Daily Nuance's profile
I think that it's a good idea, but none of these in practice work. They need to be more complete - these are just awkwardly slapped above the sink.
I generally get water all over the walls going from sink to hand towel, so I totally see the practicality of this, but... yeah, either wainscotting-like, or... just, more tile. =/
view any such name's profile
As an alternative to "wainscotting," I've also seen a vertical strip of tile from floor to ceiling in line with the sink work well.
view tommymiller50's profile
this has to be executed more completely to really look good - i.e. a floor to ceiling swath (per tommymiller50) or at least from floor to bottom edge of mirror. it also works well if the sink is just in a niche.
view colellis's profile
start all over.
That pedestal sink is useless.
With a blank slate the options open up immensely.
view paulmuscat's profile