A Builder-Grade Kitchen Gets a Pop of Color with an Easy Backsplash Upgrade
It’s not that Detroit-based interior designer Christie Kristl didn’t like the updated kitchen in her 1963 home, but it didn’t exactly scream fun. The hardware, countertops, and cabinets were all fine, so they stayed put.
But thankfully, when the previous owners updated everything in 2018, they didn’t bother with any backsplash — so Christie got to make the call.
She Wanted a Backsplash That Stood Out but Not Over-The-Top
“I wanted a backsplash that was vibrant and fun, but nothing so over-the-top that I’d be sick of it in a year,” Christie explains. “I also wanted something that I hadn’t seen before in other kitchens.”
When the Tiles Were Too Long, They Had to Pivot During the 2 Day Project
She selected tiles from Zia Tile in the Kelp Forest shade and planned to have them installed vertically. When her contractor realized they were too long to work that way, they pivoted, hanging them horizontally in a straight stack. The project took only two days and about $7,000, but it packed a “unique and unexpected” punch, according to Christie.
She Updated the Space with Sentimental Decor and Artwork
She brought in several sentimental touches to update the space, too: Christie’s dad made a cutting board and toddler tower for her daughter from a walnut tree at her childhood home. On the walls hang Polaroids, Christie’s kids’ artwork, and charts made for the kids to try new foods.
Even with Different Design Tastes, the Whole Family Loves the New Backsplash
“It feels intentional, vibrant, and entirely unique,” Christie says when asked what she loves about the kitchen. “My husband and I don’t always share the same aesthetic tastes, but he was on board the second the samples showed up.”
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This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: From White Cabinets to OMG: This 2018 Kitchen Gets a Much-Needed Pop of Green