Tile Backsplash & More-One Room Challenge Week 4

April 26, 2022
nicole

Hi! I'm Nicole

Fearless DIY. Sharing building project tutorials and interior design tips. Let’s build something beautiful together. For more projects, design tips and behind the scenes, follow me @designtobuild.nicole

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One Room Challenge week 4!! Half way there! And so much to share! Everyday gets us closer to the new flooring! And I can’t wait! I know it’s going to set the stage for the entire kitchen. But before I can jump into that, as much as I want to, I continue to press on with the detail work. Last week, it was transforming my countertops to look like I spent a fortune. This week, the biggest change was the tile backsplash.

ORC Image

After moving our microwave above the stove, to our new butler’s pantry, a big gaping hole was left in our tile backsplash. Thankfully, I chose very simple subway tile when first installing my backsplash a few years ago. So, finding more tiles to match was as easy as walking into Menards and going to the tile department–there it was!

Tile backsplash with white shaker cabinets

Since I only had a small section to fill in, I decided to go the easy route and install it the same way I did a few years ago when first installing the tile backsplash. No mortar required=no mess! What did I use to hold my tiles in place?

Double sided adhesive tile mat

This product is so sticky and holds the tiles just as well as mortar, without the prep time…and again-the mess. Simply cut each sheet to size, peel off the wall sticky side and apply….

Double sided adhesive tile mat

To apply the tiles, tear off the adhesive and stick tile onto mat. Using the spacers, provided in the packaging of the double-sided adhesive tile mat, space each tile the width you want them to be apart….

Amazon Affiliate Links Included

Girl adding tile backsplash to a wall

I also went the easy route with cutting my tiles. Instead of dragging out a tile saw (which I don’t even own), I used this amazing tile cutter.

Tile cutter tool for straight edge cuts

This tool is perfect for cutting straight edge cuts. Simply score the tile with the blade on the tile cutter, then apply pressure to the tile and watch it cut perfectly in half (or in whatever portion you need the tile cut). Again, a super easy way to cut tile without the mess and hassle of a tile saw….

Tile cutter with white subway tile being cut in half

And it fits perfectly…

Half piece tile added to tile backsplash

Full, detailed tutorial coming this summer on how I tiled this backsplash.

These two items (adhesive mat and tile cutter) made this tile backsplash project a breeze. I was onto my next project in no time…

Kitchen cabinets white with gold hardware and a white tile backsplash

After completing a beautiful project, it was time for some more demo. In order to make room for the new center island I’ll be building, I needed to tear out our banquette seating…

banquette area with a boho style rug

Let the demo begin….

Banquette seating demo

Almost there…

2x4's from banquette seating area demo

Loving all of this space!!

Open space in a kitchen nook with large picture windows and wood flooring

My kids weren’t loving it as much as I was though and are ready for somewhere comfy to sit again….

Teenager sitting on floor on his phone

It’s coming! I promise! The new center island is going to be awesome!! My vision is conversational seating in place of the banquette with the center island being more in the center of the nook area. Sneak peek of what’s to come…

Sitting area in front of large picture windows

Another addition this week, that makes me so happy in this kitchen makeover, is this awesome commercial grade faucet from Lulani Faucet Company. They have so many styles and finishes to choose from, but this is the one that caught my eye. Love the height of it and how durable it is! It’s plant watering day….

Beautiful chrome faucet with a fiddle leaf plant in the sink

With so much more to come, that about wraps up week four of the One Room Challenge.

What’s on the agenda for next week?

**New center island build

**Trim work

**Paint colors used throughout project

Can’t wait to share it all with you and how far this kitchen has come! But if you want to catch it all in real time, be sure to hop over to my Instagram stories!

MISSED THE WEEKS LEADING UP TO WEEK 4 HERE THEY ARE!

ONE ROOM CHALLENGE WEEK 1

ONE ROOM CHALLENGE WEEK 2

ONE ROOM CHALLENGE WEEK 3

Until next week,

Happy Building, Friend!!

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SOURCES: (Affiliate Links Included)

TILE CUTTER

DOUBLE SIDED ADHESIVE TILE MAT

LULANI COMMERCIAL GRADE KITCHEN FAUCET

HAND TOWEL HOLDER

CABINET DOORS

CABINET PULLS

CABINET KNOBS

TOOL USED TO INSTALL CABINET HARDWARE

COUNTERTOP PAINT

 

More Great RL Posts:

Easily Update Garage Doors to Carriage Doors for Instant Curb Appeal

Modern Dining Room Makeover Reveal

How to Limewash Brick Exterior-A Complete Makeover

 

 

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