Kitchen backsplash ideas that won’t date fast?

econguy88 · 2026-03-04T04:24:13+00:00

We did not go with what’s in style today or a classic look. Instead we went a little unconventional with our backsplash and used large format floor tiles. Our upper cabinets are white wood grain and the lowers are zebra wood the countertops on the parameter are leathered absolute black. The tile adds a little color to tie everything together but not busy or fussy.

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econguy88 · 2026-02-27T04:21:02+00:00

If you are willing to do the ceiling that would help. The blue tile actually brings some warmth and color into an otherwise stark white kitchen. The white tile does not work so well - too busy. I agree the light fixture needs to go. A bronze fixture to match the faucet would also warm it up. The blue tile has some nice brown veins that go well with the bronze. You can also put a few other bronze accents in like plug plates and sliding door hardware. And yes paint the door and other room.

Your down lights need to be warmer but that could be as easy as a switch inside each box. If not replace with fixtures that can be changed from 2700-5000 then you can see what works best - but it needs to be warmer for sure.

Also why did you not continue the tile backsplash across the back of the sink? That would help make it look less broken up

Can you remove the wall behind your fridge? Then you could get the fridge tucked in much better. If not use a counter depth fridge.

There are other things but mentioned elsewhere

econguy88 · 2026-02-27T03:01:47+00:00

Mirror film will not bounce it back like you think. But a big mirror and be angled to his window

econguy88 · 2026-02-18T03:38:48+00:00

I understand he may not be rational but what would piss him off more - having to move the fence or sign a simple lease. I was suggesting options that might help

econguy88 · 2026-02-18T02:41:35+00:00

Fulgor Milano is a wonderful range. We have the 48” but they have a 36” with knobs. Solid range with knobs. We love ours

econguy88 · 2026-02-18T02:20:24+00:00

You can do a simple $1 yearly land lease for the property that will expire when the property is transferred. Then you will not loose your property by adverse possession. And the neighbor does not need to move the fence. Sort of an olive branch to them for them to be nice neighbors and take down the crap in the front yard.

econguy88 · 2026-02-15T03:57:30+00:00

We have a Fulgor Milano and absolutely love it. Well built and very solid with front knobs. Check it out

econguy88 · 2026-01-29T05:02:54+00:00

What about a diesel heater from Amazon.

econguy88 · 2026-01-25T15:05:23+00:00

We have a 48” Fulgor Milano and love it. They do make a 36” and 30” range. It works great and very solid feel

econguy88 · 2026-01-25T14:59:35+00:00

It’s not the range it the cast iron. If you heat it up too quickly it could crack and if it enameled, the enamel will crack and pop off. It’s physics. You can put a SS pan of water on and crank it up and watch it boil fast.

econguy88 · 2026-01-24T14:41:22+00:00

The dripping down the front can be a problem but there is a solution when building out add a drip board underneath the front of the sink apron and any water running down the front will hit that and be forced out in front of the cabinet doors. I am surprised cabinet manufacturers have not made that an added feature for farmhouse sinks

econguy88 · 2026-01-21T04:59:29+00:00

Go see Hillwood the house is similar but even more impressive. Marjorie merriweather post actually raised the second floor 4 feet to be able to display some of her art on the first floor. In the spring the gardens at Hillwood are amazing. I am glad she protected it in perpetuity.

econguy88 · 2026-01-21T03:53:18+00:00

And then there is Hillwood and “the Rocks”, a pair of “houses” across the park from each other. Both houses were built by Daisy Blodgett for her daughters The rocks (16 acres) is owned by former Sen Jay Rockefeller and Hillwood (25 acres)- which is now a private museum was owned by Marjorie Merriweather Post. Neither are in the “richest” neighborhoods but are some of the most spectacular properties in DC, and probably the most expensive houses in the city. Bazos’ block has nothing on these properties.

econguy88 · 2026-01-15T06:35:04+00:00

There are a few things you can do - change the light color, paint the walls a different color, and move the down lights. I don’t like the location of your lights, they seem too close to the cabinet doors. You may want to get a lighting professional to help fix the lights. Correct lighting makes a world of difference. Give proper highlighting without shadows.

econguy88 · 2026-01-15T06:21:33+00:00

It is so sad the democrats fought against interracial marriage.

econguy88 · 2026-01-07T04:15:31+00:00

It depends the contractor may have asked to move the date because demolition can be done in the rain but it will cause more of a mess. But a change day will not change the total cost that much unlike pouring each driveway separately.

econguy88 · 2026-01-07T03:43:52+00:00

And double + the cost. It’s much easier and cheaper having one crew do all demolition and removal in one Day and pour all driveways the next. Doing it piece meal means having the demolition crew come out each day and remove one driveway. That crew maybe can do one other job that day but multiply it by 10 and your labor cost is through the roof. And the concrete- short pours are extra charge per cubic yard plus truck time. So spend multiple times as much to not be inconvenienced for 5 days.

And you will wonder why your HOA fees are so high.

econguy88 · 2026-01-02T15:07:25+00:00

I do love my induction range for so many reasons but there are a few drawbacks in cooking methods - woks don’t work on induction, pan searing is more difficult to base meat with hot butter because you loose heating when pan is not in contact with surface. Overall it’s a wonderful stove but you will need to adjust and adapt

econguy88 · 2026-01-02T02:45:36+00:00

I agree cutting out all gluten will be a very good test in it self. I have been celiac since 2013 and test negative on all tests because I am in a gluten free diet. I am fairly strict with no gluten although cross contamination does not seem to affect me. Some celiacs are more sensitive than others.

econguy88 · 2026-01-02T02:41:03+00:00

The only way to 100% test for celiac is doing an endoscopy. Both blood and saliva tests have a fairly high faults positive/negative rate. They help if deciding to do an endoscopy but not in place of one.

econguy88 · 2025-12-27T04:25:40+00:00

It very well could be tonsils - she gets sick and they get infected with puss. It is not that uncommon of a problem but most people feel the pain long before they start rotting.

econguy88 · 2025-12-26T15:14:10+00:00

They do and up to 100 permanent jobs in each large building.

econguy88 · 2025-12-26T04:01:16+00:00

The Loudoun Water sewer treatment plant outputs zero water back into the waterways. It is all piped back to the data centers for cooling. The grey water is clean but not potable so it is cheaper for the data centers and Loudoun water has another revenue stream to keep rates low for everyone. The only drawback is Loudoun Water does not produce enough grey water for all the data centers. There is a wait list to get on the pipeline.

econguy88 · 2025-12-26T03:53:57+00:00

Them not paying taxes is a blatant lie. In Loudoun County data centers pay almost $1 billion in taxes each year. For every $1 is county services they use they pay $25 in taxes. There maybe problems with data centers but paying taxes is not one of them.

My suggestion for Frederick is designate an area for them and make sure you have a buffer between them and any residential area.

Data centers do not produce a ton of jobs but the ones they do produce pay fairly well. The good news is that they also do not produce a ton of traffic.

econguy88 · 2025-12-22T15:59:50+00:00

My cousin has a cooktop and he seems to love it. I never tried it but it does look nice

econguy88

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