The Kitchen Tile is Back + Big Renovation News!

Hi Everyone,

Yes, the kitchen tile is back! That was one of the surprises I was waiting to tell you about.

The replacement tile went up Friday morning, and Phillip, the tiler, sealed it afterward. Then, he returned Saturday morning and grouted it with white grout.

If you missed the first tile installation trainwreck post, you can see it here.

Even though I had done tests and it was sealed, I wasn’t taking any chances. Like I said, if I prefer a darker color, I can always use a grout pen.

So, let’s take a look at the newly installed and grouted kitchen tile!

 

 

A tight close-up of the newly installed kitchen tile with white grout.

 

 

When standing in front of the range, it looks like this. You don’t see the crazing at all.

 

That entire counter is only nine feet long.

The range wall with only the fantastic Zephyr hood lights on.

 

The lights are normally on, but since the lighting is not what it will be, I left them off.

 

While the tile is beautiful, it lacks that vintage feel we had below when the kitchen tile had no grout. I don’t dislike the white grout; however, it looks too contemporary.

 

 

The first subway tile before the gray grout ruined it.

 

I know some of you have strong feelings one way or the other regarding the color grout for the kitchen tile.

In this case, the darker grout lines are my preference because they look genuinely old. However, the lines don’t need to be quite this dark. Therefore, I’d love to try a light-ish gray grout pen in an inconspicuous spot by the Zephyr range hood.

 

Rejuvenation

This color grout would give the tile the right amount of definition and vintage feel. I’d like the tile to look like it’s been there for decades, not days.

 

However, for now, I am very happy with the kitchen tile.

 

This is interesting. I found a blog with the same tile, and surprise, surprise, she had the same issue with dark grout, only hers was worse than mine. 

That’s because she used pure black grout, which I’m not a fan of, even if it didn’t bleed into the tile.

 

What else is going on, Laurel?

 

There is a lot going on, but I need to break it down. Therefore, I’ll begin with the floors.

Last week, Pat, a long-time delightful reader, recommended the hardwood flooring contractor she used for her former Beacon Hill home.

The flooring contractor, Gary, came over on Thursday, was very knowledgeable, and seemed intrigued by my job.

 

OH! Get this.

 

The old hardwood oak floor is RED oak, not the white oak, Robert specified and had put down. I figured he knew what he was doing. Well, the floor upstairs has to be replaced, anyway, except for the border around the stairs. But, we can deal with that issue during the staining process by tweaking that border color if necessary.

Incidentally, I’ve decided to keep the color pretty much the same: a rich cognac color with a semi-gloss sheen.

 

Today, I approved Gary’s estimate, and they are set to begin July 8th.

 

In the meantime, Gary is making samples for me. This is how it should be. With Robert, I get, “What color do you want the floor to be?” I don’t know, nor does anyone else, until we see samples of how the stain will react with the floor. When we decide what product(s) will best suit our needs, it’s wise to do a test sample on the floor once it’s sanded to double-check.

Sometimes, we only do samples on the floor. However, the white floor downstairs is a little trickier.

I can’t wait to share more about the floor-finishing process.

 

Will the painting be done by then?

 

Ahh that is a terrific question, and the answer points to the lack of management and communication on this job. No, the painting won’t have even started. This should’ve been discussed before Bryan decided to take matters into his own incapable hands.

All of the messy parts need to happen first, beginning downstairs, and then after that’s done and covered, the upstairs can be completed.

 

How does this work with you living there?

 

That’s another terrific question. You guys are so smart! ;] Well, I’m 99% sure I have a place to stay when things get really bad, and it’s unbelievably close by. In fact, it’s in my building! More about that later.

 

What about a painter, Laurel?

 

Ahh… Yes, there’s news on that front, too. However, I need to save that one.

I will also be discussing a timeline for the completion.

To be continued…

xo,

 

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