03 July, 2013

Texture Wins (Maybe)!

Mr. Goodneedle and I decided we needed another DIY home improvement project ( after all, the outside logging/ sawing/ burning tornado clean-up can't last forever!). When we built our home twelve years ago we had our granite countertops installed but left the back walls up under the cabinets simply painted; the installers added a backsplash strip around all the edges. We have wanted to improve this area of the kitchen for quite some time. After much discussion, and endless deliberation, we've settled on the tile combination in the after photo, above. We looked at smoother glazed tiles but  we kept coming back to the texture of the natural stone every time. (For photo purposes these samples were taped up, the real deal will be grouted!) Okay, so making that decision was simple(!?!) enough; but, now, a real dilemma has presented itself. We have four areas in the kitchen where these backsplash strips run along the cabinetry.
Up until last evening we thought that these strips were caulked along the base but not attached to the cabinet walls, we were wrong. Now we're researching construction adhesive solvents, not sure if we can find anything that will successfully soften the glue (it's been curing for 12 years) and allow for a smooth release without damaging the cherry cabinetry underneath. Groan. Are there any DIY projects that don't come with their own set of built-in problems? If so, we've never found any! If worse comes to worse we can always run a strip of the accent base tiles along those areas; but, I'm hoping that we can avoid that as it would look so much better to stop short of that. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we can come up with a smooth solution to this one and avoid any broken, splintered, wood surfaces; that conclusion would provide just a little bit too much texture for me! Wish us luck.
Life is Good!

8 comments:

Janet O. said...

That granite countertop looks eerily familiar. Have we had this discussion before?
We ended up with the granite backsplash, too, but the texture you are considering is what I really wanted. I hope it works out for you without harming any cherry cabinetry in the process. Please share your "after" photos when it really is "after." : )

Quiltdivajulie said...

ALL DIY projects present these kinds of challenges. Between you and Mr. G and your knowledge/creativity, I'm confident you will find a solution. GOOD LUCK . . . (we added tile to our backsplash areas 3 years ago and LOVE it)

leigh anna said...

if and when Mr. G. needs a diy project....we have one that still is in need of finishing!
i keep telling a certain someone that i live with that we (he) will start no new projects until that one is finished.
17 months later...so much for a "weekend" project :)
i <3 him!

StitchinByTheLake said...

Last evening my husband and our neighbor began a simple project of replacing the "innards" of the commode in the back bathroom. Two hours later they had done that but something was leaking...just a drip here and a drip there so they decided to put a container under it and wait till morning to get another fitting since it was now past closing time for the home improvement store. An hour after the neighbor left the drips became quite close together and we've been emptying that container every two hours ever since! Hopefully tonight when the neighbor returns the leak will disappear. Home improvement is great for the home, but not so good for husbandly attitudes. At least that's my experience. :) blessings, marlene

AnnieO said...

There is never just the easy solution when it comes to kitchens :) I think it would look just fine to have the stone only on the backside and not the cabinet side, but if it doesn't appeal to your eye, I hope the glue removal is successful!

Carrie P. said...

I like the new look you are aiming for. Hopefully you can figure things out without more trouble.

LizA. said...

I'm so glad that our days of DIY home improvement are behind us, at least for a little while......

Nane said...

I love the natural stone!