Finishing Tile With Metal Edging

Many folks have commented or emailed to compliment us on our herringbone tiling job (thanks!) but recently a reader asked me about the edging we used (you can spot it in the second pic).  So, here are the details:

Our subway tiles weren't finished on the sides, so we needed something to finish off the edges.  We used schluter brand edging, but there are so many different brands and styles.  Talk to an expert, wherever you purchase your tile, to find the right edging for your project.

Installation was super simple.  We figured out where our tiling would stop and affixed the edging to the wall using screws. 

Use a level to make sure your edging is,
well, level.

Then we just tiled up to the edges, ensuring a nice tight meeting.  Our edging had a little "lip," for the tile to slide under, so there are no awkward gaps.  We used the edging at the top of the tiling, and also the sides.  It created a nice "frame" for the pattern. 

Click here to read about how we re-varnished the cabinet fronts and click here to see more of the tiling process.

Inspiration: Hotel Bathroom

Maybe we just don’t stay in fancy enough hotels when we travel because I am rarely inspired by a hotel bathroom.  Surprisingly, during a recent trip to Boston, MA I discovered that our room at the Radisson Hotel had such a lovely bathroom!  I took a few pictures for ogling purposes.  It has the crisp, all white look I love but it was done with a mix of classic and super modern styles in various shades and textures.  The picture doesn't do the countertop justice--I think it was Corian and it had an amazing luminescent quality.  Plus, the designers really splurged on fixtures (a luxury we couldn’t afford) and it made all the difference.  The tub (not pictured) was a soaker tub and had a gorgeous showerhead (you can kinda see it in the mirror).  The only downfall was that the floor tiles were SUPER slick which was especially dangerous in such a teeny tiny bathroom.  Am I the only one that has this issue?  It seems a lot of my design preferences are based on my falling down a lot or dropping things . . .  

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Kitchen: "Before & After"

Start with this . . . (see more "before" pics here):

Sad, faded cabinet fronts: where did your varnish go?

Add a little of this:

Ooo, at this point the cabinet fronts were already
stripped and re-varnished--so glossy!

We removed the old tile and removed much of the wall at the same time, so we replaced the drywall and then installed subway tile in a herringbone pattern for visual interest.  We worked in very small sections until we got the hang of it.  We opted for brushed silver edging that matches the NEW brushed silver hardware and NEW light fixtures.  This pattern required LOTS of measuring, cutting, swearing, re-measuring, cutting . . .  We also installed the new countertops ourselves (it is laminate, but I think it looks like concrete--I love it!).  We did a lot of research and it turned out to be a pretty easy task, which saved us $400 of labour.  We did opt for delivery though because we have a small car.  (CORRECTION: Husband says, "we don't have a small car, we have a Nissan Versa.  You can't post lies."  Our beloved Charlie is up on blocks while we save up money to race him.  No joke.)
 

Now we have this:

We tried to do a very inexpensive makeover on the kitchen—what I called the “spit and polish”.  We kept the ceramic tile floor, appliances (except for range hood), cabinets and faucet (which rocks--you can pull it out to fill buckets or water plants).  Because my kitchenware, such as dishes, place settings and even my blender, are so colourful (lots of vintage turquoise, green, and pink) I kept the colour scheme in the kitchen pretty tame.  I usually favor vintage tea towels (I have a collection Martha Stewart would envy—but only if she has fewer than 30!) but I just bought these Marimekko ones in Boston, MA recently and I am love.  I heart Marimekko (I think I have to--I’m Finnish & Hungarian).  The print above the sink was made by my mom and it is based on a still life she set up in her kitchen. 

We stripped and re-varnished the cabinet fronts and then painted the inside of the cabinets white to freshen them up.  We used a chemical stripper because the cabinet fronts are veneer and we didn’t want a belt sander to strip below the veneer.  I love the look of the painted cabinetry, but the cabinet fronts had some really nice grain.  I just couldn’t cover them, but the next owner could easily paint to suit. 

We posted a want add on an online classifieds looking for a mid-century teak dining table.  A lovely couple replied and we purchased the set below.  The table is actually in the dining room and we purchased another round teak table to pair with these chairs in the kitchen.  We reupholstered the chairs with a black and white houndstooth.

Don't worry, empty wall, I will dress you up soon . . .

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