Since you are a sailor, you might like a wood rope trim molding around the edges of the backsplash

https://www.homedepot.com/p/HOUSE-OF-FARA-1-2-in-x-1-in-x-8-ft-Hardwood-Wood-Rope-Moulding-717/100034179

There's some of that on our fireplace but we didn't install it.

Haven't decided on hardware yet. I'm not sure i can bring myself to grout this either because I absolutely love the way it looks ungrouted.

Will look even better grouted then…IMO

Good work!

Ehh idk. You lose some of the depth. I've seen it done both ways. I was planning on grouting it from the jump but can't get over how good it looks ungrouted. I'll probably let it ride a day or two and do a bit more research before I finally decide to grout it the afternoon before I have to go offshore

I know I know. It's going to happen I just want to tell myself it's not for a couple of days because it looks so good. There is a ton of variation and it will be a painstaking process because I don't want to over grout and lose a lot of the character.

Then just seal the edges of your tile and put a nice caulk bead at the bottom of clear and don't grout it. You can always go back and grout it later.

I mean, it's getting caulk no matter what. I know the steps in doing tile, it is just hard to convince myself to change the aesthetic. I may actually make a test board to see what it will look like like first.

Grouted it this afternoon and it came out so much better than I anticipated. I think one of the reasons I was so hesitant was a lot of the zellige I see that is grouted online they just slather the grout in there and leave build up in the corners and under the overhangs. I worked really hard to get it very minimal.

One thing though is that this grout either sets up faster than any grout I have used or it really was that painstakingly slow putting the grout in. I mixed 5 lbs and before I was halfway through it was already useless. Mixed another 2 and just finished it before it began to set up.

Very very happy with the outcome. Use mapei avalanche color.

I'll get better photos soon.

All of this is extremely impressive.....however, my OCD is kicking into MAJOR overdrive on the tile backsplash haha. I've developed a twitch just by staring at the picture!

I completely understand, but that is the entire point of the zellige. They are handmade D every single one is different with a lot of variation in length/width/depth so you end up with the above look, which is exactly what we wanted. Normally I would be right there with you, and I am in pretty much every other aspect of any project, but ever since I randomly saw this tile somewhere I have wanted to redo my kitchen in it.

Of course the bolts with the hardware won't work. One option is too short and one is too long. You can only laugh.

Nice pic, that's looking pretty nice. I like the colors.

Chipotlemonger said:

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Nice pic, that's looking pretty nice. I like the colors.

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Thank you. When I get a decent chunk of time I am going to do our whole kitchen in the same combo. Uppers will get a white of some sort and I will be building a new vent hood and maybe installing a pot filler. Next project is finishing the drywall in our detached garage.

Inspiring!

Cost break down

Custom cabinet $800
Tile $150 but this is around $425 retail not including shipping. Thank you FB marketplace.
Faucet $60
Hardware $20
Paint/mortar/grout probably $100 worth but bought as part of larger project
Sink $40
Granite cutting $300

Roughly $1500

Not bad honestly.