Check out a beautiful backsplash that will be the crown jewel of your kitchen! Here are some dreamy before and after pics with serious inspo!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Jeffrey Court.
Little by little we have been updating the kitchen here in the 1820. When we first moved in, there was wallpaper with birds, and a border to compliment with bird’s nests; dark cabinets and exactly one light fixture that left us squinting at night just to see what we were eating. Here is a glimpse of what the kitchen looked like when we moved in.
I know, right?!!
Dark, dreary and wicked outdated.
So in the 10+ years that we’ve lived here, we’ve been updating the kitchen by painting the cabinets (I lost count after 3 times), we removed the ox yolk fixture and added a few more lighting elements; I designed a custom range hood, I built concrete countertops, and we even found a Mac-Daddy stove. Still, all of the updated elements that we added, the backsplash left a lot to be desired. We had peel and stick tile that not only looked downright sterile, but it just didn’t want to stick.
I wasn’t happy. At odd random times, a tile would fall and crack on the concrete countertop, which made our kitchen that we had worked so hard to update, look really down in the dumps.
Thing is, in my opinion tile is personal. It’s a big commitment. There are so many trends out there that I feel are a bit too common. And, AND, I really wanted a tile that was not only classic, but stunning as well. This tile needed to captivate me the same way a gorgeous pair of shoes did for Carrie Bradshaw. Like, “Helllllooooo Loverrrr.”
Ya’ll, I found the tile!
I found the tile that turned my pupils into hearts. The tile is this amazing chevron pattern by Jeffrey Court called Dreamcicle, with marble, quartz and brass.
This tile is everything I’ve dreamed of and more. It’s a little bit dressy and a whole lotta classic all rolled up in a chevron pattern delight. When I first saw this tile at Home Depot, I was dreaming of Dreamcicle and I knew that this was the tile I wanted to commit to.
To get things started, we removed the half-stuck tiles that were there, and skimmed the walls to fill divots and holes.
Because of the special cuts and angles around the farmhouse sink and the antique corbels on the range hood, I knew I needed an experienced tile guy with an impeccable eye for detail.
He took his time, carefully planning and measuring. And let me just tell you that because there’s really nothing level nor plum in this old house, installing a patterned tile like this certainly held a high degree of difficulty. No one sheet of tile was cut the same, but the end result looked perfectly in unison. Exactly as it should be with such a beautiful tile.
Just to give you an idea of time – the install around the sink took a little over two days. He was precise, I tell ya. But I didn’t mind because it was special care that he was giving, and an eye for detail that could put most of us to shame. By the end of the day, there’s no doubt the poor guy was wobbly with the factors of nothing level, and nothing square, all coupled with a chevron patterned tile. No doubt that by the end of the day, the poor guy’s eyes were jiggling and rolling around like the Grinch’s on Christmas Day.
I’ve been there before. But the dude rocked it out!!
Once all of the tile was installed, the grout was smoothed on, again with true finesse and a hand with just the right movement and pressure that only a true professional could have. Not to rush was the name of the game, keeping the grout only in the seams, and sponging the excess off the tile’s surface.
It’s everything I dreamed of, and then some. This Dreamcicle tile by Jeffrey Court is timeless and exceeded every last one of my expectations.
This tile brings true elegance to our kitchen and is the perfect marriage between old and new. I mean, just look at what we started with 10 years ago, and look at how amazing our kitchen looks like now! Every time I walk into the kitchen now, I have to stare at the tile.
It’s so important to put a lot of thought in the tile for your backsplash. My rule of thumb: choose one that isn’t a fad color, but rather a classic. A stone tile that will be the crown jewel in your kitchen for decades to come. Case in point, this Dreamcicle tile by Jeffrey Court.
Another rule of thumb: if you’re sending out bids for tile installers, make sure you research their work and check references, because in the end, you want them to put just as much care in the install, as you did choosing your perfect tile backsplash.
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Melissa says
It’s beautiful Brooke!!
Brooke Fedigan says
Thank you so much, Melissa!!!!!!
Michelle Leslie says
OH.MY.GOODNESS!!!! My eyes would be doing little backflips around those hearts if I could find tiles like that. They are crazy gorgeous, Brooke. Shoooooo, stunning. I fact the whole kitchen looks like a dream spot. I might just push myself to actually cook if ours looked like that. Beautiful
Brooke Fedigan says
Michelle, Thanks a million!!!!!!
Sara says
OMG that tile turned my pupils into hearts too and they beat right out of my socket! Looks gorgeous.
Brooke Fedigan says
Thank you so much Sara!
Melanie says
Just love what you’re doing!! You are giving me so much inspiration for the farmhouse we bought to fix up and rent out.
Brooke Fedigan says
Hi Melanie, I’m so happy that I’m inspiring you! Having an old farmhouse is a lot of work, but SO FUN!! I know this Dreamcicle tile would look amazing in your farmhouse kitchen, too!!
Kahlyn says
Wow!!
Perfection , bravo.
Brooke Fedigan says
Thanks Kahlyn!!
Liselotte says
Brooke-
It’s absolutely STUNNING! Can’t wait to see it in person- I keep saying that about all your projects.
XOXO
Brooke Fedigan says
My Sweets, thank you so much!! I can’t wait for you to see it in person, too!!
XOXO
Maria says
Wow I have never seen a tile like that! Very unique! The kitchen looks gorgeous! It all fell in place beautifully.
Brooke Fedigan says
Thank you Maria. This kitchen is my happy place!
Leslie Watkins says
It looks wonderful! Just amazing, friend!! Thank you for the inspiration.
Brooke Fedigan says
Thank you so much, Leslie!
Melissa says
Gorgeous!
Love the pattern and amazing tile work, for sure!
Love the before and after photos.
The gold in the chevrons also really catches the gold fixtures on the cabinets as well. Lovely!
Brooke Fedigan says
Thank you Melissa! I have to say that this tile makes me feel so grown up! 🙂
Anita Holland says
WOW, That backsplash is really stunning. It looks so elegant and tasteful.
Brooke Fedigan says
Thank you so much, Anita!
Meegan says
Oh, Brooke! This could not be any more gorgeous. Absolutely stunning. You must be so satisfied and excited.
Brooke Fedigan says
Thank you so much, Meegan! I love it and am totally delighted!!
Libbie says
That tile is giving me heart eyes too!
Brooke Fedigan says
Thank you, Libbie!!
Kim Purvis says
That tile is awesome! Such a great choice. I am very jealous of your gorgeous kitchen! Pinned!
Kim
Janet says
Please tell me where you got that beautiful sink! I love it!!!
Brooke Fedigan says
Hi Janet,
I found this sink on Craigslist. Also, Facebook Marketplace is a good place to find these types of old farmhouse sinks.
xo,
Brooke