“I LOVE my new tile, but I need some advice…What should I do with the electrical outlets that fall within the kitchen backsplash area?”  

Good news!  We’ve got several creative solutions for you – yay!!!

These little necessary items can possibly ruin your beautiful, and often pricey backsplash!  We are confident that if you consider the locations ahead of time, you will improve the finished look of your kitchen or bathroom.

Details on outlets…

It’s required by law that you have electrical outlets within your kitchen – which is a good thing!

Your kitchen has many electrical needs:  major appliances, small appliances, built-in appliances, lighting, exhaust fans, and basically anything you might want to plug in or switch on while you’re in there.

In regards to your kitchen or bathroom, the National Electric Code requires:

• Small appliance circuits feeding countertop receptacle outlets are required to be Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protected
• Any countertop wider than one foot requires a receptacle outlet
• Receptacle outlets must be installed every four linear feet at minimum – more is totally fine too
• Countertops separated by range cook top, refrigerators, or sinks are considered separate countertop spaces

Examples of kitchen appliances in need of electrical outlets.

Are you in the planning phase of your new kitchen or bath remodel?  

If you are planning your kitchen or bath remodel, congrats(!), you are thinking ahead!  Here are some helpful questions you can ask yourself and discuss with your electrician regarding your kitchen or bath’s electrical needs:

• What fixed/portable appliances do you plan to install/have in your kitchen? What are the locations and their power requirements?
• What kind of lighting do you want/need: Ceiling? Under cabinet? Toe kick? Pendant or chandelier? Recessed? Surface Mount? Ceiling fan?
• What kind of lighting controls do you need?
• Where do you want your light switches and appliance outlets?
• What materials/installation practices do you need to comply with National Electric Code requirements? Hint: ask your electrician
• Do you have special requirements due to disabilities and/or the Americans with Disabilities Act?
• What are the brand specification of all fixtures you want?  Have your electrician check these out too.

After you discuss your electrical needs with your electrician and have a final layout in mind, the electrical outlets and switches can be located and installed.  Don’t worry if you already have your outlets in place, it’s really easy to move them around and make adjustments before the installation of your backsplash.

#3 – Install the outlets or switches on the within your cabinets…(some additional planning involved).

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#4 - Install your outlets where you know you’ll need them!

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#5 - Install custom pop-up grommet outlets where you know you’ll need them!

Find these at www.mockett.com

Find these at www.mockett.com

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#6 – Specify outlet and switch plate covers to coordinate with your material selections: making them a design element instead of an eyesore!

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#7 – [Bathroom specific] – Install the outlets or switches within your bathroom mirror and trim with a mirrored cover…some additional planning involved.  Look closely for them!

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Q:  Have some other creative outlet and switch solutions?  Share them with us and we’ll add it to this blog! 

Modwalls® is making tile modern™ with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at modwalls.com

We’re very proud of our collaboration with acclaimed fine artist Rex Ray.

Since 2011 we’ve been developing tile products using his uniquely retro and modern designs.  His iconic work is easily recognizable. Let’s just say it’s cool.

We first introduced 4×12 glass subway tiles in a black and white newsprint collage design we call Type Tiles. They are popular across the country with  retail, hospitality and residential clients alike. They’ve even been featured on HGTV in a Kitchen Cousins episode in NYC.

The lastest release of our Rex Ray Studio for modwalls collection is a line of  handmade matte ceramic tile in 2 designs and seven modern colors. The MMM’s and Rox are getting lots of attention. A bit edgy, a bit bold and so very Rex Ray.

All of our Rex Ray Studio for modwalls tile designs are handmade in the USA. See the entire collection along with all of our other American made tile designs here on our website:

Modwalls American Made Tile Collections.

At modwalls we’re “Making Tile Modern” with unique and colorful collections inspired by mid-century design. We offer delightful customer service and a hassle free online buying experience for retail and trade customers. www.modwalls.com  We’re available by phone Monday-Friday from 9-5 Pacific time:  1-877-439-9734.

Find out more about Fine Artist Rex Ray on his website.

The new Lush® Carmelita is a mod color combination of Creamy Cameo, Poppy orange, Tomato red, Chocolate brown, Merlot, and Reef.  We love it in this size and we think you will too!

Lush 1/2″x 2″ Blend Carmelita

Lush 1/2″x 2″ Blend Carmelita

The new Lush® Chelsea Blend is a metropolitan color combination of Cloud white, plum, Fog Bank gray, Tomato red, merlot, and darker Storm gray.  Super chic!!

Lush 1/2″x2″ Chelsea

Lush 1/2″x2″ Chelsea

Modwalls® is making tile modern™ with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at modwalls.com

Selecting the right glass subway tile color can be difficult  - especially from a computer screen!  We find ourselves regularly attempting to describe the nuances of similar Lush® colors over the phone, and trust me, it’s not easy!

In an effort to help make this process a little easier, we’ve taken these pictures to compare the subtle variations of our most popular Lush® colors.

Enjoy!

• Cameo is our latest neutral addition.  We would describe this as a rich, creamy color.  It evokes a real warmth – like coffee with lots of creamer in it.  Yummmmmy!
• Almond is slightly more golden-beige than Cameo.  Goes well with lots of earth-tone granites.
• Driftwood is a gray-ish beige color with a faint hint of green.  It’s definitely the chameleon of our neutral colors and tends to go with all sorts of materials and design aesthetics.
• Dune is the most golden of our neutral colors. We often say it’s more peachy/beige/buttercream-y.
• Reef is a rich brown color…like a freshly roasted coffee bean.  In some lighting conditions, it appears to have a hint of green.
• Taupe is a gorgeous warm gray color.  (One of my personal favorites actually ).

• Cloud is our white-est white possible in our Lush® line.  Made of clear glass, this is truly a white glass subway tile (which we know is hard to find!)
• Breaker is a beautiful light and bright medium aqua blue color.
• Vapor is our most pale, watery blue color.
• Sky is a true sky-blue color.  Think of how the sky looks on a clear and bright Spring day.  A very cheerful shade of blue…
• Rain  is tranquil blue gray.  It reminds me of a lighter shade of denim as well…or indigo.
• Bluebell is a super fun and vivid periwinkle-blue color.

• Pool is a nice balance of aqua + blue together.  It’s more saturated than the previous blue colors above.  Pool Frosted has a softer and somewhat lighter appearance because of the frosted surface finish.
• Surf has more green than aqua coloring and it’s one of our most popular Lush® colors.  Goes beautifully with a variety of design aesthetics.
• Seagrass is a more saturated version of Surf.
• Peacock is a lovely jewel toned turquoise/ blue/ green color.

• Rain is tranquil blue gray.  It reminds me of a lighter shade of denim as well…or indigo.  
• Fog Bank is one of our most popular gray colors.  It has a cooler base tone to it so the tile can sometime appear more blue. It’s a very calming color.
• Storm is a darker gray color.  This also has a cooler base tone to it like our Fog Bank.
• Taupe is a gray beige color. Warmer by comparison than Fog Bank.
• Inkwell is a beautiful saturated inky-blue color.

• Wasabi is a very wasabi colored green .  Still bright and vivid, it’s one of our softer looking greens by comparison.
• Surf has more green than aqua coloring and it’s one of our most popular Lush® colors.  Goes beautifully with a variety of design aesthetics.
• Bamboo is a fresh medium spring green color.  When comparing to Lemongrass, we say it has less yellow to it.
• Seagrass is a more saturated version of Surf.  When comparing Seagrass to our other greens, it appears to have more blue in it.  I’d also describe it as a celedon green color.
• Lemongrass is our most bright and vivid lime-y green color.
• Peacock is a lovely turquoise/ blue/ green color.
• Moss is an earthy olive green color.

One last look at all these beautiful colors….

Customizing your kitchen or bathroom gets extremely pricey!  Especially if you’re working within a specific color scheme.

Meet our Brio® Custom Blend Program!  With literally millions of possible glass mosaic color combinations right at your fingertips, you can easily create the right tile blend for your project…Plus, it’s totally budget-friendly and fun to do!!!

How-to Create Your Custom Blend Recipe:

Step 1) Access the blender at: http://www.modwallsblender.com/

Step 2)  Select the colors that you’d like to blend by clicking on the Brio® ¾” glass tile images.

The colors will automatically move into the blender after 2 colors have been selected.  Remove any color by dragging it away from the blending area.

If you wish to start over, just click RESET.

Step 3) Feel free to adjust the color percentage by moving the arrows up and down on each color. (Note: your design must add up to 100%)

Step 4) Think you reached your desired colored combination?  Click on REMIX to randomly remix the colors. (Note that all of our custom blends are random, not patterned)

Step 5) Optional, but highly recommended:  Select grout colors to see how this changes the effect of your blend.  The grout colors shown are part of modwalls® StarGlass/ Dimension Urethane Grout collection. Grout is sold separately, but we believe this is the best choice available for any glass tile installation.

Step 6)  Order Your Custom Blend Sample here.  Be sure to enter your blend recipe on the Customer Comments area – including color names and percentages.  Note:  you will be prompted to enter your recipe on page 2 of checkout.

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Why should I order a sample?

We strongly encourage creative customers like yourself to order samples of your custom blend – which eliminates any online purchasing woes.  Each computer monitor may slightly distort the true colors and it’s always good to have a sample in-hand.  Btw, samples are about 5″ x 5″ and are not refundable.

Once you have received your sample and are ready to order your Brio® custom blend, simply call us toll-free @ 877-439-9734.  We have real people ready to take your order Monday-Friday from 9am – 5pm Pacific Time.  Please note that there is a 20 sq.ft. minimum order per custom blend.

How is my custom blend assembled?

Since 2005, we proudly and locally outsource our modwalls® custom blend production to the wonderful people at HOPE Services.  HOPE Services is a non-profit organization which employs developmentally and physically disabled adults to do a variety of production work. Their mission is to assist individuals with disabilities to live and participate in their communities – and we LOVE this.

HOPE’s clients are responsible for making each sheet of your custom blend – a true work of art – made with pride and love!  There are currently over 30 HOPE clients dedicated to the modwalls® custom blend production.

Here are some photos of HOPE’s client’s in action:

HOPE Services receives our customer’s custom blend recipes on a weekly basis. Each individual Brio® Mosaic Color comes with a paper facing that HOPE soaks off prior to mounting and assembling each blend.  Tiles are then set individually onto plastic grids in a random pattern according to your recipe.  Each completed grid (or 1.15 sq.ft. sheet) is then reviewed for quality control.  Once approved, a plastic film is placed over the top or “face” of the tiles to hold it in place for installation.

This entire process generally takes about 1 week to complete.  Once your blend is complete, we’ll ship it via UPS and email you the tracking number.

Real Customer Satisfaction!

Here’s a recent client review we received about their custom blend experience:

Brio Custom Blend

Rating:      

Installation Location: OUTDOOR SHOWER (see below)

“We created an outdoor shower using a custom blend. It turned out really great. It was so easy to work with ModWalls.”

-Keith (of Palm Springs, CA)

Be Inspired:  Some of our favorite Brio® Custom Blends to date…

Brio custom blend inspired by Reggie the Cockatiel

Want to see more?  Check out more custom glass tile blends created and installed by our customers here.

Modwalls® is making tile modern™ with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at modwalls.com

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Are you trying to find the right neutral for your tile project?  Bright colors aren’t for everyone, but we believe good design is. 

Sometimes a quick comparison is all you need to pick the right neutral hue for the job.  We have carefully curated these Lush® glass subway tile neutrals just for YOU…

And, we especially love the dimensional effect that happens in different lighting conditions.

From top left: Cameo, Almond, Drftwood, Dune, Reef, and Taupe

Here’s a larger view of our latest neutral addition: Cameo!!!   In other words, Cameo is making its cameo…. Had to go there.

Neutrals can be just as high-impact as vivid colors!!!  You don’t have to use the latest trend color to create that pop in your space.

Lush 3×6 in Reef

Lush 3×6 in Taupe

Lush 3×6 in Cloud, Reef, and Taupe

Lush 3×6 in Driftwood

Lush 3×6 in Almond

Lush 3×6 in Taupe

Lush 3×6 in Dune

Lush 3×6 in Reef

Feeling inspired?  Please, let us know if you need any samples or design advice for your current project.

Modwalls® is making tile modern™ with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at  modwalls.com

As as self-described OCD cleaner myself, I have personally experimented with all sorts of products in the cleaning product and technique realm.  I’ve read tons of suggestions via Pinterest, blogs, and online searches, and what I have found may surprise you.

****************  Drum roll please!!!  ****************

May I introduce you to the power of the Mr. Clean’s Magic Eraser?!!  If the reviews don’t convince enough to purchase this for your home – specifically for grout – maybe I will.

Thinking way back to the first time I ever bought this now very addictive little cleaning gem… I vaguely remember wandering around Target in the cleaning products aisle and saw this box (but maybe a smaller version).  I figured it was worth the very cheap cost to try out something new for my typical cleaning rituals.

After reading all the do’s and don’ts on the box, I started out small, testing it on areas that seemed up for the challenge.  First was walls, switches & outlets, then baseboards, then eventually tile & grout.  I give all the credit to these little erasers for helping me get my deposits back on not only one, but two different rental properties.

I sometimes find myself wandering around my house looking for hidden scuffs and dirt to clean up – eraser in hand.  No joke, I almost asked for these as a stocking stuffer for Christmas.  Maybe I’ll get lucky?!

Easy How-to Instructions:

1. Vacuum, sweep, or wipe away larger debris from the area you would like to clean.
2. Remove the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser from the packaging.
3. Put on rubber gloves.
4. Hold eraser under running water to get it wet and give it a couple of squeezes to remove the excess water.  (Sometimes only a bit of water is more than sufficient).
5. Rub eraser over the affected areas: could be soap scum, scuffs, dirt, mildew, mold, and stains in your shower or on your floor. It takes very little effort to rub away the grime  (although sometimes I have to use my fingernail to get into tight grout joints).  Might be best to test on a smaller area to get comfortable with the process.
6. Change the position of the Magic Eraser once the portion you are using becomes dirty. Stubborn stains may require you to go over the surface area a couple of times.
7. Wipe area clean with a damp cloth.
8. Allow your Magic Eraser to air dry and then store it away.

Anyway, I now purchase this wonderful product in bulk since it’s become such a regular favorite.  Of course, not every product works on every surface, but you’ll be pleased to know it definitely works on grout.  Here’s a link to get a coupon for it through the manufacturer – or – you can find it on amazon.com here.

Be additionally forewarned that this product does break down as you use it (like a real life eraser), so you may need more than one sponge per dirty job.  I’ve found that lightly scrubbing an area seems to work better than putting a lot of muscle into it.

Details, details, details….

The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is made of a compound called melamine foam. Although it can appear soft, the inner fibers are very thin and strong. With small openings across the surface, the melamine works much like fine sandpaper, reaching into the small grooves where stains have settled.

When lightly moistened, the holes in a Magic Eraser bind to dirt particles, resulting in a clean surface. The spongy eraser may then leave behind a residue, which can easily be wiped away with water or a damp cloth.

Melamine is also used in other applications as a resin, such as for soundproofing and as insulation for pipes. According to the Mr. Clean website, the Magic Eraser contains no harsh chemicals. However, some consumer Internet sites claim the Magic Eraser can cause chemical burns on the skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, the Magic Eraser can abrade the skin when rubbed directly on the skin. When used in the intended manner, however, the melamine should not cause burning.  *Always keep out of reach of children*

NOTE: The hard surface and fibers of the Magic Eraser can scratch certain surfaces, making them appear dull, so it should not be used on varnished surfaces or other materials prone to scratching.

Read more: How Do Mr. Clean Magic Erasers Work? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5268583_do-clean-magic-erasers-work.html#ixzz2EnPG7JUb

Best of luck keeping your grout bright and sparkling with my latest favorite thing!

Cleaning Grout:  Helpful Tips w/ a Personal Recommendation by Katelyn Bowman

Modwalls® is making tile modern™ with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at  modwalls.com

Introducing, our newest Brio Blend – Sundae!!!

This cheerful, fun, mouth-watering color palette will be sure to remind you of the good old days and the great days to come!

Think soda fountain fun…think gigantic ice-cream sundaes that are delicious year-round!  Let’s dig in!!!

This fun mosaic blend is ideal for walls, floors, backsplashs, shower tile, and even pool tile. Each tile measures 3/4” square x 4mm thick and comes mesh-backed for easy installation.  Did I mention this is only $5.95 per 1.15sf sheet?!!  Order your sample today online or call us at 877-439-9734.  

Modwalls® is making tile modern™ with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at  modwalls.com

“Our first ever Bath & Spa special issue is filled with the latest in bathroom design, from outdoor showers to luxurious personal saunas. Dwell’s editors bring the latest and hottest products for any lavatory and any budget.” -Dwell Magazine

“Capturing San Diego’s beachy, laid-back vibe with just a handful of sun-shining-on-the-Pacific tile colors was Public Architecture and Planning‘s real trick in this charming bathroom.  By relying on a multihued array of small tiles, Public’s principal James Brown credits his clients, Kim and Torrey Lee, with selecting a ‘seamless palette that brought the color and feel of the ocean’ into the home.” 

“The clients requested an open shower with a large tub.  But they asked to be surprised with the design of the entire house.  I hope they jumped!” -Architect James Brown

Feeling inspired?  Create your own Brio® Custom Blend using our modwalls® Tile Blender 24/7!!  With over 80 Brio® colors to chose from, the possibilities are basically endless!  

Modwalls® is making tile modern™ with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at  modwalls.com

PLUS, we couldn’t be more thrilled to add our Wheatgrass color to this super fun mix.

100% handcrafted in the USA, each individual tile is a unique piece of functional art.  What size do you prefer?

Modwalls 2″ Plus Design Mosaic shown in Milk, Splash, and Brine.

Modwalls 4″ Plus Design Mosaic shown in Milk, Splash, Brine, amd Wheatgrass.

Maybe you prefer solid colors?

But the colorful regulated mix is so fun!

Loving all the different color combinations and pattern possibilities!  Depending on the colors you wish to chose, we can assemble a blend or pattern just for you!  By the way, custom colors are also available.

2″ Plus Design Mosaics are $52.95* per 1.06 square foot sheet

4″ Plus Design Mosaics are $45.95* per 1.06 square foot sheet

*Trade pricing available by phone @ 877-439-9734*

Modwalls® is making tile modern™ with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at  modwalls.com