Posts tagged ‘subway tile’
Tile Design vs. Electrical Outlets & Switches
We get asked this great question quite regularly:
“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.
There are several different ways to approach this without ruining your backsplash with a bunch of ugly, poorly placed outlets and switches. Here are some creative solutions as to how you can address the outlets & switches within your backsplash.
Implementing Creative Solutions…
#1 - Flip your outlets horizontally to coordinate with the pattern of your backsplash (but if your backsplash has a vertical pattern to it, keep you outlets vertical too)
#2 - Install a power strip under your upper cabinets
#3 – Install the outlets or switches on or 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
New Lush 1/2″x 2″ Blends: Carmelita & Chelsea!!!
Happy to announce that we have some new mouth watering Lush 1/2″x2″ Blends, Carmelita and Chelsea!! Both are available for purchase at modwalls.com for $19.95 per sheet.
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
Putting the LUSH in Luscious :)
Are you in the process of selecting the perfect Lush® color for your project?
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….
Introducing New Products In-Stock NOW!!!
We seriously couldn’t be happier to spread the news about our latest additions to modwalls®!!!
Take a few minutes to check them out, order samples, or make a mental note for later.
We know you’ll love them as much as we do!!!
New ModDotz™ Colors!!
From top left: Spa Blue, Sherbet, Lemon, and Key Lime
Find all these mouthwatering colors here for only $7.95 per sheet!
New Lush® 3×6 Colors!!
From top left: Poppy, Blue Bell, Storm, and Inkwell
Find these colors as well as many other Lush® colors for only $19.95 per sheet!
ALL New Lush® Weave™ Subway Tile!!
From top left: Cloud, Vapor, and Fog Bank
All 3 of these Lush® Weave™ colors are available for only $19.95 per sheet.
ALL New Harvest Bamboo Mosaics™!!!
This gorgeous collection is made entirely from eco-friendly and sustainable bamboo.
Find all mosaic patterns here for only $14.95 per sheet.
The one and only…Real Penny Mosaic™!!!
Now available for custom order in 3 ways: ALL HEADS, ALL TAILS,
or the most popular MIX.
Click here for more Real Penny Mosaic™ info.
Modwalls® is making tile modern™ with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at modwalls.com
Inspired by…Poppy~!
The Lush color formerly known as Quince is now……….POPPY!!!
“Oh good! Yes, Poppy is a much better name. Much more fun & it just sounds more ORANGE!”
[...said a wonderful customer just a few minutes ago! Hence, this explanation of the name change...]
“Orange is the happiest of colors” - Frank Sinatra
Color names are a funny thing; it can make or break a persons opinion of said color or product. If you have ever studied color theory, you know what I’m talking about, and our products are no exception. This is why we decided to re-name our color Quince to the fun-loving new Poppy color.
“The color orange creates a lot of controversy; it evokes strong emotion and is a color that people seem to either love or hate. Color experts agree that orange radiates warmth and energy.” – The Examiner
More Fun Facts About The Color ORANGE:
- Physically, the color orange stimulates activity, appetite and our ability to socialize.
- Orange is a color that really stands out, even at a distance, and invites attention.
- In the practice of Feng Shui, colors hold great significance, and orange represents fire.
- Orange helps us focus our powers of concentration, and it’s also the color that’s credited with assisting us in organizing our thoughts and our things.
- During the Elizabethan Era in English history, only nobility were allowed to wear orange clothing.
- An orange vehicle says you are fun loving and trendy.
What do you think of our the color orange? And our new Poppy name? We would love to hear your feedback!
Modwalls is making tile modern with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at modwalls.com.
modwalls® Lush® Weave Patterns, “Ready for my close-up!!!!!”
(**Okay, so we cannot exactly interview our lastest and greatest Lush® patterns per se, but if we did, they would be more than thrilled to be in the center of the spotlight**)
Modwalls WEAVE patterns were created by modwalls one and only in-house Interior Designer, Katelyn Bowman. When developing this simple, but intriguing pattern for modwalls, Katelyn wanted to create a fresh twist on a tried and true version of an herringbone and chevron pattern using our modern 8mm thick Lush® 1×4 glass tile in our top selling Cloud, Vapor, and Fog Bank colors.
“Geometric patterns are an ever-constant design element – past and present – and there’s beauty in the repetition. I think this new pattern I designed for modwalls will be a seemless addition to an already fantastic line of products. Although the pattern is relatively simple, you can install this in many different ways which I’m sure will please many different design aesthetics.”
Installing your backsplash tile in this pattern would typically be more labor-intensive and therefore more expensive since your installer would have placed each tile individually (not fun!).
Modwalls addresses this issue by sheeting the pattern in a way that makes installation MUCH easier. The pattern is pre-set and mesh-mounted with 1/16″ grout joints with interlocking sides. This tile is ideal for any wall applications including kitchen backsplash tile, bathroom tile, fireplace tile and pool tile. The tile is sold in sheets that measure 0.93 square feet each (just less than one square foot) for $19.95. It can be laid either vertically, horizontally, 45 degree angle, etc.
Here are some more eye-catching images of the Lush® 1×4 Weave! Enjoy!!!
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Modwalls is making tile modern with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at modwalls.com.
FB Quarterly Photo Contest Winners Announced!!!
Modwalls Facebook Quarterly Photo Contest WINNERS!!! These 3 lucky owners get $50 cash or $100 store credit – and all they had to do was show off their gorgeous tile!!!
Next quarterly contest has officially started!! Enter your pics now for a chance to be a future winner! Send your pics to service@modwalls.com and LIKE us on facebook to stay in the loop and place your votes (the most ‘likes’ per pic will win!).
HELPFUL TIPS FOR TAKING THE BEST PICS:
- Switch all your lights ON
- Clear your counters or area of distracting accessories and clutter
- Clean tile photographs the best – wink wink
- Take your pics when it’s daytime – you’ll get better lighting and won’t get any weird glare from dark windows
- Think like a photographer and ask yourself…what’s the best angle here?
- Avoid capturing yourself in the bathroom mirror
- Don’t rush it! Wait until your space is completely done so we can all enjoy the results
- Send us actual size /high resolution images – 300dpi is ideal
- Have fun with it!!!
Modwalls is making tile modern with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at modwalls.com.
Inspired By… Surf!!! (And just in time for Summer!)
Modwalls Lush® Surf is available in 5 different sizes.
SURF is up!!!!!
Modwalls Lush® glass subway tile in Surf is most accurately described as a soft, watery aqua green color. This tranquil color can pair well with a ton of different color combinations and design styles (see install images below). Available in 5 different sizes: 1″x2 Surf, 1″x4″ Surf, 3×6″ Surf, 6″x 6″ Surf, and 4″x12 Surf.
This glass subway tile is ideal for any wall application including kitchen backsplash tile, bathroom tile, fireplace tile and pool tile. Basically it’s easy to install in all areas where tile can be present.
Here is what a couple happy modwalls customers had to say about the our Lush Surf:
Loved the color!
Christina Meares (Yonkers, NY) 9/17/2010
I was looking for subway tile for months, and after ordering samples and comparing colors, I chose the 1×2 “Surf” and it looks great!
happy customer 11/11/2008
I am extremely pleased with the two colors I purchased, surf and stem. The application and resulting look are even better than I imagined. I used the surf as a border against stark white in a seascape guest bathroom, the stem as backsplash over sink and again stove in kitchen. The only problem I see is lack of other areas to use the tiles on. Also I would like to say that the customer service I received from Modwalls was above and beyond the call. I was extremely pleased – keep up the great work. Delyn, TX
We always love some good installation pics!!
Modwalls Lush 1×2 Surf Shower
Modwalls Lush 4×12 Surf Kitchen by McCaffrey Construction
Modwalls Lush 3×6 Kitchen Backsplash
Modwalls Lush 4×12 Surf Kitchen Backsplash
Modwalls is making tile modern with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at modwalls.com.
Inspired By… Fog Bank
It’s easy to see why our Lush® 4″x 12″ Fog Bank is one of our best sellers!
Here’s what one of our customers Brienne of Tucson, Arizona had to say about it (thanks Brienne!). I think she summed it up perfectly!
“We had the 4×12 Lush Fog Bank tile installed for our pool at the water line. It is a beautiful and clean modern look. We searched countless sites looking for truly modern pool tile and Modwalls was the only site that had what we were looking for. We debated on color after ordering samples of 5 different tiles. We thought fog bank would end up too grey and a little boring, but it is the perfect color in our space. Sometimes it looks blue, sometimes it looks grey, but it always looks stunning, especially next to the crisp white grout we chose. The tile isn’t cheap, but it is worth every penny for the great quality and the clean modern look it provides!”
Kitchen Cousins + Modwalls = Backsplash Sensation!!!
We seriously couldn’t be more ECSTATIC with the final result of HGtv’s Kitchen Cousins (& Brunellesci Construction‘s) recent kitchen remodel project!!!
The episode Fireplace Fiasco aired on HGtv nationwide last Wednesday, June 6th, 2012 and will re-air this Saturday, June 16th, 2012 at 4:30 ET. Set your dvr’s to record if you missed it because it features our very own Lush® glass subway tile, designed by Rex Ray Studio, as the finished kitchen backsplash!!! We always knew this tile would end up in some cool locales and this kitchen definitely exceeds our expectations.
Here’s what HGtv has to say about this surprising episode(!):
“Sometimes it’s what’s behind the walls that makes all the difference. When John and Anthony take a look at Joel and Maria’s kitchen, the first thing that stands out is an unusually thick wall. After a little exploratory demolition they discover an incredible hidden fireplace which completely changes their original design. But as construction progresses, the fireplace they fell in love with becomes their biggest nightmare. Will this hearth be the centerpiece of the home, or will the whole job go down in flames?”
Here’s the BEFORE…
As you can see, this dark and divided kitchen left much to be desired by it’s homeowners Joel and Maria...Photo by (c)Christopher Amaral
http://www.christopheramaral.com/
And here is the AFTER!!!
We can only imagine how thrilled the homeowners must be to now come home to such a gorgeous, light, and modern kitchen with some flair of the unexpected!
AFTER! Photo by (c)Christopher Amaral http://www.christopheramaral.com/
AFTER! Photo by (c) Christopher Amaral http://www.christopheramaral.com/
AFTER! Photo by (c) Christopher Amaral http://www.christopheramaral.com/
AFTER! Photo by (c) Christopher Amaral http://www.christopheramaral.com/
Notice how stunning our Lush Rex Ray TYPE White tile looks as the backsplash.. Photo by (c) Christopher Amaral http://www.christopheramaral.com/
AFTER! Photo by (c) Christopher Amaral http://www.christopheramaral.com/
AFTER! Photo by (c) Christopher Amaral http://www.christopheramaral.com/
AFTER! Photo by (c) Christopher Amaral http://www.christopheramaral.com/
You too could have this American made tile in your home or commercial space!! Find it here on our website and let us know what you think.
Modwalls is making tile modern with colorful and unique designs that are in stock and available for purchase online 24/7 at modwalls.com.
