Kitchen Diaries: Subway Tile Backsplash Grout Day 2

So when we left off yesterday the subway tile backsplash looked like this

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and my kitchen looked like this.

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I was seriously starting to wonder if we were ever going to get this project completed. With the tile trim out of the question we had to find a way to cut the tile horizontally. After seeking the advice of a home improvement professional (Thanks, Terry) we bought a blade made for cutting tile that we could use with our Dremmel Tool. This made it much easier to make the cuts we needed and about an hour and a half later, we were back in business and ready to grout.

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I lobbied hard for a color of grout named Bone but in the end we chose Alabaster. It was supposed to be a pale gray that I thought was going to look really nice given we have black granite countertops, maple cabinets and a wall colored aptly named Cream in My Coffee.

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I just want to interject here again we are not professionals. We are learning to DIY basic home projects just like you guys are. I am sharing our personal experience during this process. However, as with any project you tackle, you need to use common sense. Follow the directions and instructions given to you by professionals. In addition, follow the directions and instructions from the products you chose if you decide to Do It Yourself like we did. Mixing the grout was a little like mixing cement. Notice this does not look like a pale gray at all.

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We followed the directions on the back of the box and got to work spreading the grout over the tiles with a rubber float.

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Just a side note as we were spreading the grout over the tiles we kept the rubber float at a 45 degree angle.

How to tile a backsplash

It took about 30 minutes to cover the subway tiles with grout.

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After waiting for the grout joints to firm as per the directions on the box of grout, we lightly cleaned with a damp sponge.

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Then we waited 2 hours as per the directions before removing the haze with a piece of cheesecloth. Then we sealed the edges of the backsplash with caulk and put the electrical outlet covers on.

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We still need to seal the tile but according to the directions we need to wait 3 days. Until then, we’ll sit back and high five.

Tile Backsplash

See you guys back here tomorrow.   I’ll have the full kitchen reveal.

Many blessings,

CoCo

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7 Comments

  1. It looks great! You did a good job DIYing it. Can’t wait to see the reveal!! Hugs!!

    1. We appreciate that so much Angie, thank you! I don’t know why we put it off for so long but we’re loving it already. Sending you hugs too, Coco

  2. CoCo – you and S knocked it out of the park! This looks so beautiful and professional. I really do love the grout color…can’t wait for the full reveal tomorrow!

    1. Thanks so much ladies! We’re super excited about how it all came together. I still can’t believe we taught ourselves how to tile.

  3. So excited about this part of your kitchen update! Very cool that y’all are taking the DIY route for your backsplash. There’s a backsplash project on my list too,so I’m learning from your efforts 🙂 Looking great so far and can’t wait to see the entire reveal!! Bwg ~~~

    1. Bobbi, you could totally do this! We taught ourselves along the way too. It wasn’t without a few hiccups but after this experience I think we would feel comfortable trying it out again for sure. Can’t wait to see what you have in store.

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