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art renew dreams
April 2009 
Friends don't let friends buy at a Big Box Store
Posted on Apr 18th, 2009
by 
onyourleft
onyourleft
The kitchen is almost done. Maybe 10 hours or less. I'm enjoying it more and more every day. The process was long and drawn out but the results are worth it.
My favorite part of the kitchen is the backsplash tile. While people ooh and ah at the granite the process of finding the tile was so much fun.
It started with finding a local crafts store
http://www.tutiendaazteca.blogspot.com
Often I'd go there after perusing the farm market. One day I spotted some hand made tiles, this was well ahead of our being ready for the counter top but it sparked my imagination. I went back, there were a few more. Back again and there were smaller tiles. Back again and the owner was out of tiles but heading to Mexico soon.
I came back and chose a few more of the new stock. Gradually I had enough for the kitchen.
The tiles mix patterns of the moon and stars, some are floral, and some have kitchen implements. I like the idea of bringing the outside in as the small patio table brings the inside out. This is just another trick that may make my small space seem bigger.
I envisioned the decorative tiles lightly splashed almost at random in a plain tile background. Then began the surprisingly difficult task of finding plain fawn/cream color tile that would fit the decorative tile, not clash with the dramatic granite counter, compliment the hand made tile.
Finally success! And guess where? Sincere Hardware again, of course.
With a sketch from Gena and tile done by Hilary the look came together. Hilary found electric faceplates that look like they were made for the tile.
Sure, one could go to a box store, hand the staff (if you can find someone to help you) the measurements and leave with a backsplash. But this is so much better, each tile with memories of a day at the farm market, the search for perfect tiles.
And the effect, much better, and not out of a box.
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