BACKSPLASH TILE. A cautionary tale.

It all started with the backsplash tile.  I had black and white rooster wallpaper as a backsplash above my kitchen countertops.  What can I say?  It was the 90’s and roosters were really in.  I realize now that it was a mistake, so I informed my husband that I was going to visit Village Tile to select an affordable tile to replace the roosters.  I saw the delight in his eyes, which encouraged me.  I don’t think he ever liked the toile.  Who knew?

I found a lovely cappuccino colored tumbled marble tile and brought it home only to discover that it was not working with the formica countertop, also from the 90’s. So, off I went to RK Miles to browse their spinning tower of granite, keeping to the Basic Collection as opposed to the Exotic and Select sections, thinking myself quite prudent. A week later, I found myself in a granite stone yard in New Hampshire with my best friend, Ginger, as we perused row upon row of incredible granite slabs. We wondered how all this granite with exotic names like Aurora Borealis, Blue Pearl and Giallo Veneziano was created?

A bit of internet searching came upon this clear scientific explanation: “Granite is a hard igneous stone that is formed over millions of years ago by volcanic activity.  During the process, magma combines with various minerals to create a crystal appearance.” That would explain the sparkle of crystals and unique pattern and color of each slab.

Isn’t that amazing?!?  Who wouldn’t want granite in their kitchen?  I was putty in their hands as I chose my very own slab of granite.  I returned to RK Miles to let them know my final choice of granite and told them I was thinking of reusing my sink and faucet, which really weren’t that bad.  Neina patiently explained that if I was going to the trouble of installing granite countertops, I would really want an undermount sink and a faucet with a spray attachment.  It did seem like the wise path to take. I perused their showroom to select my choice of deep bowl sink and gooseneck faucet.

Trying to regroup, my husband and I looked around our open floor plan kitchen/living room and dining room and confessed to each other that the draperies were never really us.  I told him that I always thought the red draperies with gold motif were more our friends, Sally and Bob’s taste.  There house has a bohemian, Tibetan flare and these drapes would go perfectly with their color scheme.  I always wanted simple off white linen draperies that puddled elegantly on the floor. So those are next.  After we finish painting the whole downstairs!

Last Saturday, we installed the draperies at Sally and Bob’s and I was right, it fit their style perfectly.  Sally was delighted with the way the draperies transformed her living room.  She pulled me aside, out of ear shot of her husband, and asked what I would recommend for new sofas in her living room.  Oh no, Sally, not you, too? I should have warned her. That’s how it starts!