Brick Pavers for Cottage , Country, or Old World Backsplash

I found exactly what I was looking for when I revised my beadboard backsplash idea. It's really inexpensive, has lots of character and "old house" appeal, and will be easier to install than tile. What is this miracle material, you might ask? Simple brick pavers. I went to Lowe's the other to see if I could find some that are thin enough to use a backsplash. I checked out the Outdoor/Lawn and Garden area, but nope...not there. The Lowe's associate told me they didn't carry them. Not deterred, I headed inside to the tile department and lo and behold, they had them! Just .52 each, too!

I brought home a few pavers to play around with...I painted one a bisque color that will coordinate nicely with our appliances. Since our cabinets are going to be red (paint swatch in photo below - I decided against Russett as people commnented that it looked "pinkish/fuscia" and instead went with a shade by Waverly called "Cherry") , I thought the backsplash needed to be nice and bright. I next painted a brick the same color as the cabinets. I tried to white wash it but the result was very pink. What worked really well was to just apply a white glaze and then wipe it off, which left glaze down in the pits and crevices...a very nice look. So I know for sure that I'll use bisque paint for most, if not all, the pavers - but I may decide to throw a few of the red ones in there for a little more punch. I'll just have to see.

Reconsidering the Beadboard Backsplash Idea

All this time, I *knew* that we would install a beadboard backsplash in the kitchen. I mean, what says cottage like beadboard? But as of late, I'm thinking I want something altogether different. We're going to be putting beadboard in our hallway and bathroom, so I don't mind not having it in the kitchen. I really love how the fireplace "aged" tile came out...the texture and feel it adds to the room is amazing. I've decided that I want the same kind of look and texture for the kitchen backsplash. I don't want to use the same technique (there was lots of grout and limestone wash involved...I'm afraid that I might over time scrub it off if it were a backsplash - even with a sealer). So now I'm trying to come up with something different that might give me a similar look. I'm even thinking about looking for old looking cobblestone, painted/whitewashed brick (like the photo on left) or another natural element like tumbled travertine. My cabinets are going to be red...so an offwhite backsplash would look nice, I think.

Just a sidenote, like Greg over at the Petch House, hubs is going to hardwire some undercabinet lighting. We really need the extra light and I hate seeing cords. It should make a big difference.

Today, I'm pulling out my handy dandy electric screwdriver hubs bought for me a few months back to take down our kitchen cabinet doors. It's time to for the cabinet makeover to begin:)

Better Quality (I think) Photos of Painted Living Room

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This entry is an addendum to the entry below. It was much sunnier today so I took a few more snapshots of the new living room wall color. I hope the color comes out a little better. I turned the lamp off in the last photo hoping that it would help.