Backsplash bash...

We recently looked at our kitchen with fresh eyes and decided that, while still in great shape from the remodel we did only 8 years ago, it was a bit dark. We were hosting Thanksgiving this year and my husband posed the most hilarious question to me about a week before the holiday, "Do you want me to start on this project now before Thanksgiving?"
   Yes. I want our kitchen to be completely torn up while I try to cook Thanksgiving dinner so that a cloud of fine dust will settle on our turkey, and green bean casserole.
No, of course, I don't want you start yet! (even though I would never make green bean casserole).

Before - Dark

So after Christmas, we had the "Countertop Guys" (yes, that's their actual name) replace the medium gray laminate with a speckled white solid surface counter top with an integrated white sink. So nice! And we were even able to resell the cast iron sink (a previous CL steal for $85) along with the old faucet for $50. And two pieces of still usable countertop got posted to CL in the free section (love passing that on for someone else to use!)
     Now the dark mosaic backsplash needed to be replaced, as well. I'm not really a fan of subway tile (exactly why would I want a place where I prepare food to remind me of NYC subways?), but I did find a longer version of it that I liked on Craigslist for a $100, a great price.

After - BRIGHT!

My husband did an awesome job chiseling out the old tile (no small feat!!) and replacing it with our bargain purchase. We decided on a stacked pattern instead of the traditional brick pattern with light gray grout. After he was done, we still had 3 boxes of the white tile left over. We managed to resell the leftovers for $45. So our kitchen backsplash cost us a total of $55! Can't beat that. The kitchen is so much brighter now and even looks bigger.

What I learned from this project:
1. Well, my husband learned that removing the old mosaic tile, that he so lovingly installed a few years ago, was a MUCH bigger job than he had anticipated. He may think twice about tackling a project like that again.
2. He also learned that tile sometimes has small variations in size, so you need to pay attention when laying it out.
3. I learned to stay out of his way and be grateful he is so handy (but I already knew that)!