136 PARADE
of
HOMES FALL 2023
"Mixing wood with black and green
is a very hot combination at the
moment — black cabinets, black
countertops, wood accents such
as floating shelves with a green
backsplash, green paint and black
hardware," she says. "Black elements
are just as timeless as white and are
becoming more and more popular."
Before diving headlong into any proj-
ect, research is a must. Materials such
as ceramic tile, stainless steel, glass or
marble are just a few options available.
Also consider the ease of installation,
whether you will do it yourself or hire
a professional. Other considerations
include maintenance requirements,
durability and functionality.
Once you've found your inspiration
and desired look, keep in mind that
upfront material prices can be mis-
leading — installation and mainte-
nance costs will increase the overall
project budget.
"Hiring a professional tile installer
will solve any questions that you
may have, since there are other items
needed such as schluters and grout
and so on," Russell explains. "Remem-
ber to add 10 to 20 per cent onto your
calculated square footage to allow for
cuts and waste."
Once cabinets and countertops are
installed, a backsplash can be in-
stalled in three to five days. While you
don't necessarily need a backsplash,
they are highly recommended be-
cause they prevent water, grease and
other liquids from damaging the wall
behind it. Without one, the wall is
exposed and requires a higher level
of maintenance.
– SHERRI RUSSELL,
INTERIOR DESIGN TECHNOLOGIST
AND KITCHEN DESIGNER,
KITCHEN CRAFT
"Mixing wood with black
and green is a very hot
combination at the moment."
Backsplash Trends
