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We are back into the project in Kristin’s kitchen.  We had two weeks of sickness in the family that kept us from working on the kitchen project.  Since Kristin was sick in bed, she did a lot of online shopping for things to decorate her kitchen.

The project we focused on first was the backsplash.

The backsplash Kristin selected to use was from Home Depot, Catalina White 3 in x 6 in Polished Ceramic Subway Tiles, placing it in a staggard pattern.

The best tip I am sharing today, before you even start this job, go purchase a laser level.  Best tool in the bag when installing a backsplash.

We purchased a Bauer 30 ft. Self-Leveling Cross Line Laser Level Measuring Tool from Harbor Freight.  Set it up where the lines wouldn’t be disturbed when working.  Truly the best tool!!

Prep area before tiling.

We turned off the power to remove all the plates of the light switches and plug-ins, removed the screws from the outlets to be able to move out when applying the tile around the outlets. The last thing was adding plastic to the top of the countertops for protection.

Gather supplies.

For the adhesive we used premixed AcrylPro Professional Tile Adhesive.

The spacer size we used were 1/16 in.  Both types, flexible tile spacers and a multi size spacers.

We set the level for the first row of tiles.  We sat one tile in place making sure we used spacers, set the laser to the tile, locked level to keep it set.

The line gave us a guide to keep tiles level.

Of course, the cabinets are not level, but the laser line gave us the correct place to mark and cut each tile.  I placed the tile, drew a line at the level line, this will show Mr. Tip where to cut each piece.

Mr. Tip took the marked tiles and cut them with a wet tile saw.

We decided to add the adhesive to the back of the tile, this procedure is called “back butter the tile”.  This was easier for me to apply the tile to the wall, plus it was an easier clean up.

Each row, we adjusted the level to create a guide.

To the space where the range sits, we placed a temporary board on the wall for a support system.

We continue to lay the tile the same way all around the countertops.  After we were through placing the last piece.  I went back to the first wall, removed all the spacers and cleaned the grout lines and the excess adhesive off the tiles.

We came back a couple days later and applied the grout.

Kristin went with white grout, recommended for the tile.  Mr. Tip applied the grout with a Gum Rubber Grout Float, I went behind him and repeated the process while Kristin went behind me 15 minutes later and cleaned the tile with a sponge and warm water, lots of buckets of warm water.  We got down to business and forgot to take photos.

Makes a totally different look when adding the grout.  Here is what it looks like before applying the grout.

And now with grout.

We will be changing out the plug-ins and light switches with white, next project.

I did repair the focal wall.

If you remember the wall had chair rail trim, when I removed it some part of the drywall paper ripped off too.

I will share more about the wall next time.  We are very happy how the backsplash turned out and can’t wait to decorate the countertops!

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Stay strong and God bless! ♥

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