Going Black on the Kitchen Backsplash

Rustic and iridescent black tiles are two successful looks.

Black counters – particularly soapstone and granite — have been a standard in kitchens for the past ten years while inky backsplashes have not enjoyed the same popularity. In fact, it can be difficult to even find a photo of black tile behind a range or a sink!  The power of black to absorb light is one deterrent as is finding black tile that doesn’t come off as too bathroom-y.

Yet there are so many kitchens where black – or near black — seems a logical choice for a backsplash. In an all-white kitchen, one strategy is to do a reverse Oreo with black as the filling. The rustic gunmetal color tile [top], from Gothic Tile, is striking and the surface texture adds a metallic richness that’s deftly picked up by the weathered shades on the handsome pendant light.

Glass mosaic can be tricky but the slight iridescence in this butler’s pantry by Kelly Deck gives it a modern sophistication. What also helps is the “gray scale” cabinet color scheme with graduated light to dark gray tones beginning with the base cabinets and moving up, although the lightest color in the mix is reserved for the counters. It’s very urban and beautiful at night when the lighting accents what’s inside the cabinets as well as what’s behind the sink.

(Source: Southern Accents, decorpad)