Kitchens: Subway Tile & Two-Toned Cabinets
I love subway tile. It is classic, always-chic, and affordable (can be, anyway). I have a special fondness for floor to ceiling, or counter to ceiling, subway tiles. A subway tile wall really makes a great statement!
White subway tile is especially beautiful, IMHO, paired with pretty colors and wood or textural accents for warmth and contrast. And while many prefer white grout for a crisp modern look, I actually love seeing a narrow grout line in a soft gray or taupe.
If you’ve read my blog for awhile you might have guessed this, but there WILL be subway tile in my kitchen makeover!! Yes, indeed! I’ve MISSED it so much! I mulled over many other options for my backsplash before making up my mind, but in the end, simple classic white subway tile won out as the perfect complement to my highly grained multi-toned casual hickory floors.
I’m pretty excited because the subway tile will not only add a new dimension of texture and personality to my kitchen, it will lighten and brighten the entire space! I can’t wait!
You might have also noticed that these kitchens not only feature subway tile, but they have something else in common: two-toned cabinets! While using two different colors of cabinetry might be a current trend, I have always liked the look and find it visually appealing when done tastefully and sparingly (I used a wood cabinet and white cabinetry in my old kitchen). I think it is a classic look for that “collected over time” style, which I never grow tired of!
I plan a little “two-tone” element in my updated kitchen, as well! But in case you are wondering, my main cabinetry color will NOT be white this time! More details on my choices and inspiration board coming up soon!
Happy Monday everyone!
Need more kitchen ideas? Here are some other kitchen posts you might enjoy!
My kitchen remodel is complete! Come see how it turned out!
Can’t wait to see your new kitchen. After sitting on the fence, I finally painted my cabinets white and it works for my kitchen. Such an improvement.
These are gorgeous! Yours will be equally gorgeous too, I know! Let me take a guess at your color…hmmmm. …yellow? I think the two toned look is really neat…keep considering painting my island a different color – just can’t make myself commit though. Yes, I’m chicken.
Oh, I love subway tile…..when we did our kitchen redo we used white subway tile, and just love it! {Floating white shelves, too!} We did it ourselves and had it completed in a weekend. :) Can’t wait to see your kitchen!
I’m a huge fan of subway tile in the kitchen. Also love the look of 2-toned cabinets. These photo’s you shared are all gorgeous! Can’t wait to see your kitchen finished!
Always love those tiny cabinets way up high … especially the glass ones with the metal handles! Yes!
I know subway tiles are really popular, but to me they look like the walls of a public toilet. That’s all I can think when I see them, and I don’t u der stand the fascination. Add to that the fax that they are EVERYWHERE and I think they are way over done, like those pretend farmhouse sinks with the big white fronts. Some things become fads very quickly. No one wants a kitchen that is locked in a particular decade. Subway tiles and those ” farm sinks” will be date all and every kitchen in just a few years. Kitchen are expensive and, in my opinion, will look better longer if kept more classic.
If your goal in a redesigned a kitchen is to make it look trendy with the latest style twist or fad, your kitchen will get dated quickly. If you stick to a classic style and keep the foundational elements simple, it is difficult to date it. White Subway tile has been popular for decades because it remains classic and doesn’t get dated like some colors or fancy shaped tiles might. It is better in my mind to stick with classic tile. With that said, no kitchen lasts forever, so it is not out of the question to change a tile 10 years or so, so do what you love now. I love the simplicity of classic white tile for my kitchen.
LOVE these kitchens! My former house was built in 1929 and this was exactly the look I went for… white subway tiles, white cabinets with inset doors, and the stainless vent hood…. ah, I miss that kitchen. :(
These are beautiful pictures. I love subway tile very classic and never goes out os style.
Cynthia
You could plop me down in any one of those kitchens, and I would be thrilled to whip you up a PB&J sandwich! How can a 50 cent tile make me so happy?
How exciting!! A kitchen re-do. I love to design kitchens!! Subway is a classic and I agree with you, a must in a kitchen!! I have been out of the loop for a few weeks, it is good to be back in blogland with all my creative fellow bloggers. Happy Monday,
Kathysue
Subway tile is so clean and classic, great choice! I am obviously a fan of two tone cabinets, I actually have three in my kitchen, haha! But it’s great to break up the space a bit; I think lighter cabinets go better on top and dark on the bottom; it makes the room seem bigger and brighter!
I absolutely love this look! My husband and I are considering a tile and cabinet make over in our kitchen. We have a very traditiona galley kitchen. I’m not sure if the two toned cabinets would darken the space too much? Any thoughts?
Love a good white kitchen and the grey is fabulous!
Your ‘old’ kitchen was just about perfect! And your new one is going to be lovely. No doubt. Funny how people love or hate subway tile. As nice as it is, though, I guess you can use a command hook to hang things…though I’ve gotten some injuries from improperly removing said hooks…I love the ability to hang something up at my whim…or throw a new paint color on the wall…at least the possibility of doing those things. You are so good at *knowing* what you love…as opposed to me who second guesses herself. I’m always grateful for house guests who help me to feel good about my decor. Why am I so insecure about this?
I’m a sucker for an all white kitchen. Love subway with white grout and Carerra counters. The two tone is great for a pop of color as well.
Can’t wait to see what you do!! Love subway tile!
Oh my goooosh! I am SO excited to see what you are going to do with your kitchen! I am living vicariously through this makeover. ;-) Thanks for sharing all of the details, big and small!
Love love love the subway tile idea@! Just in time as we are saving up to redo our 40+ year old kitchen! Cabinets don’t stay shut, want bigger dishwasher. Floor, counter tops & backsplash were done in 90s by hubby and previous wife.
Floor, to me, is very dark. Want a lighter, possibly quartz or granite counter top. The more ideas the better!
Thanks
I’ve always had a thing for tiles and when I saw how the subway tiles made the kitchens look even more regal, I knew I just had to look for the LIKE button!
Thanks for this post. I love the subway tile, marble countertops and the rectangular, under mount sink. Pinned and on my wishlist for sure!
Instead of browns/neutrals on the bottom cabinets, why not go with a color? I just painted mine a soft green.
I’ve had green cabinets before and love them! I love colored cabinets! Just have to make my cabinets work with my walls and other elements! :-)
Hi there! Just found your blog and love your kitchen. I’m trying to find out more information about painting cabinets. Do you recommend it? Is it expensive? How did the painter do it? thanks!