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{Kitchens} Subway Tiled Walls & Two-Toned Cabinets

by | Jul 2, 2012 | Decorating Inspiration, Kitchen Renovation Project, Kitchens, my house

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{Kitchens} Subway Tiled Walls & Two-Toned Cabinets

Taste Interior Design

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!

{Kitchens} Subway Tiled Walls & Two-Toned Cabinets

Taste Interior Design

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.

{Kitchens} Subway Tiled Walls & Two-Toned Cabinets

House and Home

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.

{Kitchens} Subway Tiled Walls & Two-Toned Cabinets

Apartment Therapy

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!

{Kitchens} Subway Tiled Walls & Two-Toned Cabinets

Better Homes & Gardens

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!

Unique kitchens

Fresh kitchen ideas

Beautiful Kitchen with Natural Wood Cabinets

24 Comments

  1. Jojo

    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.

    Reply
  2. kelly at Talk of the House

    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.

    Reply
  3. Daune

    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!

    Reply
  4. JoAnna

    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!

    Reply
  5. Linda Stoll

    Always love those tiny cabinets way up high … especially the glass ones with the metal handles! Yes!

    Reply
  6. Kim Moore

    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.

    Reply
    • Melissa

      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.

      Reply
  7. Melissa from the Blue House

    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. :(

    Reply
  8. Cynthia

    These are beautiful pictures. I love subway tile very classic and never goes out os style.

    Cynthia

    Reply
  9. Laura

    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?

    Reply
  10. KATHYSUE

    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

    Reply
  11. Lauren

    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!

    Reply
  12. Kara

    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?

    Reply
  13. teresa

    Love a good white kitchen and the grey is fabulous!

    Reply
  14. Diane

    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?

    Reply
  15. Kristen

    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.

    Reply
  16. Maryann

    Can’t wait to see what you do!! Love subway tile!

    Reply
  17. Maria

    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!

    Reply
  18. Beth Williams

    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

    Reply
  19. John

    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!

    Reply
  20. Sheetal

    Thanks for this post. I love the subway tile, marble countertops and the rectangular, under mount sink. Pinned and on my wishlist for sure!

    Reply
  21. Deidre

    Instead of browns/neutrals on the bottom cabinets, why not go with a color? I just painted mine a soft green.

    Reply
    • Melissa

      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! :-)

      Reply
  22. daniela

    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!

    Reply

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