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House #7: Pantry Update – Choosing a Backplash

Move in day got pushed back a week, which was a bit of bummer but probably for the best. I can definitely use the extra packing time!

The pantry was one of the last rooms in our seventh house to get painted. And because I opted to go kind of bold with color in here I was a little nervous. But oh my word, I’m in big old fat LOVE!!!

blue pantry

I chose to have the walls, shelves and all the trim painted to match the color of the lower cabinetry ~ Hurricane Blue from the Duron Historic Charleston paint collection at Sherwin Williams. And I’m so happy with this gorgeous slate-y blue! It’s so luxe! I love how it changes with the light in the space throughout the day.

custom pantry blue walls
(flush mount light fixture, glass crystal door knob)

Keep in mind everything is a work in progress at the new house. So there’s blue tape indicating places where the paint needs to be touched up, and the cabinet hardware still needs to be installed.

blue pantry glass door

I used this same light gray-ish blue on the kitchen island, so I also decided to have the glass paneled pantry door done in this color. And I love how this color looks with this gorgeous door knob!

While I went with quartz for the kitchen countertop, I selected solid white corian for the pantry. There’s no backsplash in here because I’m not quite sure what I want to do. So rather than force myself to decide before moving in, I figured I’d just wait until after we move in and tackle this project myself.

blue walls custom pantry

For the kitchen I chose solid white classic subway tile in a brick lay with a light grey grout to compliment the grey tones in the quartz I selected. But while I want the pantry to flow with the design of the kitchen I’m not convinced that I need to choose the exact same thing as I chose for the kitchen, especially because they have different countertops.

So here’s what I’m considering…….

#1 – Black subway tile with white grout….

……has ALWAYS been a favorite of mine. Plus I think black will look so good with the blue color on the cabinetry and shelving.

black tile backsplash
(One Kind Design – interior by Theresa Rowe)

#2 – White mosaic herringbone with light grey grout……

…..would be a nice play on pattern and scale in here paired with the zigzag pattern of the custom wine storage cabinet.

white mosaic herringbone
(mosaic herringbone)

However I’m also considering this third option.

#3 – Plain white subway tile……

….which is what I used in the kitchen. But instead of going with a brick lay in the pantry as I did for the kitchen, I’d do a herringbone pattern with a light grey grout. So there would still be some contrast to keep things interesting. But I feel like this is safest option of the three, so I’m not 100% ready to commit.

herringbone subway tile backsplash
(Remodelista)

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Which option do you think I should choose? Or do you have another idea to share?

custom pantry storage blue walls

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  • Love all the options! I’m leaning towards option 2 for the scale and pattern or 1 is also so stunning not being in the space I would only worry about light. all are gorgeous and can’t go wrong with any of them!!!

  • I did black subway for my kitchen last year and LOVE it!! Why not do a black herringbone? Mesh both looks.

  • Oh I will have to be different I think lightening it up with the white subway tile in the herringbone lay would be beautiful. Even a white brick would be pretty. No one wants a totally dark pantry, would make it more welcoming with the window and sink it’s not like you’ll just be in there grabbing things. Looks amazing and I love the paint colour!

  • Black subway tile! This is truly your room to really live it up (aside from your closet, the kitchen, the laundry room, etc. lol) this is one you’ll be in and out of multiple times daily and so why not reward yourself with a jewel box? I know you weren’t asking but also with the slanted wine racks, the horizontal tile is a beautiful contrast.

  • I think the smaller scale herringbone would play nicely with your wine shelves. I think subway herringbone would compete with the those. I would go light to contrast with the cabinets.

  • While I love “different and fun”, my choice would be option 3 because I would be afraid I wouldn’t love the others in 20 years?? I tend to lose interest about every 10 years….ha, except I’ve been married 33 years!! So, I’m referring to decor! All that being said, I’ve certainly enjoyed your design choices! Age old advice you don’t need…go with your gut.

  • The black subway tile is oh so beautiful!! For me, and my aging eyes, I need brightness in a closed space. Option 2 with those herringbone mosaic tiles is bright, playful and classic. But my design-minded self says option 1 all the way!!

  • While I love the black subway tile, I think it would be too dark in such a small closed in space. I would go with option 3! It’s still classic like the kitchen, but fun because of the pattern. I know whatever you do will look great!!

  • I think the black tile in the picture that you provided looked good because the room was bright. Doesn’t look like you have that much light in your room though. The darker tile would probably have the same effect as not having any tile like it does now so you could check it out after you moved in. Mirrored would be kinda bar like and fun!! Whatever you choose is going to be great!!

  • You said you’ve always loved the black tile with white grout. Then (IMO) that’s the one you should have. It would be gorgeous!

  • Option 2. Adds light and a nice contrast with the wine shelving. It would still relate to the kitchen too. The black would suck light out of the room and you need to “see” in a pantry.

  • When I saw all of your blue tape on the walls and ceilings, I cringed! Just because I am a contractor’s wife and know how frustrating it can be to please homeowners …and usually at great expense. Why do you have blue tape for touch-ups where the backsplash will be installed? I feel for your painting contractor – do you have to change contractors with every house you build?

  • When I first read “black subway tile with white grout”, I thought “no way”. But, then I saw the example you posted and quickly changed my opinion to “Hell ya”. I especially love the high gloss tile in the example photo. Can’t wait for the finished new house tour!

  • Hi JoAnn, This is the first house we’ve ever custom built. And my husband and I did not put the blue tape on the walls, our contractor did. He’s the one driving the train on paint touchups, and he is pretty meticulous. Considering how much we’re paying for paint, I think it’s fair to expect the job to be done right. And while we are planning to add a backsplash eventually, it’s not something we’re going to be doing right away. And our builder wants to have finished photos of the house taken before we move in for their work portfolio. So my guess is that’s why they taped up the pantry walls where we will eventually add a backsplash.

  • I am late at responding but I think I would do the white subway tile in a herringbone pattern with the gray grout because I think the custom wine storage cabinet is the focal point of the room and it doesn’t need any more drama that the black tile would give. But if you want drama, go with the black!

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