Kitchen Subway Backsplash in Ken Caryl
This kitchen backsplash in a Ken Caryl home used classic 3x6 white subway tile set in a traditional running bond (offset) pattern. The tile runs behind the range hood and continues across the full wall between the upper and lower cabinets. One detail that required careful planning was the range hood surround: the tile had to be cut to follow the angled profile of the hood and terminate cleanly at the stainless steel edge without a visible gap or caulk line.
The grout color chosen was a medium gray, which creates a visible grid pattern against the white tile. This is a deliberate choice that suits the transitional style of this Ken Caryl home's kitchen. White grout would read as cleaner but shows staining more readily near the cooktop. The grout was sealed after cure to help with maintenance.
Project Details
- Area
- Ken Caryl
- Materials
- 3x6 white ceramic subway tile, medium gray unsanded grout, penetrating grout sealer
- Scope
- Residential kitchen backsplash
- Timeline
- Single-day install
What We Did
- Cleaned and primed the drywall surface; established horizontal level line from countertop up
- Set tile in running bond pattern; scribed cuts at the range hood profile and cabinet edges
- Grouted with medium gray unsanded grout; caulked inside corners at countertop and cabinets
- Applied penetrating sealer to grout after 72-hour cure
The gray grout against white tile gives this backsplash a graphic clarity that holds up well in a busy kitchen.
