Something like this:
Image by Keith Scott Morton via Country Living
Our entire house is essentially green, so I wanted a green-toned blue-ish situation for the tiles. That ever-fantastic shade of aqua we all love. And we found it - "Ocean Spray" by Mirage Tile (in the 4x12 size to create a larger-scale pattern):
Unfortunately, we also found out its price and had a wee bit of sticker shock. The tile shop (which is lovely, by the way - it's where we bought our floor tile) was selling it for around $25/sq. ft. Carter raised some eyebrows.
Like any good DIYer, I took to the web when I got home and found my tile online at www.mosaictilestone.com for $16.95/sq. ft! Much better. And to be sure it was the same tile, and not a lesser quality version, I ordered a sample which arrived lickety split, and it's perfect.
If you are in the market for some GST yourself, ordering online is a good option if you're on a budget. I looked at 5-6 sites and mosaictilestone.com was the cheapest for our particular tile (and has free shipping over $200).
I would also recommend ordering a small batch of the tile from the site to make sure it's what you want. I didn't see where to order a sample online, so I emailed them (info@mosaictilestone.com) and they sent me a discount code to purchase 1 sq. ft.
I can't wait to see what this finishing touch does to our kitchen when we (read: Carter) are done!
**I edited this post a bit. Reader Debbie makes a good point...brick & mortar shops definitely have benefits. When price (or something else) is an issue, my opinion is that online shopping can be a great option. Like any decision for your house, do your research and see what works best for you.
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Although I love to save money as much as the next person, that showroom won't be there very long for the full experience of seeing and touching and checking out the tile if everyone purchases it online. Did you ask them if they would meet your online price? The difference in price is the overhead that it costs to run a showroom. I hesitate to post this, as I don't mean it to sound chastising in anyway- I absolutely believe in a free economy- but local brick and mortar businesses have to be supported or could you imagine what our towns would be like?
ReplyDeletethey would be filled with home depots....beautiful?!!?
DeleteThis Interior Designer thanks you for your comment. People need to understand that if they bypass us and buy direct online, not only do they get poor customer service and often void their product warranties, but they don't get the benefit of MY professional expertise. I have to put my mark on the products I sell, or I don't get a paycheck. I am very good at what I do, and I deserve to eat!
DeleteThanks for your comment, Debbie. Like I said in the post, we purchased our floor tile from the tile shop - the customer service was great and seeing it in person was really helpful. In this case, due to price, it was either buying it online or not buying it at all. I was very thankful to find the resource online so that my tile dreams didn't evaporate! And when I find a good deal, I like to pass it on via the blog :)
ReplyDeleteMy comment above is in no way meant to be insulting or undermining of your article. I think DIY is awesome... and I respect your tenacity and zeal to take on such a fun project. I LOVE the tile - looking to use something similar on a current project. My comment above is merely meant to reinforce Debbie's sentiments. Too often, we designers are expected to work for FREE, and it gets really frustrating. I spent 16 years in higher education, and my credentials easily match that of a lawyer or doctor; yet, people seem reticent to pay me a fraction of what my time is worth... yet they don't hesitate to pay other professionals for their work. I will occasionally purchase from online suppliers myself - when I can't find a reasonably priced local source. But, I also have the advantage of a trade discount on products I buy from local vendors. Kudos to you for a job well done!
DeleteGreat color for the backsplash. Can't wait to see the finished product!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a gorgeous color - I look forward to seeing the completed kitchen! I also filed away the resource for future reference...but I am also torn on the "buy local vs. save money" struggle. It's a tough call.
ReplyDeleteThank you for not taking my comment the wrong way! It definitely is a tough call. I have found that most places, including my own, will do their best to meet an online price when given the opportunity. The internet is a benefit to all of us these days in so many ways- just a tool to be used wisely like anything else.
ReplyDeleteAnd... I do LOVE your choice of tile. I put glass on my backsplash about a year ago and am so happy with it. Anxiously await your finished photos.
Fondly, Debbie
I've been collecting coastal style tiles..., so this comes handy as I'm planning a post on tiles -thanks! I'll definitely link to your post.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE glass subway tiles! We ordered a small amount and interspersed them with our regular subway for our kitchen backsplash!
ReplyDeleteThat is going to be so pretty! I did a white subway tile for my backsplash, and have my color on the cabinets. (a robin's egg blue). Can't wait to see the finished product!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! I would definitely use an online vendor if the price is much better, and I was sure of the quality, etc.
ReplyDeleteI think it comes down to the business model - yes, we should shop brick & mortar stores whenever possible, but they have to realize that they need to "get with the times", which is why we are losing so many book stores these days. You need to be able to change your business model to reflect the correct demands.
My favorite "online" store is actually a brick and mortar store located where I used to live before I moved to Texas. I still like to continue to give them my business, even though I live 1,000 miles away now. They deserve my loyalty, and they are comparably priced compared to a business that purely has an online presence only.
I love glass subway and I think they make any space sparkle and bring it up a notch. Sampling is always the way to go, you were smart to invesitgate first, KS
ReplyDeleteYou will have to post pictures of your completed kitchens.
ReplyDeleteEver thought that maybe a local store is trying to get with the times, and on top of supporting a showroom, a staff, in these difficult times, they may also sell online as an additional option to income? It's a possibility, as most online stores can't buy from a manufacturer, unless they've invested in a retail showroom outfit.
Thanks for the shoutout! Be sure to check out our blog: www.missionstonetile.com/blog/ for more Glass Subway Tile ideas and inspiration, and MS+T for Designer Tile specials!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I just purchased this tile for our kitchen with slightly off from white shaker style cabinets and pre-existing maple flooring. We are really struggling with picking out a granite. Do you have any suggestions? Should we stick with a black? Also would love to see how your kitchen came out :) Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the tile in the first photo, any idea what it is? Have you posted pics of your backsplash?
ReplyDeleteReally above presents all news watch for really wonderful. It through many useful task work collection from here. I have like this site.
ReplyDeleteThe picture is from country living. I'm interested to see how your tile turned out, as the tile you ordered looks like it's one colour where as the tile in the image look like they have a variation in the colour in each tile (hope I'm explaining myself right).
ReplyDeleteDoes the origin of the image specify what it is?