Since we were changing so many parts of the kitchen, I really wanted to add a decorative tile backsplash as well. I’ve had the tile purchased for several days and last Sunday Home Depot offered a DIY workshop on how to tile a backsplash. Perfect! Part of the reason I was hesitant on getting started was that I knew it was going to be messy and time consuming. Turns out I was about half-right.

There is a great product called simplemat that allows you to peel and stick adhesive to the wall then put up your tiles and grout right away. I started the project at 3pm and was finished by about 11:30pm, including breaks for dinner and a quick trip back to the Home Depot for outlet spacers. The packaging clearly states that you need to grout within 24 hours of sticking on the tile – so make sure you leave yourself enough time to finish the project on the same day.

photo of the kitchen before I started the back splash adventure

painting the edges behind the stove

tiles up – before grouting

I should probably be thankful that Eric doesn’t have any photographic evidence of me laying on the counter grouting all these tiles by hand! (Eric’s note: he was too busy shaking his head, then showing Leandra how a putty knife would be a better tool.)

Putting in plastic spacers behind the outlets and switches was fairly easy and with the purchase of some longer electrical screws we had the plates back on in no time. This weekend I sealed the grout to prevent stains and caulked the side, bottom and top seams.

the finished product – I love it!