My kitchen is now painted Sea Salt! Yay!! It’s been a few months since I painted the kitchen cabinets Simply White (Benjamin Moore) and decided that the old color was too dark.
Here’s the old color after I painted the cabinets:
I looked at many different light blue/green paint colors and narrowed it down to these two:
Sea Salt (Sherwin Williams) … and …
Palladian Blue (Benjamin Moore)
I shared a few weeks ago how to make sure you choose the right paint color the first time. I’m so thankful that I did this exercise because if not, I would have chosen the wrong color. This way, I picked the right color the first time and I love it!!
Puckett’s Grocery Sign Tutorial HERE
My mom came to help me last week while Coach was off for Spring Break and could watch the kids. We knocked it out in 1 day. Woohoo! (Thanks Mom!)
I love how light and bright the new color makes the kitchen.
OK, so here’s the fun part.
I’ve been wanting to change my counter tops since we moved into this house. Originally the walls were beige and the cabinets were a honey oak color and the dark gray counter tops just didn’t work.
They seemed so out of place.
Then we had blue/green walls and oak cabinets with gray counter tops. Once we painted the cabinets white, they were OK.
Now that the walls are Sea Salt, I almost like them … a lot!
Farmhouse Fresh Spring Mantel Tour HERE
I’m thinking about keeping them for the time being.
Sure they are laminate and not in the best shape, but until we have the money to replace them along with get a new sink and faucet, I think we’ll just leave them for now.
OK, so here’s where I need your help. I’ve always wanted a white subway tile backsplash. Here are my options:
- Do the subway tile now with the current counter tops, even though I will eventually get rid of the small back splash attached to the current counter tops. This will leave a space between the subway tile and new counter tops. And that means I would have to go back later and finish the back splash.
- Wait to do the subway tile until I have the counters of my dreams. And enjoy the Sea Salt on the walls above the counter tops until then.
So, let me know in the comments which choice you would make. I know which one I’m leaning toward now, but I’d love to know your opinion. Your opinions have swayed me in the past!
Until I decide, I’ll be enjoying the new wall color back there.
I still have a few more updates up my sleeve. And I’m not sure that the old curtains still work with the new color. I will keep my eyes open for something else. This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. See my full disclosure policy here.
One new addition since the walls were painted is this cute clock with a galvanized finish from Target. It’s not really metal, but plastic with a galvanized finish. I love it! I’ll be adding a few more things to that wall and then calling it complete.
I also want to refinish the table and chairs, but I’m probably going to need my mom to come back and help me with that project. It may be one I tackle this summer while Coach is out of school.
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Marianna says
That is beautiful! I showed my hubby and he laughed because we have Sea Salt and white in our living room and are now putting Repose Grey and white in the kitchen!!
So I absolutely love your kitchen!!
Deborah Raney says
I would definitely wait! I think you’d miss the color you have on the backsplash now, and why cause yourself extra effort and a “dilemma” if you ever decide to change the countertops (which, I think look GREAT with the new paint colors!) It all looks wonderful, and I’d just enjoy it the way it is. You can always add tile later if you grow tired of the painted backsplash.
Ange says
The sea salt looks gorgeous! Perfect colour. I would leave the backsplash as is. The laminate colour, white cabinets, and sea salt walls all match perfectly. It’s a truly beautiful kitchen!
Brooke @ Putter Home says
That’s the same color I used in my camper!
http://www.putterhome.com/2013/07/sleepy-campers-update.html
It always amazes me how different paint looks in different light. There’s a corner in my kitchen that people look at and ask why I painted that wall a different color – both walls are the same color, but it makes that big of a difference. Looks great! And I would wait on the back splash too, it’s just unnecessary work and expense for you.
Ashley says
I would wait 🙂 looks great! Actually love the gray counters! I just painted mine gray, and it made so many things come together! I have many of the same accessories as you do! Love it! May have to send you some pics 🙂
Lori says
Wait until you can do it up right! I love the Sea Salt walls with the gray countertop color and white cabinets, but then I would – my family room, laundry, and kitchen are all Sea Salt and my cabinets are painted gray (Sherwin Williams Cityscape), though I wasn’t brave enough to paint them myself.
Christy says
I would wait. It looks beautiful the way it is. Once you’ve changed out the punter tops then pic the backsplash. Neither of those are easy or cheap updates.
Laura says
I am leaning that way. Thanks for chiming in!! 🙂
xo, Laura
Kathleen says
Hi Laura,
I would definitely wait until you get your new counter tops. I love the Sea Salt,
Laura says
I agree! I was leaning that way, but after everyone’s comments, I’m definitely going to wait! 🙂
xo, Laura
Nancie says
I would deffinately wait to do the backsplash and counters at the same time. Its the better way! In the meantime, just enjoy the sea salt. I’m loving it so much, I think I’m going to use it in my kitchen, butler pantry and dining room.
Laura says
Thank you!! It was definitely the right color choice for my kitchen. And I know a lot of other people who love it, too! I’m sure it will look beautiful in your home!
xo, Laura
Megan says
Hi! I say leave it.. The backsplash may vary depending on the counter top. Plus, the color is lovely. We used it in our bathroom remodel. I love it and may paint more with it (and to use up all the paint!).
Laura says
I’m definitely going to leave it now that everyone agrees. 🙂 And I’m quite enjoying the color above the counter tops right now. Hope you’re doing well!!
xo, Laura
Mary Anne Looby says
I would wait until you remove the countertops and backsplash. You just painted, you should enjoy the color for now, and when it starts to get old and faded and messy, as painted walls behind the sink tend to do, then you tackle the whole project. In the meantime figure out how much subway tile you will need, watch for great sales and scoop them up. Do the same at stone yards, I can’t tell how large your counter spaces are, but often times you will find two matching pieces that won’t work for someone else, or it could be a discontinued finish. If you have the time to wait and shop for bargins you might get the job done for a lot less than you thought. Also look on line for sinks and faucets, I have had much luck with things like that, and my plumber has been very impressed with what I have found.
Laura says
Great advice, Mary Anne! Thank you!!
xo, Laura
Michelle says
Have you considered beadboard wallpaper as a temporary solution? It installs easily, peels off with no wall damage, and adds a real farmhouse look to the kitchen. We did this a couple of years ago, and I liked it so much we put real beadboard up instead of tile when we replaced our countertops. You definitely made the right choice with sea salt-it’s beautiful!
Laura says
I hadn’t considered it, but I love the idea! I’m going to look into it. Thank you for the suggestion, Michelle!
xo, Laura
SONJA HANSEN says
The sea salt color is so pretty. I would go ahead and enjoy that for a while and then you won’t have to deal with matching/lining up, etc. the tile and the grout will be “aged” the same. Have you thought about a pretty “sea salt” glass tile for your back splash. It will contrast with you cabinets. You are doing a great job with each of your projects. And, they never end. I always say that once you purchase a home, it owns you, you don’t own it. It always wants/needs something more.
Laura says
Hey Sonja! The idea of using a “sea salt” glass tile has crossed my mind. Since I love seeing the color there, it’s definitely on the table! And I agree, the projects never stop. I call it the domino effect of the home. 🙂
Thanks for giving your thoughts!
xo, Laura
Michelle says
I love the new color! I actually have a third option to consider-beadboard wallpaper from Lowe’s. I was in the same situation a few years ago, and found the backsplash area started to show splatters, etc. The wallpaper was easy to put up, cleaned really well, and I liked it so well we ended up putting real beadboard in it’s place! Also, it removes really easily, with no wall damage, so when you get ready to do your tile it just peels off.
Kim R says
Definitely wait. I don’t think the retrofit will look the same and you will regret it. Just exercise some patience and enjoy the beauty you have now.
Brittany M says
What about SmartTiles? They have a subway version that it pretty cool. I actually am facing the same issue in my kitchen, and this is the option I’m considering. Maybe you could even get them to sponsor a post 🙂 and even throw in a discount for your readers? A girl can hope…. 😀
Laura says
Great ideas!! 🙂 xo, Laura
Lin Dean says
Do the subway tile after you get the new counter tops, definitely.
Cookie says
Hi would wait and do all at the same time! I like it this way
Jennifer says
I think it looks very nice. Enjoy the Sea Salt and just wait.
Teresa says
If it were me, I would wait til I could do it all at once.
Barb V. says
Wait and do the backsplash and counters at same time. For all the reasons above. And did you know Target makes a sort of aqua/gray version of your curtains? Darker than Sea Salt, but might be just fine for your total look.
Laura says
I have seen those, but I’d forgotten about them! Thanks for reminding me – off to check them out! Thank you!!
xo, Laura
Tanya Wersinger says
I love tile, but since you have the mini backspash, I would wait until you change the counter. If you want to protect your area behind the stove, maybe you could put up some type of large decorative (metal) platter or something. your pretty hanging ornament will get splattered with cooking stuff if you cook a lot. Tanya
Kris says
wait. for sure, since you have to start your row at the bottom and work up, and unless the backsplash is the EXACT same height as your tile (including grout lines in calculations etc), it won’t really work out. for an ‘in the meantime’ fix you might try smart tiles.