Kitchen backsplashes with mixed materials offer additional depth and detail to the kitchen design. Combining metal accent tiles with ceramic, glass and slate tiles can give any kitchen backsplash extra appeal.
Styles of Metal Tiles Available
While there are several kinds of metallic field tile on the market, the most versatile style of metal tiles are accent tiles. Metal accent tiles are available in a range of materials, from stainless steel mosaics, to solid bronze tile accents.
Pewter is a common material used in the manufacturing of metal tiles. Pewter tiles can be colored to nearly any finish, and the metal is soft enough to achieve nearly any style or design.
Copper tiles and bronze tiles are frequently made by laying a thin layer over a ceramic backer. Solid bronze or copper tiles are available as well, but in smaller decorative tile forms.
Designing With Pewter Accents
Pewter tiles and pewter accent tiles are among the most decorative of metal accent tiles. Due to its highly moldable nature, pewter tiles can take on many shapes, forms and designs as well as finishes and are fairly inexpensive.
Pewter accent tiles can be used to compliment a variety of kitchen designs. Pair pewter accent tiles with slate tiles for a rustic look, or to give extra pop to a slate kitchen.
For simple kitchen backsplash designs that need just a small additional substance to them, try using a decorative pewter border around the tile behind the cooktop. Lay the tile inside the border in a contrasting pattern to the tile along the counters. White ceramic subway tiles, and handmade tiles work particularly well with this design.
Designing with Bronze Tiles
Bronze tiles, particularly those that are made of solid bronze, have a heavy, visual feel. Pair them with natural stone tiles to ensure compliment this visual heaviness.
Bronze tiles are generally available in multiple finishes, including those made from golden bronze and white bronze. Golden bronze tile works well with warmer finished kitchens. Try pairing golden bronze accent tiles with light yellow, Giallo Meditarrano tumbled marble, warm, natural cherry cabinets and a Giallo Ornamentale counter.
White bronze tiles have a sliver toned cast to them that compliments cooler toned kitchens. Use them as an accent with Blue Pearl granite and Bianco Carrara tiles.
Designing With Copper Tiles
Polished copper accent tiles, with their high, mirror finish can be the perfect accent to glass or ceramic tiles of multiple shapes, sizes and colors. Use them as a bright accent in a modern or transitional kitchen design.
Weathered copper tiles in shades of deep brown or blue green work well in farm house kitchens. Pair them with a weathered copper farmhouse sink and faucet, as well as weathered copper cabinet pulls to complete the look.
Metal accent tiles can be used sparingly in borders, or scattered throughout a kitchen backsplash by cutting them into every four tiles on the corners. Consider the use of metal accent tiles whenever that metal finish is already present in the room, or to simply add additional depth and style to the design.
Sarabeth Asaff - Sarabeth Asaff is a freelance writer and artist with a passion for cooking and good food. Growing up in the kitchen of her Lebanese ...
