Emerald + Aubergine: Note to Self... Tile and how I did it all wrong.

I often make mistakes. Like, practically everyday. I usually learn from them and move on because if I beat myself up every time I made a mistake, I wouldn't be able to get out of bed in the morning!
There are days though, when I make a really big Homer "dooooh...", and when these moments occur, I make a mental "note to self..."

Today's "note to self" was kind of a big one and I just thought I'd share to save all you fabulous designers out there from falling into a trap:

09/14/11 - Note to Self:
When selecting tile that comes with a paper backing and the tile company offers the option to create a custom blend, PAY THE EXTRA to get the custom blend done at the factory. (Especially when the client can afford it) Self, DO NOT attempt to make your own blend by hand, in the field just because you think you know just the right ratio to make the tile look spectacular and just-so. You don't, you numbskull! Furthermore, getting the tile pre-blended in the future will aid in retaining more friendships with your tile contractors, because guess what? The client will NEVER, EVER appreciate the time you took to "custom blend" their backsplash which will be hidden from view by cereal boxes and countertop appliances two weeks after the big reveal anyway.

This is how it all went down.

Day One: (yesterday)
Here is the design I did for a kitchen backsplash. I worked closely with the tile guy and we did a pretty good job. Yes, I had to lay out the entire pattern first to make sure that the joints were perfectly matched because I'm insanely anal that way, but at this point, it was coming along smoothly, just the way I imagined. I felt really good and design-y yesterday. It was also kind of fun to get my hands dirty even though the thin-set was drying my fingers out and cutting the glass tiles was tedious.

Day Two: (today)

The tile is pretty much in place. The pattern looks good. We remove most of the paper backing and cardboard shims and we install most of the final pieces that need to be cut around the cabinetry... I know you can't see it in these pictures, but the larger running bond pattern is in a matte silk finish. The little vertical chicklettes are an iridescent pearl finish. My goal is to replace some of the larger bricks with iridescent bricks of the same size, thus creating the "custom blend." In hindsight, what an idiot...

Precision cuts around cabinetry... Can we say, "thank you inventor of the tile-cutter?!?!"

Three hours later... I mark all the tiles that need to be "removed" and replaced with the iridescent ones to form the "custom blend." (blue tape)

Up until now, it's been kind of a pain, but okay... I wouldn't want to do this everyday because my back hurts from hunching over, but nothing compares to what happens next.

This is when things go south... What I realize waaaay too late is that since the thin-set has dried over-night, it is nearly impossible to remove the tiles that I want. It wasn't just a matter of popping the tiles out with a fingernail and popping the new tiles in. (That was what I was thinking in my head.)

The tile guy and I hammer and smash through the first few tiles, then we resort to a 2 step process of a small rotary blade to cut the tiles off the wall and break down some of the thin-set, then a hammer and chisel to smooth the holes out of caked on thin-set. Consequently some of the little chicklettes and larger tiles fall off and I have to replace them one by one. FRICK-ity-FRACK! A royal waste of time, not to mention a royal pain. I am sure the tile guy hates me at this point as he mixes another batch of thin-set for my sorry ass.

Two more hours later, we have removed all the tiles and the excess dried thin-set. Now we have to remove individual iridescent tiles from their paper backing and set them one by one and level them with tiny plastic shims. "Is it just me?" I whine to the tile guy... "I can't even tell if they are matte silk or iridescent at this point!" I am pissed. I know he is too, but he just smiles and says, "Kayo, don't worry, it will look better tomorrow when the grout goes in..." What a sweet soul.