White Subway Tile with Dark Grout

As part of my mom's mini kitchen reno last week, she ripped out her old back splash and installed these subway tiles from Home Depot (By herself! She's amazing!).



We decided that a darker grout would both hold up better against staining and would also be a nice way to help the white of the cabinets work with the black of the counter tops.



I also love that it's a tiny bit graphic and a little edgier than plain white grout.



Here are some of my favorite kitchens and baths featuring subway tile with dark grout:


Elle Decor


Elle Decor


Design*Sponge


Steven Gambrel




Anna Spiro


Viking ad


Elle Decor



on

52 comments:

  1. AnnaJuly 29, 2011 at 6:14 AM

    i love the way this looks! and i just forwarded it to MY mom. Happy friday :)

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  2. Lindsay [rookie's nest]July 29, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    it looks amazing! & that's so great that she did it herself!

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  3. Sarah & CarrieJuly 29, 2011 at 6:22 AM

    Really, what is more versatile than white subway tile? I just did a kitchen and we went for white grout, but I love the look you chose here. It definitely adds some "industrial" appeal, which just tends to always look on point!

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  4. FranJuly 29, 2011 at 6:44 AM

    Looks great! I can't believe your mom installed that herself!! I've been enjoying reading the updates on her kitchen.

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  5. UnknownJuly 29, 2011 at 6:46 AM

    It looks amazing! Kudos for a job well done!

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  6. Laurel-Dawn McBurneyJuly 29, 2011 at 7:57 AM

    I love what dark grout can do for white tile! I was really close to using subway tile in my kitchen until I ran across a great steal from Overstock... Here is a link to my kitchen backsplash!

    http://abodelove.blogspot.com/2010/12/100th-post-kitchen-complete.html

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  7. {hooked on hickory}July 29, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    good job mom! wow! i had dark grout in my last house and miss it! hmm, maybe i'm getting the itch!

    ashley

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  8. KatJuly 29, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    Like mother, like daughter! I like the dark grout!

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  9. Trish @TheOldPostRoadJuly 29, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    I prefer the dark grout. Not sure why.
    -Trish

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  10. Angela NJuly 29, 2011 at 8:48 AM

    Love it! I just recently did my backsplash with the white subway tiles from HD too! Such a great impact for such a small amt of money. My whole kitchen was done for about $100! Can't beat that!

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  11. Amy @ FWDJuly 29, 2011 at 8:51 AM

    I love gray grout with white subway tile! I have this on my to-do list for a future bathroom renovation!

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  12. NikkiJuly 29, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    I really love the dark grout...we have dark grout for our 1" hexagon floor tiles (white) in our bathroom. I've never regretted that choice. It does make sense to use the dark grout in the kitchen! Looks great!

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  13. Sarah MillerJuly 29, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    i wish i could do my entire apartment in that tile right now. your mom's kitchen turned out really well, thanks for sharing all of the photos!

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  14. samiJuly 29, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    i'm bookmarking this for the future... thanks for all of the inspo!

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  15. Janis@ Home StyleJuly 29, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    Your mom did a great job. Have you seen what Liz did, at It's great to Be Home, it's fantastic.

    http://itsgreattobehome.net/2011/07/28/whats-going-on-at-the-flip/

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  16. CatherineJuly 29, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    Your mother did a great job. BUT I think this look is very dated - from the 1970s -80s. I would used this in a limited area.

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  17. Jan Hales DesignsJuly 29, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    I love love white subway tiles! Your mom did an amazing job :) Happy Weekend to you!

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  18. R @ Learning As I ChopJuly 29, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    Wow, I love that kitchen with the pots and pans.

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  19. R @ Learning As I ChopJuly 29, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    I meant to say pots and cookbooks!

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  20. Kelly @ View along the wayJuly 29, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    Looks awesome! I don't think I would have liked the white tile and dark grout combo until I saw these pics. I love it! Really digging that pic of all the pans hung on the wall.

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  21. AshleyJuly 29, 2011 at 11:29 AM

    DIY talent really runs in your family, Jenny! The kitchen looks fantastic, and I've definitely been convinced of the transformative powers of dark grout!

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  22. AnonymousJuly 29, 2011 at 11:39 AM

    Looks great!!

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  23. AnonymousJuly 29, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    I love this post and used to love many of your others; however, recently, something has been lacking. I also feel that, if you're going to have sponsored posts, at least use the products in your daily life. You use Apple computers and are advertising for HP.

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  24. AnonymousJuly 29, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    Jenny,

    Since posts weren't allowed on your sponsored story I thought I'd post here. Feel free to get rid of it after you've read it.

    I clicked on the link to follow the ad. One of the links was broken and I couldn't get through. I did get to the John Cleese ads which I thought were wonderful. So it was a fun choice for you your first sponsored "article"

    One suggestion. The story stuck out like a sore thumb simply because it didn't contain one of your gorgeous pictures. Is there ever an option for you to supply an appropriate picture.

    It's a bit jarring to see something so "not Jenny" and a picture might make it feel a bit less strange.

    Keep up the amazing work.

    Love, Heather

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  25. Jenny at LGNJuly 29, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    Thanks for your comments guys! I really like the dark grout too. I love that it's a little bit vintage feeling and also pretty modern. I would totally rock this look in my own kitchen.

    About the sponsored post yesterday - Thank you guys for your patience while I'm trying out this new way of advertising. Again, the idea is for the occasional sponsored post to look and feel like a commercial on tv. Clearly not a part of the regular show, but appears in prime time. Yeah?

    Anon- I think HP is a great company with great products. They are welcome to advertise on my site whenever they want to come back! Thanks for your feedback though.

    j

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  26. BeccaJuly 29, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    I think your mom's is my favorite of them all! Wow!

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  27. Christina Marie InteriorsJuly 29, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    I really like this look with the white subway tile. I think it just makes sense to use a darker grout anyways especially in a kitchen or bath where grout tends to get dirty after a while of use. Your mom is awesome for taking on that project herself! So brave :)

    www.ChristinaMarieInteriors.com

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  28. Donna JoJuly 29, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    Love the dark grout! It makes it look like the real subway :)

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  29. Design CandyJuly 29, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    The more I see this done, the more I love it. I think the dark gray with the white subway tiles is fabulous. Your mom is very talented - it looks great!

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  30. House of ScoutJuly 29, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    I've been kicking around the idea of subway tiles with dark grout, but didn't know if it should go in the bathroom or kitchen? Thank you for all the pictures with the post!

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  31. Tara {The Silver Lining}July 29, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    wow your mom is amazing!! I love the look she did in her kitchen! I'm a fan of subway tiles, but I think the dark grout definitely adds more interest - great post!!

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  32. Cluff FamilyJuly 29, 2011 at 6:52 PM

    I love your mom's kitchen!! She really is an amazing woman!

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  33. JennaJuly 29, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    wow, i love it! we were at her house visiting john and sherawn for memorial day and she was working on the tv room (which i want to see!). she was also talking about painting the cabinets and redoing the backsplash. it turned out SO good! i just love your mom's house :)

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  34. Rebekka SealeJuly 30, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    Wow..this idea is genius! Especially the part about hiding grout stains...love it!

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  35. a little sewingJuly 30, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    Love this post and love your blog! The commercials are A-OK with me. I'd hate to think a person can work as hard as you do, all to barely scrape by. You need to make a good living from your talent and your hard work.
    Keep it up!

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  36. a little sewingJuly 30, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    Oh, and I have one of those amazing moms, too. She is now 77 and she ripped out the subfloor in her bathroom when the installation crew from Home Depot refused to do it. The manager called the next day, apologized and sent the crew back to finish the job. She put them to shame! ha, she still has the spirit.

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  37. JessieJuly 30, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    Subway tiles always look beautiful and have that timeless appeal. What's not to love?

    By the way, I just host a giveaway so stop by and enter for a chance to win a piece of fabulous jewelry of your choice!

    Jessie
    www.mixandchic.com

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  38. Park InteriorsJuly 30, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    looks great!!

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  39. Collins @ Life. Mostly Sweet.July 30, 2011 at 7:18 PM

    it looks great and i'm impressed that your mom did it herself!

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  40. Elisa @ What the VitaJuly 30, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    Yes, yes, and yes! I have the exact SAME counter... we are SO going to be doing this once we tackle our kitchen. Thanks for sharing your mom's awesome tile job!!

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  41. The Beauty VultureJuly 31, 2011 at 12:48 AM

    I wouldn't have gone for dark grout/light tile but it looks great :) Also, I have never been so in love with a claw foot tub! The lime green is amazing! I also like the girly/manly juxtaposition of the mirrors over the double sink. Great post :D

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  42. AnonymousJuly 31, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    Love that dark grout + subway tile combo! That being said, your previous "sponsored post" was terrible! It wasn't written by you and had nothing to do whatsoever with what you blog about. I know you're navigating some unfamiliar territory here, but I think your readers would be more receptive to sponsored posts that are relevant to design/decorating. Other than that, keep the great blog posts coming!

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  43. AnonymousAugust 1, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    Another good pic to post would have been Ross and jeffrey's gym bathroom redo from Million Dollar Decorator's.

    I helped my mom re-do her bathroom and I chose a grey-graphite grout to go along with these same budget friendly Home Depot tiles. I chose it more for the parcticallity of it beacuse it broke my heart to think of my mom obsssesively trying to keep the white grout from turning an icky yellow.

    lavitepetite.wordpress.com

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  44. MeganAugust 1, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    Your mom's kitchen backsplash looks great! It really does tie in the counters and the cabinets. I love the contrast of the black and white.

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  45. Brigette Olmos-ArreolaAugust 1, 2011 at 5:54 PM

    i love subway tile and this looks so good with the dark grout!

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  46. Design FixationAugust 2, 2011 at 1:57 PM

    Love the books arranged by color above the white subway tile.... so fun!

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  47. The Happy MotherAugust 2, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    Thanks so much for this post. We have subway tile and dark grout in our master bath- not by choice- the tile layer said we HAD to do it. It wasn't what I envisioned when I planned the bathroom, so I was pretty disappointed. This post is giving me new perspective! Thanks.

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  48. mydecoAugust 3, 2011 at 12:30 PM

    Looks good, would like to try this with my bathroom, going to try this in my 3D design of the room using mydeco.com's 3D room planner to see if it looks good and then decide from there but in the pictures it does look good thanks for posting!

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  49. Erin @ NonShrinking VioletsAugust 7, 2011 at 6:49 PM

    I did this in our guest bathroom recently!

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  50. Cheryl YauAugust 12, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    I love this look! I recently did the same thing in my bathroom renovation (on my blog if you are interested!). I’m really impressed that your mom tiled it herself though. I’d love to get tips on how to remove old tile and put up new tile. I have an ugly backsplash in my kitchen and I’d love to learn how to a DIY update. Your mom's kitchen looks amazing (love the new art too)

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  51. UnknownAugust 15, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    Oh this looks fabulous! I did exactly the same in my kitchen remodel (still in progress) and I love the look of the white subway tile and dark grey grout. I did the work myself as well and I'll never pay a tiler again - it's so much easier than you'd think :) Well done to your mum!

    More pics of the kitchen will come tomorrow but stop by if you get the chance!

    PS I LOVE your style. Good god, woman, you have some serious taste.

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  52. Kitchen BenchtopsOctober 20, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    Wow that is an amazing transformation, I love it all especially the bathroom, I would never want to leave there!

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I so appreciate hearing from you. Nice comments make my day! Thanks for keeping things light here, friends! :)