What colour splash back - HELP!!

[tak1ngchances]

Our bathroom is at this minute being re-tiled in a lovely yellowy-beige limestone. The tiles are v large and it is looking lovely.
I had picked out a plain cheapy white tile for the splash back behind our sink. The wall there will be painted brilliant white and I wanted something that would blend in and not be a feature, just a practicality.
However, this morning I showed them to the tiler who was absolutely horrified and said they would cheapen the bathroom and ruin the look of it all. Our limestone tiles were v expensive so I kind of see his point.
I have today to find and buy new tiles or a glass splash back to go there. Mumsnetters PLEASE HELP I cannot do creativity or inspiration under pressure!!!!

Can you not use the same tiles (cut down) as splashback? Or complementary mosaic ones? Have a look at the shop where you bought your limestone as they may have wall tiles designed to match.

A sage green colour? I love this just now.

We don't have enough tiles to do it the same and the order time is 3 weeks... Sage green! Never would have thought of that. Do you think it'd be nice with yellowy beige floor tiles and white painted walls?

I would go for something contrasting rather than trying to match. I agree with your tiler that cheapy white would not work brilliantly.

The key with colour, I think, is to get the tonal values the same - and then you can use any colour. Can you take a piece of your limestone to a tile shop today? I imagine sage green would work well, or dusky pink (think F&B cinder rose) or magenta or deep lilac/violet. Even teal or petrol blue - depending on the tones in your limestone.

Here is a link to the limestone tiles: tiles

Sorry but I can't link directly to our tiles, they are called Salem Gold Honed limestone if anyone has the time/energy to look for them.

I was thinking perhaps aqua green? To make it fresh and vibrant. But I do like the idea of sage and found some nice ones on topps website square metro

There's a lime green glass one on that site which I really like. I dunno if aqua might look a wee bit dated?

If you can't use the same limestone I would get a plain glass splashback. I think using different tiles will look a bit naff regardless what colour they are.

OK I am hearing the glass splashback. I might get a v plain one so it doesn't date...

Are you using the Salem gold tiles on your floor and shower / walls?

I think another type of tile would be a bit naff. I would be inclined to use the same tile, cut down, with a silver edging thingy. What size of splash back are you doing? i.e. just a couple of tiles high, or full cooker splash back size? If it is just a couple of tiles high, surely there would be sufficient off-cuts from the main job to do it?

Also, have you painted the walls yet? White might look too stark against the warmth of your tiles (which are very nice btw)

Yes using Salem gold on floor and bath surround. Agree white might be a bit stark but I hate creamy coloured paint in bathrooms because it clashes with white suites.

I can't get more Salem tiles in time to make a splashback out of it...it's about 600mm high x 700mm wide, between our sink and our mirrored cabinet

Can you order some more of the same tiles and give the tiler an extra bit of cash to come back and do that for you in a couple of weeks?

I know it's a bit of a pain, but better to do it right?

I agree that cream can look a bit insipid with white suites - it needs something a bit stronger - what about F&B Joa's White or Oxford Stone, both of which we have in our bathrooms with white suites, but they are not overpowering. Hard to tell without seeing the tiles in the flesh, so to speak. Stony Ground may also be good?

rIGHT. We have a solution and an order placed as of this morning! We're having a clear glass splash back with a green-tinted edge. It looks v clean and modern. Thanks ladies for all your help! I may post pics of the finished product (if I can figure out how...)