Help me make decisions about tiles!

[IkeaYoukea]

I like the industrial/modern rustic style. The kitchen is Ikea Varde units like this pic.

I can't decide what to do with the walls. White metro tiles are everywhere, and I'm worried they'll be a fad. The extractor and oven are black, the fridge and dishwasher are white. The floor will be oak.

I'm considering painting the drawer fronts/cupboard doors in F&B Railings.

I looked on Johnsons' website and found the tiles (circuitous route via an online retailer I got samples from, one of which was the same as the Topps tile, but smaller) then emailed them and asked if I could buy direct from them without going to their factory outlet store in Stoke. I also checked they were the same tile, first quality and the lead time.

They quoted me a price based on square metres needed plus a delivery charge. The tiles were in stock in their outlet and I could choose my delivery date - it was basically a next day delivery. Tiles arrived as planned on a pallet all wrapped up.

Even with the delivery charge they were just under £30 psm. The staff at Johnsons were really helpful and responsive.

Bathroom man has tiled most of one wall so far. I am pleased with my choice.

ikea that wallpaper is good. I hope very much you will share pics of your kitchen when it's done. I'm intrigued what the effect will be like, I think it will be very very good.
I'm planning a new kitchen and so weary of all the featureless blockiness I keep seeing. I find it dreary.
So although I'm anti - municipal,and also anti gestalt test type tiling, I'm in favour of your general swimming pool theme. The speedoes will go very well, at an interesting tangent, with your wallpaper. Like a Kondo Kitchen, it will bring you joy.

I like your thoughts on colour scheme Ikea. Not dissimilar to the kitchen in our old house which I had put in. We had matt white metro tile splash backs, black quartz look work tops and a ceramic tiled floor which had textured grey granite look tiles (the floor tiles were gorgeous). Same colour units and I painted the walls a pale blue/green colour. It felt clean, was warm and restful. Not as stylish as yours will be, but I loved it.

Ha ha! I shall be doing the washing up Ethel Merman style.

What is featureless blockiness?

When you say you're intrigued, hopefully I'm not doing anything 'brave' or 'controversial'.

Here's a question, if I go the municipal swimming pool route and the tiles stop mid way up the wall, what trim would I use? Or would a skilful line of sealant/calk look better? Depending on size, those tiles are 0.65cm or 1cm thick.

Featureless blockiness in (non)action:

I'd go for either metal edging (to match drawer and cupboard handles) or none.

If there's no edging does it not look weird that you see the biscuit edge of the tile? Wouldn't it look unfinished? Actually, wow, if you have some in your grasp at the moment, could you tell me what the edge of them looks like? I'm guess the glaze doesn't go right across the edge.

Right, yes, Belleview, I see what you mean. I'm not really into the glossy sleek look for a kitchen.

Ikea - I will have a look this evening and let you know, possibly with photo.

Good to know re the Johnsons tiles, I really like their hexagon ones.

And OP I love the wallpaper!

Yes, I love this hexagonal range from Johnson.

The glaze goes to the edges and over in places, but not uniformly so. I guess it depends whether you can see the top edge?

Thanks, ace reporter. Yep, you'd see the top edge, as I'd be going to about 60cm above the worktop and there are no wall cabinets. Hhm, will have a think. The handles are what's on the cabinets in my first pic, they're satin finish stainless steel, so I really wouldn't want shiny shiny.

You can get tile trims in that finish I'm pretty sure.

Why don't manufacturers make trim to match the tiles? Boo!

I know - bloody Fired Earth do some.