Our Blue And White Kitchen Tile: Vintage-Inspired
SEE HOW WE USED BLUE AND WHITE KITCHEN TILE TO CREATE A VINTAGE-INSPIRED BACKSPLASH OVER OUR RANGE WITH TIMELESS CHARM.
When we began planning our recent kitchen renovation, I knew I wanted to include elements that felt classic and full of character. Here is one of the design boards I made early on in the process.
Another decision I made early on was to pick an overall color scheme for the house so that it would be cohesive throughout. Of course, warm white and wood tones are what I always stick to. But to add some color, I wanted to incorporate blues and greens in moderation.
Those are two colors I never tire of, and I feel they’re never trendy but always classic.
I shared a lot about the process of picking bathroom tiles here on the blog, but I never shared much about what I was thinking for our kitchen tile. The tile I chose was also one of the very first decisions I made, and I never wavered from this choice, though it was one of the last things I ordered.
custom kitchen range hood
The reason the kitchen tile was ordered last was because I had to wait for the custom range hood to be built. The range hood was a feature I was clear on from the start. I knew I wanted something that would have to be custom-built. Fortunately, our builder has a very talented carpenter on his team, and he was able to build this for me.
It’s amazing how many tiny decisions go into each element of a home during construction. Take the range hood, for example, we had to decide how far the sides should extend, how deep it should be, and how tall to make the opening. Every inch felt like a deliberate choice.
We extended the sides of the range hood just a few inches to create space on the counter for everyday essentials like a spoon rest or utensils. At the same time, we kept the depth shallow to avoid it feeling cave-like
We chose a range hood fan insert that sits flush inside the top of the hood, keeping it completely hidden from view.
The small window you see was something I asked to be included. I wanted to let light in from that side of the kitchen, and it was also an opportunity to add a quirky detail similar to something you might see in an older house. After much searching, I found the window on marketplace for only $10.
Our Blue and White Delft Inspired Kitchen Tile
Our blue and white kitchen tile backsplash is one of the features I’m most excited to share. Inspired by antique Delft tiles, this patterned tile brings a charming vintage feel to our space.
One of my favorite tile companies on Instagram, ARTO Brick, is known for their beautifully crafted tiles with a natural, earthy feel, which is exactly why I’ve always been drawn to them. So when I was browsing their website and stumbled across this stunning blue and white patterned tile, I knew it would be perfect for our kitchen.
The design is reminiscent of vintage Delft tiles. I did ask them to deepen the blue slightly—I was aiming for a richer navy tone, more in line with the antique blue and white plates I’ve been gathering for the new house, rather than the softer blue-gray it originally featured
The above photo shows the difference. The bottom tile is the standard color, and the top is the sample they darkened for me.
Choosing this tile was an instant yes for me, but the pattern had me stumped. They had different images to pick from, as well as plain tiles with patterned corners. This offers an endless number of options for the pattern!
As I mentioned, it’s amazing how something that looks so simple ends up needing a dozen decisions behind the scenes!
Choosing The Pattern For OUr Blue and white kitchen tile
My first thought was to go with only the floral pattern. Here is one of my Photoshop renderings of that.
I liked it, but felt it was a bit too busy. Then I made another rendering with only solid tiles, no images.
Though I loved this simple look, I kept experimenting. Another thing I loved about this tile was the slight variations in the colors, further adding to the vintage look.
In the third round, I included a mix of images. Adding the mixed images felt right to me. Especially because each image we chose has meaning to us. For example, both our fathers were big deer hunters, so the deer are in tribute to them.
After using the willow tile in our small bathroom in a random pattern, I realized that it’s a look I love. So I ordered the tile and made the pattern more random before installation.
Here is how that looked when I laid it out on the floor.
Why we chose blue and white kitchen tile
When I came across this patterned tile that instantly reminded me of old Delft tiles, I knew it was the one. Those delicate designs and soft, muted blues were exactly the vintage look I had in mind
I’ve always been drawn to the classic combination of blue and white in kitchen design. It feels both fresh and nostalgic, with a crisp contrast that brightens up any space. After finding this blue and white kitchen tile with a hand-painted look reminiscent of English country kitchens, nothing else compared.
It checked all the boxes for me. It’s classic, yet not boring. And it fits in with my original color scheme and works to enhance a more historic look.
How the blue and white tile enhanced our kitchen
Installing the blue and white kitchen tile backsplash instantly added personality and warmth. The patterned tile serves as a focal point, especially since we paired it with simple off-white cabinetry and natural wood accents.
For our range, we went with a stainless steel model with brass knobs. I considered a white range but thought with the off white cabinets, a bright white stove could have looked slightly off. Since we already had a stainless steel fridge, sticking with that finish made sense.
Interesting to note, while searching for the best range, I also discovered you can buy brass knobs for existing stoves! You can also buy brass knobs with a matching handle (for a 30″ range, check out this set of knobs) if you want to switch it all out. I thought that was pretty cool!
The brass knobs work so well with our antique brass cabinet pulls and cabinet knobs.
The tile’s subtle pattern adds interest without overwhelming the space, and it feels inviting. It’s a small detail that makes a big impact in our kitchen.
Tips for choosing blue and white kitchen tile
When choosing blue and white kitchen tile, here are a few things to consider.
Look for authentic details: Tiles inspired by antique or vintage patterns often have slight variations that give them a hand-painted look.
Think about scale: A smaller pattern may feel busier, while larger motifs can create a bold statement.
Pair thoughtfully: Blue and white tile pairs beautifully with warm metals (like brass or copper), natural woods, and soft white or cream cabinetry.
Sample before committing: Order a few tile samples and see how they look in your lighting and with the other elements of your kitchen.
sources and where to find similar tiles
We sourced our tile through Short Hills Tile here in NJ. If you’re on the hunt for blue and white kitchen tile, here are a few places to look:
- If you’re not local, look up ARTO Brick and see which tile shops near you carry their brand.
- For genuine Delft tile, check Etsy or eBay.
- Search on Facebook Marketplace for genuine or reproduction Delft tile.
As you can see, we did not continue the tile for the entire kitchen backsplash; that would have been too much. The plan was to add a beadboard backsplash in the rest of the kitchen, but that seemed to get pushed off during construction. My husband and I will eventually add that ourselves.
I’m not in a hurry to add many details to the house just yet. I want to take my time and be very thoughtful on each one. Having only this tile about the stove makes it feel like a work of art.
Final thoughts on our Delft-inspired kitchen tile
Adding a blue and white kitchen tile backsplash gave our kitchen the character and charm we were hoping for. It’s proof that sometimes, a small design choice can truly help to anchor the whole space.
I noticed after I had decided on this tile early on that blue and white kitchen tile started becoming more popular on Instagram. Although this now seems to be a rising trend, blue and white tile will always be a timeless option to consider.
Our kitchen isn’t 100% done yet. We are missing a panel for our dishwasher door (that’s a long story), and we eventually will get an island. I am searching for an antique wooden island, so it might take a little while to find a perfect fit. I want to warm up the space a bit more with wood tones so it feels more like a true country kitchen.
I’ll share more on that as it progresses. Watch for another post soon about our vintage-style kitchen sink. It’s one of my absolute favorite things in the entire house!
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