Manufactured Homes and Germane Materials 04: Kitchen Backsplashes | TMH 014
In this post I am going to talk about germane backsplash materials for Manufactured Homes (MH), and look at specific products and materials on the market that I find to be in keeping with a mid century aesthetic style. This is a continuation of the discussion started in TMH 004, TMH 010, and TMH 011.
I would like to mention at this point that I have not used any of theses materials or products at this time, I cannot vouch for quality, nor am I in contact with the manufacturers, sellers or distributors.
As I stated in an earlier post, I am opposed to backsplashes. I don’t think they are consistent with mid century modern design, and they are are not frequently found in MHs in the same form one would see them in conventional homes (more about that in a moment). But, then the question arises: how does one have a water and grease impervious wall without tile, stone, or Formica? The answer is Venetian Plaster. This idea came from the blog Do Design Yourself, whose Venetian Plaster kitchen backsplash is shown above. The product they used Marmorino Hydro from Atova.
One issue I have with backsplashes is where do they end and where do they start? How high do they go up? To the underside of the upper cabinets? To the ceiling? How wide should it be? The width of the cabinets? To the adjacent wall? Well, tile can be expensive, so filling an entire wall with it can be pricey. But Venetian Plaster is much cheaper - and look at the big blue color block! Great right? It’s in Rentsch House by Richard Neutra.
This is the type of backsplash that is germane to MHs - vinyl on gypsum wall panels. Easy to clean, impervious to moisture and oil, and the ugliest thing ever. The reason that wall panels are used as opposed to plaster or drywall it that it is lighter and will survive transportation from the factory to site much better. If the given MH is on the site, and likely to stay there; and if the kitchen is to the side and not on the center of a double wide, there shouldn’t be an issue with using plaster or a tile.
I’ve talked a good deal about faux panels of various finishes - please see TMH 011 - stacked stone, cinder block, brick, bamboo, and even lava rock. I think all those would be too chunky and big for a kitchen backsplash. Coral Stone on the other hand I could see working. It is from Faux Panels and is completely weather proof.
Wood can be another choice, but it needs to be moisture proof. One such product - that must be used thoughtfully, especially when paired with wood cabinets - are Planks from inhabit. They are textured and printed faux wood, peel-and-stick 36” X 6” planks. Inhabit also makes a peel-and-stick metal edge for when ending a wall of Planks or turning a corner.
The last backsplash possibility is peel-and-stick vinyl wallpaper. It is basically VOG, without the G. For myself I would buy from Spoonflower (where you could also design your own and have them print it!). Go crazy, be bold! The designs above are Lemon Botanical and Bloomin’ Lovely - Kentucky Spring from Peacoquette Designs.
So, you insist on tile. Okay, fine - I don’t know why you are reading this blog if you don’t want to listen to what I have to say. But please remember this - MH wall are sometimes much thinner than those found in a conventional home, and may not be able to support a good deal of tile. Beyond that, I will in a future post list some of my favorite tile manufacturers - like ModCraft above.
UPDATES AND CORRECTIONS:
Date/Subject
N/A
IMAGES:
TOP TO BOTTOM - LEFT TO RIGHT
Bass House (Case Study House No. 20) (1958) By architects Conrad Buff, Calvin Straub, Donald Hensman. Image via Cabinetmagazine.org
