Backsplash

Here you see a couple of stages of the backsplash—(1) the built up plaster on top of cement board (a second coat of plaster went on after this); (2) the tile on the adhesive and (3) the tile with grout, both close-up and the complete setting. This might look mostly done, but there are still a half dozen things to do, not the least of which is dealing with the missing triangular piece of the original tile in the upper right hand corner. Lilya was surprised by how much better the tile looked when grouted—it gives it an even, consistent look, even though it isn't particularly consistent or even. It makes it look like it's all at the same level, even though it's not. In general, it looks like a picture in a frame with the grout, rather than one without.

Grout went in today, so I'll seal this bad boy tomorrow. Or possibly do a second helping of grout, since some of the grout looks a little sunken to me. Seal grout, then seal edges with silicone caulk, deal with the triangle (I may be able to cut a piece with a hacksaw—my hand-held tile cutter can't cut tile this small on a diagonal), and then there are some other issues to attend to—including paint. It'll be at least another week!