Oyster Gray Grout
We’re steadily moving forward with the kitchen renovation, making progress one step at a time. Although the contractors are handling most of the work, I’m actively supervising, making decisions and occasionally changing my mind as things progress. That’s just part of the process.
Here’s a quick update on what’s new.
The grout for the subway tile was installed yesterday and the color turned out exactly as I hoped. While it’s still hard to picture the final result since the cabinets and trim aren’t painted and several finishing touches remain, the grout already adds warmth and ties the space together. Overall, things are coming along nicely.
I’ve had questions about our grout choice, so here are the details. I wanted a subtle gray tone that wouldn’t read cold or too dark. We chose Polyblend Oyster Gray #386. I prefer a narrow grout line because it looks cleaner and is easier to maintain. Oyster Gray provides a gentle, slightly warm gray that adds a bit of texture and a subdued, aged look—similar in tone to one of my wall colors, Studio Taupe.
If you’re worried about grout maintenance in a kitchen, it’s not as big an issue as it seems. A narrow grout joint, a color other than bright white, and a good grout sealer will minimize staining and make upkeep straightforward. Even white grout can be kept clean with a sealer and routine care.
Danze Faucet
We also had the faucet installed yesterday, and I love it. The faucet is by Danze and feels well-made for the price. A second faucet for the water filter, still stainless, will be added later. There’s a small control to the right of the main faucet related to the dishwasher that was new to me. Also, the dishwasher installation was delayed because of a broken hose—one of those minor renovation hiccups.
The Danze faucet doesn’t feel as hefty as the Rohl faucet I had in my previous house, but the price difference made it a sensible choice. The finish is chrome since I wanted a bit of shine at the sink; our other appliances are stainless and will stay for budget reasons. While nickel would have been my first choice, chrome works well and keeps costs down. In renovation work, selective compromises can keep the project on budget without sacrificing the overall look.
Zephyr Hood
The vent hood installation is partially complete. The protective white film is still on the hood in the photos, so it looks different than the final stainless finish. The decorative cover around the duct isn’t in place yet, and some wiring is exposed temporarily. The electrical hook-up is scheduled for Wednesday, after which it will be operational.
This hood is a Zephyr, the same brand I used before, but a smaller 30-inch model to match the cooktop size and avoid extra wall or ceiling modifications. I prefer the low-profile look—exposed but not overpowering—so it complements rather than overwhelms the tile backsplash. For ventilation, it’s important to choose a hood at least the width of your range; saving money by going too small usually leads to disappointment.
I like that the hood keeps an industrial feel without dominating the tile wall. For now the tile wall will remain uncluttered and clean; I can always add accessories later, but at this stage I want a simple backdrop to build from.
The remaining tasks include finishing the vent installation, getting the dishwasher in (hopefully this week), and waiting for the painter. After that we’ll tackle cabinet paint, hardware, window treatments, wall paint, pantry touches, flooring, the freestanding island, sconce installation, and additional family room work. It feels like the finish line is still ahead, but the kitchen is becoming functional again with a sink, stove and soon a working dishwasher. The finishing details are the most enjoyable part for me.
I’ll share more updates soon. Right now I’m finalizing the cabinet paint color and selecting hardware, and I’ll post about those choices. Thanks for following along!