Amanda Walker Shares Her DIY Green Tile Backsplash’s Secrets

There’s something about taking on a project in uncharted territory that speaks to the heart of a true DIYer. For Amanda Walker of Dwell Aware, that project was her outdated kitchen. She didn’t let the fact that she was pregnant during the remodel and had never installed mosaic tiles before intimidate her–with a clear vision and our pre-sheeted Mosaic Tile in hand, Amanda transformed her kitchen by installing a lush green tile backsplash that breathed new life into her home.

We chatted with Amanda about working with our budget-friendly Manzanita Tile, why she went for a green tile backsplash, and her top tips for other tile DIYers. Keep reading for the full interview.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your design background?

While my undergraduate degree is in Urban Design and Planning (designing cities, roads, parks, etc), I have been drawn to interior design since I was a little girl, cutting out floor plans and inspiration photos from home decor magazines as early as 5 years old, and piecing them together to create mood boards. Life has taken me on a journey since then, but I have always had a passion for creating and living in a space that is cohesive, creatively thought out, and has a little bit of edge and depth in terms of what’s trending and fun in the design world.

What led you into the world of DIY? Did you have a “eureka” moment that got you started?

As a first time home buyer, I had a deep desire to make our outdated home feel like ours, cozy, functional, and welcoming. I started using paint to transform my spaces with murals, painting cabinets, etc, and then I started picking up power tools for the first time in my life. It was so empowering, and slowly I have been able to bring my design visions to life in our home.

I would say one of my major eureka moments was the first time I used a power saw because I had an idea to make a DIY TV cover, so our old TV wasn’t such an eyesore in our room all the time. With scrap wood and a quick lesson from my husband (he had just started learning 6 months earlier), I was able to build a cool shelf to go over the TV, that dropped down a tapestry to cover the TV when it wasn’t in use.

We’re completely in awe of you tackling a kitchen renovation while pregnant! Can you share the story behind this reno?

I had been dreaming of this renovation for 7 years. Our kitchen was majorly lacking on counter space and character, and I had hopes of turning a side of the kitchen that was empty into a full second side of the kitchen with a banquette in the bay window area for a breakfast nook, a spot for a coffee station, and an area for a desk nook. It felt ambitious but I was ready to go for it. I always handle my pregnancy better when I am able to stay active in it and have some goals to accomplish, so the renovation was a great way to do that! I would have loved to have finished everything before our baby made her way here, but it was a big project, so we finished up after the birth and soaking in those sweet newborn weeks.

The 3x3 Manzanita backsplash in your space is a show-stopper. What made you fall for this particular tile and color?

It is such a gorgeous color, and I felt like it would be very soothing in the kitchen. The 3x3 shape is such a great shape that adds interest to the eye yet it is still very structured and geometric. The glossy sheen also made the room feel a little more fancy!

Our Mosaic Tile comes pre-sheeted–how did this feature play into your process? Did it make installation a bit smoother?

With how much tiling I planned for the space - 4 walls: two full and two half walls - I really wanted a mosaic to make the installation easier. This was my first time using a mosaic and it was so easy to work with. I was actually pretty shocked about it, because this was my first time attempting to tile a backsplash, and the mosaic made the install very smooth to accomplish. It was easy to cut the glue for around outlets, wall transitions, etc, and the lines turned out so straight and beautiful.

Do you have any tips or tricks for DIY enthusiasts looking to work with Fireclay’s tile?

This is my third space to use Fireclay tile in, and it really is my favorite. You can always find a huge variety of gorgeous colors and amazing shapes. Since it is handmade, each piece is unique, which can make sizes vary a bit, so you want to make sure you read the specs sheets Fireclay has on their website so you can be prepared with correct spacers and mastic. Also, open a variety of boxes, so you can pull tile from each one and mix up the shade variations.

Sustainability is core to Fireclay’s ethos. How does this value resonate with your own approach to design and renovation?

Sustainability is also an important value to me given the current state our earth is in. It is important to me to take care of the earth and make an impact on how consumerism and constant renovations can negatively affect it. I love to choose brands like Fireclay who are committed to having less harmful impacts on the environment even in the process of how they make their tile. I also try to choose quality materials for room renovations that will be able to last longer and not need to be changed out for a long time.

Looking forward, is there another tile of ours that you’re eyeing for a future project? What draws you to it?

As I mentioned, I loved working with the mosaic, so I have my eye on some fun shapes like the 1x4 Straight Set or 2” Hexagon to bring together a bathroom renovation in some fun colors that are favorites on my list like the Sea Glass, Tumbleweed, and Sandstone.