TL;DR
A kitchen featured in season 5, episode 4 of Fixer to Fabulous used patterned Moroccan zellige tile instead of a conventional white subway backsplash. The handmade tile offers color and texture, but can cost more, be less uniform and require professional installation.
Dave and Jenny Marrs showcased a farmhouse kitchen with a handmade Moroccan zellige backsplash in season 5, episode 4 of HGTV’s Fixer to Fabulous, offering a patterned alternative to the familiar white subway tile. The design pairs cream cabinets and a light-blue island with square tiles decorated in clay-colored lines and dark-blue stars.
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The backsplash is identified as resembling Tiles of Ezra Moroccan Zellige Estela Mosaic, although the identification is not presented as confirmed by the Marrses or the tile maker. Its glossy surface, handcrafted look and repeating geometric pattern make it a prominent feature against the kitchen’s lighter cabinetry. The square layout also gives the wall a more continuous, wallpaper-like appearance than rows of rectangular subway tile, offering inspiration for farmhouse kitchen backsplash tiles.
In a blog post about the renovation, Jenny Marrs said her client liked farmhouse style, so the team selected cream-colored cabinets, a light-blue island and a farmhouse-inspired backsplash. Marrs wrote that she loved the detail and color of the handmade tiles and described the finished kitchen as “cozy and joyful.”
Zellige tiles are made by hand and come in different colors and patterns, according to the renovation write-up. Their reflective finish can bring visual variation to a backsplash, while the source describes them as heat-resistant. The particular example uses muted colors, but the range of available designs means homeowners would need to select a pattern and palette that work with their cabinets and walls.
A farmhouse backsplash beyond subway tile
A Fixer to Fabulous kitchen paired handmade Moroccan zellige with cream cabinets and a light-blue island. The look brings pattern and texture, along with added installation and care considerations.
The featured design
In season 5, episode 4, a square mosaic with clay-colored lines and dark-blue stars became the kitchen’s focal point.
A wallpaper-like wall
The repeating geometric design gives the backsplash a continuous, decorative feel.
Color kept in balance
Cream cabinets and a light-blue island temper the tile’s warm and dark-blue details.
Handmade variation
Gloss and surface variation add texture to the farmhouse setting.
The trade-offs
The handmade character can affect both project planning and everyday upkeep.
- Distinctive pattern and color
- Reflective, handcrafted surface
- A focal point against lighter cabinetry
- May cost more than mass-produced tile
- Irregular shapes can complicate installation and cleaning
- Professional installation is often advised
Before choosing a tile
Check the details for the specific product and kitchen.
View tile beside cabinet and wall colors in the kitchen’s lighting.
Confirm care, heat performance, variation and availability with the supplier.
Ask an installer to include both tile and installation costs.
A More Distinctive Farmhouse Backsplash
The example shows how a backsplash can shape a farmhouse kitchen’s appearance without relying on the standard white subway tile. Here, pattern, color and handmade variation give the wall a focal role while the cream cabinets and light-blue island keep the overall palette restrained. For readers planning a renovation, it offers one specific design direction rather than a claim that subway tile is outdated or unsuitable.
The trade-offs matter as much as the look. Handmade tiles may vary in shape, which can make installation and cleaning more demanding, and they can cost more than mass-produced alternatives. The write-up says they often call for professional installation, a factor that can affect both budget and schedule. The style may suit a kitchen where texture and a decorative surface are priorities, but it is not necessarily the simplest choice for a do-it-yourself project.
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The Marrses’ Kitchen Design
White subway tile has been a familiar backsplash choice for more than a century, associated with a clean, hygienic appearance. Its straightforward shape and neutral color make it a common fit for builder-grade kitchens. The Marrses’ renovation provides a contrast: rather than use a plain rectangular tile, the kitchen uses a decorative square mosaic that combines a glossy finish with a star-and-line pattern.
The design remains within a farmhouse palette through its cream cabinetry, blue island and warm, muted tile colors. Handmade surface variation also connects the backsplash to the natural materials and textures often used in farmhouse interiors. The cited renovation blog records Marrs’s description of the client’s preference and the design choices; it does not establish that this style is right for every farmhouse kitchen or provide project costs.
““[My client] likes farmhouse style, so we went with cream-colored cabinets, a light blue shade on the island and a farmhouse-inspired tile for the backsplash.””
— Jenny Marrs, in a blog post about the renovation
Tile Costs and Care Details
The renovation description does not give the backsplash’s final cost, installation time or maintenance routine. It says handmade zellige tiles can cost more than mass-produced tile and may be harder to clean because shapes are not always uniform, but provides no figures or comparison across products. The precise tile identification is also framed as an apparent match, not a confirmed product specification.
Performance and upkeep can depend on the particular tile and installation. Although the description characterizes zellige as heat-resistant, it does not provide product-specific ratings, sealing instructions or guidance for cleaning the featured mosaic. Homeowners would need to check those details with a tile supplier or installer before choosing a product.
Planning a Zellige Installation
Anyone considering this look can start by comparing tile samples with cabinet and wall colors, since the pattern and glaze may read differently under a kitchen’s lighting. Before ordering, ask the supplier for product-specific guidance on care, heat performance, variation and availability, and request a written estimate that includes both tile and installation costs.
Because the pieces may be irregular and the installation can require specialized work, the renovation write-up advises that professional installation is often needed. The next practical step is to discuss layout, cleaning expectations and the project budget with a qualified tile installer. The account does not identify a follow-up renovation or a further announcement from the Marrses.
Source: rss
Key Questions
What backsplash did Dave and Jenny Marrs use?
They featured a handmade Moroccan zellige mosaic with clay-colored lines and dark-blue stars in a kitchen on Fixer to Fabulous. The renovation description says it appears to be Tiles of Ezra Moroccan Zellige Estela Mosaic, but does not confirm the product identification.
Why might zellige tile suit a farmhouse kitchen?
Its handcrafted variation, glossy finish and decorative pattern can add texture and color to a farmhouse palette. The featured kitchen paired the tile with cream cabinets and a light-blue island.
Is zellige tile easy to install and clean?
Not necessarily. Handmade pieces may not be uniform, which can make installation more involved and cleaning harder. The renovation write-up says zellige often requires professional installation; product-specific care instructions should be checked before purchase.
Does zellige tile cost more than subway tile?
The renovation write-up says handmade zellige can cost more than mass-produced tile, but it gives no prices or direct cost comparison. Installation costs can also affect the total, so homeowners should request an estimate.
Source: hunker.com
