This Kitchen and Pantry Backsplash Upgrade Put the Finishing Touches on a Stunning DIY Remodel

When Catherine Smith Licari, a finance entrepreneur and creative executive, and her family bought a New Jersey townhouse in February 2020, part of the property’s appeal was that it needed some TLC. 

“The kitchen felt very dated, with honey-colored cabinets and dark appliances,” Smith Licari said. “I took one look at it and thought, ‘Let’s take this back to basics.’”

She wanted to transform the three-bedroom townhouse, located less than a mile from the beach, into a beautiful, intentional space for her mom, who grew up spending her summers in the area. In addition to giving the kitchen a facelift, Smith Licari felt determined to improve the main floor’s biggest issue—the pantry.

“This pantry is right off the kitchen, and it holds the washer, dryer, and water heater, but it’s compact,” she said. “The room was not welcoming, and it was barely functional. And yet your eye would naturally fall on it because it was on the other end of the kitchen.”

The Vision

Smith Licari set out to create a sense of California ease in her mom’s kitchen and pantry areas. “I’m very inspired by California interiors and textures, and I wanted to create the fresh feel of a beach environment by bringing in warm, white-washed textures,” she said. 

Before digging into the kitchen remodel details, Smith Licari tackled some larger projects on her own, including painting the cabinets, installing stainless steel appliances, and upgrading the sink hardware. To improve the function of the pantry, she also added a butcher-block countertop and pre-made cabinets for additional storage. 

To tie together the look of the kitchen and pantry, Smith Licari wanted to add a neutral backsplash that would stand the test of time. She created various mood boards to present her mom with a few options, and they chose a textured material in the subway tile family. 

“On a practical level, the backsplash just needed a reset,” Smith Licari said. “We wanted to use a tile that would work well against the countertops and would be a nice baseline.”

Picking the Right Pro 

Smith Licari had a specific deadline for the backsplash project, as she wanted it to be complete by the time she and her mom hosted her bridal shower at the upgraded townhouse. With a firm deadline in mind, she researched a few pros in the Angi network before reaching out for a project quote. 

She chose a pro in the Angi network because he had positive reviews and communicated well before scheduling the installation date. “He asked questions upfront that made me feel like he was prepared for the job, which made me feel comfortable hiring him,” Smith Licari said.

Smith Licari recommends that homeowners interested in hiring a pro for their home improvement projects reserve the service about 30 days in advance. “They are called pros for a reason—they have busy schedules, too,” she said. “Being realistic about your timeline for looking for a contractor is important, and it’ll help you find the pro that’s the right fit for the job.”

How It Went

This one-day backsplash project came together quickly thanks to thorough communication and careful planning.

Materials Selection

Smith Licari chose and ordered the textured, cream-colored tiles ahead of the installation, including a set of bullnose tiles to wrap around the corners of the walls. The pro stopped by the townhouse prior to the service date to ensure everything was set for the install date.

“I had the supplies ready in my garage, so he came by to ensure I had the necessary tools, which was very helpful,” she said.

Tile Installation

On the day of the backsplash installation, Smith Licari was at her home in New York City while her mom oversaw the project. Ideally, homeowners should install tile before hanging cabinets, but that isn’t always possible, like with this project. Smith Licari said she appreciated that the pro was very communicative over text to collaborate on a solution.

“He ran into a few challenges when making the installation related to placing tiles when working with cabinets that are already up,” she said. “It’s great when a pro can anticipate the decisions that need to be made and loop you into each decision.”

Over the course of the day, the pro removed the existing backsplash from the kitchen area, replaced it with the new tile, and added backsplash tile to the pantry. 

“It’s nice when the pro brings a sense of design and an eye for detail to a project,” Smith Licari said. “That way, they can say, ‘You can do it this way or that way—which one do you prefer?’ I always have a preference, so it’s great to be asked.”

The Big Reveal: What She Loves

After a whirlwind day of backsplash removal and installation, Smith Licari and her mother reveled in the finished product.

Smith Licari said she’s proud of how the project turned out and is especially excited about the pantry’s transformation. “It gives dignity to this forgotten room that you otherwise would’ve wanted to close the doors on,” she said. “Plus, it makes the overall kitchen feel bigger.”

The formerly cramped, impractical space now has enough room to fold laundry, store pantry items, and even act as a staging area for parties. Plus, Smith Licari said she loves how the backsplash ties the look of the kitchen and pantry together.

“I wanted my mom to feel like every part of her home felt beautiful, intentional, and special for her,” she said. “I didn’t want any chore or task to feel anything other than elevated.”

Tips for Working With a Pro on a Backsplash Installation

Every home improvement project is a learning experience; luckily, Smith Licari is ready to share her tips for homeowners tackling similar backsplash tasks.

Be On-Site During the Installation

While Smith Licari and the pro communicated well via text during the backsplash installation, she recommends being home to oversee the process whenever possible. 

“Sometimes things aren’t level or exactly how you pictured, so being there to make adjustments is crucial,” she said. 

Act As a Project Manager

It can feel intimidating to make decisions about a home improvement project if you’re unfamiliar with the steps involved in the task. That’s why Smith Licari recommends approaching each project from the point-of-view of a project manager—researching the necessary steps and preparing to communicate with the pro using terms specific to your project.

“You don’t have to be a professional interior designer to take these projects seriously and run them like a project manager,” she said. “Visuals and taste are subjective, so having an open and direct dialogue with your pro about placement and width of grout is crucial.”

Present the Pro With Reference Photos 

Since pros look to homeowners for design direction on each project, it’s helpful to supply reference photos for what you envision for the final result. Smith Licari compares the process to working with a hair or makeup artist. “You should communicate with a home improvement pro the same way that you would communicate how you want your eyeliner or haircut to look,” she said.

Plus, using reference photos during the planning stage can help ensure that you and your pro are on the same page about the desired outcome. 

“Use images to tell them about the specific details you love, like the grout on this tile or the way the cabinets are set,” Smith Licari said. “That will help the pro determine what you want, and they can tell you whether or not it’ll work in your home.”

The Takeaway

As evidenced by Smith Licari’s successful backsplash upgrade, thorough planning and collaboration with your pro can result in a day-to-night home transformation. And now, Smith Licari and her mom can sit back, admire their handiwork, and enjoy the beach-inspired kitchen and pantry for years to come.

“When I was in high school, I painted my bedroom a very dramatic and intense burgundy with gold accents. So at the start of this backsplash project, I think my mom had flashbacks to me trying to paint my ceiling,” Smith Licari said with a laugh. “So now she can see that my taste has evolved, she loves the space, and she’s like, ‘Who lives here?’” 

Feeling inspired to revamp part of your home to make it more functional or aesthetically pleasing? Contact a local contractor to get the job done if you need a pro’s help to put the finishing touches on your remodel or lead the project from start to finish.

This project was partially paid for by Angi.