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Yotam Ottolenghi’s remodeled kitchen features a hand-painted tile mural by artist Cecilie Maurud Barstad, replacing the previous backsplash while leaving the layout largely unchanged. The design reflects a trend toward personal, decorative kitchen murals, though designers advise choosing materials and protective measures suited to heat, moisture and cleaning.
Yotam Ottolenghi’s updated kitchen features a hand-painted tile mural by artist Cecilie Maurud Barstad, a change the chef says made the biggest difference to the room despite its largely unchanged layout. A Livingetc report presents the backsplash as an example of a wider design trend toward making kitchen walls more personal and decorative, while designers caution that murals need protection from heat, water and cleaning.
Ottolenghi asked kitchen company Roundhouse to retain the existing layout and replace the old white cabinet fronts with new white ones. The principal change was the tiles above the cooker and behind the shelves, which were painted off-site, fired and then installed. The mural includes illustrations connected to his children: a taco, a Dungeons & Dragons logo and a cartoon portrait they made of their cousin.
“It makes me so happy,” Ottolenghi said, adding that he hopes the wall will feel like “a wall of memories” when his children return home as adults. His comments describe his personal response to the design; they do not establish how widely the approach is being adopted. Livingetc characterizes murals as a growing trend and reports examples using painted tile, wallcovering and stained glass.
The article also sets out practical differences between those options. Harald Donoghue of wallpaper company de Gournay said protective finishes for fabric-based wallcoverings can dull colors and design details, and recommended a glass or Perspex barrier for protection. Designer Jules Gallop said planning should account for the surrounding cabinetry, counters and lighting, as well as precise measurements and exposure to cooking and cleaning.
A More Personal Kitchen Wall
The examples show how a backsplash can be treated as part of a room’s design rather than only as a surface to protect the wall. Ottolenghi’s mural carries family references, while other projects in the Livingetc report use floral imagery, stained glass or bespoke patterns. That approach can make a kitchen feel more individual, but it also makes material choice and installation central to whether the artwork remains practical.
For homeowners, the decision involves more than selecting an image or color. A surface near a cooker or sink faces heat, splashes, humidity and routine cleaning. The report’s design advice points to a trade-off: delicate or highly decorative materials may need a separate protective barrier, while tiles can be painted, fired and installed as a more integrated surface. The right solution depends on the site and materials, not just the look.
decorative kitchen backsplash tiles
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From Painted Tile to Glass
The report describes several ways to create a decorative backsplash. Ottolenghi’s tiles were painted away from the kitchen and fired before installation. In a London project, Studio Ashby commissioned artist Anna Glover to make a meadow-inspired floral design on tiles from Balineum. Another kitchen, in Shanghai, used de Gournay’s floral wallcovering on tarnished silver-gilded paper; the company recommends covering it with Perspex to guard against splashes and humidity.
A separate project by JAM Design Works used a custom stained-glass panel made with specialist maker Tenby & Penny. Gallop said the heavy piece required reinforcement behind the wall and an enclosure that allowed access to its LED panels. The report also features hand-painted tiles in a French kitchen designed by Pierre Yovanovitch with artist Matthieu Cossé. These examples illustrate different design choices, not a single standard approach to installation or maintenance.
““The biggest difference was the tiles.””
— Yotam Ottolenghi
Durability Depends on Materials
The report does not provide cost estimates, expected lifespans or maintenance schedules for the different mural formats. It also does not establish how common the trend is through survey data or market figures; “growing trend” is the publication’s description. The specific durability of Ottolenghi’s installation is not detailed beyond the account that the tiles were painted, fired and fitted.
Performance will depend on the materials, location and protective measures used. The article’s advice does not replace project-specific guidance from an installer or manufacturer, particularly for surfaces near a cooker or sink. It is also unclear whether Ottolenghi’s design will be available as a product; the report describes a commissioned mural rather than a standard retail offering.
Plan the Surface Before Commissioning
The report describes no announced next step for Ottolenghi’s kitchen or the artist’s mural. For anyone considering a similar feature, the designers quoted recommend beginning with the room’s existing colors, materials and light, then deciding how the design will sit around shelves, taps, sockets and switches. Gallop also emphasized accurate templating and selecting a surface specified for heat, water and cleaning.
Samples can help show how colors and textures work beside cabinets and countertops before a final choice is made. For wallpaper or fabric near splashes, a glass or Perspex barrier may offer added protection, though the exact specification should be checked for the installation. The source gives no universal specification or maintenance guidance, so homeowners will need advice tailored to their materials and kitchen conditions.
Key Questions
What changed in Yotam Ottolenghi’s kitchen?
The backsplash tiles were the main change. Ottolenghi said the layout stayed the same and the old white cabinet fronts were replaced with new white fronts.
Who made the backsplash mural?
The mural was made by Cecilie Maurud Barstad of Gilles & Cecilie. The tiles were painted off-site, fired and then installed, according to the Livingetc report.
What is shown in Ottolenghi’s mural?
Ottolenghi said it includes a taco, a Dungeons & Dragons logo and a cartoon portrait his children made of their cousin. He described the images as meaningful to his family.
Can a backsplash mural be made from wallpaper or stained glass?
Yes. The report describes murals made with wallcovering and stained glass as well as painted tile. Each material has different installation and protection requirements, especially in areas exposed to splashes, humidity or heat.
What should homeowners check before installing one?
Designers quoted in the report recommend considering heat, water, cleaning, accurate measurements and how the design works with cabinets, counters, lighting and fixtures. Ask the installer or manufacturer whether the chosen material is suitable for the exact location and what protection it needs.
Source: rss
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