Let’s talk about grout. With our penny rounds finally all installed, grouting was the next step. It’s the stage that turns a project from “in progress” to “completely finished,” and the difference is dramatic.
Here’s how we did it. First, a quick materials list and photo:
- Bucket of clean water
- Putty knife and a separate bucket for mixing
- Paper towels for cleanup
- Sanded grout (we used Mobe Pearl from The Tile Shop)
- Rubber float
- Flexible grout admixture to reduce shrinking and cracking
- Sponge for wiping and smoothing
We also used leftover rosin paper to protect counters and keep the workspace tidy.
Grout, like thinset, should be mixed in small batches because it begins to set after about 20–30 minutes. We started by pouring the flexible admixture into the mixing bucket, then added the grout powder. Using a putty knife, we mixed until the consistency was similar to toothpaste — easy to work with and spreadable.
Grouting was surprisingly satisfying. After the precision work of installing the tiles, grouting felt almost mindless in a good way: press the grout into the joints with the rubber float, forcing it into the cracks so each gap is fully filled. My partner helped too — she was more reserved about it than I was, but we got through it together.
Once the joints were filled, we held the float at a shallow angle and scraped off excess grout from the tile faces. Then came the sponge-and-water step: gently wipe the tile surface to remove residue and to slightly smooth the grout lines. This simple action cleans the tiles and refines the joints, producing a much cleaner overall look.
We filmed a short one-take video of the process — it was interrupted for a cream-cheese break, but it gives a clear sense of the technique.
The task is a bit tedious and can be hard on your wrist, but we completed the job in a single afternoon. The transformation from ungrouted to grouted is always impressive: the grout defines each tile, lightens as it dries, and removes the “mesh” look that comes before grouting. After drying, any haze can be buffed away with a cloth to reveal the full shine.
We also filled corner seams with caulk that matches the grout color and caulked where the tile meets the counter. In the photo the caulk looks a bit darker because it was still drying; after buffing the tiles the finish will be cleaner and less chalky.
Seeing the entire room finished is a little hard to capture in a single photo — from a distance it reads as a textured gray wall — but up close the penny rounds gleam and their unique tones become obvious. The subtle variations in individual tiles add depth and character, giving a marble-like effect without the marble price tag.
Close-ups show the variation in color and occasional darker rings on some tiles, which we love. The grout pulls everything together with a tone-on-tone look that hides tiny inconsistencies in the sheet placement. Because our grout and tile are similar in tone, the finished surface looks even and cohesive. If you choose a high-contrast grout, minor imperfections will be more noticeable, so keep that in mind.
We still have a few steps left: sealing the grout and doing a final round of buffing to remove any remaining haze. The Tile Shop sells a haze remover, but often a dry dish towel and a bit of elbow grease will do the trick. After sealing, the grout should be easier to maintain and less prone to staining.
Other projects remain — installing a range hood, adding open shelves, and updating the lighting — but the tile is essentially complete and looks fantastic as a backdrop for the kitchen. Grouting felt worth the effort for both of us: one of us enjoyed the process, the other tolerated it, and both agreed the result was well worth the afternoon of work.
Have you grouted before? Whether you loved it or found it tedious, finishing that step really makes a difference. We’ll be back to share the sealing, lighting updates, and shelf styling as we complete the rest of the kitchen.
Psst — guess who’s the most excited indoor train rider in our family. It might surprise you. More on that here.