Minimize Countertop Grout Lines. This team chooses to tile over the perimeter countertops with small black, square tiles. Tiled countertops can offer a smart and cost-effective alternative if they are done properly and with a minimum of grout exposure. This team had a major issue with execution within the the time given and because of the number of small tiles they had to lay. Since countertops are often considered the workhorse of the kitchen, it's important they function well. With very small tiles on your countertops, you’ll have a large number of grout lines, which are difficult to keep clean and germ-free due to their porous nature. This team also chooses to re-tile the backsplash, taking something beautiful and original and making it a bit of an eyesore through poor execution. In any project, it's always important to recognize strengths and weaknesses and this team instantly realizes how beautiful their cabinets can be, but fails to preserve the great backsplash.