for sure remove that sill/saddle. it doesn't even go w/the style of the kitchen.

personally, I'd trim out the window w/a more modern/flat casing and run the tile up to it.

basically this trim and this look w/the tile.

if it's a fixed window, it looks rather deep, you could line or 'case' the inside w/custom wood trim. I did this w/my window. got some 3/4" walnut, cut it to size, stained and installed

I butted up my tile right to it for a seamless look.

druing the tiling. you see how the tile fits in perfectly flush w/the wood that's extended out? these are also 3x12 calacatta tiles. I did a gold schluter jolly inset in the vertical grout joints.

You could easily do this w/yours. get the depth of your tile, place it against the wall/near window, measure from the inside of the window out to the tile and get a piece of wood that fits that dimension. would save you the trouble of casing the window or tiling the inside.

I'd prob do a few wood shelves on the left side, maybe think about doing a sconce or pendant.

Great advice - thank you!! I will see what my builder is willing to do - if they're not able to, I'll just have them leave the inner window wall blank and finish it once we close.

My husband and I were thinking about doing floating wood shelves and just today I was considering sconces. I just don't have the electrical running there so think it would be easier to just do table lamps and floating shelves. Thank you again for your advice!

Do you want to feel like you are dining in the bathroom when you are in the breakfast area? No.....you do not.: )

So then what's your suggestion? No tile?

You can use a repeat of your counter top. Make a tall " riser. Do some great floating shelves. But do nothing until you move in.

It's just way too much tile and bear to deal with when you change your mind.........: )

the windows are sort of a not great tease. What's out there?

is it the photo or are these windows off center?

why weren't they spaced further apart, or one larger window used?

you could do something like this (with a single window that looks much better

or this

or, something like this (pretend the art is the window)

I love this one.

Personally I like tile, but some people don't.

I think this looks great. but I have no idea what colors you're using in your room

you could also use the countertop upt the bac

what does the tile look like? plain white? white subway? if that's the answer, than I see the bathroom remark that jan mentioned.

yours would be similar to this, except these are more clerestory-like windows.

I'd prefer something like this, with or w/o the upper cabinets.

or this

I also like the diff color cabints in this spot

Beth, LOVE the floating shelves pic with the art in the center; in an ideal world I could have chosen one larger, centered window but that was unfortunately not an option.

I'm building with David Weekley so only have so many options available - definitely cannot change the windows, but they are symmetrical. The picture is just from an angle. I'm using these Costa Clara white subway tiles: https://www.marazziusa.com/products/wall/costa-clara/cloud

I like that the tiles give texture and sheen as well as continuing the look from the kitchen but in a slightly different way to make the kitchen look larger but still have a defined space. Would horizontal shiplap be better in your opinion?

Jan, not sure what you mean by "the windows are sort of a not great tease. What's out there?" - it's the side yard. Not a great view but better to have natural light, no? The entire wall to the left is windows overlooking a lake so that's the main focus.

oh, don't ask jan about shiplap!!!

and I edited to add more pics. see what you think.

(an electrician can add wiring in the wall for sconces. not a big deal at this point.

here's your tile. since you have white on white, (lemme guess, white quartz countertop?) wouldn't hurt to try the herringbone layout if you do intend on using tile around the windows

what's the flooring going to be?

is the island top something diff?

you need some diff textures in there if you plan on doing all white

Thank you, Beth - I have Shadow Storm Dolomite countertops so it adds some natural beauty. It has some gorgeous light blue veining so I'll pick that up in styling pieces.

They accidentally did herringbone in the kitchen so it shows what that'll look like as well as the countertop material.

Thank you, all, for your advice. After sitting with it a bit I’ve decided to forgo the tile in the dining room and hold off on anything for now. It’s too late to change the cabinet color in the dining room so that’ll have to wait for now, as well. Bummer I didn’t hop on here earlier as now I’m thinking that white oak would have been lovely there. oh well.

thanks tova.

I really like this. Love the Shadow Storm too. (use a good sealer)

do you have any shadow storm leftover? or any remnants you could use? take it up the back part way.

here are some photoshops.

You really need some wood in here. just for some warmth, dimension.

I gave you oak shelving from that one pic you like:

also put in some woven wood shades.

another shot of a white tile around a window w/oak shelves. clear glass sconces. I do like the darker cabinets w/this

CleTile, weathered white zellige

you could opt for a zellige tile, but I wouldn't use white.

this is weathered white w/oak shelves.

I like a darker wood. I'd do a walnut w/something dark. maybe a black or chacoal zellige tile.

(this is just a regular black glazed brick tile, but look how it pops agianst the white and wood)

bad photoshop, but gives you an idea. tried the dark tile (or you could use paint, or even a wallpaper that Red mentioned) and a richer wood shelf.

I gave you black cased windows on this one, but you could also do the white.

Paint the inside portion of the window black too. I used an oak trim that I stained myself.

Looks like this. just simple solid red oak trim pieces, dyed black, then gel stained black. (if you don't want the black but like the wood idea, do oak and stain it walnut. ditto wood shelves)

if you don't like the view, you can easily do a stained glass overlay of those windows. that's what I did w/mine. you can have them custom made to whatever you like.

another option is painting that wall a contrasting color, putting up shelving, casing out the windows.

or, maybe try a marble tile w/black/gold shelves

I would do this after you move in rather than rely on the builder. most of this you can DIY

Thank you so much!!! Definitely a lot to think about. I really appreciate the time and thought you put into your suggestions. I’ll take your advice and wait until we move in to make a final decision.