A big vote to paint the island black!!!

Gorgeous backsplash!

So glad I clicked on this thread. The backsplash looks great! DD2 purchased that tile for hers, but it is not installed yet - waiting on counters to be changed. What grout did you use? Did you do it yourself, and if so how easy was it to cut?

I'm not sure I would paint the island black, although that would be my second choice looking at these pictures. Have you considered that the stools will disappear? What about a darker shade of green than what's on your walls?

The backsplash looks great! Very nice choice. I don't know what the left side of your kitchen looks like - is there a cabinet or something that acts as a stop for the tile on that side like the ovens do on the right? I can never figure out how to end mine, that's why I ask.

I'm with Allison - not sure black is the way to go for the island, although I do understand wanting to do something. I think black will be too heavy for something that large and centered. Your black appliances and stools are somewhat scattered and keep the eye moving. The island would look like a black monolith and be an eye stopper, IMO. However, the backside of the island could use something to make it look more finished - maybe that's what's missing to your eye? Are there panels available from the cabinet mfg that you like? I wonder what your backsplash tile would look like on it - too much? Maybe beadboard wall paper or some other textured paper that you can paint - that way the wood is protected and you could strip it and wash off the paste in the future if needed.

I think your wood is beautiful now. It might look okay black but I think it looks good the way it is now.

Yes, I would paint it! But a charcoal or gunmetal gray, not a true black. And I would reupholster those stools.

Think feet, think scuffs. I would vote for the back splash tile over black paint. Every time a toe touches it, it will show. I can support a change to the island but no way not black!!

Lovely backsplash!

I'm also in the 'black would be too heavy' camp... You could do a quick and easy mock-up using black poster board. Just tape or tack it over your existing wood and leave it up for a few days until your eyes get used to it. I'm thinking it would be wrong, and agree that your stools would disappear.

In fact, I'm not sure painting the island would be right at all. A painted island would take your kitchen in a more 'country' or 'cottage' direction, and I'm getting the sense from your new splash and countertops that your more of a 'sleek and modern' girl?

But if cottage is the direction you want to go, I'd suggest a warm grey on the island and changing your cabinet hardware to something more 'cozy' --

Pretty, pretty...I would go cream. It will set off your countertops very nicely. :)

Allison- My husband installed it, used Alabaster grout, it's off white/gray tone. We used the two-sided sticky sheets HD sells. Very easy, you can even pull a tile off after it has been stuck on if need be. I found some of the brown tile stones had a pink tone and some had a warmer tone, so I would switch the pink ones as we went. We a glass hand cutter, glass nippers (?) It was ok for making the tile a shorter length, not an even cut but the jagged end was under outlet cover or switch cover anyway. Problem came in when he had to cut them lengthwise because another row of tiles would not fit underneath cabinet, see 1st picture behind paper towel holder. He used a razor to cut line into glass and then cut with nippers, for every one that worked two would split the tile in half instead of lenghtwise. The edges were not even but since they were under cabinet and grout was applied to top I figured it was good enough for goverment work ;)
dlm2000- here is picture of the other side, that is where we started so it is just lined up at edge. Not sure if that is what a professional would do but I'm happy with it!!

Thanks all for island suggestions. I had considered a gray green like in tiles. But I'm not going for cottage look, too cluttered for our lifestyle. And the charcoal color is a thought but if it looks dark gray, would that just be adding another neutral that doesn't relate to anything? I guess not if it still had a black overall look??
acry-Tile the back of the island over black paint, intriguing thought. Tile it partially in a design? It's a big area and it faces you coming into kitchen. I googled it but didn't find much. Any ideas?
I welcome more opinions :)

I guess it is my monitor, but your tile (love it!) looks mostly gray. I was thinking you could ise the darkest gray in that field for your island. I would not paint it black, nor would I do any kind of decorative tiling on the vertical face of it..... IMO the latter would put you well into DIY-run-amuck territory :)

I wouldn't paint it. I think it is beautiful as is

Another no vote on black. I thing it will look heavy, your stools will disappear, and the black appliances will become the focal points, as the black island will bring those out.

Personally, I think it is fine as it is, pretty color and creates a cohesive feel. But if I were going to paint, I would paint in the wall color. I think it will feel like it belongs that way, not pull out the black, and down the line if you change the wall color, you simply change the island at the same time.

Your new backsplash is wonderful!

I'd really like to see it in a warm ivory tan, almost the same as your counters, with a bit of a glaze on it to highlight the door details, and the island top changed out to a warm wood that matched your cabinets.

Looking at the picture again, Tergar, I think if you applied panels to the island that are similar to the cabinet doors the island would look more finished and seem more of a fitted kitchen than it does now. Just another idea :)

Thanks for the info. Geez, I hadn't thought about maybe cutting them length wise! She's taking her tile all the way to the counter, so maybe it won't be a problem.

Your new backsplash looks amazing.

No to a black-painted island.

I think what happened is that when you did your gorgeous backsplash the perimeter counters got a huge decorative lift and now the island pales in comparison. What about reupholstering the stools in colours similar to the backsplash so the colours are brought over to the island. I'm not sure that painting the island is the answer.

No on the painted black island; it would be too heavy for the rest of your room. If you are going to paint your cabinets I would paint all of them, or not at all.

Your backsplash tile is gorgeous!

Thank you so much for all your opinions!! And the kind compliments!! Wow, now I really don't know what I should do. Decorative paneling is a good thought, I wonder how hard it would be to match the stain. And while I think reupolstering the stools would be cute, my 3 young kids would have food stained on that fabric in no time. And those stools stare at you as you enter the kitchen so from a practical sense, being able to clean the "leather" is important.

Maybe I will paint some posters in black, something light like tan or cream and the green/gray color to get a better picture of what it might look like.

Oh and another brainstorm I had this evening was gel staining it...

I would add corbels or accent legs (flat half legs. Not too fancy, just something to give the island more of a unique addition.

tergar - I have your same cabinets and very similar wall color! I just recently replaced my island with a new black island. While some would say it doesn't work, I completely disagree! I LOVE it!! In my case though, I changed my perimeter counters to black. So, my island matches my counters. I am also in the process of replacing my backsplash. I will be doing glass subway tile in 3 x 6, mostly a white background but I will be mixing in black and green tiles as well.

mom2sethc - Your kitchen is coming along so nicely. Really like the changes.

blfenton - Thank you so much!!! We are working on undercabinet lighting and a new backsplash now.

Momtosethc- thank you so much for posting that picture so I could see cabinets with black island! I think your kitchen looks really nice with the black island.

i would not use black...
and would definitely pull a gray from the backsplash, and even the countertop?
medium gray, would create balance from the other grays, and would complement the cabinets beautifully.