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amysrq

New idea for backsplash, would someone kindly photoshop for me?

15 years ago

I hate to beg, but here I am. If anyone out there has the time, I'd be grateful to be able to "see" my latest idea for my kitchen. I've been struggling with this for a year. Some of you have already helped me over on the Kitchens board but during the last go-round, I still didn't come up with a satisfactory solution. My parameters have since changed (getting new counters installed) and so this new idea for tile has been thrown into the mix.

Here's the patient:

I'd like to see this backsplash put on the wall behind the range and to the left under the cabs if that's possible. maybe not with all my junk sitting there! :-)

I also need a thick (2") shelf to the right of the range, on the wall over that 18" base cabinet. It should only be as wide as the base cab. The height should be the same as the height of the uppers to the left, approx 17" off the counter. Oh, the clock has since moved. That can go bye-bye.

I'd like to see the backsplash go all the way up to the hood behind the range but drop down below the shelf on the right. The walls need to be a medium green.

And if anyone would care to weigh in on how this helps me correct what I see as a balance problem on that wall (I feel like things are skewed to the left), I would love to hear your opinions.

Thanks so much!

Comments (44)

  • 15 years ago

    just my 2 cents but I think your concept is going to further accentuate the balance issue. If it were me, I'd tile the entire area behind the stove but carry the top line straight across from the bottom edge of the hood to the door frame.

  • 15 years ago

    Can't help you with the Photoshop work but I have a thought about the balance thing. Your idea of the shelf, something with visual mass is a good one - perhaps consider a second one above it, also. Tile is a good idea behind the stove but if you carry it beneath the cabinets on the left, you're just skewing the weight that direction again and undoing the impact of your shelf (or shelves). If you do a second shelf in line with the bottom of your hood and carry the tile from the right side of the window to the door frame (so that the shelves are backed by the tile), you might have better luck balancing things out. Why not try just printing out your photo on regular paper and sketching in some ideas - you can probably get a good sense of things from that.

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  • 15 years ago

    My printer is not working today, or I would do as dlm2000 suggests and free-hand sketch over your photo. I think the small shelf above 18-in. base cabinet will look odd. If you need a shelf, maybe a stainless one (or wood) the entire width of wall would look better IMO. Then cluster some tall utensils or place something tall on the right side for balance.

    I can see how the placement of hood and range probably should have been centered, but I actually like the asymmetrical arrangement. Since you are working with mosaic tile, you could add color blocks (square, rectangular - whatever looks good) to form an asymmetrical composition to turn that wall into a bit of a work of art. Or if you have big bucks, free labor, or a lot of talent, you could do an actual mosaic artwork there. (I was thinking steam plumes arising from the cooking pots and floating up to the right of the hood.)

  • 15 years ago

    amysrq-

    I'm no photoshopper either, but have you considered painting the trim around the entrance to your FR (LR?) a darker color to set it apart from the window trim and add some visual "weight"? I know many people consider trim painted in a color other than white to be anathema, but I like it, and someday - soon - I'm going post pics of the BM Navaho Red Trim (with BM Medevil Times walls) in our entry way.

    Alternately, could you take the guts out of your range hood and have your contractor build a wood hood that covers the span all the way to the doorframe, then reinsert the guts, sell the hood on CL and tile the new and perfectly balanced backsplash? I know that's not cheap, but obsessing also has its costs...(I hope you know I mean obsessing takes a toll on you, I truly mean no disrespect).

    Good luck-

    sandyponder

  • 15 years ago

    OR (I'm a little punch-drunk today), you could have a mosaic bookshelf to the right of the hood. (In photoshop, cut and paste actual books at end of island, and turn them into mosaic tall narrow column above 18-in base cabinet.) Possibly inexpensive, too, because you could use any random color tile.

  • 15 years ago

    I'm supposed to be repainting the living room but looking for any excuse not to :)

    I tried to do a mock up in PSP but think I miscued on the size of the mosaic tile. Also I forgot to "paint" the walls green. Oh well... back to the 18th coat of paint on my living room walls (surely to goodness I'll find a color that I like this time).
    Good luck!
    Dawn

    {{!gwi}}

  • 15 years ago

    I'm not a photoshopper at all, sorry. But I wonder if you embraced the asymmetry with a stack of perhaps three of the plates you have there now . . .

  • 15 years ago

    Okay, you guys are great! I heard lots of ideas on the epistle-like thread on Kitchens. These are NEW ideas! yeah!

    I spoke with a friend today who lurks here but doesn't post (waving to J). She thinks the shelf will make things too cluttery. I see her point.

    Charlie, that is certainly my baseline plan, if I choose to ignore the so-called balance problem. Some have said it's a non-issue and I should just get what I like and move on.

    DLM, you are the first person to suggest limiting the tile application to just that portion of the wall. My inner penny-pincher likes that idea. I am thinking that if I did that, I might just consider that wall alone and use SS shelves instead of trying to echo the dark color of the cabinets.

    GWBR, we discussed a rail or shelf going across the entire span on the Kitchens board. Someone reported that they had that setup and the items get very messy. I cook hard and often in this kitchen. I am hung up on the fix being practical/functional.

    Rococogurl suggested incorporating some soft horizontals in the tile so I have been contemplating how to do that, either with this mosaic or another tile with a horizontal feeling. I am thinking that if I pull out one color and maybe make some subtle horizontal stripes with them, that would give me a possible visual balance to the vertical imbalance. The book idea is cute, but I am on the fence about DIYing this and frankly after a year, I am feeling less and less creative all the time. Just want it done.

    Sandyponder, I am glad you replied as I always love what little I get to see of your home. I could certainly consider painting the trim around the door. It's just the kind of thing I might do! All my windows were supposed to come with stainless hardware and they sent white instead. I didn't fight that battle and wish I has because I'd love to paint all the trim a different color and I think it would look weird with white hardware. :(

    I totally get what you mean about obsessing. I have been toodling along trying to come up with ideas, knowing I could do something eventually. But now that I am getting new counters and have to make a color decision in a hurry, I am driven to find my happy place with tile. It is taking a toll on me. Sadly, I am not having fun like I did in the last kitchen. (gyad I sound whiny...forgive me)

    The big hood idea is interesting. I will have to sleep on it. There have been other suggestions involving carpentry. The thought of having to find and hire someone to do that work kind of makes me queasy. Building this house was really traumatic but I suppose I should get over it already. Perhaps it's time to find a carpenter and an electrician and get on with things.

  • 15 years ago

    Wow! Dawn, thank you so much. Glad you took a break from painting. :-) I really don't like that!!! Shelves are fine but I really don't like the way the tile drops down on the right.

    jakabedy, we have thought of a chalkboard or perhaps a shallow cabinet on the right to "fill" the space. Plates or something decorative might work too. Someone suggested a magnetic knife bar. Whatever I do, I think the tile has to go at least to the lower edge of the hood.

  • 15 years ago

    Amy,
    Obsessing......yeah, I can relate. To be completely honest, I would address the symmetry issue now that you are getting new counters. Put the 18" stack in the laundry room or where ever ~ garage. Get the cabs necessary for centering the cooktop and hood on the wall - maybe vertical pull-outs or something.

    Smiles:)

  • 15 years ago

    I agree about the symmetry issue needing to be addressed. I photoshopped a few ideas.

    {{!gwi}}

    {{!gwi}}

    I got lazy on the second one and didn't include the tile. I didn't change the wall color because medium green was too vague for me to pick the right green.

    I would build a wood frame around your current steel hood and on the one that spans the whole area, put a piece of wood underneath to hide the guts of the wood framing.

  • 15 years ago

    since you're getting new counters...center that sucker on the wall, maybe do spice pull-outs on each side of stove and move the current lower cabinet somewhere else...problem solved. Your kitchen is lovely and this bothers you, so fix it now and enjoy it!!! It will look fab and will be worth the small expense of new spice-pull outs. Obviously you'll have to move the hood over so you'll have ceiling repair needed. The counter expense won't change as your getting rid of the current cabinet.

    Trish

  • 15 years ago

    Corgimum, thanks for the pics. Very nice. (and seriously cute pooch!) I have been wondering about doing a shallow open cabinet to the right of the existing hood, maybe in brown, like the cabs. I am also looking at the two crocks of tools to the left of the stove. Maybe if I move all that junk to the right, it would be better. Hmmm....I even wonder about getting that stuff onto drawers and out of sight. Not usually my style, but I guess I should consider it.

    As for obsessing and fixing, I just can't do a big fix right now. It's bad enough that I have to dig into my pocket and pay for the slabs. (The labor is free since the installer screwed up....long story I don't want to get into.) I don't have the money or the time for new cabs. This project needs to get handled pretty quickly, preferably in way that can be handled after the counters go in and before the tile goes up. I have no deadline on the tile, but I want the tile choice to drive the counter color.

    Trish, in a perfect world (without school tuition!) I would consider new cabs. But it is a slippery slope....cabinets, gas guys, sheetrockers, painting (one thing I can do myself), new counter templating, etc. I think the costs and hassle could easily spiral out of control. My relationship with the builder is strained. The less I have to deal with him the better but I have to do the counters with him.

    Scooby, I really can't center the hood I have because the vent is tucked into a corner outside...no room there. Making a larger enclosure for the hood is a possibility but I feel like the one I have is already a behemoth in my modest-sized kitchen. I suppose I could box it out and paint it instead of using SS.

    It's interesting to think about...even if I had a total do-over, centering the range on that wall would leave me with a tiny 9" sliver of a counter on the right. That's why everything got skewed to the left in the first place, so that I would have a functionally sized counter to the right of the stove. I don't even think 12" to the right would look right, even if it did bring the hood more into the center of the wall. It's the cost of function vs. form.

  • 15 years ago

    Have you thought about just not doing a full backsplash? It seems that the backsplash is just going to make the out of balance more apparent.

    I think I would look into having a really cool mosaic backsplash made up with a nice metal or wood frame and hang it under your hood. That would give some a focal point to the area for your eye to go to, but wouldn't overwhelm the entire area with tile. I sortof like the look of your kitchen with no backsplash - it looks simple, clean and streamlined.

    Here is a link that might be useful: mosaic website

  • 15 years ago

    This is what I'd do and I think others have eluded to it as well. I'd tile just behind your stove and then to the right, I'd hang a grouping of three (plates, etc.) to balance the area. Looking at it, I think the tile is too light. With the darkness of your cabinets, I'd pick a bolder color combo.

    {{!gwi}}

  • 15 years ago

    I agree with caroleoh.

    IMO, each of the PSs just call more attention to your problem and I, also, love the clean look of your kitchen.

    Have you tried to tape some different shaped cut-outs for the back of your stove and the area to its right, stood back and seen if anything clicked?

  • 15 years ago

    I would consider doing a planned backsplash under the hood only. I would do one that is deliberate, maybe a design with border - not something to go around the whole kitchen. Then you could either do a series of small plates hung, or shallow & skinny cabinet along the side, making the whole thing look deliberate. Your hood is beautiful and a deliberate backsplash behind that area only could draw attention to it even more. Someone here had a beautiful backsplash behind the stove that had something in the middle of it to disquise a switch or something. It was so nice. Does anyone remember who I'm talking about?
    Beautiful home, btw. I'm drooling.

  • 15 years ago

    I too agree with caroloh, I like the idea of a focal point just under the hood and leave the rest plain. The more simple it is the less you will notice the balance issue.

  • 15 years ago

    then...I love charlie's idea....the sketch she drew....I don't like the shelves or cabinets next to the hood. Think that makes it more off center looking...hood is a nice statement all by itself.

    3 tiles 3 plates or something...but a group of small somethings not a big long chalkboard imho. But every taste is different and you really do have a lovely kitchen and family room [peeking through].

    TRISH

  • 15 years ago

    I think a tile in this color range would work better with your cabinets.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Tile

  • 15 years ago

    Love Charlieinni's idea, we must have posted at the same time. Just to clarify, I love the backsplash you have chosen, I just don't think I would go from the stove to the hood with it. I would center it and add a border. Can't wait to see the finished result.

  • 15 years ago

    amysrq-

    Thank you for the kind words about the crazy mixed up sandyponder homestead, it's coming together s-l-o-w-y, but it is getting there.

    Now, on to Chez Amy, what if you framed in a faux "window" to the right of your vent hood using the exact trim in your real window, then you painted a trompe l'eoil (sp?) scene (or interchangable, seasonal scenes! ha!) in that space? I know it sounds kooky, but I think in order to rectify the balance problem (cuz it's not really symmetry, it's more of a balance issue IMO, and I totally get that), you need something with oomph there.

    I freely admit that trompe l'eoil is usually cheesy, but it can be executed nicely, so someone as arty as you would surely do it well, so thought I would throw that in there too.

    Also, WRT the tile, have you considered a more elongated look? WZ makes a elongated, skinny oval tile (Vibe Collection) that might draw the eye more horizontally than the little squares. I don't know if the oval tile is available in glass, I've just seen it in ceramic.

    Heres to cheap fixes for perpetually vexing problems-

    sandyponder

  • 15 years ago

    Thanks everyone. I admit, my head is spinning. I keep going back to the idea that the area is visually cluttered. My lurker friend suggested taking the tile all the way up the ceiling to the trim height. It would require some simple carpentry because the header heights are off by an inch or so.

    That leads me to wonder about DLM's idea of just doing that wall and not wrapping to the left. What if I did tile just on the range wall, the entire wall and take it up high?

    Ok, another thought...Parma mentioned the clean look. (Btw, what do you mean by cut-outs, Parma?) A cousin who visited is an interior designer. She suggested I not even paint because she likes the "serene" feeling of all one color. No one has ever described anything of mine as serene! :-D

    I also love Trailrunner's kitchen and her bold move to cook hard with no backsplash whatsoever. So, what if I just painted whatever darn color I like this week and let it be? (I did call for a quote on tempered glass for just behind the stove...$175. Cheap!)

    I am just thinking that adding more to the mix might be the wrong direction...what do you think?

  • 15 years ago

    Ok, another thought...Parma mentioned the clean look. (Btw, what do you mean by cut-outs, Parma?) A cousin who visited is an interior designer. She suggested I not even paint because she likes the "serene" feeling of all one color. No one has ever described anything of mine as serene! :-D

    I also love Trailrunner's kitchen and her bold move to cook hard with no backsplash whatsoever. So, what if I just painted whatever darn color I like this week and let it be?

    By cut-outs, I just meant the paper bag/cardboard/whatever, taped on the wall, to see what looked correct to your eye.

    I think that simple paint is a terrific idea. I know that backsplashes are supposed to be the *jewelry* for a kitchen, (at least that's what they say on Kitchens, lol) but I honestly think what you have is sooo cool (and yes, serene, clean...but still with a lot of personality).

    I've been cooking for two years, now, without a backsplash and everything cleans up great.

  • 15 years ago

    How about doing a 4" backsplash all around and then up under the hood. FWIW, I agree with your call not to move over the range or add an oversized hood. I think you can balance out the right via decor as charlie had showed.

  • 15 years ago

    I'm also a backsplashless gardenweber. One of few. And I cook a lot. There was not really good place to start, change and stop the splash. I had suggestions of where to end the backsplash. One suggestion was to tile my entire wall in glass tiles. I liked the idea (not the price). I liked it in theory, but sometimes in real life, what you want is different. It felt like it was going to be overly "decorated" to me.

    We ended up with (gasp) a 4 inch splash of sonoma tantrums in green (same color as granite) with a travertine rounded piece over that (3/4inch) I have an inexpensive picture hanging behind the cooktop (induction) and if it gets spattered I wipe it down.

    I sort of think you need something like that. Or nothing. Maybe even some clear glass behind the cooktop. My mom is 85 and she watches HGTV and tells me they all do tile backsplashes and I really need it. Sorry, I just don't want one.

  • 15 years ago

    Chinchette, you crack me up. Hey, I have SOFFITS! I'll put my soffits up against your four-inch splash any day! ;-)

    Parma, no, I did not cut out paper bags. (slapping head) I didn't think of it. I did draw a big rectangle on the wall the size of the chalkboard I was flirting with. Realized it would only work if I were a lefty....which I am not. Thank you for loving my kitchen just the way it is. I have been wanting that jewelry of which you speak. I think maybe it will come in the form of color.

    Val, the thing about a 4" backsplash is that the windows sit about an inch or two above the counter. And the trim is so overdone (IMO). We opted for the beefier trim, DH liked it, and it just feels like too much, runs into the corners in awkward ways, etc. This house was not architected and it really shows unfortunately. Anyhoo, I don;t think I can run a short splash around the trim without making everything look more jumbled.

    Sandy, I have been looking, almost exclusively, at tiles with a horizontal feeling to them. But, when I saw and liked the latest tile option, the skinny bricks just didn't do it for me.

    I am thinking now that less is more, cheap is preferable and "done is good" as my wise little brother likes to say. I am leaning strongly toward just paint, no tile. (sigh) This wears me out...

    I might still buy the little Grundtal shelf at Ikea this weekend and flirt with the idea of putting it on the wall to the right of the range. Somebody stop me....

    Charlie, Joanie, Trish, Carole, Rose, everyone -- thank you for thinking about this with me, and for your ideas on tile and photo-shopping. You are all great!

  • PRO
    15 years ago

    If you can't decide how to tile a little, then is tiling a lot an option?

    Is tiling the whole thing a stupid idea? Like the whole stove wall and the whole sink wall -- that whole 90 degree corner area of your kitchen.

    The pic doesn't show how the sink wall flows into the next space. If there's no logical stopping point for tile, then it really is not a good idea. And in that case.... never mind.

  • 15 years ago

    Or how about a knife rack to the right if the shelf doesn't work out?

  • 15 years ago

    Funcolors, yes, I think tiling the "whole" thing is a reasonable option. I have a lovely ending point to the left of the sink, a small return wall that defines the kitchen/eating space boundary. I just wonder if it will be overwhelming to use tile at all in my small-ish space. Bling or serene? That is the question.

    Chinchette, we have considered a knife rack (magnetic bar) there. It would be a nice, functional way to fill the hole.

    So, I go to bed thinking paint. Wake up pondering tile. I always wonder when the vacillation will end, when I will feel like I have landed on the right path. Crazy-making...

  • PRO
    15 years ago

    Bling or serene -- okay, makes sense. Also wonder if tiles (of some size & pattern) would help camouflage the symmetry issue.

  • 15 years ago

    I like the idea of the backsplash just behind the range. Has anyone suggested a stainless tile one? There are some that are very interesting choices out there. Here's one, might not be the best choice but I'm into Harlequins right now, I found it on "Floor Werks" website when I googled ss backsplashes:

    {{!gwi}}

    I do love the idea about the hood being larger. Not sure if that idea has already been nixed. But there are lot of kitchens that have the hood extend way out beyond the cooking area [and I'm not just talking a few inches].

    I would also play with the idea of a mirror on the right side, it could help give some balance to the window. Maybe even one that looks like a window? Find a salvage window frame and add a mirror?

    Eventually, you will figure it out--it will be a big aha moment for you!

    Good luck

  • 15 years ago

    Also wonder if tiles (of some size & pattern) would help camouflage the symmetry issue.

    Yep, that's exactly what I am after! A miracle. :-)

    BKW, I think Rococo may have been intimating SS over on the Kitchens board. I am a bit squeamish about taking on more SS to clean. I got integrated fridge and dishwasher, but I still have the SS stove and hood. I don't love cleaning SS.

    I love the harlequin, too. To me it is elegant and just a little bit playful.

  • 15 years ago

    Here's an idea that I think helps balance the wall. Essentially, it's a pier shelving unit that you could construct and stain to match your darker cabinets. I envision it resting on your counter and perhaps half as 'deep' as the bottom counter it's resting upon?

    I think it would prove useful for lots of kitchen/cooking things. Just a thought....

    {{!gwi}}

  • 15 years ago

    Glad to see that others suggest using paint only, without tile. I cook a whole lot. In my last house I absolutely hated the beautiful ceramic tile backsplash because it was impossible to keep up with, even over the sink. Everything showed, and the grout behind the stove....well, the grout was terrible. I am so very glad to be rid of it. Paint is easy to clean and cheap to redo if necessary. And beautiful.

    Ditto for the shelf suggestions next to the range. Dust and grease collectors, big time. If you cook much at all, you should consider the maintenance duties involved in choosing your kitchen decor.

  • 15 years ago

    Thanks Charlie. Another great mockup! In my next life I will be able to Photoshop! :-) I had been thinking of something like that, only off the counter. I am thinking it will feel crowded if I put much of anything there.

    Shermann, glad to hear from another paint-only household. I didn't have much trouble with a similar mosaic in my last kitchen, but I may have just been lucky. It was more rustic that the one I'm considering this time. It's really coming down to the balance issue for me...and maybe even more the clutter vs. serene thing.

    I am starting to think about some serious green (EK Chartreuse or F&B Churlish) which are anything but serene! Could be fun...and way cheaper than tile.

  • 15 years ago

    Would it be possible to get an upper cabinet installed to the right of the hood that matches your other upper cabinets?

  • 15 years ago

    Yes, anything is possible. But I think it's a squeeze. I am afraid it would look like a bit too much stuffed into a small space.

  • 15 years ago

    How about a piece of plate glass back-painted the wallcolor.

  • 15 years ago

    The quote on glass ($175) I mentioned above was for Starfire. I thought I would ask about that since it would allow me to remove the splash and repaint on a whim. I think back-painting would be more of a commitment. I also wonder about how back-painting changes the color, even thought it's not supposed to.

    A friend suggested high gloss paint as well. Wondering about high gloss and glass. Could be great...might be scary. I really like matte walls. Gloss would be quite a departure.

  • 15 years ago

    I back-painted my glass because the wall was uneven and the glass cast shadows on the wall.

    A smaller-- just behind the range, piece I did for another client did not need back painting.

    My glass is Starfire and it changed the wall color negligibly. The other piece I did was conventional glass and it looks blue-green on the off-white wall.

    It took about seven coats of paint to get the glass looking solid, it would be easy enough to strip if you change paint colors, if it is installed so it can easily be removed.

  • 15 years ago

    I think the blacksplash you 1st posted is the wrong shade for your kitchen. I love the backspash charlieinnj posted. Maybe someone can photoshop your kitchen with it. I also wouldn't change your paint color. I think it looks great like it is.

    Laurie

  • 15 years ago

    Have you thought about a textured or patterned glass? Here are some ideas:

    Here is a link that might be useful: Glass

  • 15 years ago

    I, too, like serene so there is no backsplash in my kitchen. After looking at the glass, I think I would do a bold color where a backsplash would be and then install a textured glass over it. Easy to clean and it sounds so good to me that when we replace cabinets/countertop, I'll probably just go that route.