You can direct wire these EL lights I think, you'd just direct wire the power supply, I think. Call them, they're really nice. I was questioning how far out to go from the inside/range edge of the upper cab. I did it based on the assumption the light rail returns back to the wall. I googled images and I think I'm right. My only miscalculation with the EL system was that the 78" cord isn't long enough to go to the back wall, up the wall to the upper cabinet (or even up to the lower edge of where the vent hood will be), across and back down and to the front to the next fixture. I ordered a splitter from EL. Shipping will be about 2-3 times as much as the fixture. :( My fault for not measuring/adding lengths before hand. But it was super easy and super fun. (I had one clip that was wonky and they're sending that no charge.) I got the touch dimmers. I was told they'd work with a wall switch. Turns out they 'work' but default to off when the power goes off, so you would have to walk over to each dimmer and turn them on after turning on the light switch. So...I'll hang on to them and see if we think there would ever be a need to dim, but I also may see about returning them.

Fishies - I LOVE that big, white tile you're holding up with your french manicured hand! The colour looks luscious, and it looks like tin, except white. 'Tin' is probably not '50's vintage' but it's kind of cottagey, so we're on the map. In my mind's eye, I can super-impose that tile onto your inspiration pic, and it looks good, so I figure it'll look good in your kitchen. I also like that the size is a little bigger than you'd expect. How does the colour compare to your original tile? How does it look with the marble? I guess making sure it matches the marble is key. Your kitchen will be predominantly yellow, brown (wood counter), off white, and greyish white (marble). I think it could handle a textured backsplash like the ones your showing us. (Sometimes I get bogged down with your accessories and fabrics, and I have to remember that those are just small touches against the larger backdrop of yellow, white, greyish-white, and brown.) I don't like the marble mosaic idea because it's lacking the 'cute cottage' feel. White is plain, plain, plain. It's not like you're doing a multi-coloured backsplash.

I'm confused. Can you explain this further, please: >>The only time it is an issue is frameless cabinets and then not always. If you are hardwired 110volt then you (often) have wires coming out of the wall- gets the tile setter cranky. Framed cabinets the wires should be coming through the wall so not a big deal. Most low voltage is typically a non issue - depending on how they run the wires- even then much smaller wires and done properly not a big deal for the tile installer. What's the difference between wires coming out of the wall and wires coming through the wall? Thx.

Hi, Jay! I can tell you that I hired a pro to tile my last kitchen counter and backsplash and he did the counter first. This may have been due to the fact that that counter was all done on the diagonal and the backsplash was straight, so it had straighter lines. In any case, the joint between the two was caulked, not grouted, and it was clean. Good luck!