First of all, your kitchen looks stunning! I love so much about it and your selections are beautiful / everything compliments each other very well. I personally lean toward the flat tile. However, that is biased based on way too many hours pouring over pictures on Houzz in prep for our upcoming remodel. I don't think you will go wrong with the bevel option and that looks just as beautiful; I think it is just a matter of personal preference.

I am not sure if upkeep / cleaning is a concern for you, but I always look at bevel backsplash and wonder if it is more of a hassle to keep clean - esp behind the cooktop. Maybe those who have a bevel tile can comment on that particular challenge?

Really pretty kitchen. Your cabinets & crown molding have a good bit of detail so I think flat would be preferable. I could be biased, as I chose a flat crackle. Love your island color. It looks great with your wood floors. Looking forward to more pics.

Very nice kitchen. Any other pics? Curious, what color stain in on the island?

Do you have a picture of your choices? Maybe do a digital mock up?

Many flat crackle tile back splashes seem to have "dimension" because of the color variation. Also, if the flat tile is handmade, or made to look man made, the unevenness of the tile, across the entire backsplash, might give added visual dimension.

But, I never post my opinions because I am the opposite of expert. I do know that your kitchen is lovely, your floor is beautiful, and the countertop looks cool. What is it? Sorry if I missed an ABB reveal.

Thank you for the wise and thoughful feedback! I am going to ask the tile rep for a few samples of a bevel to get a feel for what it will look like.

aries61- Here is a pic of the island prior to granite install. I think it says country pine w black glaze. The wood is cherry. It is really pretty IRL.

jennifer132 The countertop is sunflower brown granite. Haven't done a reveal, I will once I get this backsplash in and do something with the ceiling lighting.

Here is the other side of the kitchen.

Post edited to remove image. Thank you everyone for your feedback.

This post was edited by sparklebread on Thu, Jan 16, 14 at 13:10

Have you decided to put the patterned tile in the beverage area? If so, I would probably pull back on the embellishments now. The door style has pattern, the glass has pattern, the granite has pattern.... Won't the bevel add a more obvious linear pattern with shadow?

Duplicate. Kitten sitting on the keyboard again.

This post was edited by may_flowers on Wed, Jan 15, 14 at 9:23

may_flowers- I have not decided on the buffet backsplash. Something is holding me back. Which is probably my "sign" to just keep it simple. My original plan was to use a crackle subway throughout the kitchen. I am probably overthinking this and making it more difficult than it needs to be.

I didn't think it went too well, to be honest. Wasn't sure about the undertones matching or if the feel of that tile was right. But a lot of people here think more is better, like that commercial with the kids. Verizon I think? It's just really hard to know when to pull back.

This post was edited by may_flowers on Wed, Jan 15, 14 at 9:22

Wow, that is a gorgeous kitchen! I especially love that long refrig wall. What kind of glass is on the cabinets?
Do I understand you correctly that the tile will be pretty much a solid tile with just crackle? If that is the case then I think either one would work great and it is just a personal preference.

I haven't seen subway crackle in person but I have seen a bevel white subway installed and I did not like the exaggerated looking grout lines. I much prefer the non-bevel straight edge subway tile.

Your kitchen is beautiful and I am sure either would look great but you did ask!!

Both would work well IMO.

Beautiful kitchen! Can I ask what your aisle widths are on each side of the island, and the size of the island? Your kitchen looks about the same size as mine.

Sorry, that's where I saw your lovely kitchen: the buffet backsplash post. I agree with May Flowers on that choice. Repost when you get the crackle tile samples. I am curious about which tones colors you will highlight. Good luck.

I remember your kitchen. Beautiful! What color crackle are you considering?

I don't know why I didn't do this earlier, I visited a friend with bevel backsplash in her kitchen. Works in her kitchen, but I really think it might be too busy in mine. So, as long as I can stop second guessing myself for the next 24 hours, I am going to order the 3x6 crackle tomorrow morning.

twosit- The glass is waterglass. I hope it hides the fingerprints. :-)

scrappy25- The island is 28" x 76". Aisles are 40" wide.

romy718 and jennifer- Considering bone color tile.

Honestly beveled is a very modern style its ok but might not last the test of time...... To me beveled is very cold lacks character.......Flat is classic timeless and has stood the test of time...... Flat is sophisticated and classy and is so much easier to work with as far as design it goes with everything.......

I once bought beveled and did not like them so returned them. For me personally I like flat. Just my personal preference. I also find them to be timeless.