Hi all,

So, I'm thrilled to say I've decided on a backspash - we're going to do shiplap! I'm going to do the real thing and not plywood since I've also got it in adjoining dining room and I want the profiles to match up.

The range wall has been opened up to the dining room and now have a bar so on that side I've only got a 5in splash. I'd love to carry the wood throughout but I've got a bluestar and think I need something less, um, combustible. Ideas for this little splash? It's 76 x 5. I was thinking something like zinc could be fun or with much convincing of my DH mother of pearl. DH thinks and I kind of agree that it's not exactly a space we need to call attention to although a small piece of my heart would love a mosaic from waterworks!

I'm also needing some help with the space above my cabinets. I've only got two uppers (my 15' long wall is all windows and two uppers) and the fridge surround. We rearranged during the remodel, removed the soffits and used existing cabinets. The cabinets are now 15'' below the 8.5' ceiling. I have thought of adding a stacked cabinet but I'm concerned that with wide doors (one cabinet is 39'' and the other 34'') that the proportions would look pretty bad but maybe not. I'm considering using MDF and trim to add essentially a soffit back in :/ I'm wondering if all the way up will be too weird and too much trim or if a smaller buildup would be weird.

Choice A
Do what remodeaholic did:
http://www.remodelaholic.com/2013/01/ideas-to-update-oak-kitchen-cabinets/

Choice B
Do what the inspired room did (with more serious molding)
http://theinspiredroom.net/2012/08/02/filling-in-that-space-above-the-kitchen-cabinets/
http://theinspiredroom.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/that-awkward-space-above-cabinets.jpg

Above the fridge I'm considering leaving it open as a book shelf/place to put a basket *possibly* adding a wine rack (we had one that didn't make the cut in the new kitchen.

Any and all thoughts are welcome. Thanks!!