Appreciate some backsplash advice for difficult space

12 years ago

I have been torturing myself with backsplash decisions. Cabinets are french ash. Countertops are soapstone. The entire house is contemporary and has a lot of glass throughout. But it is a very small and narrow house. Since I seem to be the only person on GW that can't figure out how to post pictures directly (obviously I am an idiot), below is a link.

I have a wall where the range and hood will go (first pic). This wall will have no uppers and the backsplash will go behind the range to the ceiling. This wall on the left has a cut out to the dining room area and you can see green glass panels that flank the front door. I was thinking of using solistone folia in wisteria because I thought that would complement the glass panels alongside the door (which you can see from the kitchen) and the black streaks will go with the soapstone. Then I thought maybe back painted glass that followed the shade of the glass panels. Then I realized I had a problem.

In the second picture, the wall is where we are placing a TV (excuse the construction mess). Because I hated the idea of a TV taking up a wall we had previously used for art, we decided to place the TV in a remnant piece of green onyx I found for a steal. The mock-up of what this is roughly supposed to look like is the third picture but it doesn't do the idea justice. The 4th pic is a pic of the Onyx sitting in front of a slab of granite (not mine). Below the TV, we will have a narrow piece of furniture that we are having custom made to store dog food (another saga). And also in that area is the dog sofa which you can probably tell based on the dogs, is not small.

So the question is this: since you will see the Onyx/TV on the same plane as the backsplash when you enter that part of the house, I think the folia tile is too busy. Should I just go back to backpainted glass in the more watery blue shade of the glass panels or will that clash with the Onyx? Should I get another piece of Onyx and do the backsplash in Onyx (this seems too much, too heavy and will take away from the soapstone). Any other suggestions?

Appreciate any advice you can give.

Here is a link that might be useful: in progress pics

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Comments (10)

francoise47
12 years ago
Here are some of your pictures for all to see:
labpa
Original Author
12 years ago
francoise47, thanks for posting the pics. One of these days someone will have to explain to me what I am doing wrong.
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Dawn, How exciting! We built a new house 23 years ago, and I don't remember having the angst this remodel is causing. Maybe being younger and having my hands full with a wee babe kept me more centred. Of course, we had a GC- and this time around I'm taking on that role, so that may have something to do with it. Buehl, The tile is from Italy, a company called Marca Corona. I tried to find it online and I'm guessing it may be either 'Re-Action' or Evolution. Very reasonably priced. I also found a pic of Evolution at Oldcountrytile.com that site has beautiful gallery pics that are worth navigating. Unfortunately, I can't post a link to the exact page, but if you go to the Home page, click on products, then walls, then the pink dot at the end of the second line...hee hee... you can see a pic of the tile in a bathroom. The backsplash pics are truly inspiring and I recommend for anyone still on the hunt! Here is a link that might be useful: fastfloors has a pic of Re-Action from Marca Corona
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Thanks for your reply and ideas Eastbaymom! Wow, you are so close to having a new kitchen- I bet you are so excited! We just got word that our cabinets will be delivered next week but the contractor who is installing them is backed up so we are looking at the beginning of July for our install. Yes, we are having under cabinet lighting installed. Your idea of moving the fridge is something we have debated over...and over and over. To put the fridge where you are suggesting (where the current pantry is and yes, it is the small white door on the sink run) would mean that the door way into the dining room would need to be moved out. DH didn't like this design either. There has been a lot of compromising with this final decision/layout due to budget and differing ideas. I personally feel like the fridge looks so oversized and obnoxious where it is currently located. Since the cabinets have been ordered, I don't think we will be changing the location of the appliances. I appreciate your idea and actually really like it however it has been vetoed. I'm considering a counter depth fridge when we replace the current one. I have looked at all 3 of your ideas concerning the backsplash. I am considering subways, especially in something light and possibly glass. I think that something larger is a good idea too. My thought is that I should probably determine the counter selection prior to the backsplash although I really like the crackle subway link you included. This is what our cabinets will look like. What are your counter and backsplash selections? Thanks again for the ideas!
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didn't have time to read all the answers. I have no backsplash and have never regretted it...been over 6 yrs. It is painted with BM matte...which has ceramic in it. It is as beautiful now as it was when first painted. I love the fact that I can showcase other things ...art etc in my kitchen and no competition. Also if I ever want to change it is as quick as a paint brush...expense is minimal..paint only ! All in all I think it is serene as you point out . Here is one pick. Since I have a lot of high heat cooking in my kitchen..built in deep fat fryer as well as gas cook top I can definitely speak to the longevity of paint only. c ( more at this album )
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Comments (10)
I think the large pendants may compete with the hood too much. You also don't want anything that needs constant cleaning near your open cooktop. Are there can lights over the peninsula? If so, I think that's all you need. You could put them on a dimmer for dining. I think your nook is crying out for a larger chandelier. It needs something with height as well as width. I don't see a place for backsplash besides the little coffee niche, but that's so full you won't even see the backsplash. I think the biggest improvement you could make is change the paint. The light tan color is reading yellow and isn't doing much for the white cabinets, floor, or the fireplace. The fireplace is really the only thing making your home feel traditional, so you might whitewash the brick and change the mantel. The Home Decor forum could help you achieve a light airy look to work with your pool, windows, and modern kitchen.
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remodelfla
12 years ago
I would only tile behind the range and paint the rest...not sure if that's what you planned. I agree that the folia is too patterned. The onyx is spectacular! It kinda depends on what kind of soapstone you got. Some are very "quiet" while others have white/caramel/seaglass veins.
sixtyohno
12 years ago
I love what you are doing with the TV. The onyx is gorgeous. Why not wait on the BS until the counter and TV are installed and you can get a better picture. I do love the wisteria.
Laura
labpa
Original Author
12 years ago
remodelfla, the soapstone is quiet. I had planned to tile/glass the entire wall where the range and hood sits and I need to carry that under the cutout to the dining room and around the corner under the sink. I am concerned that if I paint, there are three surfaces/textures to take in at one glance and there isn't a unifying theme to carry around the corner under the sink.

sixtyohno, I am hoping the Onyx is installed by end of day Monday. Will post a pic when its in. My GC is saying he needs the backsplash installed before he can put the hood in so delayed decision means delayed finish and I have remodel fatigue.
taggie
12 years ago
Wow that onyx is GORGEOUS!!!!

I don't have any advice on the tiles, but I wanted to say I totally love your custom-made dog sofa. That is so great. :)
enduring
12 years ago
Someone else some months ago faced a similar rush with regards to the hood install. Well, they decided to go ahead and install the hood and deal with the backsplash down the road. They would be able to take down the hood temporarily and reinstall the hood over the tile at the end of the tile install. It sounded like it was an easy solution to a stressful time crunch. Maybe someone will remember who it was that posted the problem and how it all turned out for them.
labpa
Original Author
12 years ago
taggie, the dog sofa is from www.bigdogbeds.com. Its worth checking out just for the customer photos even if you're not shopping for furniture for your dogs.

Here is a link that might be useful: dog beds
hosenemesis
12 years ago
The tile is superb. I would use it in a heartbeat. I can't wait to see the TV.
Renee
boxerpups
12 years ago
I loooove your dogs. The dog on the right looks just like
my Sister in law's mixed breed dog Roc that passed away
5 years ago. Roc was a mix of Great Dane and labrador and
all american mutt. He had the most wonderful personality.
In looking at your dog I miss Roc so much. Luckily for my
sil, a rescue pet program found her another dog that
looks like yours above. And it's amazing but this new
dog has a similar sweet gentle giant loving disposition
as old Roc had. Sil's heart is no longer as sad now that
she has new Blue to hug.

I digress forgive me,
The tile, onxy and entire projext is fantastic. You have
large rooms, space and you love ART. Don't be afraid to
go with movement from the Onyx (yes ordering another pc)
because this would be like a peice of art in the space.
This will not take away from the soapstone. I love what
you are doing. Got distracted with the dogs.

~boxer
(who feels silly saying boxerpups when I only have one pup now)

Appreciate some backsplash advice for difficult space

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francoise47

labpa
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remodelfla

sixtyohno

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enduring

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Appreciate some backsplash advice for difficult space

Comments (10)

francoise47

labpaOriginal Author

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remodelfla

sixtyohno

labpaOriginal Author

taggie

enduring

labpaOriginal Author

hosenemesis

boxerpups

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labpa
Original Author

labpa
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labpa
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