Beautiful tiles. Thanks, sandra 12 for the mock-ups. Much easier than imagining. For me, the first mock-up with the stair stepping gives some "movement" to the kitchen, which I like. The second one with the three rows of tile seems too crowded and boxy to me. Too much of a good thing! The third picture of just one tile is has a nice simplicity to it. This would be my first choice, but I like things simple, rather than showy. With one tile, I think it might look more complete to tile on the side walls. The question is (as always): Do you want the tiles be a focal point, or to play nicely with the other elements/colors in the kitchen? (Your three-year-old is a good photographer!)

cigi, in our last house the previous owner installed tumbled marble in a mauvish tone which IMO looked awful with the St Cecilia granite. Even though the tile was expensive, I tore them off and left the 4" granite backsplash, patched and painted the rest of the wall. The sink was the only working area as the cooktop was on the island. No problem with water as I used BM Aura, but Pittsburgh Paint's Manor Hall Timeless is just as good with a more flat look and lifetime warranty. I'm pondering the issue for my current redo. In various houses I've had paint, wallpaper, white tile with abalone inserts, plain white tile. Right now I'm weighing white tile with a beautiful insert, just paint with no granite backsplash since this area has only a counter but no cooking/wet functions, paint with granite backsplash, or a simple glass tile backsplash with listello over it a la Chinchette. I'm attaching a photo from Chinchette's beautiful kitchen (hope she doesn't mind seeing hers cited as a great example) which shows the last option. In any event, I echo others' advice to not worry about that decision immediately unless you absolutely love a certain look. Just use good paint. Here is a link that might be useful:

First of all, I gotta say that I love your cabinets! And I liked your granite until I saw the closeup of it, and then I fell in love with it, too! I see a lot of nature in your kitchen, with the beautiful wood and the tile floor and the green granite reminds me of pine forests⦠My first gut instinct is in agreement with some other posters here -- stone tile filling the wall shared by the range would be stunning. I think IâÂÂd also want to carry the tile to the area to the right of the range, underneath those floating cabinets. But the sink, I would leave as is. Just a good, scrubbable paint there. I also agree about the color of the tiles -- something creamy. I *do not* think you should be scared away from something with texture, though. Tumbled tile thatâÂÂs been grouted wouldnâÂÂt be too busy for your space, as long as there isnâÂÂt too much variation in the color. HereâÂÂs a pic that you might find helpful. ThereâÂÂs a little more going on here, with exposed beams and such, but you can see how the fully tiled walls look. With all the stone and wood, IâÂÂd want to come in with some more feminine decorations to soften the look, maybe some flowers or herbs or something. Good luck, and enjoy your beautiful kitchen!

Hi Helene, my kitchen is only 11' 4" wide, so I couldn't fit in an island. I kept the peninsula for the added workspace and storage, but removed the larger overhang and stools that we used to have. That gave me more room on the table side for a larger table. I also added the wood hutch piece for more counter space and storage to make up for not having an island. I struggled with where to put the microwave as I didn't want to put it over the range. I decided to put it in an upper microwave cabinet to the right side of the refrigerator. That's the one cabinet I had to have replaced which is why I don't have a picture of it. The microwave that I bought is the GE Spacemaker that you can use countertop or hang under a 12" cabinet. I'm putting it on a shelf. Once the cabinet is installed I'll post pictures of it. Good luck with your kitchen!