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Exposed Brick Backsplash/Counter help

10 years ago

Love the look of exposed brick backsplash, which Houzz informs me is often achieved through Boral thin brick (see photo). I get that it's not the most practical, since brick is porous. I don't like the sheen brick would get when sealed. Does anyone have unsealed brick in the kitchen? Would it look weird to put a section of white subway tile or something else simple in the area behind the stove?

Cabinets are white shaker and there is a wood top island. Floors are a dark gray/slate look porcelain tile. I was initially thinking about absolute black leathered granite (or something similar with a soapstone like look) for the perimeter counters. I feel like those counters might look too busy with the brick if there is too much veining. Wondering if we should go with a more solid (black/grey) look.

Help!! If not a brick backsplash, we would go w/ a sage green/grey tile and the soapstone look w/ prominent veining for counters.

Farmhouse Kitchen by Bozeman Architects & Designers Locati Architects

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Comments (3)

greenhaven
10 years ago
There is a poster here who uses heat mats when she cooks to protect her counters and backsplash behind the stove. That might be an option for you, I'll see if I can find the thread.
greenhaven
10 years ago
Do a search for "how I protect my marble and wood countertops" to see romy's solution to a similar problem. You surely could use them propped behind the stove amd store them when you are not cooking.
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It is heavy on barn wood. Skip the frou frou. I do not believe that it would look like a country quilt if you did a pattern across the entire backsplash. It would just look busy, detract from the overall starkness and soak up all available light which is an issue. If you wanted to do it in one particular area it might be ok, although I think it more probable it would look cheesy. I dislike tile because you cannot easily install anything, and once installed, you cannot change it without leaving an obvious mark. You do have several things that would go through the tile are you completely happy with them/their locations? Personally, I would consider a band of berwyn or torquay, as they are shiny enough to reflect light, the band should be tall enough to make the light switches on the left look vertically centered and then paint the rest white.
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The brick backsplash in your inspiration photo is gorgeous and what should be the attention grabber in the room. The granites your contractor is suggesting are beauiful too (delicatus is one of my favorites) but IMO, it’s a bit too busy and the markings too stark for that backdrop. I would suggest you look at something a little less busy so it won’t compete with the brick.
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Beth H, thank you again for your thoughtful suggestions! Unfortunately, as I am in Canada, I won't be able to buy from TileBar. But it is great just to see the possible choices. I totally understand how my inspiration photo and my actual kitchen are totally different, it is just that I thought possible to borrow one isolated concept... Regarding the flat side of the island - yes, it does have a shaker style trim same as on cabinets, so it definitely looks more finished than on my mockup :) So, to sum things up, you advise against using slab backsplash on the window wall, no matter what style of tile backsplash we decide to go with, right?
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your pics are super tiny and sideways. have no idea what the kitchen layout looks like because we can't see it. forget the backsplash tile for now. that comes last after everything is installed. (and that arabesque mosiac is a tad outdated) Ditto the hardware. wait. the style you picked is better suited to a more modern cabinet. color is fine but that super long handle is better suited for large drawers or pantry cabinets. what color white are you painting? you're getting dark floors but tile in the kitchen? why not continue w/the wood? I just painted all my cabs and put down hardwood. I love it. Right now, get one of your doors painted. Take that door with you (and your flooring piece) and go pick out a countertop you like. nothing else matters until you do that. Using the wood flooring will open up many more options than that porcelain tile you picked. post better pics. show us where the wood floor is w/the dining room. (can you get more of that wood? maybe in chevron design? )
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feisty68
10 years ago
I adore the brick backsplash look! Here's my inspiration photo:

I would not mix thin brick tiles with any other kind of tiles. I would be cautious about mixing brick tiles with granite counters.

Your kitchen finishes sound great. If you could tie in some grey into the brick like in my inspiration photo, I could see that working really well with your floors.

There are some brick-look ceramic tiles called "Union Square" made by Daltile that sound like a practical option that would not need sealing. Also, it may be possible to use a matte sealer on the brick that may not even be visible. Alternatively, I do love the looks where they use satin glazed thin bricks as well - see below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fireclay glazed bricks

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