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new here - pictures & backsplash help needed

13 years ago

Hi everyone. I am new to GW, making my first post yesterday. I was so encouraged by the response (regarding cabinet color) that I thought I'd get your advice again.

Quick background - we're doing a 'green' kitchen renovation where we decided to keep the 1956 steel cabinets (they're actually quite good!) and refurbish the 1930 floor. We're going all out w/appliances and countertop and decided to go white marble.

We decided on a 4-inch marble backsplash since that's what the last counter had with it. But now I see everyone's gorgeous counter to cabinet backsplashes and wished I had thought of that beforehand. Here are some pictures. One backsplash is already in. The rest are coming tomorrow.

Question - does anyone do a counter material back splash for 4 inches and tile on top? It seems more common to do one or the other, but just curious. Debating whether to stop the installation of the marble backsplash to do tile.

Cabinets need painting, walls need painting, new lighting, outlets, etc.

Sink (no backsplash yet):

Close up of marble & back splash:

Island:

Kitchen view 1:

Kitchen view 2:

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Comments (5)

dianalo
13 years ago
I love your cabs and your marble! I am so glad you saved them as I'd have loved to have that option. You sink cabinet is darling ;)
Since you are in a quandary, I'd step back for a few days or until you feel more certain what feels right in your gut. Your kitchen is functioning and so you can take the time you need. I know it feels like you want everything sooner than later, but a few days here or there won't make too much difference, but can allow you to wrestle with this choice and not feel rushed.
Have you considered a stainless bs like you have showing on your wall in one pic? Perhaps the 4" of marble can be topped by stainless in sheet form or tile form. Just a thought.....
breezygirl
13 years ago
Hi again! I love looking at your marble again! Personally, I think the 4" bs is dated. Yours look good though because that marble is so stunning. I don't know if I've ever seen a 4" strip of counter material and tile above. If I have I didn't notice it. It seems like the proportions might not look right. I usually like just a tile bs because it gives a chance to bring in some more character, interest, texture or just plain bling.

Hopefully Boxerpups, our genius who can come up with kitchen photos of just about anything you can think of, will hop in and provide you some images of what you're thinking about doing.

Have you found the Finished Kitchen Blog yet? It contains photos and details of dozens and dozens of members' finished kitchens. There is a feature where you can watch a slideshow of just backslashes folks here have done. Or you can search kitchens that have marble tops and look at what they did for bs. I don't have the link on the iPad, but if you google Finished Kitchen Blog you'll find it.
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I love glass but don't want the shine they have so I thought I would steer away from it. Maybe an insert would be possible. What do you all think of the type of tile I mentioned in my first note that has some color rather than a neutral? Or do most of you think neutral is the way to go? I would like the backsplash to NOT hide in the background. I would also like it darker than the upper cabinets so the uppers pop out. But not dark (medium shade would be good). Any ideas or pictures would be great. Thanks
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OK...I just re-read what I wrote and I don't understand what I was trying to say :) Didn't have any coffee yet this morning... I think what I was trying to convey, is that in your space, you already have the contrast you're looking for with the black island and the black perimeter. You don't need to add a white BS to add *more* contrast. This is of course just my opinion looking at your pictures on a monitor. Your space is very warm and I see that you have some white in the eating area. I just think doing a whole BS white won't work. I agree with everyone's suggestion of putting white paper up to see how it would look. I did that when I was considering a dark countertop - I put black construction paper out and realized I didn't like the look. There are other tiles that are light but not cream. My google skills aren't the best today for some reason, but I have seen glass tiles that aren't super white. This one isn't the best example, but I found this color on glass tile oasis called "icicles" and from the picture it looks like a clear vs a white glass. I am having trouble embedding the picture. Maybe something like that would work. Here is a link that might be useful: Taos icicle glass tile.
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I think you're smart to keep it simple. I really can't tell the difference between the tiles, but if I were you, I think I'd try to decided which sheen you prefer. The more distinctive veins might make it look more like stone, but the matte might offer more contrast from your granite. Good luck, hope you'll love the one you choose.
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Thanks prill...I'm leaning towards only doing tile in area to the left of the casing...then in the window area just doing paint and the casing down to the counter. I guess I'll just have to be more dilligent with cleaning. The Reef was the first tile that spoke to me...I really thought I was going to go for a more solid blue, but reef is so much softer....it allows me to play up the color of the walls more...not that I have a lot of walls...And, I found out that my designer can get it for about 12.50/sf where I was quoted around $15/sf.
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doraville
13 years ago
I have seen people put a different backsplash on top of the four inch. Do try the finished kitchen section.
celineike
13 years ago
I agree that the 4" BS can look dated but i also think, you have that "old" style kitchen (which looks current BTW).

It might look cool to add tile above the 4" marble. But it would have to the RIGHT one that goes with the marble... could be fun trying some looks on.
Gah, Im no help here huh?!

i love your kitchen too.
zathnany
Original Author
13 years ago
Oooh! Thank you for that Finished Kitchens Blog suggestion. What an incredible resource.

We are taking dianalo's advice and pushing off install of the remaining backsplashes so we can test the look of tile with a few samples. The owner of the counter company we used is wonderful. He said he will help us remove the backsplash that is already installed if we decide to go tile.

I am headed over to the blog now. Thanks again for the feedback and for all your kind comments!

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