The latest example, I just came across it this week. Broken up in the middle, but interesting: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/laurelhurst-kitchen-traditional-kitchen-seattle-phvw-vp~242080) [Traditional Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Seattle Architect Goforth Gill Architects I like how this bumps up in the middle. Sort of an interesting twist to it: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/kitchen-modern-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~27996) [Modern Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2105) by San Francisco Architect Rossington Architecture Up off the counter backsplash, and very modern: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/white-laquer-and-dark-oak-kitchen-modern-kitchen-los-angeles-phvw-vp~40006) [Modern Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2105) by Los Angeles General Contractor See Construction Another one that is raised up with a counter backsplash: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/feldman-architecture-modern-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~18937) [Modern Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2105) by San Francisco Architect Feldman Architecture, Inc. Right to the counters, but tall, full windows: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/mill-valley-kitchen-contemporary-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~20571) [Contemporary Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by San Francisco Interior Designer Michael Merrill Design Studio, Inc Full height windows, but not down to the counter: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-modern-kitchen-los-angeles-phvw-vp~20757) [Modern Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2105) by Los Angeles Architect Koning Eizenberg Architecture Back on subject... lol [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-contemporary-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~1358126) [Contemporary Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/mill-valley-house-modern-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~787945) [Modern Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2105) by San Francisco Architect yamamar design Smaller versions tucked into tile BS, which means you get to choose a tile [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/chestnut-hill-kitchen-contemporary-kitchen-philadelphia-phvw-vp~116124) [Modern Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2105) by Philadelphia General Contractor Kenny Grono This is pretty cool...living in a glass cage box ;) [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/east-hampton-house-contemporary-exterior-new-york-phvw-vp~67768) [Contemporary Exterior design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-exterior-home-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_736~s_2103) by New York Architect Eisner Design LLC It's rare to find these in traditional kitchens, but here's one: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/rustic-kitchen-rustic-kitchen-huntington-phvw-vp~767819) [Traditional Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Huntington Kitchen And Bath Merri Interiors, Inc. Totally reverse of how you usually see it. This time, there is blank wall above the window. [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/pied-a-terre-modern-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~1454212) [Modern Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2105) by San Francisco Architect Three Legged Pig Design Here's another one like that. Hmm... [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-traditional-kitchen-new-york-phvw-vp~106047) [Contemporary Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by New York Interior Designer AMI Designs [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/rossington-architecture-transitional-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~29288) [Contemporary Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by San Francisco Architect Rossington Architecture A small one, framed in tile, next to a regular-sized window: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/jimmy-crisp-traditional-kitchen-new-york-phvw-vp~393865) [Traditional Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by New York Architect Crisp Architects This one they boxed out, which is kinda cool. It would give great space behind the sink or whatnot. [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/monroe-remodel-contemporary-exterior-austin-phvw-vp~336907) [Contemporary Exterior design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-exterior-home-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_736~s_2103) by Austin Architect Stuart Sampley Architect Some awning windows (looks off to me, how they did it: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-coastal-kitchen-design-traditional-kitchen-dc-metro-phvw-vp~1062951) [Traditional Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Dc Metro Kitchen And Bath Reico Kitchen & Bath This one is kinda neat: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/queen-anne-remodel-kitchen-traditional-kitchen-seattle-phvw-vp~243211) [Traditional Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Seattle Architect Goforth Gill Architects

Thanks, it sounds like I need "real" grout lines. Still, the 4"x4" (I've used in a bathroom, including stand alone shower and a tub) have built in spacers that provide, I estimate, no more than 1/16" space between tiles. The work I've done with these is now about 20 years old and holding up well. The subject brick shape however doesn't seem to have any space other than the bevel, which does go down to the unglazed edge of the tile. I would in any case plan on a 1/8" gap at the counter-top which is filled with caulk. I notice there is a Jacks (not sure it isn't Jax) type spacer that looks to my mind's eye to be better than the older flat cross spacer. Any advice on the type of spacer? On a related item, if I cut (wet saw) or break, ceramic scribe and brake, a tile and the edge will be exposed, is it possible to use a polishing stone or other tile cutting tool to smooth that edge, round it off a bit? I know when I hit an interface, including a corner I will use a caulk to close the run...that has worked well in corners where I have the cut edge of the "top" tile facing away from the line-of-sight, making the cut edge almost impossible to see. I'll have to check to see what I did in the bathroom job many years ago when I came to a bull-nose finished edge. I'll guess there must be some cut/broken edges there, I didn't have a wet saw when I did that job. Just in case one cares to advise, my new counter top is a solid man-made material. Do I have to carefully protect it from any drips of a mounting mastic? Would it be safer to use a thin-set as regards any "splats" hitting the new counter-top? I believe most mastic material is petroleum based, I will guess if there is a latex mastic it may be safer to use over the new counter top. The old bathroom tile job I referred to I think I used a combination premixed mastic/grout...hey, it is still holding both the grout and tiles. That job was above fiberglass tub and shower pan, I didn't see any damage from drips on that job.

I used the Sonoma Tantrum Rhomboid with an Estate Metal Valence liner and limestone 12x12's on the wall of our powder room. The powder room is only 1/2 completed, but I get lots of compliments on the tile. I installed it and it was a breeze. I'm thankful I get it wholesale, otherwise I could never afford it. Sorry about the cruddy photo quality. LOVE Sonoma Tilemakers!

Jaynes123 "Until GW, I wasnt even aware kitchens had BSs," Same here. The only backsplashes I saw in newly remodeled kitchens were the same granite as that on the counters. Then I see all the posts about backsplashes here in GW and folks asking again and again what kind of backsplash should I get, or does this or that look good for a backsplash. I asked my wife, "What the heck is going on in GardenWeb and all this "Backsplash thing". She says "Some tile sales folks are hanging around and all they gotta do is convince a person or two and the rest follow. That was probably close to 10 years ago now. We see it over and over again, first White kitchens, Now gray. Now everybody must have an Island~~~~and on and On it goes~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I guess if you are a "Follower Type", all is well and good. But I've always done my own thing and will continue to do so. I will say that one place GW was a lotta help and Yea I did follow, was with Induction, Luv it!!!!~~~the other "Stuff", not so much ~~but ~~~~~that's just this old guys opinion, not necessarily right or wrong! Gary