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tile backsplash-can it change widths around room?

14 years ago

Hi,

I'm edging toward final decisions. We're DIYers and I think of myself as a new one-time-only kitchen designer (and as such, I'm prone to mistakes, but trying not to make any big ones).

So... Our kitchen sink is not centered under our kitchen window. 3 ft. wide window and the left half of its double bowl is under the center. Look, it's OK with us. Let's move on to the issue of backsplash.

There are two narrow upper cabinets next to the two sides of the window and the left one abutts a corner cabinet (upper). Along the next side is the stove.

Can I build a tile backsplash up to the bottom of the upper cabinets near the sink and around to stove backsplash, then on the other side of the stove, drop the height of the tile backsplash to a lower height?

Oh, when I write it, it sounds awful. I don't know what to do. I don't want the water splashing up behind the sink, but I was planning to have just a 4-6" backsplash, and leave some painted wall showing. I like seeing painted wall, and I don't (sorry, I know it's popular) love the tile that goes up to the base of the cabinets. To me, that makes the room look chopped up. I have a sign. amount of paint to show above my cabinets, around two windows, etc. and I love my paint color.

Plus I can barely afford any tile, so it's not "Show time" with tile, it's a luxury.

I could just go with laminate backsplash, but, um, I think that looks a little dull, and besides my walls are a bit bumpy because I did the mudding and taping myself.

OK, that's enough to solicit comments, I hope.

Green walls (nice sage-y green), natural cherry cabs, natural cherry flooring (lighter), and probably NOT the oiled soapstone counters, but instead a lighter colored "frosted glass" by Wilsonart.

Thanks, all. Any help. If you need pics tell me and I'll try to oblige.

Naan

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Comments (6)

Fori
14 years ago
So you want it higher in some places than others? That's not unusual at all, although less common now than it once was.
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naan
Original Author
14 years ago
Yes. Could I vary tile height from about 5" on my left wall and left of my stove, to higher/14"/to meet upper cabinets/window sill on my right-hand wall?

ANy hints how to make it look good? Size of tile?
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Oh my -- do you have to pick so theoretically? That is, can you get much of the other stuff up and running so that you can see the context a little better, set the tiles up against the counter with the floor in sight and choose *then*? ~one who's expert at delaying choices as long as possible. Speaking of which, it's pulls-time....
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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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Have you considered wallpaper? You can bring in color, as well as a design, if that's your 'schtick'. Just throwing another consideration in the mix. I personally *hate* a backsplast covered in tile or granite from countertop to bottom of cabinets, or even further up. I've gone *about* 3/4 up the wall, with the remained just the neutral color thruout the rest of my home, but only on the interior cabs, so above the stove and sink areas. On the perimeter bank of cabinets, it's just a painted wall, where I had planned to use wallpaper, but haven't done so yet. I also picked up at an auction a painted canvass, which is long and narrow, and thought of using it here. It's a vintage French scene of a girl feeding chickens in a barn, done in dark colors, which is my preference. I just don't want to leave it should I sell. ;)
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I'm one of the people that hates to see tile jut out beyond the edge of a wall cabinet. I end tile in line with the wall cabinet and not the countertop. It would depend upon the tile. Given the size of the space, I would say not to carry it up around the window unless it is a mosaic type tile.
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katybee001
14 years ago
I'd go small in scale.
I renovated a rental property and got some great decorative glass at a Tile Outlet. Roughly $8/ft2. Glass was rectangular (.75in x 1.5in), set in brick pattern, mounted on some kind of mesh fabric to make it easy for laying ... great look and not labor intensive.
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nicoletouk
14 years ago
The way I'm reading it, it sounds unattractive. If you don't want a lot of tile, why not just have a 6" splash all around your counters and only change the height behind the range to a full height splash? Why would you go up to under the wall cabs in some areas but not others?

Nicole
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vasue VA
14 years ago
Since you don't want any more tile than necessary, you might start above the sink & carry that same height around the L, tiling higher only above the stove. Look at the space between your counter at the sink & the bottom of the windowsill molding & decide how much wall needs splash protection there. Same with the area above the stove.

Once you have an idea of height for the backsplashes, determine how wide you want the stove splash & draw a sketch with measurements of all the backsplash areas. From that you can figure how many square inches/feet you'll need of backsplash & get an idea of cost of tile or any material you're considering.

If you go with tile you may want to use a size that fits neatly in the regular height to make it easier on yourself. One that also fits neatly across the width of the stove backsplash would be ideal. Both will look better & minimize cutting. You'll need to work up a pleasing layout of the tiles with grout spacing, usually starting with the area above the stove & working your way out to the ends of the counter from there. A good tile book or online resources will tell you what's involved & how to proceed.

Have fun with the possibilities!
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naan
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks, everyone.
I'm settling into the idea of an 8" tall backsplash all around the room (more over stove). Finding some options I can afford. Thank you for your patience and help!
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