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Should stone backsplash be darker or lighter than cream cabinets?

14 years ago

I am down to picking out a backsplash for my glazed cream cabinets and thought I would go with either honed limestone or marble (with a border and possibly inserts) for the backsplash. Assuming I find something that coordinates with my New Venetian Gold granite, I am unsure as to what might look best - going darker, lighter or as close in color as possible to the cabinets themselves. By how much?

Other details - wall color is two shades darker than cabinets( SW Whole Wheat) , floors are oak (a medium dark stain - Early American), island is a contrasting chestnut stained cherry (a bit darker than the floors).

Any thoughts welcomed - this and pendant lighting are my last decisions! Thanks.

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Comments (5)

remodelfla
14 years ago
I know this answer won't be much help but this is a case of what you like and what makes you happy. I typically like to pick up the tones in the countertop (which should compliment the cabinets) and carry it up onto the backsplash. It sounds as if you have chosen warm neutrals all in the same family. If you pick up a tone in your granite, the tumble marble should blend/match your cabs and wall color. A bit darker will create less contrast with your walls which might be nice since it then will create more of a texture difference then color difference. You can do an even darker accent to tie into your cherry chestnut island. Sounds lovely!
eastcoastmom
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks remodelfla! You make a really good point about not necessarily wanting to contrast too much with the paint color, especially since we have a couple of walls where the backsplash will end short of the end of a wall. There is such a range of colors in the New Venetian - everything from bone to caramel to dark brown , so there really is a lot of flexibility here. Maybe I should try for something just a bit darker, but not too. Since my cabinets are a glazed cream and floors and walls are not that light, I think I am most worried I could end up going too dark overall.
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marybeth1
14 years ago
I think you should go with a stone that compliments or is close to the granite for the field tile and make some of the accents a bit darker perhaps again one of the darker colors in the granite and let the paint tie it all together. Your elements all sound lovely! I had such a hard time with my backsplash I did not want it to look like an after-thought but I also did not want it to upstage the granite. Good luck can't wait to see pics.!
eastcoastmom
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks, marybeth! New Venetian Gold is pretty similar colorwise to Giallo Napolean, so I know you can relate. Totally agree with you that I want to be careful the backsplash doesn't compete too much with the granite. I also want to add some interesting elements without overdoing it. Sounds like it should be easy, right? Today I picked up a sample of honed travertine called "walnut"- it seems to coordinate well with the NVG and is a bit darker than the cabinets and a bit lighter than the wall color. I also looked at a very nice honed limestone tile -seemed too light, though maybe it wouldn't be with an enhancer.

Hopefully. I will be following in your footsteps and cooking in my new kitchen very soon. Everything is in and running water is on as of today - aside from pendants and backsplash just a few other minor things left to do!
biochem101
14 years ago
You've all nailed it:

remodelfla...pick up a tone in your granite...A bit darker

marybeth1...make some of the accents a bit darker ...perhaps again one of the darker colors in the granite

Eastcoastmom...try for something just a bit darker, but not too...

EXACTLY! :) A bit darker, but not TOO. I like that!

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