Large marble tile (6x12) backsplash

segbrown

14 years ago

I am picturing a subway style backsplash in 6x12 tiles, and I'm curious about any opinions.

Here's my perimeter layout (that's a stainless shelf above the range, and just wall under the vent hood.

So far it looks like this:

Inspiration photo:

Marble to go on island (soapstone will be on perimeter):

I'm thinking about a much less busy Calacatta or similar tile for the backsplash, mostly white but with some of the same golds and grays. I've just found 12x12, but I assume they can be cut in half.

1. Does anyone have any other photos of such a BS?

2. What potential problems/pitfalls with doing something like this?

3. I think I have enough wall space to make it look not too crowded (mainly on the sink wall ... the narrowest between cabinet and counter is 21").

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Comments (11)

segbrown
Original Author
14 years ago
The inspiration photo is of the backsplash, not the whole kitchen. I guess you could figure that out, but I didn't want anyone thinking I missed badly on following it. :-)
mamalynn
14 years ago
I'm no expert by any means, but most of the tile I remember seeing is a bit rounded off on the edges. So, if you cut them, the cut edge won't have the same shape as the uncut edge. It will look like a cut edge. More knowledgeable people, please feel free to correct me.
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Thanks all for the reply. williamsem, I had the same self-doubt when I failed to find the backsplash photos from Nycbluedevil, so it was a relief to know it was not just me. :) I anxiously await the backsplash reveal. Gone_South, your backsplash is gorgeous. I saw the River Rock granite at a local yard. Although it would not work for our kitchen, I know that it would be an eye catcher anywhere you put it. Hobokenkitchen, I doubt that the cool sheet idea will work for me, but I'm sure someone who comes to this thread (now or in the future) might benefit from your information. SparklingWater, funny you brought up Monterey Aquarium. We are going there tomorrow! I'll make sure to pay attention to the tiles in the tanks! Canadian160, I'm sorry that you could not execute on the initial plan you had. It is one of my fears as well to not be able to find the large tiles I want at an affordable price. For example, my local Home Depot does not have any tile beyond 16". That says something about the uncommonness of this choice. I have not given up hope yet. I'll just have to visit some local specialty tile shops to see more choices. (One reason that it is hard for me to shop at small mom & pop stores is many of them open only during weekdays when I'm supposed to be at work. Otherwise, I'd have given them a lot more visits if they extended their hours. But then I don't want the mom & pop's to neglect their families. Catch 22?)
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Bumping for pepper and me ... Also, I did find a magazine page with something similar, which I will scan and post when I have a second. It's blue tile, not marble or limestone, though.
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Don't discount the fact that the top to your blender might come off while making margaritas. That can get everywhere! (Personal experience.) Or the fact that when you are teaching a youngster how to make a red velvet cake that you forget to tell them one of the first things about using a mixer is that you don't pull it out of the batter with it running. (Also personal experience, and you have no idea how far flung batter can be until you are cleaning it off of the ceiling 15' away from the accident.) Then there's the time my sister didn't really put the espresso maker together correctly and tried to make a pot. Thankfully, that wasn't my kitchen, and no actual bloodshed resulted, but you can bet she'd rather make a run to Starbucks these days than clean up those grounds. And the dent in the underside of the cabinet is still there, but you have to stand on your head to really see it. Then there was the time the cat had an ear abcess and the first I really knew of it (super fuzzy guy) was the blood he had slung all over the kitchen when he shook his head when it burst. Even with him on the floor, yes, it went everywhere and was a bear to clean off of the painted walls. I'd hate to think about a more porous stone with it on it. There was also the mess from the brother in law who cleaned fish in the kitchen.....and the spouse who thought it would be a great idea to use a spray cleaner on a greasy engine part and splattered that black yucky grease everywhere when the cleaner hit it.....and the time that the fruit punch spilled into the cooler, and instead of pouring that outside, a brilliant soul decided to try to pour it down the kitchen sink and splashed it everywhere.......and I could go on and on. I don't think my stories are too atypical of a lot of the wear and tear a kitchen will see over time, and I could never see putting in a surface that wasn't easily cleanable and stain resistant, even if your kitchen's occupants are more thoughtful and well behaved. I couldn't ever be a marble person, anywhere in the home. There's too much life being lived here to have to worry about delicate surfaces.
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I took the scale elevations we'd given to the cabinetmaker, made photocopies, and overlaid them on a light table ( could use a bright window) with a page of tile on graph paper of each of the 12 possibilities (6 possible tile sizes, stacked and running bond for each.) Some were eliminated immediately as awkward with no possibility of redemption because they just didn't fit gracefully with the design. The ones that made the cut (maybe half) were traced onto an elevation of the two tile walls. I was originally planning 12x24, but couldn't get them to work well and ended up with 4x 16 in running bond pattern. I was glad I had not just picked the tile and pattern and said "here's what I want, make it work." When it came time to actually lay it out, I showed the tile guy what I'd done and what I was aiming for, but asked him which trim pieces to get, and he finessed the design and figured out the actual layout. I gained huge respect for what he does and the number of decisions that go into making it look perfect, and I told him so. And it does look perfect, with not a single awkward piece anywhere. File under "most obsessive thing I've ever done" and "glad I did it." Oh yeah, for bathroom floor and 3 walls and included fixtures and niches as well. Actually I don't think it took any more time that emptying th kitchen to decide on the drawer design... A full Sunday afternoon, as I recall.
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shanghaimom
14 years ago
Hmmn, was just reading about someone who did a cararra backsplash where they cut 12x12 in half and installed in a running bond pattern for the backsplash. It looks great and saved her a ton of money! (Could do the same with calcutta tiles.) Page 96 of this month's Cottage Living's "Cottage Kitchens" magazine.

Your slab is soooo beautiful!
malhgold
14 years ago
That kitchen has always been one of my favorites. I think it's on the Sub Zero website and I've seen it called "Hot Chocolate". I LOVE the way they did those tiles. Just wondering if some of the effect might be lost if it's just behind the range. I don't know the answer to that, just something to think about. Maybe if you draw out in pencil the 6X12 shape you'll get a better feel.

I hope you go for it. I'm considering it for my backsplash!! I love "oversized" elements and my range wall has no upper cabs on it. Just flanked by 2 windows.
remodelfla
14 years ago
I love love love all the caramel and gray veining in that marble. Are you getting a "quite" soapstone or veiny one? My vote on the marble depends on that.
segbrown
Original Author
14 years ago
Soapstone will be Minas, which has some veining but not too much.
plants4
14 years ago
It's no problem cutting them in half. The tiles are ever so slightly beveled on the edges but they are not usually rounded. The bevel can easily be added to the cuts.
segbrown
Original Author
14 years ago
I thought Cottage Living folded?
shanghaimom
14 years ago
It is "by" Cottage Living--a special kitchens-only magazine. Yes, Cottage Living is gone....)o: Here is one of the photos from the magazine spread--I found it online!
drjgreenberg
14 years ago
I did this exact thing in our old apt. We cut 12in crema marfil marble tiles in half and used as our backsplash. The 12in tiles were used on the floor. Looked great. A bunch of tiles broke while being cut in half and the cut ends are unfinished, but I didn't mind.

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segbrown
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks everyone! Looks great

Large marble tile (6x12) backsplash

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segbrown
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mamalynn

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Large marble tile (6x12) backsplash

Comments (11)

segbrownOriginal Author

mamalynn

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segbrown
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