skip to main content

Need help with your opinions on backsplash glass inlay

13 years ago

We are having our Kashmir Granite counter tops put in next week. The edge is going to be ogee and we have dark oak cabinets. We have selected 4"x4" Travertine backsplash.

I need help in deciding if we should go with glass tile inlays for the backsplash or just the travertine. You can see the sample cabinet color in the picture.

Thanks for all your help.

Selected Countertop:

Proposed backsplash:

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

kitchenaddict
13 years ago
hi dallas....

My opinion is that it is a matter of personal prefrence. If I were you, I would look at lots of kitchens and decide which backsplashs catch your eye... the ones with accents, or the ones without.

By the way...nice slab!

KA:)
sugar_maple_30
13 years ago
My personal opinion is that the glass inlays are too busy and distracting with that granite.

Your granite is gorgeous with lovely movement, and I wouldn't choose anything that would compete with it. I think the travertine on its own would be smashing with that slab and your cabinets.

Good luck - it's an important and tough choice!
Related Discussions
Need help choosing range hood and where to end glass back splash
Q
Comments (8)
It looks like the Imperial 42" is the favorite. It is funny that most of my "inspiration" pictures have a similarly shaped hood, since I saved those images in my "backsplash" folder to try to help my choose the BS height (i.e., I didn't intentionally choose those pictures for the hood). The voting for BS height is mixed, with the majority so far choosing the 8' height. The image above with the tall gray glass BS is from the Smallbones catalog -- I love that look -- makes me wish I could have gone "topless." I think I prefer the taller glass BS, but I'm not sure how to overcome the technical difficulties with the chinmey extending beyond the glass. The glass and wall above will be painted the same color so the line will not be a strong contrast like most of the images above, although the shine factor will obviously be very different.
...See More
Help! Need opinions - Marble Backsplash cut wrong
Q
Comments (8)
mwrede: Did you make a decision and call them back the next day? I really hope not--it's too stressful to be rushed thinking this through! Let me first say that I've never done a remodel, and I tend to overthink things,even after I've made my decision. This is your personal space; it should look as close to your vision as possible. Your idea for the backsplash is better than their's--ditch the side pieces. Splashback isn't so great that they are needed. They really seem to me to be a waste of marble and $$. I wouldn't think mirrors all the way down would be the best look. The round mirrors will probably be too small for the large vanity, but I like the idea of mixing a round mirror over the shorter vanity and a rectangular over the longer one, but not splitting the longer into 3 pieces--too choppy, not as pleasing visually. (I don't know why, but picturing mirror/sconce/mirror/sconce/mirror makes me think of an old Italian style, maybe in a 70s Vegas hotel.) The photos show a sleeker, calmer bath taking shape--all those elements on the wall don't really fit that. (Oh, and yes--you must get some money cut off the bill. That's a given!)
...See More
Do I Need BackSplash? Help with Suggestions!
Q
Comments (27)
Posted by budgeteer_s (My Page) on Wed, Dec 31, 08 at 18:18 Thanks for all your suggestions. I wanted so much to follow with ci_lantro's suggestion because then I'm done. I'll gladly let you snatch that paint brush out of my hand. ha ha. But at the same time if a little tiling will tie up the project, then I'm game. jodi_socal: I'm a little disappointed when you said fire and ice won't work. I just LOVE that F&I BS. But then agin, I think I know all along it's a little too much for my kitchen. Caryscott & petra: Thanks for the picture petra, it says a thousand words. Is spectralight glass tiles? Prices are pretty reasonable. What about that milk green color? will it work? maybe with some garnet pieces sparingly mixed in. I will take some pictures and post two HD Behr's paint card to aid in the discussion of color. Thanks again ALL! Correction: My tiles were Alfagres: Gema4x4: different from what caryscott posted: I loved what caryscott linked:
...See More
HELP! Need your advice: bad location for switch in backsplash end
Q
Comments (22)
But if that 10" wall space wasn't there, the inspector wouldn't insist on a receptacle to cover the fixed panel of the sliding glass door, would they? Yes, that is what they make floor boxes for ;) or, I would put it in the side of the cabinet. Many inspectors would also consider the side of the cabinet without doors as wall space. Really? They have reworded that part at least twice that I know of, and it is still confusing to most. The CEU training illustrations all show a low receptacle on the back side of peninsulas, presumably because it is a room divider forming a wall for the dining room (even where there is an overhang for seating, which I would call a bar) Oddly enough, non of the illustrations show a receptacle on the back sides of island cabinets, which I would think is what a fixed, freestanding bar is, but an island is not always a "room divider" between the kitchen and dining or other room. The inspectors do not often include the 2' end of a peninsula (actually more like 20" at the toekick) in that 6' measured along the floor line either because it could be considered part of the kitchen, not a room divider, less than 2', and not part of the dining as is the back side. Essentially, if a blank side (no doors) of a cabinet faces another room, other than the kitchen, then it is counted in the "spaces measured around corners, and unbroken at the floor line", and as a "room divider"... according to most inspectors interpretations I know of.
...See More
chris45ny
13 years ago
Since your slab is so beautiful, I'd go for something that wouldn't detract from it. I'd do just the trav but that's my opinion.

If you go to the finished kitchens blog I think there is a backsplash slideshow.
dianalo
13 years ago
When I read your question and saw your counter, I was prepared to say stay with just the trav tiles. Then I saw your proposed bs and liked it, so... thought maybe the best move would be to use the tile inserts but only 1 instead of the 4 for each spot.
Then, looked at it some more and realized it was the trav that was not working for me. I think it is too busy (and too rough a stone look) with your pretty polished counters nearby. How about a plainer field tile and use the glass inserts (1 or 4)? If you used a light color drawn from your granite for the tile, then it would all flow smoother for me.
plllog
13 years ago
I also think a single tile would look a lot better than the four, though I think the travertine will look fine with the granite. The dark of the glass gives the contrast you need. Perhaps a slightly bigger single tile?
gocelts330032
13 years ago
I tend to agree with dianalo. I would try to draw in a lighter color from the stone, and keep with a similar finish to your granite in the field tile. I do think you're on the right track with the dark glass tile accents to tie in the cabinet coloring. Go with what you are drawn to since you will be the one looking at the backsplash on a daily basis. Good luck!
lyvia
13 years ago
What color is the floor? Painted walls? window trim? The granite is gorgeous, especially with that cabinet. The travertine is fine, and would be neutral to my eye. But you might try to pick up the gold tones, and the dark grey brown of the veining. This travertine photo looks more pink and less gold, but that may be the light.
dallasaggie
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for all your input. Sorry, for not getting back to some of you. Last couple weeks had been crazy. We finally got done with the kitchen, yesterday (with the exception of removing the wallpaper).

Wife wanted an easy to maintain back splash. So, we went with 6x6 Travertine, with 1/16" grout. The tile guys did an awesome job and so did the Granite guys. We love how the end product turned out to be.

Once again, thanks for all your input. Here are the pictures:

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES No Neutral Ground? Why the Color Camps Are So Opinionated

By Vanessa Brunner

Can't we all just get along when it comes to color versus neutrals?

WALL TREATMENTS Expert Opinion: What’s Next for the Feature Wall?

Designers look beyond painted accent walls to wallpaper, layered artwork, paneling and more

SELLING YOUR HOUSE 10 Tricks to Help Your Bathroom Sell Your House

By Mink Home Staging

As with the kitchen, the bathroom is always a high priority for home buyers. Here’s how to showcase your bathroom so it looks its best

LIFE 12 House-Hunting Tips to Help You Make the Right Choice

By Laura Gaskill

Stay organized and focused on your quest for a new home, to make the search easier and avoid surprises later

KITCHEN DESIGN Here's Help for Your Next Appliance Shopping Trip

By Vanessa Brunner

It may be time to think about your appliances in a new way. These guides can help you set up your kitchen for how you like to cook

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS Room of the Day: See the Bathroom That Helped a House Sell in a Day

By Annie Thornton

Sophisticated but sensitive bathroom upgrades help a century-old house move fast on the market

REMODELING GUIDES Wisdom to Help Your Relationship Survive a Remodel

By Mitchell Parker

Spend less time patching up partnerships and more time spackling and sanding with this insight from a Houzz remodeling survey

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Color: 15 Ravishing Red Backsplashes

By Jennifer Ott Design

Bring some zing to your kitchen with a backsplash of ruby-colored tiles or back-painted glass

KITCHEN DESIGN Houzz Quiz: Which Kitchen Backsplash Material Is Right for You?

By Jennifer Ott Design

With so many options available, see if we can help you narrow down the selection

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Add a Kitchen Backsplash

By Mitchell Parker

Great project: Install glass, tile or another decorative material for a gorgeous and protective backsplash

Sponsored

More Discussions

Thoughts on making galley kitchen more open?

31

kitchen countertops

2

contractor chooses kitchen

13

Two tier drawer in 3 stack

11

Matt tiles - quality issues out of the box

12