Need your opinion on backsplash....

15 years ago

I thought I had my backsplash decided on and then went to pick up flooring and saw more great choices. I am about decided-out and really could use some help on this.

We have med/dark cherry cabinets on three walls in the kitchen and off-white glazed cabinets on the fourth wall and on the island. The overall looked is traditional (beadboard behind desk area, molding, etc), but we do have quite a bit of stainless too. The backsplash will be used with the cherry cabinets only. Floor is travertine.

My DH and I have very different ideas on this reno, which adds to the dilemma. He wants lots of color and glass, which I am generally okay with, but after this remodel, I don't want to touch the kitchen for 10+ years. :p Also, we may sell in a year or two, so I would like to use materials that are classic and won't go the way of olive green 70's appliances. I originally planned on cream subway tiles- clean and classic, but the color was a bit stark with the cabinets.

So, here are the choices:

Travertine with glass inserts- interesting, but is it busy?

Onyx with colors found in granite and cabinets; fun, but not as warm as first choice.

This is the pattern I would use...

This was my first choice, but the colors aren't exact matches with the granite. Very warm tho- looks great with cabinets.

Bottom sample with stick travertine/glass combo. Way too expensive for all over wall, but could use with 3x6 Jerusalem Gold subway tile. Colors are great, but not quite as interesting as the others.

This is my granite. Lots of golds, caramels, grays.

Okay, hang in there with me- one more picture...

This is my floor... golds, creams, grays.

Any and all comments welcome- please put me out of my misery! Just looking to work with the overall kitchen style and colors, work well for resale, but still be interesting. I'm not asking for much, huh? LOL I can see any of them working, but would like to know what you think.

Thanks!

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Comments (9)

jules1906
15 years ago
I love the first one! I think it would complement both the cherry cabinets and the off-white cabinets nicely. How big is your kitchen? I don't think it would look too busy unless your kitchen was rather large. I also love your granite!
remodelfla
15 years ago
For me... definitely the onyx
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I think one of the things that ends up missing in a lot of discussions about backsplashes, is that they are supposed to be easier to clean and more durable than a painted wall, and a painted wall is fairly easy to clean and pretty durable. I think the argument that a backsplash is needed because you are going to splash things on it gets a little weaker when the backsplash is stone or mosaic that is primarily ornamental and would be susceptible to stain and water absorption without sealing it. My gym recently updated the showers with stone tile and mosaic. They removed tile showers that were probably 60 years old. The stone requires a lot more maintenance, isn't as bullet proof as glazed tile, and, since they are used heavily, you can tell when they need to be resealed: they smell bad, like a combination of mold and mildew, and they feel slimy. I don't take showers there anymore. Not that this is going to happen to a residential kitchen backsplash---but my point is that a good paint would probably be just as good a backsplash from a functional standpoint as cleft stone. This sort of backsplash veers into the Ornamental category. As for the 1" backsplash not Adding anything to the look. I agree, but it doesn't subtract much from the look either: it's there primarily for function.
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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.
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Thanks everyone!! We're working on this today. We will leave the wall painted between the dishwasher and pantry. My original thought was that the tile might help balance things, but that was on paper. Perfect... much less work for my husband!! yay! We're going to bring the tile up to the stove and level all the way across.. we will be adding a black pencil line. I was on the fence and I haven't seen it, but we mocked it up and I think it will be nice. It also makes it so we have nice even rows - no cutting tiles to make narrow rows needed by adding the pencil line. That sealed the deal. I wont be doing anything fancy behind the stove. It may be years before I get the stove I want so we'll just be keeping it all the same. AGain thanks!! I hope to post pics soon!!
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pbrisjar
15 years ago
Love onyx in general. Love that combo with your granite.
farmhousebound
15 years ago
Another vote for the onyx - looks great w/ your granite.
teddas
15 years ago
Travertine with glass inserts looks good but not that "V" pattern, too busy and it would be the only thing you saw in your kitchen!
pfmastin
15 years ago
I like the Onyx best...there's a lot of pattern in the granite and that one balances it out nicely.
raehelen
15 years ago
Of course, I think the best one is the 'way too expensive one'! :>)

Personally, I think your granite is so gorgeous, you want that to be the shining star- not your backsplash!
blondelle
15 years ago
You have so much going on in the floor with different sizes and tones, and colors, and all that pattern and movement in your granite that you need something more uniform and calmer on the backsplash. I would go more neutral and use a Jurusalem 2 X 4 brick or mini brick, or a pale honey crackled 2 X 6 or long subway tile. Maybe a beveled tile for more interest. I would not put a variety of sizes, colors or tones on the backsplash with all you have already going on. It needs to be quieter to show off the other elements. I feel all those you show are too much with all you already have going on there. The eye needs somewhere to rest.
housepoor2
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you all for your input. Why do we obsess over these things?

Blondelle- I agree with you on going for the cleaner look for the reasons you mentioned, but am trying to make DH happy too. He would be happy with a rainbow for a backsplash (in various patterns and sizes), so I am going for a compromise with the somewhat muted colors.

jules1906- the walls are pretty long and while I love that tile, I am also thinking it might be a bit much over the full length of the room.

I am leaning toward the onyx. I had not heard of using this for a kitchen backsplash until reading postings on this great website. I guess this is becoming more common?

Thanks again all and please, any other words of wisdom welcomed!

Need your opinion on backsplash....

Comments (9)

jules1906

remodelfla

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housepoor2
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Need your opinion on backsplash....

Comments (9)

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housepoor2Original Author

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housepoor2
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