Hi Duba, I don't know when I've seen such consistent feedback on this forum. You're getting some very wise advice and I hope you are listening. I will echo some of the main points, which are spot-on. First get rid of the red paint. Now I love red, but those walls are fighting with your gorgeous granite. Yes, gorgeous. Once the red is gone, take some time to get comfortable with the granite before you zero in on the backsplash. I love the look of stacked stone and was tempted to use it for my backsplash. But I knew it would be a cleaning nightmare, especially around the sink and cooktop. Cooking oil and tomato sauce splatters in all those nooks and crannies would not be good. And in your case, it brings a lot of texture that competes with the granite. I think a cream colored porcelain or ceramic tile would be great for your backsplash. Maybe you can find one that echoes your new paint color. If you go with subways, keeping the grout color consistent with the tile color will help avoid the "brick wall" look you don't like. Accent tiles, either scattered or in a border, could pick up a little pale green or grey or beige from the granite. If you decide to pursue glass tile remember that it tends to bring a modern sensibility, where your kitchen has a very traditional style. So tread lightly. You have the makings of a really lovely kitchen there. Step back and take a few deep breaths and you'll see it. :-) Ruby

I'm not sure how I came across this post, I think it was displayed on the right side and I clicked on it being intrigued by the tile making. I was at one time interested in working with papercrete and hypertufa. But after enlisting my brother, who wasn't as enthusiastic, and my niece, who poured cement down my laundry room sink, which original to the house had lasted 70 years, and ruining three blenders, my interest waned. True to form, if I come upon difficulty in a project, I think of it as a sign for me not to continue. And really, after all these years of trying various crafts that result in crap, I should know better. I also should have known better than to ask my brother, who always says it can't be done to any of my unique design ideas. And I should have known better than to ask my niece, who once stayed up all night before having to drive to LA for an art show, cutting mat after mat after measuring once, twice, sometimes ten times, but always coming out with the wrong size. I think we both have math dyslexia. I should video us trying anything crafty to see where we go wrong. I think both of us having ADHD might have something to do with it. Sorry for the backstory and run on sentences. So, I just wanted to see if you continued with your venture. And to say sorry for whatever tragedy occurred to cause you to have to move to Florida. Not that there is anything wrong with Florida, but it isn't Panama. Which is one of my favorite places in the western hemisphere. I hope no one is upset that I brought up a seven year old post.

Thank you..exactly the kind of info I was after.. Clare, when I was in the process I posted at the Kitchen Forum...so I knew Bill could help..but what I was after way "lay" peoples views...and I got them..hurray... Kathi, I pulled off laminate and had to retexture the wall slightly just to repaint it..I'm done with the painted wall look now..and what something a bit more finished..:O) Susan, At the moment it's just some 3" tile in a variety of colors that match the kitchen and Corian. Okay here's another question??? How far off the counter top should the tiles be?

Pretty tile. Are your shelves extending to the edge of the countertop? The question most frequently asked is: do you end the tile at the cabinets (shelves, in your case) or at the countertop? Is that a closed door to the right of the outlet? Is the outlet a light switch? I would think it would look odd to go to the floor unless you also went to the ceiling.