skip to main content

Help - what backsplash to choose? Adjacent brick wall & stacked stone!

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I have an open concept home. The living has a stacked stone fireplace. The kitchen has off-white shaker style cabinets to the ceiling, 48" range, mantle-style vent hood, & window panes in 3 upper cabinets on either side of range. Medium shade wood flooring & medium walnut island (same granite). Wood beams in living. Brick wall in the breakfast room, adjacent to kitchen. Stainless steel appliances & faucets. White Kohler cast iron sink. I do NOT want to draw out the yellow of the granite - I like the white, cream, tan, gray, green color scheme. 2 questions: (1) What backsplash do you recommend? (2) What finish on kitchen pulls?

This will be the fireplace & side shelves, but mantle will be wider, held up by a chunk of stone on each end, & stain will be more walnut in color, not as red.

The kitchen wall needing backsplash. Sorry it's hard to see, but 3 upper cabinets on each side with panes in top door, but not main door.

This will be the brick used, but all laying horizontal. 3 large windows on same wall.

Breakfast room light (agains brick wall & windows), adjacent to kitchen

Island lights (one on each side framing in the mantle style vent hood)

Formal dining room Light (enter with dining on right, living open ahead of that, kitchen open off to right of living, breakfast open off to left of kitchen.... so all can be seen from one another.

Granite is ornamental cream. There is a cabinet door with it.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

eam44
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
You have so many options, but when I saw your brick it brought to mind the glazed thin brick that Firelay tile makes. Here are Cotton and Willow glazes, but it's available in several tans, cream and grays as well.

Re: hardware, how would you feel about brass that ties in to your chandelier?
bldgnewhm3 thanked eam44
raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
7 years ago
I'd go with something simple. I like the Fireclay. I would pick a size/shape that is close to the bricks on the wall. You have enough diversity in pattern size with the fireplace stones and brick wall, and additionally with the lights. Don't want to stumble into "too much jewelry" territory.

I also think dark brass would be nice for the pulls, would go well with the brick, stone and lights.
bldgnewhm3 thanked raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
Related Discussions
Need help choosing backsplash, pic included
Q
Comments (8)
I have the exact same color thing going on in my kitchen. I am also a person who loves color. My plan is to use the backsplash tile to visually link the kitchen to the LR beyond and the attached dining room. LR is a warm sand color and the dining room will be turquoise. Tile will be a mix of the two, some bend of blue and amber glass. I think your most important decision is whether or not you want the backsplash to stand out as the focal point in the kitchen or if you want it to just be a part of the whole. For me, the splash is what brings my kitchen splash! I need it to be fun and interesting and more than a little blingy. You have to figure out where you are on that spectrum and choose the medium/style accordingly. Similarly, you have to decide how much color you want/need. For me, the stark white is just too sterile. There are some really nice "clear" glass tiles that throw a bit of green or blue or gray. Or, if you're drawn to the ceramic, you could get a soft gray or taupe like you mentioned. Ann Sacks Ceramic Basics has a number of really lovely, soft-but-not-pastel colors in the field tile. Sees like everyone who was still looking for a backsplash over on the kitchens board made a New Year's resolution to get it done, so there are a lot of threads right now. You might take a peek over there and see what people are looking at...whether any of it appeals. I assume you have already looked at the FKB and Inspirational Backsplashes slideshow? Here is a link that might be useful: Ann Sacks Ceramic Basics
...See More
Need help choosing backsplash - pics included!
Q
Comments (101)
It's still a side splash, which I typically wouldn't tile, even though there's a cab over it. But you have a sink nearby. The granite looks tight to the wall, so I think caulk and a washable paint is enough protection from occasional splashing. If you leave standing water from draining dishes, I'd tile, but I doubt you do that with white granite. You could tile it the height of the raised bar, which I think is what you intend with your finger placement. But that leaves a small area of wall between the tile and cabinet, which would look like you ran out of tile if it were done on a row of cabinets. So you could do just two rows of tile. I would bring it to the end of the counter in that case, but normally I'd say stop at the upper cabinet. Tape some up and let's see what looks best.
...See More
Ready to choose the back splash for my two-tone kitchen!
Q
Comments (50)
Ack, sorry again for my very delayed reply. As usual, LIFE got in the way - how annoying! ;) rebunky: I was so disappointed by how pricey the Calacatta tiles were that I didn't even want to take photos of them! Wow - I didn't know that $20/sq ft was on the low end for Calacatta. I think that nixes it for me then. :( namarie: I know your kitchen so well! ;) I didn't realize your tiles were Calacatta Gold - I always thought that CG had more brown tones than grey? I did some Googling and I see lots of tiles with the same colours as your tiles so it looks like I assumed wrong! I think your choice to do tile with very narrow grout lines makes for a nearly-slab-like look! I'd love to get the slab look too but it is WAY too pricey, and I wonder how the heck to remove a slab BS should I ever tire of it?? Kitchen Magic: I did really like the look of some mini bricks I saw at the tile stores I visited. I like how the ones like in your photo have muted colours so it gives me a multi coloured backsplash without being too busy. cpartist: how gorgeous are those cement tiles?? I've never seen cement tiles before and it looks like the design possibilities are endless, if you get them with some graphic design printed on. smm5525: Good idea. I will do that instead of dragging all of you along with me as I think aloud!! Sorry for that... I just really love to see all the different ideas you all share! mayflowers: Hmm... I agree that I can't have both the BS and the counters look busy. The London Grey is staying so I think I'll be going with a solid BS for most of the kitchen... but I'll still consider putting in a more "busy" mosaic tile somewhere, most likely in the hutch area. :) barncatz: I agree - I love the tiles everyone's shared! It helps me figure out and narrow down what I want for my BS tile.
...See More
Anyone want to help me choose a backsplash?
Q
Comments (56)
I'm still occasionally thinking about backsplash tile as I get some free time. "Reading other people's suggestions is like a brainstorming session that gets me thinking in new directions. I'm not married to one idea! I also never tire of looking at Houzz photos for ideas." - exactly! Also, I've run across two of those last three kitchen you posted:) (maybe too much time on houzz?...nah) I picked up more samples. I really like the white tile below, and want to share. Unfortunately, I don't think the white goes with the white on my upper cabinets. I doubt the tumbled stone tile will be popular here, but I really like the colors. If I went with stone, I would probably go all the way up and around the window as well. Any opinions on this? http://www.homedepot.com/p/Merola-Tile-Okaido-Nordico-Decor-19-3-4-in-x-19-3-4-in-Ceramic-Floor-and-Wall-Tile-16-5-sq-ft-case-FCG20OND/206402828 I like the center designs (they vary), but don't care for the larger pattern. Maybe I could cut up each sheet and make a new pattern? It seems to be unobtanium anyway; out of stock online and not sold in stores. cp - you have really converted me to the idea of patterned tile, if I can find the right one. Still looking.
...See More
bldgnewhm3
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Thank you both. Yes, I was worried about getting too busy - I want the fireplace, brick wall/lighting, & vent hood to be the places they eye is drawn... the backsplash should be pretty & subtle, not distracting from the other elements. I was thinking of laying tile offset on backsplash, then herringbone over 48" range with crown or pencil trim. I looked on the Fireclay website. What about something like this crackle in a gray-green london fog or salton sea? https://www.fireclaytile.com/tile/colors/detail/london-fog/ or even a gray like this http://www.thebuilderdepot.com/hparkdg3x6.html? Or do I need to stay more matte? Do I stay with a stone look (fireclay brick, ivory travertine, tumbled creama martial marble) or try to soften the room with a non-stone tile? I'm trying to pull gray tones & tan tones throughout the house so I have a versatile backdrop in case I ever want to switch...

Re pulls: Funny, I hadn't considered brass. I was thinking ORB or stainless or polished nickel... brass does make sense when you look at the lighting. I was thinking silver tones to tie in the faucets/appliances & brighten the space b/c I'm worried it's too dark with all the stone/brick & loggia paint on walls. Hmmm...
mark_rachel
7 years ago
I think I would go with a large scale subway. Maybe a beveled cream tile. With an interesting pattern behind the cooktop.
bldgnewhm3 thanked mark_rachel

Related Stories

MATERIALS Raw Materials Revealed: Brick, Block and Stone Help Homes Last

By Buckminster Green LLC

Learn about durable masonry essentials for houses and landscapes, and why some weighty-looking pieces are lighter than they look

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Garden Walls: Dry-Stacked Stone Walls Keep Their Place in the Garden

By Olander Garden Design

See an ancient building technique that’s held stone walls together without mortar for centuries

BRICK Great Materials: Common Brick Stacks Up Style

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

So basic and yet so incredibly versatile, bricks can dress home exteriors, walls, roofs and more. Here's how to bring out their best

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING How to Make a Stacked Stone Fire Pit

By Erin Lang Norris

See how to build a cozy outdoor gathering place for less than $500

KITCHEN DESIGN Yes, You Can Use Brick in the Kitchen

By Becky Harris

Quell your fears of cooking splashes, cleaning nightmares and dust with these tips from the pros

STANDARD MEASUREMENTS The Right Dimensions for Your Porch

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Depth, width, proportion and detailing all contribute to the comfort and functionality of this transitional space

BRICK How to Make an Interior Brick Wall Work

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Learn how to preserve, paint, clean and style a brick wall to fit your design scheme

GARDENING GUIDES 9 Garden Gates That Hinge on Charm

By Laura Gaskill

Stacked stone, rustic wood and fragrant blooms help beckon the eye to these inviting entries

COLOR Pick-a-Paint Help: How to Create a Whole-House Color Palette

By Laura Gaskill

Don't be daunted. With these strategies, building a cohesive palette for your entire home is less difficult than it seems

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: 38 Years of Renovations Help Artists Live Their Dream

By Esther Hershcovich

Twin art studios. Space for every book and model ship. After four decades of remodeling, this farmhouse has two happy homeowners

Sponsored

Custom Home Works

10 Reviews

Franklin County's Award-Winning Design, Build and Remodeling Expert

More Discussions

kitchen design feedback

6

Does anyone have Medallion cabinets in Maple Biscotti?

7

Kith cabinets? They look great and well made?

4

Kitchen remodel in my future

9

contractor chooses kitchen

13