Thanks Deedles! Actually this is the picture that got me thinking about this look again! Thanks for posting it. I like the way it's casual, yet elegant. Even though my cabs are all white, hopefully I'll get a similar effect. I just brought home this tongue and groove stuff from Lowes, that's actually mdf. It's only about 1/4 in thick (so it won't take up much counter space), and about 5 in. wide. I'm going to see what DH thinks when he gets home from work....

Jaynes123 "Until GW, I wasnt even aware kitchens had BSs," Same here. The only backsplashes I saw in newly remodeled kitchens were the same granite as that on the counters. Then I see all the posts about backsplashes here in GW and folks asking again and again what kind of backsplash should I get, or does this or that look good for a backsplash. I asked my wife, "What the heck is going on in GardenWeb and all this "Backsplash thing". She says "Some tile sales folks are hanging around and all they gotta do is convince a person or two and the rest follow. That was probably close to 10 years ago now. We see it over and over again, first White kitchens, Now gray. Now everybody must have an Island~~~~and on and On it goes~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I guess if you are a "Follower Type", all is well and good. But I've always done my own thing and will continue to do so. I will say that one place GW was a lotta help and Yea I did follow, was with Induction, Luv it!!!!~~~the other "Stuff", not so much ~~but ~~~~~that's just this old guys opinion, not necessarily right or wrong! Gary

If the IKEA stainless steel backsplash is not to your size, go to your local metal fabricating shop. Ask them to cut a sheet of brushed #4 stainless to your specs. They can usually do this down to the nearest 1/8 or 1/16" inch. Bring it home, attach to your wall with any of the Liquid Nail adhesives, then peel the protective plastic film off. Or, if you want the adhesion points to show, you can use decorative nails or screws in the corners. We did this for the backsplash behind our Wolf rangetop...the appliance store wanted $800 for the backsplash, the metal shop did it for me for $98 plus tax. Looks like a million dollars, and cleans up like a breeze with SS Magic and a soft cloth. Once you get that first coat of SS Magic on there, grease and water don't stick, and clean up with a quick wipe of a cloth and a squirt of SS Magic (you can get this at any big box store or Walmart).

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.