Glass tiles and leave handles off uppers for a clean Euro look.

Very pretty. I love more modern slab style cabinets and your pulls on the bottom warm it up and make it feel more approachable. I think handles on the top cabinets would be nice as well but orientated vertically. Could you "tape" one or two on to get an idea first? I think a blue backsplash would make the kitchen really something unique.

I don't understand what you mean. Handles would be at the top of the upper cabinets? I think that is too high and would look strange. If you don't put handles on them, do you just grab the corner to pull open?

@kelleg: I actually meant should there be handles on the uppers as well or none at all? On the uppers, there is a narrow groove on the underside to pull them open, if a handle is not applied. The original thought was to put the handles centered on the bottom edge of the upper cabinet doors.

@mobuddy -- thanks! I hadn't thought of turning them sideways. I was originally thinking that the handles would help make the setup a little different. Lower corner?

@anglophilia -- Thanks yes, I think none is a bit cleaner but I was concerned with the mess and wear. I was thinking stacked glass brick as one choice or none at all.

Do you prefer this look

Munro Renovation · More Info

This look

Hartman Rd, Newton · More Info

I'd leave them as is, myself.. Maybe something on the refrigerator. ETA: just saw your post about concern with no handles. I wouldn't use your bottom handles on the top (unless you love that first picture). I'd find something thst doesn't make a statement, more utilitarian.

And if sheet glass is out, I wouldn't put anything except a drop dead piece of art tile on the backsplash. If that's out, leave it.

I love your kitchen!! It is so way cool.

None at all... you already have a 2" or 3" bs made of your counter material to protect your walls, cabinets, floor, and subfloor, so if you want nothing more, that's fine. The minimalist in you might opt for a sheet glass bs. In white. It's a safe choice.

But you could also consider adding color or texture to your space via the right bs material.

No handles on top.

I think blue glass would look great. You need some color. Is there a knob in the same family as the handles? That might work for your uppers, or a smaller version of the handles.

Thanks, all, it seems like everyone says no handles on top. @schnoodlemom -- it's the only size and shape in this line.

All the glass examples are very helpful. If I am unable to get a glass sheet, I was thinking a stacked brick layout or chevron layout on some light blue glass tile might work. I'm concerned that it'll look a bit washed out by keeping it plain. (I was not actually trying to be minimalist overall in the space).

I've been furiously googling examples of successfully putting a patterned or textured tile. Since I've been finding few inspiration pieces, I'm thinking it's just not done to mix a clean Euro look with a bolder pattern or more textural tile.

There are a few examples like this one, that is almost like a wallpaper: LINK

Or a more traditional one, like this one: LINK

How about encaustic/cement:there are some good examples here

It's hard to envision an eclectic mix like white gloss cabinets and this WZ Contessa or Tuileries, for example.

There are examples, it's just hard to find the right search terms for this particular inspiration image; you have to grab them as you find them. These might not be right for you, but let me know if any of them speaks to you.

I do like the look better without the handles but agree it might be easier to maintain with the handles. So, for me it would come down to how much use you expect the top cabinets to get. If you will only open them a few times per day then I think it would be fine to go without. If, on the other hand, you expect you'd be opening them many times per day I'd go with the handles to keep hands off.

A couple more patterns. FWIW, I really like the pattern in the fourth photo eams44 posted.

With this one, I'd turn it horizontal.

Another one showing the effects you can create using two different whites

And what the heck. This is similar to one of eam44's photos.

Nice kitchen. I'm seeing a very light blue in that space and something that provides some texture since the cabinets are high gloss. Similar to this:

Thanks for the examples, EAM, barncatz, pipdog, they are really helpful.

I think I like the encaustic tiles (but not mixed, maybe one pattern) in the last EAM44 post, the fish scale pattern that barncatz posted and the modified chevron in the 2nd photo from pipdog. I'm concerned that's a very small space and it could get overwhelming. Maybe a tone on tone or pale blue with a new texture would be the way to bridge the gap. Like the fish-scale tiles in a more subtle pattern.

Bolder example

I'm also thinking that if there is no backsplash or a plain glass sheet, the no handles are best. If the BS is a bit more prominent, it can handle the handles, possibly, but not likely if it is too busy. Thus, leaving them off until the BS is installed is probably best.

Here's a picture with the handles in another kitchen installation from the catalog (ignore the BS -- I know it's tough to ignore):

Regarding the hardware issue. I think you need pulls or knobs on the uppers., even if you decide to use those tab-like hardly visible pulls from IKEA.

Gooster, are you bothered by messes and oily fingerprints? I am and also hope to have slab front cabinets, but in a wood-look laminate or veneer. I think that is an important consideration with glossy white cabinets such a yours. As someone else asked above, how many times a day do you think you would opening and closing them.

If the cabinets weren't made to have a convenient hand hold then you should add handles.

I personally like the look of handles better.

We did a similarly white gloss kitchen. We didn't want handles on the uppers but were working with ikea cabs, so we needed something to be able to open. So we did this mini tab pull in white:

https://www.handlesets.com/atlas-homewares-a831-successi-1-1-4-inch-center-to-center-finger-cabinet-pull/p1985876?uid=1985876&source=trm_OrderConfirmation_Handlesets.com_p

And then 9" long similar tab pulls on the bottom in oil rubbed bronze (the bronze helped tie the super modern kitchen into our 150 year old victorian row house that otherwise has bronze doorknobs, etc). I just had a friend in town who is very "design-y" and she noticed the choice of white tabs right away on the uppers and complimented them.

There's a notch on the bottom side to open them. Now I rightly hear concerns with the wear and tear. Maybe it's best to make a decision on the BS first and then see about the tabs or handles later.

@eam44 -- it's a tiny area. Like less than 15 sq feet. I'd like to keep the tile cost down below $50 per sq ft.

Decide on backsplash, install it, and then use the cabinets for a bit (handleless). If you realize you then want handles, you can always drill holes and add them.

Push latch on the uppers, no handles, although I like them very much on the base cabinets.

I agree writersblock, those handles are quite pretty.

Gooster, I noticed you had pictures of another kitchen renovation that you did in 2013 that was absolutely stunning. Is the kitchen you showed above perhaps in your summer/winter home? Or did you move?

@writersblock - there is actually a push latch system on a few of the small uppers (they pop up). I think getting a decision on the bs, after all the feedback, and living with it as suggested is the best choice for now.

@mobuddy: Oh, you saw our main home. Thank you! Yes, this is a vacation home, so it won't get as much use as a main residence. However, it will also be rented out, which is why I'm cautious about wear and tear.

At your price point you have a lot of options. You just have to decide what looks good to you, and for that you want to look at inspiration images of modern kitchens and move in the direction that you like. It's a process of elimination. If you had to choose between sheet glass and tile, which would you choose?

Gooster, is that a 24" cooktop over a 24" oven? If so, what are they, please? Or is it just the photo perspective that makes the cooktop look square?

@eam44 I'd probably choose sheet glass or backpainted glass, but I am concerned with a lot of slick surfaces. Starting to really like the encaustic modern/old look... I will have to source some samples and see how they are.

@writersblock, no it is a 24in (60cm) induction unit and oven from Indesit/Hotpoint.

Thanks! Is this house in the UK?

In the US, Miele, Gaggenau, Bosch, Fagor, Bertazzoni and a few others make 24" appliances.

Yes, I know, thanks, homepro, although the selection of small sizes here is limited and disproportionately expensive, especially if you would like to have a warranty on the cooktop with an oven under it.

But all I can find on Indesit is on UK sites, which is why I asked.

Of all the looks, this is my favorite for you.

If you decide to pursue encaustic tile you should consider Mosaic House tile. Let us know what you decide. Good luck.

I think Gooster is in the South of France. I believe the Fagor oven is not super expensive and is rated for an induction cooktop over it. The Miele and Bosch 24" induction are rated for install over ovens if I remember correctly. I can't speak for the Wolf or Gaggenau units.

Ah yes, that's right. I remember the other thread about choosing a flat now. Thanks, homepro.

It's a pretty kitchen no matter where, Gooster.

I looked at the Miele and Bosch as well, but due to circumstances had to choose the Italian.

The sheet glass look in some sort of tint or backpainted look, seems to be the way to go, especially to minimize the impact.
I'm also liking this one at the MosaicHouse link you referenced: http://www.mosaichse.com/details.php?id=232#

But probably would need a smaller scale pattern. I am also liking these dimensional cement tiles from Presidio for tone on tone texture

http://www.presidiotile.com/product-category/decorative-cement-tile/ 

its beautiful, Gooster. Best of luck to you in this adventure. I''d put handles on high gloss cabinets, especially bc of renters. My kd said they can scratch. imo

Just to followup, we decided on the following tile. It's gray and white, with a lightly dimensional tile, with a matte and semi-gloss finish. (Could not find a blue I liked) Still deciding on the handles, due to the wear issue mentioned above. Awaiting the order/install. Thanks for the suggestions, all.

Thanks so much for following up with us. I'd love to see a reveal when you're truly done. People often post their dilemmas, but get too busy to let us know what they've chosen.

I'm sorry you don't love your bs but it is a good choice - even picks up on the curves in your handles. Regarding the blue, you can always find an area rug to place in front of the sink (where your floor will wear most) or choose blue dishwear or glasses. Bonne chance mon ami.

Just one last followup -- here's the BS installed. I had hoped to get a better picture but I have not yet received the closeup photo and the ones (like below) the agency took don't show the BS detail.

Nice! From the pic, you can't really tell that it's a two-tone tile--it just looks textured (thanks to both the tone-on-tone effect and the small scale).

Wow! Looks great.

Looks great. I like the way the tile mimics the light fixture, nicely done.

gooster - This is fabulous! So bright and cheerful. The back splash is perfect.

I'd forgotten I'd read this thread so was thinking about photoshopping a few options, et tout d'un coup, voila! ze back splash eez zere!

Thanks, all! It's a tiny place, and it's been a long journey in purchase, reno and deco.

cawaps -- it's a light silvery grey with a white background.

blfenton -- the light fixture and tile were chosen during the same week; and some of the curves are picked up in the table.

ha oldbat2be -- yes, I'm just coming back to update vs. doing a full reveal. There is also my other thread on the home decorating side with the other rooms.

Oh it's just adorably sophisticated and welcoming. (I popped over to your other thread. Thank you for including the link.) And I think your backsplash tile is perfect. I love how it looks installed, such a fabulous effect.

Beautiful! Thank you for showing us your lovely new space.