I think I'd want to "marry" the glossy with the softer looking other areas. Therefore I would get at least a glazed tile but not super-gloss white.....choose some level of glaze up from matte.....walnut tends to be a cool toned wood..you could start with a light gray basic ceramic glazed field tile and go from there. Subway, chevron, herringbone, basketweave.....maybe explore a pattern, as I think walnut is really upscale and a slick pattern would play off the beautiful walnut.

Here's a link to a new backsplash FAQ we are working on that may be helpful.

Please post an image- if you don't know how to do this, check out the New to Kitchens thread and give us an idea of your tile budget in $/sf

Thank you for the replies! Yes, I am trying for an upscale look (on my IKEA budget). I just wasn't sure if I should add a patterned tile to create sense of movement/interest or keep the backsplash very simple. I'm also looking for suggestions for the island front panel. I was thinking of high gloss white (as side panels will be high gloss white) but also wondered about tiling it to match the backsplash? Looking forward to hearing suggestions...

Can you post a pic of your countertops & flooring?

Sure thing, here are the pictures. The countertop is a soft white with a hint of tiny pinpoint flecks in a soft taupe. My flooring is a very light blonde/beige color. I'm looking to keep my overall look fairly light.

Cement tile?

I would definitely do a pattern...include arabesque into search [with a modern vibe if you can find such piece].

Would you recommend tiling the front of the island to match the backsplash? Or am I way out in left field? I want a sophisticated and unique look. My goal is to have a hotel/resort feel - luxurious, warm, rich (but again on my IKEA budget :)

Maybe wait until you've made a decision on your materials, but generally, I'd keep it the same as the sides of the island.

Have you considered sheet glass for a bs?

That is quite beautiful, but I suspect might be outside of my budget ;)

I'm a tileaholic but I agree that the island front and sides should be the same high gloss white or a walnut panel as in this kitchen.

As far as the backsplash, the world is your oyster in your very, way cool kitchen. Here's one look but if you like it, you'd need to understand white glass tile installation.

North of Nell · More Info

I really appreciate all of the comments and suggestions...it's helping me see new possibilities

If I did the island front in high gloss white as suggested, what are your thoughts on adding a few vertical chrome strips (ie approx 1" width) for detail? It would create the look of 3 adjacent panels vs one long panel on front of island. I was thinking about using a brushed chrome t- moulding for the vertical strips.

I like the idea of the walnut panel to match the base cabinets. I wouldn't advise any moulding so as not to break the continuous grain.

Now that I think about your desired look, I'm thinking a simple backsplash to let the walnut be the star.

Something like this ? Especially with seating, decorative island front details are not my first choice. To me these strips look rather commercial but these owners obviously also liked the look.

Erskine · More Info

Oh I don't know about that. Agree with barncatz.

We had the same thought...so we took a large walnut panel cover panel and laid it in place...but the grain runs in a different direction than the cabinets when you turn it from a vertical to horizontal orientation. The only way to have it run same direction would be to cut a large piece into 3 smaller pieces and orient them so grain is same. It's an IKEA kitchen, so I can't get a custom piece :)

I'm not familiar with IKEA but can't you manipulate the dimensions in the order so the grain stays horizontal?

My last post was in reference to the walnut island idea...I see I was typing too slowly and got myself out of sequence

The only way to create the cover panel for island front is to turn a 36"x96" gable on its side...but then the grain unfortunately changes

I understand what you are both saying re chrome trim. Because I will have seating there, it may be too much to have stool legs and chrome trim.

Then I'd prob stick with the high gloss. No tile, you don't want the back of island being a focal point. Just let it blend

Search for digitally printed glass backsplash on gardenweb. It's quite inexpensive to install tempered glass as backsplash, maybe even use the tracks for mirror attachments; the main issue is to make sure the outlets are cut out properly. Alternatively, just a sheet of glass behind the range.

I'm going to piggyback on this, if it's ok, and ask about the tempered glass backsplash. I really like the look, but my designer steered me away from it, because it basically shows every speck of grease or dirt. I trust what she says, but I am curious whether anyone has experienced that?

Thank you all again for your suggestions re my backsplash and island...much appreciated!

Looking back at that photo, I think those might be cabinet doors, lol.

I think it would be okay to have the grain change, and my other thought is the strips would not stand out as much on the walnut, Please let us know what you finally do!

Would you like more tile ideas?

Sure, absolutely, would love ideas if you want to send more!

And yes, I will for sure post a picture of the kitchen once it's finished :)

I don't know if you like marble but we have a similar two toned modern kitchen and went with an elongated calacatta marble tile (mostly because we couldn't afford a slab which I really wanted!)

Your kitchen is beautiful. My partner has been advocating for marble for a while. Is yours true marble or a porcelain tile that looks like marble? I know there can be quite a cost difference.

Thank you! It is real marble, but there are some great look alike porcelain tiles out there.

Interesting, that's also a nice look. By laminate, do you mean laminate flooring? Or a laminate countertop material that's wall mounted?

Namarie - you are lucky to have real marble - it's simply gorgeous. Did you need to reinforce your wall? I'm wondering if I use a larger tile if I need concrete board? I'm afraid I'm stuck with regular drywall at this point.

Eam44 - I really like the picture you attached

No, I don't think so. Our tile isn't that large. . . I think it is 4x16. And thanks for the compliment! Your kitchen is already very pretty as well and you're not even done yet!

Thank you so much! I just want to make sure i stay on the right track with my choices :)

I'm attaching a picture of a sample tile for feedback. It's a 12"x12" sheet of smaller 2"x4" tiles I think made of marble? Might be too many grout lines, but curious what ppl think?

namarie - this was the closest tile I could find to yours...I will keep looking for a bigger one!

Marble is a great choice. Consider large format tiles like the 6" x 18" tiles below for a more modern look. Also, consider Calacatta Gold marble if it's in budget as the whites are often whiter than in Carrara marble, and the gold speaks to the warmth of your wood.

Yes I like Calcutta better than Carrara, as I looked up some images last night. My homework now is to try to locate the marble here in Edmonton!

Mine is Walker Zanger, if you want to see if they sell it somewhere there. It wasn't cheap but my heart was set on a calacatta marble backsplash so I decided it was worth the splurge (and it's not a huge area that we had to tile.)

I'd say it was definitely worth the investment! Thanks for the info...I will check into it

I'd love to find some with the gold in it as eam44 suggested...so will be sure to check on that too