It looks like you could go any direction as everything is quite neutral.

- Use the Victoria Falls quartzirte for a back splash.

pick a very light colored subway, blues and greens are classic with white kitchens.

Use beautiful wood and cover with glass.

Back painted glass

You could do a cement tile for something fun and different

You're "not a fan of gray", but you chose it for a top. Either the palest gray subway........or turn the lights on, and keep dragging home whites in subway : ) All whites will change with the light. Maybe you are obsessing. Take a drawer face to a tile shop, pick a match, and move on.

I must ask........ it looks as if an upper cabinet is missing left of the range......

Rawketgrl, those are lovely suggestions and the photos are very helpful.

Jan, you are correct on all counts: I ended up with grey countertops despite the fact that it isn't my favorite color; I am obsessing; and it does appear as if an upper cabinet is missing. Fortunately, I love the countertops and when I am standing in the room, the open space left of the range isn't as off-putting as I feared it might be. That was one of the most difficult decisions I had to make - no perfect solution. While I would prefer symmetry above the range, I really didn't want to crowd the doorway with another upper cabinet. If artwork doesn't sufficiently complete the space, I can add shelves or (worst case) ask the cabinetmaker to rebuild that section. Believe me... any of those options are better than when the refrigerator was there, sticking out like a gigantic sore thumb. :-)

Thanks to both of you.

DSGTS- lovely kitchen.

I dont really have a suggestion on a backsplash, I will encourage you to take your time. I lived for about 2 years without a backsplash as I couldnt decide and then one day I walked into a tile store with a sample hunk of countertop and in about 10 minutes I picked something that is perfect. So, when you know, you know.

Can you please tell me what make and model of rangehood you have? I love the minimal line.

I'd get a cabinet there before you tile. ............just saying. What scared you was fridge depth and a solid mass at the entry. An upper is 13 inches deep. .....and open below. Not the same thing at ALL.

Your tile will need to go to COUNTER edge, and then you will have the weird open space above. I suppose open shelving could work, I'd rather see a cabinet : ) I'd fix that before any tile.

I do agree the open area does look a bit off balance but to answer your question. I would choose a soft color for the backsplash. A green or a blue would work nicely.

I don’t mind the “missing cabinet” near the range. Call me crazy but it feels charming in an old home. Symmetry isn’t always nearly as interesting! Hang a tiny landscape or portrait and call it a day.

I agree with you that symmetry is overrated. However balance isn't and right now it looks and feels unbalanced. Yes a picture or shelves might help but there is another reason the OP should put in another cabinet to the left and that's to help with capture from the stove. Right now with the open side, the OP is probably having some of the steam, etc not pulled up into the hood because of the open area to the left.

You’ve got a completely blank slate right now. I’d play up the historic aspect of your home by avoiding subway tile, marble, or anything else high on the trend list.

If you want authentic for the period, you should consider square handmade tile with a thicker grout line.

Color and texture would be wonderful. Check out handmade tiles and artisan tiles maybe in 4x4.

Agreed!

Totally agree with acdesignsky!

Check out Cle Tile and Fireclay Tile for some gorgeous handmade tiles...and take your time.

Tilebar...

Encore...

Jan, you are right again! I cursed the big metal box next the doorway for over 20 years and was determined not to extend that nightmare another 20.

I can make a cardboard mock-up and see how it feels. Thanks for your input.

localeater, thank you for the encouragement.

The range hood is Miele 30” Built-In Wall Cabinet Hood DA 3486. It slides out about 6" when operating, but it still isn't as robust as those with stronger fans and larger capture area. I was willing to compromise on effectiveness to minimize its presence. It is a significant improvement over my previous ventilation system (i.e., open a window).

Thank you all! Your comments have been very kind and helpful.

You cursed the fridge as you passed because it blocked any view of sink window. You may as well have located your Xmas tree there! Don't waste time on a cardboard anything . Get the cabinet:) it will be fine

Actually, the fridge felt more like a mini-van than Xmas tree. :-) I'll get an estimate from the cabinetmaker. I think he will need to rebuild the entire upper cabinet set for that wall or the additional cabinet will look just as tacked on as the current hood cabinet.

Next question will be about size of tile: 3x6 or 3x8?

My guess is it won't look tacked on. They are made as separate boxes anyway.

For an authentic 30's look, I would use 4" x 4" tile.

This is a closer picture of the cabinets over the range. I am not a professional so I'm having difficulty visualizing how the additional cabinet would attach and not look like an after-thought, which we all know it is. :-(

Also, the original kitchen had yellow 3x6 subway tile with maroon accents, a fairly typical style in houses similar to mine. I am not opposed to square tiles, but are they usually stacked or off-set? If stacked, would they make the fact that walls are not exactly square more conspicuous? I tried to make the new kitchen fit in with the rest of the house, but it is clearly remodeled rather than restored.

Thanks, D

Jan, I agree that the hood cabinet looks tacked on because the of the MIA cabinet. I know I sound a bit dense about this. Truth is, I am dense in this arena, which is why am so grateful for the expertise shared here. Thanks again!

You MAY have to re do the three cabinet run over the range.

Worst case is add shelving, bottom of first shelf dead level with cabinet right of range. Did anyone elevate the kitchen in a drawing before you did it? The lack of any issue would have been apparent.

Thank you, Stephanie. I found the stool at HomeGoods - very inexpensive, so I bought two.

jendebaunhoward, that is an interesting thought. One less decision to make certainly would be easier. Your kitchen is lovely!

Jan, I love the Elyse Edwards tile names. I'll take a look.

Jan, I did have an elevation drawing, but you remember how worried I was about the Xmas tree effect. I simply could not see past it at the time. At least the contractor planned for optional floating shelves before the sheetrock went up.

Beautiful kitchen. I like the idea of a beautiful wood covered with glass or the Victoria falls quartzrite. Also maybe some thick chunky (wood) open shelves would help balance the area by your stove.

Kathleen,

I have considered bead board or shiplap as an interim decision while deciding on tile for a permanent backsplash. Thank you for your suggestion. All of the contributors have been immensely helpful.

dsgts, I have quartzite (naica) and white cabinets (although my quartzite and white are more beige and creamy than yours). I took months and 9 tile stores to choose mine... it was definitely the most difficult decision in our whole remodel/rebuild, so I understand how tough it is.

Ultimately, I did a 4x4 handmade tile (architectonics) in a greige tone that is also present in my quartzite. Since many people recommended this to you, I figured I'd jump in a share what that would look like:

In the daytime it looks very different and more white and gray as my under cabinet lights are very warm which gives everything a cozy feel, but isn't true to color. Let me know if you want me to take a few daytime pictures where the colors are more close to yours.

Btw, I love it and am happy I didn't settle for something I wasn't sure about, so it is good that you are taking the time to make sure you are making the right decision.

Robin, thank you for your response. I have made too many mistakes in this incredibly expensive remodel and I don't want to compound them. It is the first major change since 1938, other than the 50's Wedgewood stove and ridiculously large refrigerator that previous owners installed. Given the limited space, there is only so much I can do.

Your kitchen is gorgeous! I appreciate the photos and encouragement.

Love the greige tiles.

Get the cabinet first. It will look much, much better.

skunst2017, I may reconsider using the countertop material as a backsplash if I can find a matching slab.

There have been so many thoughtful suggestions here. I trust that I will resolve all the remaining issues before too long. The missing parts are only cosmetic and, as several have mentioned, I don't need to do anything immediately. The most important factor is that it is functioning very well for me as it is. I might take a break from worrying about it and enjoy what I already have for awhile. :-)

Stay away from blues and greens. Bad trend/fad in backsplash. Keep it simple. It’ll be beautiful

And who decided it's a bad trend? YOU? Don'tcha just love people who won't even give themselves a name come on and make a comment as if they're the ultimate authority?

Totally take time to enjoy what you have and think about it.... remodels are rough. We still haven't passed our final inspection even though we moved in in November.

I think the quartzite all the way up would be great if you don't have a too much on the counters (with our giant continent of an island, we decided it would be too much quartzite).

Btw, I wanted to post another picture because it is fascinating how different colors can be in different lighting.

My colors look much closer to yours in the daytime.

I know this is an old post, but just wondering if you installed a backsplash ? Loved your kitchen and would love to know what you chose and if you installed a cabinet next to stove!

Thanks!

Ann, thank you for asking about my kitchen. I have not installed a backsplash or changed the cabinets above the range yet. I'll start working on this again later in the year - probably spring or summer.

Im have the exact same issue. Do you mind showing a photo of the end results? thank you