A backsplash in a living room? No unless you want a kitchen look in there. You'll need someone else to finish the walls. It isn't brain surgery.

None at all!

Find a more qualified fabricator

I agree with Patricia with no backsplash. We don't have one in our basement bathroom that DH and I have been using for over a year and water/liquid has never, ever reached the walls. If you were to do anything, I would do a very thin piece of countertop granite (like 1-2") around the edge or a piece of decorative mirror glass or even plain glass.

Or some kind of wooden cove molding.

What does the construction documents show? Many times the architect that prepared the documents show a solution that is integral to the overall design of the home.

Thanks all! So frustrated to have spent money on fabrication of those silly backsplash pieces!

Better to make the mistake before installation than hate it afterwards. Hire a dry wall finisher for your walls.

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!! And frankly, I'd have made the entire thing ONE level. and skipped the drop downs, and probably skipped the raised hearth as well.

Jan does make a good point about the raised hearth. With your shorter ceilings, I think it would look better not being raised.

this is a wood burning fire place so that's wood storage underneath. We requested the different levels and think it adds interest

No, it doesn't add interest. It adds unneeded complexity. You need a more unified design without the up and down bits.

Thanks to all who are criticizing this design. First that wasn't my question and second, there's nothing I can change about it. Constructive feedback is helpful and appreciated...the rest is just plain rude.

It’s still under construction. The design can change and improve. That’s the whole point of posting on a design board. To get better eyes. To improve the design. It’s better to do that now than to try to fix the mistakes later

Get rid of the raised hearth and make it all a single level. The start and stop up and down detracts, especially with such a dark counter creating a major focal feature. A single consistent horizontal line is better. Add matching windows to the left too. It needs balance.

The OP hasn't learned yet that most of the advice given on here is never asked for and a lot of times poor. Just have to learn to ignore it and weed through it to find the nuggets of good information. These people are professionals, or so they claim to be, so I guess they feel they need to validate their worth by criticizing other people's designs and ideas.

Yes, James...take what you want and leave others. But making suggestions when construction is 90% done about throwing our cabinets and rebuilding them, adding windows where they can't be added is just ridiculous! I've found these forums very helpful and have gotten lots of good and helpful ideas. Many of the comments here are simply ridiculous.

I like the setup, including the raised hearth and the multi--level action going on- but really that's as moot as everyone else's opinions. Besides, that's a lot of money already spent putting in new cabinets and counters, and I bet that moving the whole fireplace down to change the hearth wouldn't be cheap either.

I wish my raised hearth had wood storage- but instead it has a time capsule from the previous owners sealed up inside!

What you asked about was the backsplash- I think it would look off if you did just the bar, and not quite right if you did the whole thing- I would skip it entirely and get the nice smooth finished caulk line.

Also- if the pieces are already fabricated- keep them. At a later point you might decide you want/need those pieces.

Call it the peril of the post. But it would have been sensational at one level, bar counter height, and truth of a raised hearth is most of the time it simply sucks floor space.

If you're happy, you're happy. : ) Happy New Year !

Stone accent walls. What a horrid idea!

The location of the TV is horrid. Very poor ergonomics.

I wonder if I will ever get an answer from my question?

How can you tell right now that the TV location horrid? Not trying to argue, just curious. Right now all I see are some holes in the wall that could accommodate a lot of screen action depending on the size of the screen and setup.

I think it really depends on what you're planning for the rest of the area and what the style is meant to be.

What do you intend this area to be? I get the wet bar to the far side. What about the rest? Do you want it to have a traditional feel? Something more modern? What is going on the fireplace section, itself? Do you want to integrate that with the areas to the side?

I rather like raised hearths - I have fond memories of sitting on the heart and toasting marshmallows.

The examples I can think of off the top of my head of continuing tile around the area tend to be more "cottage" in nature:

I've also seen a solid color used, with differing tile sizes. While this is a hearth, I've seen this tile used as a surround, too. I don't know how it would go with the tops you already have installed, though:

Mark Bischak asked, "I wonder if I will ever get an answer from my question?"

His question was: "What does the construction documents show? Many times the architect that prepared the documents show a solution that is integral to the overall design of the home."

Mark, I'm guessing that the construction documents do not show a backsplash along the countertops in the living room, or even at the wet bar. If they did show a backsplash, the guy doing the templates wouldn't have suggested it, and the OP wouldn't be wondering if it should be done.

I say no back splash at all. I think this will come together nicely. Please update as the project unfolds. I'm curious how you choose to finish the fireplace area etc.

Bees - I was referring to the TV in the image Worthy posted.

Still waiting for an answer.

@Mark Bischak, Architect - Sure, I'd be glad to answer your question. The construction docs did not specify anything regarding the backsplash. However, even if they had specified something, that doesn't mean you don't take into consideration what others might suggest or recommend. As you should know well, construction projects evolve. Conditions can change and opinions can change. Installers often have excellent ideas and I like to take them into account. Often they are right; in this case, they were wrong.

Sorry you think the positioning of the TV is "horrid." That's rather strong language. Where would you put it? Above the wood burning fireplace?

@ A S ... the fireplace will be tiled with a rustic looking stone tile. There will be staggered floating shelves above the cabinets.

Sounds fabulous! Will you have a mantel too? If so what material?

@A S ... yes, the mantle has since been installed. It's the same granite as the countertops and hearth, with a thick mitered edge ... so appears about 4" thick.

If you decide you need a backsplash at the bar, consider clear tempered glass right up to the windows. It can be backpainted to match your wall color.

Holly, not wanting to disturb this feed, but really love love that fire place and hearth, ok back to it...

Lynne - I was NOT referring to where you plan on locating your TV, I stated "I was referring to the TV in the image Worthy posted" in my comment above.

Sometimes, in the design of a home, the architect plans continuity throughout the design and small details reflect that. If something was specified, that would be the direction to take, and anything to the contrary could erode the design intent. When things change during the construction process the architect should be part if the decision process to assure the design intent is maintained in the best interest of the Owner. If an architect is not involve in the project then design decisions are left to those the Owner wishes to listen to regardless of the house's design or knowledge of the Owner's needs.

@Mark Bischak, Architect - yes, the architect has been involved every step of the way. She was there during templating, as well, and heard the same thing I did about the backsplash recommendation. We have both studied the installation closely and agree that it looks great as is. Something in me didn't feel convinced about the backsplash and I'm really glad I was able to see the counters without it and stop the process. In hindsight, I should have told them that we'd wait and see on the backsplash. At least it's fixable, but I do hate throwing away money.

The best part here is you are happy with the design. Though many of us feel it is awkward, thankfully we won’t be living there!!