Hope it's ok to piggyback onto this topic. My question seems related. For a boxed bay window in the dinette area, right next to the kitchen, there will be added vanity height cabinets with a countertop. The countertop surface will be the same as that used in the kitchen, but at a lower height. The boxed bay itself is 8ft wide by 2ft deep. The present plan is to only have outlets (GFCI) on the left and right sides of the box bay. However that would mean more than 2ft from an outlet to the center of the counter, and would not satisfy the 2ft/4ft rule. The main problem is that there isn't enough space between the window and countertop to add an outlet (unless the size of the window is changed, or the cabinets shortened, neither of which is a good option here). So here is my question. Could this new countertop be considered as not part of the kitchen, since it is really in the dinette area, and thus not be subject to the 2ft/4ft rule? When standing in the kitchen, looking at the back wall, the boxed bay (and new counter) starts right where the existing kitchen counter ends (but with new counter at lower height, and set back into the bay).

I think I am open to either glass or ceremic right now. Maybe that grayish taupe would work best, I will try to ask for that color tomorrow at a tile store. And I agree that the 3 X 3 would look good, I also thought about going even smaller? But I think my color choices and finishes get smaller. As you can tell I also want to avoid going for too much of a country look. lukkiirish, I did consider that but my husband is against it and I also included a picture of the mantel which is across the room from the bar area. I would have to stain that too, and I was hoping I was almost done with this project. :)

cigi, in our last house the previous owner installed tumbled marble in a mauvish tone which IMO looked awful with the St Cecilia granite. Even though the tile was expensive, I tore them off and left the 4" granite backsplash, patched and painted the rest of the wall. The sink was the only working area as the cooktop was on the island. No problem with water as I used BM Aura, but Pittsburgh Paint's Manor Hall Timeless is just as good with a more flat look and lifetime warranty. I'm pondering the issue for my current redo. In various houses I've had paint, wallpaper, white tile with abalone inserts, plain white tile. Right now I'm weighing white tile with a beautiful insert, just paint with no granite backsplash since this area has only a counter but no cooking/wet functions, paint with granite backsplash, or a simple glass tile backsplash with listello over it a la Chinchette. I'm attaching a photo from Chinchette's beautiful kitchen (hope she doesn't mind seeing hers cited as a great example) which shows the last option. In any event, I echo others' advice to not worry about that decision immediately unless you absolutely love a certain look. Just use good paint. Here is a link that might be useful:

Well I am going to disagree on the posts telling me I need to post more pictures and details. It’s not just because the floors are not finalized, ordered or installed. While there are can lights, but no pendants in yet so lighting doesn’t exist aside from white 4 inch led pucks in the ceiling. We are still missing wall cabinets, makes no sense to post a picture where half the wall cabinets are not up. The range and dishwasher are still on back order so there are empty holes at the moment. I posted what I did because Tara was offering a way to still get the tile I wanted by offering ways to reduce overall sq footage. If pointing this out keeps anyone from providing feedback on similar styled/color tiles so be it. I posted a picture of a tile I was asking for similar style and color recommendations for, I see that happening on here all the time without having to show everything about the project to get suggestions. All of that can’t be required to make a suggestion because otherwise how does anyone ever start to create a design plan. Tara, thank you for trying to help me get the tile I love. I did consider having just under the cabinets and doing marble behind the range and up around the hood, but mocked up it looked too choppy; if I swapped it to be only behind the range, it would look boring under the cabinets and that area is the least amount of sq ft so why not do it all the same tile. I guess I could do something like the 2nd to last picture you shared though it’s plain under the the wall cabinets and is one long wall that has a dining room on the right, and 2 different patio doors/levels to the left open concept. So one very long, beige wall, which is why I’m leaning on the backsplash to really pop. The design detail just under the range kinda feels dated to me but perhaps it’s a style that’s alwYs around.