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Remodeling Kitchens Design Dilemma

Where to center/start herringbone marble backsplash on prominent wall

3 years ago

Hi folks. We are laying 2x8 marble in a herringbone pattern. When you walk into our kitchen, the wall most prominent in view is the one with the cooktop range. The debate is where to start/center the pattern on this wall.

Tile installer is saying we can go either way and is asking for our preference but I feel that there is only one correct way to do this.

Do we-

Center the herringbone pattern in the center line of the range (red line), with no control over how that corner (red arrow) will look.
Start from the corner (red arrow), continuing the pattern from the adjacent wall, with no control over where the center line over the range will fall.

Thank you.

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Comments (10)

SF
Original Author
3 years ago
Here is the view as you enter the kitchen-
SF
Original Author
3 years ago
Another view as you walk into kitchen (prior to reno)-
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Oh wow...those tiles sure are pretty. Like crackle tiles but even better, almost pearlescent. Sigh...I love living vicariously through other people's renos. And your kitchen is a stunner. I immediately think of mamadadapaige's kitchen when I hear "herringbone accent above the kitchen". She had 2x6s I believe, and did a thinnish pencil rail that's flush with the backsplash. I liked how she did hers. I think you should do a simple pencil liner because to me, the whole point of using the same tile for your herringbone accent is to do a subtle change, which calls for a subtle frame. If you did your thick picture frame it's like "look at me!! i'm different than the other tile" which makes sense if you did an accent with a totally different tile size. But you're doing the same 3x6s but in a herringbone pattern, instead of the subway pattern which goes everywhere else. So after my long explanation I say - do the thin one. For the backsplash on the peninsula/window wall, you know what I'd do? I would only put the backsplash on the three walls within the bay window cubby area and stop them there. I'd take them to just under the window trim. To the right of the bay window, carry it the same height (to the bottom of the window trim) on the little piece of wall under your outlet (the outlet to the left of your coffee maker), then pull the backsplash up to below your cabinets on that sliver of wall above the coffeemaker. That, to me, would accomplish several things: It would keep that nice blue paint showing on that window wall as I personally wouldn't want to cover it up, give you the backsplash you need to visually relate/connect that window wall to the range wall, and of course provide the protection you need above the sink from water splashage. To the left, I don't think you need to put any backsplash past that left bay window. Just keep it all bare and painted. I don't know if I explained that right...hopefully it makes sense.
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SF
Original Author
3 years ago
It’s herringbone, and it’s 2x8 :) no going back, and we like the look.
That adjacent wall (with window) is almost completed.
Liz Court
3 years ago
I am not a pro, but just wanted to add an observation in case it is helpful. The tile alignment at the corner will be less visible because it is somewhat hidden underneath cabinets. Do you plan to have something sitting on the counter near the corner? Coffee maker or crock of utensils or something decorative? That will also help obscure the view of the corner. The view of the tile behind the range is more likely to be a focal point, so I would center the tiles there.
Anna (6B/7A in MD)
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Well since it's begun, you just keep on going and the corners need to look good. The backsplash is treated as one continuous project, not each wall individually.

See this thread: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5886990/crooked-marble-herringbone-backsplash-install-acceptable

And as for obscuring the corners with utensil crocks in a sub-optimal install, that's ok after the fact when the idea of redoing a poor install is just too daunting but not ok as a "plan" before the corners are completed.
PRO
User
3 years ago
Someone who has already started on the window wall should not be asking about how the pattern should go on the range wall. That means that he is not planning to wrap the corner. That’s a basic NO. Unless the design called out panel frame separators like chair rail tiles, to break the install unto a “wainscoting” look? The install is already suspect.
SF
Original Author
3 years ago
I think the installers questions/concerns are valid. The two most prominent focal points in the kitchen are that edge which tapers in a pencil, pictured below, and the center of the range. As you walk into the kitchen, both those spots are most visible. Centering on the window wall meant that the edge (circled) may have had tiny pieces, and this would look bad. So we started at that edge. Truly centering at the window doesn’t make sense for another reason- the center line has only about 6” of tileable space. It’s right over the faucet and barely visible. So starting in that edge area then meant that we couldn’t also continue the wraparound at that far corner (arrow) without compromising another prominent area- the area over the range.

So there is going to have to be a compromise given the space. I don’t think it is as simple as start in one spot and wrap around. Had we started at the center line over the range and wrapped around to the adjacent wall, we would run the risk of having an awful edge by the pencil.

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