To me, with the tile being wavy and shiny, the lights bounce around on it so much that it draws all the attention to the waves. The water jet tile you love (I love it too and it is way out of my budget) seems more subdued (probably because the grooves in the tile don’t allow the light to bounce quite so much). I do think framing out the windows and maybe adding crown molding might help, but if you decide to change the tile I would also consider something with a lower sheen or less texture. You could take some white poster board, cut it to size and put it around the windows to give you an idea of what they would look like framed out. That may be enough to tone things down and solve the problem. Any crown molding would need to be simple to go with your craftsman style.

I like your tile, there just seems to be too much of it :-) I think framing the windows is a good idea. I'm not sure that I would do a crown molding though.

What kind of hood are you getting? How much of the tile will it cover?

I agree. It would be a big pity to rip this all out. Ugh!! My heart goes out to u guys!!! I’m thinking you should start with the hood. Some trim. And maybe a pendant over each window to block some tile lol. And then decorate. Add cutting boards behind the Stove. Jars. Jugs. Frames. In mattes. And wood tones. No more shiny stuff. And see. You may still be bothered by the tile. But at least you gave it another shot. I think it might rlly help...

TRUTH:

You goofed. There is no reason on earth I can see for that much tile in any kitchen. I'd rip, repair, paint the walls and get the other elements in. Then stop. Breathe for a bit. Before you re select a tile to be a backsplash. It's a kitchen, not a sauna or steam shower : )

No to the crown molding,......unsuited to the rest of the cabinetry, and the kitchen.

I love your tile, but there is a lot of it. I would like your windows to be framed like your doorways. I do not like your choice of hoods in all wood, I think they’re too heavy for your space... although I think you’ve had a post on this before...?

I think adding the hood and some window framing will make a world of difference. It will be a lot less tile. I would do that, then reassess.

Your kitchen looks really beige to me, is that an accurate rendering? Tile, cabinetry and countertop are all beige? Perhaps if the tile were a different color, or even just less of it and the walls painted white, or even a color other than beige...

I agree with Jan just too much shiny, wavy tile no matter how much framind around the windows I would aslo suggest you make sure lighting is LEDs 4000K befo choosing anything else. IMO none of those wood hoods are a good mix with the rest of the cabinets

I would say to keep the tile and work with it, if you didn't already have to rip out a bunch of tile for a repair. But since you do, I think you should cut your losses and just take it all out. It is too shiny and overwhelming.
I'd definitely trim out the windows, they need it. I can't remember if you said anything else is going on that wall besides the hood, but maybe get all other items in place and then decide how to address the backsplash.

I love the tile and the amount. I'd paint the range hood the same as your cabinets and forgo the wood. And yes - trim out the windows.

Thank you all for your diverse comments.

Carrie B, Here are some more photos to better represent the colors we have in our kitchen.

JAN MOYER, what would you recommend if we tear out the tile? Not going as high with it? What type of tile?

megs1030, the hoods I show are just for the shape. We were thinking of adding a bit of wood to it but not like what is represented in the photo I included.

Patricia Colwell Consulting, are you suggesting we remove the tile and replace it with something less shiny? Or less tile period? I also am not suggesting an all-wood hood as I don't think it works in our space either. We may drywall one and add some wood accent. We would love a copper hood but it is not in our budget.

BTW, some of these photos show a problem with using wavy tile. I am a "clean lines" person and the wavy tile against the cabinets does not produce a clean line.

I would LOVE this!

Did you watch the episode of Rock the Block where she did that?

What it the wood hood you want to do? I really don't see adding distressed wood to the mix of the other elements. The stone wall inspiration will get cut up from windows and hood; it's too large a scale for your space. Consider instead a brick looking tile where you can have uneven edges, it will give a more rustic element to the kitchen.

megs1030, I did! And fell in love instantly!

It’s too bad given all the trouble you’ve had. I’d remove, as it overwhelms, and would replace with a quartz slab for the clean lines you want; just use behind stove or between windows

How about something like vertical shiplap painted to match my cabinets?

Maureen, nice idea but out of our budget. And I often think it looks too cool for my taste.

the tile can work . Shiplap I don’t believe meets code. Combustible. Your windows can take trim and poles / finials for valances and cellular shades or solar shades. The tile is a good color . Where is your hood? What is It? An inspiration pic might direct the completion of this. Tiled walls are more common. Search : tiled kitchen wall w hood ventilation and windows . The tile is neutral: look at that color . You might appreciate the bit of sheen once everything else is done . Get inspiration pics before you start ripping out. Even if you do rip it out you should know what will be done... is the work and expense going to yield something ?

I agree with @herbflavor The Tile can work.

I think the space is not finished so it feels off to you. Trim around the windows is something you mentioned. Sure the tile is a statement but a beautiful one. I think you might be able to make this work. Keep in mind when you are looking at kitchens on Houzz with tiled walls they often have high ceilings. Your ceiling is lower than many images you may be looking at including your inspiration pics.

A few pics that might help you to see the tile could work.

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Our township does allow shiplap as a backsplash.

This is what I had envisioned for our windows:

This is what we got instead:

Someone had asked me to post some of my inspiration photos:

The window trim we may change to is very close to the photo above but I think the quartz window sill may have been cut too short. I also really like the look of the backsplash.

I love this waterjet backsplash.

My ultimate backsplash look.

May 2016 Southwest Florida Edition · More Info

I love this hood.

Keep the ideas coming!!