Need backsplash advice! 4" or tile with soapstone?

2 years ago

We are in the final lap of this remodel: cream cabinets, cream walls, refinished wood floors, Kohler short apron farmhouse sink in Sea Salt (gorgeous), Kohler Artifact pull down faucet, and soon, the long awaited soapstone counters. We were going to do beadboard for the backsplash but our contractor strongly opposes it, suggests the classic 4" soapstone. So please, weigh in: is a 4" soapstone backsplash old-school or out-dated? I really don't like subway tile and haven't found any tile around here that makes my heart go pitter-patter. Advice welcome!

Featured Answer

calidesign

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Use full tile on the back splash, full soapstone, or at least a taller 6" back splash of soapstone, which I think looks more updated than the 4".

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Comments (23)

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Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I would just do the soapstone but the other choice might be a large format glass subway tile it will have a similar watery green to the sink This is Ivy Hill from wayfair
micheleliveshere thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
Jeanne Cardwell
2 years ago
Go with beadboard if you like it unless your contractor is your husband.
micheleliveshere thanked Jeanne Cardwell
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cleo
2 years ago
My mom used a small one inch high soapstone backsplash that looks fabulous in her 1760 kitchen so you are not tied to 4 inch high ones. I think they routed the edge to look like a shoe molding. It really looks great and prevents water on the wall.

But get what you want-backsplashes are so easy to change, especially beadboard.
micheleliveshere thanked cleo
Helen
2 years ago
I wouldn't get the 4" splash as it just isn't as nice looking as a tiled backsplash. And even worse is when people have the 4" splash and then tile the rest of the wall.

There are some many incredibly beautiful tiles in the universe so why is it either or? You don't have to select the backsplash tile immediately as it can be installed later when your head isn't exploding from decisions. I wouldn't say I am a fan of subway tile but I do love my 6" x 3" rectangular hand fired tiles that aren't white or gray🙄 If you do the 4" backsplash you are stuck with that choice.

FWIW I have the Kohler Artifact faucet and love it.
micheleliveshere
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you all! I have followed the advice on this forum for almost this whole project and it is turning out beyond my wildest dreams. I think I will wait on the backsplash. I guess we could always add the soapstone later if we wanted. My Tilebar samples came today and there's a cream 2" square tile that might just be the ticket.
micheleliveshere
Original Author
2 years ago
Also, the raw (un-lacquered) brass pulls are so beautiful. Thank you to whoever suggested it.
Therese N
2 years ago
Sorry, I just realized - I don’t have a more recent photo of this finished, but this is what we did with our soapstone. I took out the bottom window trim and put a short splash behind the faucet. The rest is tile to the top of the counter.
micheleliveshere thanked Therese N
micheleliveshere
Original Author
2 years ago
I was thinking of beadboard above the 4" soapstone, not tile. Yes, "contractor" (as in the one doing all the work on this project) is the husband, Jeanne! The commenting (read: knowledgeable, as in a real one in real life) contractor is my husband's best buddy. So I'm outvoted. But not complaining: they are really into this project.
louislinus
2 years ago
Oh my goodness! We have twin kitchens. I also am doing soapstone countertops, Sea salt short apron sink, my cabinets are more of a mushroom color (FB Shaded White). I’m mid remodel right now. Would love to see pics of yours.
micheleliveshere thanked louislinus
louislinus
2 years ago
Also doing the unlacquered brass fixtures. Show me all your stuff!!
hollybar
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I would do either a taller soapstone splash, at least 6", or tile. Soapstone lends itself to all sorts of creative approaches.
kitchen redux · More Info

And yeah, even the derided 4" backsplash can look great.
Crisp Architects · More Info

There are also ceramic tiles that look like beadboard. https://www.tile-shop.com/products/boiserie/boiserie.html Whichever direction you choose, sounds like your kitchen will be lovely.
micheleliveshere thanked hollybar
eld6161
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
My viote is no to the 4 inch backsplash. I love subway tiles, but there are so many choices of shapes now.
micheleliveshere thanked eld6161
eld6161
2 years ago

I love this
micheleliveshere thanked eld6161
kculbers
2 years ago
It is a personal choice about the backsplash. I had my kitchen renovated a few years ago with Silestone soap stone counters and simple Shaker cabinets. I loved the simplicity of the 4” backsplash. I am still very happy with my choice❣️This is my “ forever home”.
micheleliveshere thanked kculbers
eld6161
2 years ago
Kculbers, as much as I don’t the small backsplash, I have to say I always like your kitchen!
micheleliveshere thanked eld6161
Holly- Kay
2 years ago
Kculbers, I love your kitchen and think the 4” backsplash looks perfect!
micheleliveshere thanked Holly- Kay
Holly- Kay
2 years ago
I love soapstone! My kitchen that I’m renovating is so darn dark with very little light so I won’t be using it but I just think it’s glorious!
micheleliveshere thanked Holly- Kay
barncatz
2 years ago
We had a beadboard backsplash in our last kitchen. I found the cleaning of the little ridges and the grooves (!!), especially behind the sink, to be tedious beyond belief.

A 6" soapstone backsplash would be my vote, followed by tile to the counter. If you search English kitchens, many still use the small backsplash formed from the counter material and may provide you with more visuals for your decision. Good luck!
micheleliveshere thanked barncatz
kculbers
2 years ago
Eld6161and Holly- Kay: thank you .
Barncatz: I was stationed in England for several years ( I am a retired US Air Firce Captain) and they use the short backspashes there alot.
Therese N
2 years ago
Michael, do not wait - it will never match!
User
2 years ago
totally agree with therese . if there is a chance you want the soapstone, use pieces from material your using For the countertop. Otherwise it will not match. go 6” or all the way up
micheleliveshere
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you all! We ended up going with a 2" backsplash in soapstone in the English plain tradition as per our fabricator's recommendation. To go taller we'd have to get another slab. It seems in keeping with the house which is a colonial style with high ceilings, wood floors, cream interiors and kitchen garden. Thank you for steering me away from the 4" and to consider other options!