Thank you x6. This is exactly the feedback I was hoping for. Counter backsplash before the rest of the wall art was imprinted on my brain from the old laminate days...but no 4" counter trim is not something I'm use to seeing. The design logic of it looking like an afterthought, and wrecking the visual feel I'm after said it perfectly. And, it is nice to know, in the end, to not take it too seriously as tastes and style change over time...a good reminder. Yes, this metal art is fun!

It's funny to read this thread from 5 years ago hearing people talking about travertine as dated. My wife and I just bought a house and it is a pretty big upgrade to go from the included tile backsplash to a travertine backsplash. I guess my point is, and I doubt anyone is even reading this anyway 5 years later, but my point is that I agree with the people that say go with what you like and don't worry about anyone else's opinions. It's your house. Why do people always concern themselves with how other people will like their things, when they are not the ones spending all their time there.

This is a silly comment. Don't buy a washing machine from Samsung because they make TV's. Don't buy a watch from Apple because they make computers... I can go on and on. Stainmaster makes lots of stuff including cleaning products and even tile itself. None of these Stainmaster products should be discounted simply because the others exist. By your logic you shouldn't even buy Stainmaster carpet because they make tile, instead you should buy carpet from a "specialist" who makes nothing but carpet. Stainmaster doesn't make their grout products and they really have nothing to do with the grout business other than name. Their grout products are made by an Italian company named Litokol and every grout you can find with the Stainmaster name can be purchased from Litokol and they even have the same color codes. When you buy Stainmaster you are getting Litokol. And if you contact Stainmaster for information about their grouts they will redirect you to a company called Tile Doctor who handles 100% of the Stainmaster grout business in the US including distribution. Anyway, long story short is that Stainmaster grout might actually be crap. But it should not be excluded from consideration simply because "Stainmaster makes carpet too." Just plain silly. The correct reason to guide people away from Stainmaster grout would be negative first hand experiences by yourself or others. Or some identifiable flaw with the product itself rather than the name on the product. As I mentioned a few posts ago, I myself am considering Stainmaster grout and would love to get some feedback from people who have experience with it. Anyone? Sorry for my mini rant. People come here for serious advice and I hate to see someone get misdirected with advice that is based on flawed logic. I know from experience my tone in situations like this comes across as harsh but I don't mean it that way. It's just the only way I know how to get points like this across. And I hope it helps people make better decisions.

I used Mapei Ultracolor Plus Platinum with white subway and marble. It looks totally different on each because of the tile spacing. Also, the marble was sealed before and after grouting which darkened the color. I did sample boards before doing my backsplash and floor. I’d rather waste the money on grout than be sorry.