Beautiful tiles. Thanks, sandra 12 for the mock-ups. Much easier than imagining. For me, the first mock-up with the stair stepping gives some "movement" to the kitchen, which I like. The second one with the three rows of tile seems too crowded and boxy to me. Too much of a good thing! The third picture of just one tile is has a nice simplicity to it. This would be my first choice, but I like things simple, rather than showy. With one tile, I think it might look more complete to tile on the side walls. The question is (as always): Do you want the tiles be a focal point, or to play nicely with the other elements/colors in the kitchen? (Your three-year-old is a good photographer!)

Thank you so much everyone. My DH, who, with me by his side, has done all of the remodeling was so patient with my selection of the backsplash. Funny thing is that I circled back to the exact same tile I originally wanted. After looking at so many, not quite right whites, I think I finally got over the cost issue. I also found that by working with a distributer of Sonoma directly in california the price was significantly better than locally in the midwest - even after shipping costs. Lake_girl - our cabinets are also not a pure white, a soft white (Crystal calls it frosty white). The sonoma creamy is a little "creamier" than our white and without the grout they looke even more cream. So I do believe that the grout can change the "look" of your white subways. Bee - I will be more than happy to measure. I want to say it is 49" or 50" inside the posts but I'll measure and let you know for sure. Red - (Makes me think of one of my current favorite shows, Once Upon A Time - Red Riding hood :) ) --- The longer pulls are also a top knob pull. It is the TopKnob M965. My Knobs are the Top Knob M354, and the bin pulls are Top Knob M364. All in Antique Pewter finish. I found the best prices at topknobs.com. Loved hunting the web for the best prices for this project. My floor tile is from Italy and the local distributer thought their distributer "carried" it, but it turns out they special ordered so our tile people wouldn't order it. I emailed someone in Italy off the manufacturers website and they sent me a list of all US carriers. It turns out that I got the same tile for over 1000.00 less, out of Florida, including shipping. So excited! That was out of www.fastfloors.com. Love it when you get great deals on a great product for your remodeling efforts!

Mark: Yes, during initial stages of construction my electrician made sure there would be a way for power to island when the time came. The sides just doesnt seem feasible, for lack of room. Thanks. Kudzu: It def doesn't appear to be an ready task. The no guarantees thought is what is why I hesitate. I would have to pony up regardless if it works or not. Thanks. Mongo: Sounds like you know. Those tools are specialized. My contractor ended up using most of hubby's tools. I will have research the cost o purchase as well. Thanks. Sophie: Alot of times I thought things looked odd and would say so. Often being looked with dismay causing numerous heated debates with hubby. Super stressful. Chicahoans: What a great option! I had not thought about that. Would it be possible to in include a switch on a plugmold? (to control dishwasher). Thanks. Kudzu: The main idea is to.have a switch for dishwasher at left, and a power outlet at far right. I have this crazy idea that maybe a box can be mounted for both items inside the top of the side cabinets. Thanks. Leisa: Thanks...the hidden boxes sound like a good solution. We do have shelving space on each side.Thanks.

It doesn't matter that much. In fact, it my be better if the sill went in first so the tile at the jambs (if there is any) could die on top of it. Have the sill installer leave the returned ends proud of the wall enough that the tiler can get thinset, tile, and a 1/16" gap for silicone behind them. This is where trade coordination is critical. I'd have the tiler dab hot melt on a small piece of blocking on the wall that's the thickness of the thinset, tile, and gap. Sill man butts the return ends to the blocking and the tile man knocks out the blocking when he lays the tile. Sill man templated to the blocking; no way to screw up.