Need help with kitchen backsplash placement
Because of the odd wall shapes, we're not sure how to place the tile. The hood will be moved down a few inches, most likely in line with the bottom of the upper shelf. Should we tile straight across, at the level of the lower shelf? Or go up to the hood, and if so where do we go vertical? We do have to tile above the countertop on the wall with the niche, because the wall is uneven and there's a large gap.
(There is another, straight area of the kitchen which has the same cabinet/butcher block/shelves, that we may also tile to the lower shelf.)
The tile will probably be zellige in an off-white shade. We are awaiting the GE Cafe range in matte white with induction cooktop & copper knobs. Please ignore the messy stove.
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Comments (27)Posted by budgeteer_s (My Page) on Wed, Dec 31, 08 at 18:18 Thanks for all your suggestions. I wanted so much to follow with ci_lantro's suggestion because then I'm done. I'll gladly let you snatch that paint brush out of my hand. ha ha. But at the same time if a little tiling will tie up the project, then I'm game. jodi_socal: I'm a little disappointed when you said fire and ice won't work. I just LOVE that F&I BS. But then agin, I think I know all along it's a little too much for my kitchen. Caryscott & petra: Thanks for the picture petra, it says a thousand words. Is spectralight glass tiles? Prices are pretty reasonable. What about that milk green color? will it work? maybe with some garnet pieces sparingly mixed in. I will take some pictures and post two HD Behr's paint card to aid in the discussion of color. Thanks again ALL! Correction: My tiles were Alfagres: Gema4x4: different from what caryscott posted: I loved what caryscott linked:...See MoreNeed Help to Choose Backsplash for My Kitchen, Please Provide Feedback
Comments (6)Do you have any inspiration images? I know you think you've found great options, but I think it might be helpful to you to read some of the collected wisdom here on bs selection and start your search with fresh eyes. This is proposed as a backsplash addition to the New to Kitchens FAQ. To the age old question, "Do I need a backsplash?" the short answer is yes. You need some sort of backsplash in wet zones to protect your walls, cabinets floors and subfloors from deterioration due to water infiltration, and in your cooking zone to protect your drywall from cooking oils, spills, odors, and cleaning chemicals. That said, plenty of houzzers have chosen not to have a backsplash, or to delay the choice for budgetary or other reasons. Search for threads with ABB (all but backsplash) in the titles to check those out. How does one choose a backsplash? First, like every other process here, we encourage you to do some research on your own, then post your particulars and ask for feedback. One fundamental question you must consider before all others is whether your counter material or your backsplash will be the focus of your space. Consider images of kitchens with busy counters, and those with commanding backsplashes, and decide which you prefer. Bold counters and tile rarely work well together. To Wait or Not To Wait Buying your bs material when you buy your other finishes might prevent delays down the road and could help with electrical outlet placement. Drawbacks include that you are making decisions on colors and finishes based on samples, sample cabinet fishes, sample counter swatches, etc... and that samples don't always represent the final product accurately. Waiting to buy your bs materials until you have had your counters installed allows you to see sample tiles in your space in your light throughout the day with your actual installed materials. If your cabinets are warmer than you expected, or your counter cooler, you are free to search for a bs material that can pull things together. The only drawback to waiting is that you may have to wait for tiles to be fabricated or to arrive, causing possible delays in the completion of your space. The majority wisdom on this site favors waiting if that is possible. Regardless of which approach you choose, you should consider your bs as one part of a whole picture of your beautiful new space. Inspiration Images These really help you to focus on what your kitchen as a whole will look like. They also give the folks responding to your queries an idea of what looks you like, so they won't recommend white subway tiles if all your inspiration images feature handpainted Mexican tile. Google images of kitchens with your other materials (white cabinets, walnut floors, etc...) and select which ones you like the look of. What type of bs do they use? The idea is not to copy the look, but to get a feel for looks you like, and communicate those looks to others. Budget Finally, we'll need an idea of a materials budget. Installation can account for half of the budget for a backsplash, so take that into consideration in your planning, and deduct accordingly, and let us know how much you want to spend in $/sf for your materials? It's not very helpful falling in love with a handmade tile in a custom glaze if it costs $100/square foot and your budget for tile is $10/sf, but houzz members are fantastic at finding similar (and occasionally the same) tiles for less money. Without budget numbers it is very difficult for us to truly be of help to you. How we can help. The way it works is that we can recommend a surface (usually tile, sheet glass, metal, slab stone or laminate), advise against a choice (color, or busy-ness are the usual reasons), provide you with layout and pattern feedback, and images you might have missed of materials that have worked for us or caught our eye. "How can I find a bs tile to go with my green floors, counters, and purple cabinets" The answer might be that you have to paint your cabinets or change your floors to make it right, or maybe some houzzer somewhere will show you an image of a kitchen with a painted tin backsplash that pulls it all together. It has happened before. Some houzz members are great at photoshopping images together to give you an idea of what a small sample of tile might look like in your space. It is time and effort on their part that can be truly helpful. Remember to say thanks. I hope we can be helpful!...See MoreKitchen backsplash - mesh-mounted or field tile backsplash?
Comments (12)lmao. what Jan said! Although, I had to help out my guys who did my herringbone wood floor. it's the starting point where everyone gets messed up. after that, it's simple. Look up how to properly start a herringbone layout and read it. you need to use a speed square at the end of your tile in order to get the proper middle starting point. much easier to illustrate than trying to write it out here. This is how I showed my guys how to start it. see the blue tape w/the two lines? you have to start on the middle after you mark your corner. that's the only way you will get perfect even cuts on both ends. this is how most do it, and it's not correct IF you want perfectly symmetrical left/right borders. All he's done is set the corner of the tile on the line. doing it like this will leave you w/one side smaller than the other: see how the sides of the window don't match? this is what you don't want. your tile guy should be doing a dry layout in order to determine where he starts so he doesn't get this look or these tiny triangles. Again,,,see how the ends don't match below? the right has longer tiles than the left edge. that's because of the way he started his first tile. And don't do these vertical tiles for your edging. get proper bullnose tiles, pencil liner or a Schluter edge. This is a layout board of my herringbone for my shower. took a few hours in order to get this almost perfect. since this was an odd size, and the tiles were even at 3x12, it couldn't be perfect. the right bottom corner triangle is the only portion that doesn't match. luckily, it's not readily visible! Even the subway tiles are perfectly matched. this layout took hours to get exact, even around the niche. 2x6your 3x9 will be 1/3 larger. 3x9 is a good size for a backsplash. this is a regular 3x6. again, a 3x9 will give you 1/3 longer....See MoreAdvice Needed on Kitchen Tile Back-Splash and LVT/LVP Flooring Color
Comments (5)Hi Chispa, House is a townhouse built in 1996, trying to modernize the look. As far as decorating style, I like modern/contemporary, nothing too funky. Something that would be cohesive with the rest of the kitchen, and bring the kitchen to life a little. It's very white right now....See MoreBeth
last yearBeth
last yearBeth
last year@sprtphntc7a: thanks! We do also have to tile the side wall (with the niche), at least above the counter. It's too big of a gap to fill with grout.
The island cabinets are actually white :)
I am also trying to figure out what to do on the back of the island. I'd like something kind of dramatic.
Beth
last yearlast modified: last year@Hellogardener, not sure if these really help, but here goes! The green is a tad lighter than in the photos, tough to capture. Handles are brushed gold, hex (CB2), faucet champagne bronze (Kraus Oletto, might switch that out), copper sink, hood, appliance handles and future pot filler. Britannica gold quartz (Cambria), maple butcher block & shelves (Walnut Woodworks), Fitch cloud floor tiles (Happy Floors) . Paint colors are Pure White & Garden Swing (color matched, SW Emerald). Much left to do!
Beth
last year
rebunky
last yearlast modified: last yearWOW! I am absolutely in love with your space! It would make me do my little happy dance every time I walked into the room! It is wonderful to see someone having fun with color.
If it were my choice, I would absolutely do your idea of a terracotta color tile. I would do it all the way up on all 3 walls. Don’t worry about the one side that has the little cut out. It would look really beautiful. You have such great natural light, and I think something darker on that side would really draw your eye in.
Here is my attempt at a mockup. I wasn’t sure how the range hood would be finished.
I wasn’t quite sure about the wallpaper idea, but you have such great style, I am sure whatever you did would look amazing!I made it a plain white for now, so that you could focus on the tile. What do you think? I was thinking you could then add some bar stools with leather seats in that terracotta coppery color?
Oh and did you notice I added the matching ge cafe range? I figured you must be on the wait list for it like everyone else. 😂
Forgot to add, the tile I used was this one from Encore Ceramics. They have some other colors too. I wasn’t sure which one would work best with your Britanica gold quartz.
Beth thanked rebunkyrebunky
last yearlast modified: last yearI think I messed up on the left side above the top shelf. But looking closer, I think it might look weird with the tile going up higher then where the arch starts curving on the opening.
Here it is stopped under the second shelf and then under the first shelf.
These bar stools in four different colors might be fun too. Ok, I will quit decorating your house now! Haha!
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PROBeverlyFLADeziner
last yearDon't over complicate this. Line up the hood with the bottom of the shelf. That becomes your line for the tile.
Beth thanked BeverlyFLADezinerBeth
last yearlast modified: last yearBeth
last yearlast modified: last year@rebunky WOW!!! I am amazed at your mock-up skills! You have some great ideas!!
I especially love that you added the Cafe range. Yes, we've been waiting since last August. Any day now, haha 😂 🤞
As to the tile, we'll probably go a bit lighter so the hood stands out, but yes! Also I think we've decided we'll keep it lower, more like how @BeverlyFLADeziner shows it, although I don't think we'll tile behind the shelf. As to the niche wall, if there's curvy gap between the wood & the wall, do we have to tile it?
We have also considered a random tile finishing on the top edge, to play along with the different heights. Sort of like this (but different, more random):
O' Keefe · More Info
Maybe with hexagons?For the wallpaper, or maybe fabric under plexiglass, here's some of my inspo:
Bohemian Apartment Kitchen with Fabric Backsplash · More Info
Eclectic Kitchen Design · More Info
I love this pattern:
Beth's ideas · More Info
I would probably do this on the back of the island rather than the backsplash.Thanks so much for all your ideas! It is fun, but exhausting.
We are also planning primary & guest bathroom remodels & then laundry room... I'm quite overwhelmed
rebunky
last yearOk this was quite the challege!
I tried to show the lighter colored tile you picked (which would look great btw!) randomly cascading down from the hood, but it was hard to make it look right. Hopefully you can visualize it looking better.
I picked the middle wallpaper to use on the island because seemed to have some of that tile color in it. Plus it was the one with the largest amount of pattern so I could cut and paste it to fit much better.
This mockup was so much fun for me! I don’t get out much. Lol!
I think as far as the countertop gap under the niche, if you don’t want to tile, maybe just add a short simple wood trim piece stained to match the counters and shelves? You could then add wood shelves on the bottom of the niche that sticks out a little further then the wall to set stuff. Or maybe sort of like this one?
Beth thanked rebunkyBeth
last yearlast modified: last yearrebunky
last yearlast modified: last yearHad to add the new stools to show hubby. I wasn’t sure on the size and of course they’d be flipped around with back showing. 💕
I just showed my husband and he really liked it. He said the island was cool and looked kinda like an aquarium. 😂 He can‘t see too good!Beth
last yearYour mockups are really helping me with choices! I'll need the make sure whatever island design I choose, it should pull in the color of the backsplash. I feel like there's too much coppery color on the back wall, and none on the back of the island.maybe I need to stick with my original "natural" color tile, which would echo the stools. Then I'd need a pattern on the island with the copper, the natural, and a bit of the green. Sounds like a tile I chose way back when...
Beth's ideas · More InfoProblem with this one is the navy blue. I really wish it were black 😕
Beth
last yearrebunky
last yearlast modified: last yearOk I am officially obsessed with your adorable home. And at the beach? Awesome!
Here is a completely different direction. This is just a thought I had. I figured it doesn’t hurt to throw out ideas because you never know when it could lead to something.
Your earlier inspiration photos with the tropical-ish mural behind the stove mixed with the one with the bird reminded me of this tile mural I had seen someone else on here do.
I put the mural just under the hood with the above coordinating beige squares for the field tile. I then threw in a few random single tiles from the mural around. I made the back of the island the green cabinet color. No worries you don’t like it, you won’t hurt my feelings. I am just playing! The scale of the tile size might be off. I am still learning how to judge that better.
If you want, I am happy to mock up any other backsplash tiles and other island wallpaper choices as you narrow it down.Beth thanked rebunky
mcarroll16
last yearBeth
last yearrebunky
last yearYou know I wasn’t sure on the green, but it needed something darker or the stools just blended in and looked very plain.
Here it a quick rendition with a white back panel and brighter colored stools if kept the mural. I also thought of doing some kind of grasscloth wallpaper? I can try more ideas later for you.
Zellage tile would look great!
Beth
last yearBeth
last yearrebunky
last yearlast modified: last yearOk lets start with a more sedate ”normal” look first. Although, still mixed with fun!
This tile is one I had picked out in the very begining along with that terracota one. I will post this one first since I was already working on it paired with a wooden slat or reeded look for the back of the island. It was too hard to add your bar stools, so just imagine it with them.
With this look, I felt like the backsplash looked best going all the way up behind the hood. This is my favorite so far! It actually feels really good to me. I also think this tile would tie in very nice with the island countertop.
What I like is that it lets your amazing copper hood be the star. It also lets your eyes have a little rest as they pan around the room taking in all the fun pops of color. It adds a calming element, but it certainly isn’t boring.I quickly played with those fun tiles. They are cool! I didn’t know what size they were, and I had no clue how to layout a pattern. Sorry, I totally botched this one! 😳😂
I really do not like how I did that feature behind the range. I am reluctant to even post this, but I will anyways just to give you some idea on how the colors look.
Beth thanked rebunkyBeth
last yearrebunky
last yearlast modified: last yearI think the off white zellage would be great! If you want to do the random edge, I think the hex tends to be better to make that random detail. I would probably pick the square if you’re just going straight across under the hood. If you have you’re heart set on a mural or pattern on the island back, then the all one color off white zellige on all the backsplash would be a perfect choise.
Here it is on that side wall. I cut it out from this photo. It does have a hint of the pinky tones, and like you said ties in the beach since it reminds me of an oyster shell. Oh and notice I tried some in the little niche and added a wood shelf?
It will be so pretty! Please update us as you narrow down your choices!Beth thanked rebunkyBeth
last year
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