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Design Dilemma Kitchens

Ideas for Backsplash

last year

issue is trying to find a color or material that will go well with carrara marble counter and off white cabinets.

Any suggestions is appreciated. Was originally looking at an off white subway type tile. Wondering if we should go with something that doesn't try to match the cararra or the cabinet color, more of an accent.

Featured Answer

Rachel Lee

last year

Repeat the headboard from the island. Use glossy paint for easy cleaning.

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Comments (17)

JP L
last year
What's the style of your kitchen/house? I see the beadboard on the island - are you going for a cottage/rustic look?
kdlinne
Original Author
last year
I am not sure what the label would be. Maybe more cottage than rustic. The wood is all over the house. the walls are mostly cream/off white as is most of the upholstered furniture. the wood furniture is mostly dark like the floors. Somewhat of a pottery barn type decor.
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Well, I’m not a huge fan of most glass tiles, so I may not be the one to ask. If by plain glass you mean something like this, I think it rarely looks clear when it is installed, it almost always looks gray or green, and neither is a great fit with your counter. You could chose a glass tile with color, but again, they don’t always install looking the way you think they will. Installation is more expensive with glass tile as well. It’s a pain.
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To really bring your kitchen current, I'd find out if there is anything under the soffits. Even if there is just a little pipe and nothing else major, I'd remove the soffits and have your new cabinets meet the higher ceiling. Quick, off the top of my head: - Your new cabinets should be frameless construction (not framed) to give you the most interior space and a current look. - No valence over the window. - That ceiling fan looks huge - do you even need a ceiling fan? - Add recessed cans in the ceiling along the perimeter of the upper cabinets for better lighting. - Are you able to exhaust your cooktop to the outside? If so, then replace the OTR MW with a hood since indoor air quality is a big deal these days. - When you remove the soffit, you also don't need a wall clock up there. Every appliance has a clock, so you end up with 2 or 3 clocks in the kitchen anyway, so no need for an old-style wall clock when you don't have that soffit there. - no rug is necessary in a kitchen. They just get dirty with crumbs and matted with spills, and can be a tripping hazard. - new appliances in stainless steel. Don't get the black stainless steel - that black color is a fad, sucks the light, and scratches easily too. - Wait to decide your backsplash until everything else is installed. You won't be able to pick a good backsplash until you have the rest of the kitchen done. If you pick the backsplash too early, it will be wrong.
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Mimosa ROAD
last year
I struggled with a similar challenge recently and ultimately chose a tile with color to avoid the challenge of another white in the mix altogether. I did like Bedrosians makoto in shoji white, though so maybe check that out.
kdlinne thanked Mimosa ROAD
Connie Stackhouse
last year
I would stay away from white since the cabinets and counter are already two different whites. If you try to match either it might make the other look out of place. I would go with a simple subway tile in the color of the veining in your countertop.
kdlinne thanked Connie Stackhouse
coray
last year
Not easy…..you chose warm, creamy cabinetry and very cool-toned counters…..
Silvia Punta
last year
Keep it simple and use the same as the countertop .
Sibylle
last year
Literally any but white/cream or grey/black. Do you have any appliances that are colored? What is the rest of the house like? Also noted the shelves in the cabinet adjacent to the fridge don’t align Witzchen glass grit.
F L
last year
I used shiplap on my stove wall(call me crazy) to match the shiplap on the kitchen walls. I wanted the look to be unfussy. I painted that section behind the stove in a simi- gloss for easy clean up. It’s been two years and no problem. So I would put your beadboard on the wall and paint it to match cabinets or walls.
Kay p
last year
I agree with breadboard too or a coloured tile
kdlinne thanked Kay p
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
IMO that choice was wrong with the cabinets but now just do the same as the counter and try to get rid of as much yellow in the space as possible. You do that by changing every bulb in the lighting to LED 4000K. Then add some bright color for a bit of eye catching fun
kdlinne thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
blueskysunnyday
last year
I like the cabinet-counter combo a lot!

I think the backsplash choice depends on whether you are looking for a “calm” kitchen or not. For a more calm feeling, I would do either tile in the same marble as your counters or shiplap or beadboard the same color of the cabs. However, you will have to address the combustability issue behind the stove with the wood products. Maybe they make paintable, non-combustible versions of beadboard or shiplap pieces? Alternatively, you could put one piece of stone that matches your counter behind the stove and do the rest beadboard/shiplap.

For a more fun kitchen, I would pick a solid color of tile that you like.
kdlinne thanked blueskysunnyday
PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
last year
I'd do any shape in a contrasting color--blue, green, red, etc., unless you are VERY good at matching whites. The possibilities are endless.

Here are some suggestions:
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njmomma
last year
Not a Pro, great lighting as mentioned above @Particia is key.
After doing that, I may look for a backsplash tile that matches the cabinet color. I would keep it simple. Then accessorize, window treatment having both the backsplash and countertop colors. Do the same with art. Add wooden bowls, trays, cutting boards to add warmth.
Since you want cottage, look for hardware to match the color of your countertop.
njmomma
last year
*Or backsplash to match counter top
RedRyder
last year
Repeat the beadboard as others have suggested. But for safety reasons, get a piece of stainless steel that is similar to your appliances for behind the stove. Match the cabinet color for the beadboard.

I have beadboard for my backsplash but my cooktop is on a separate island. I used the same color as my cabinets. It has held up very well.

Or take Diana’s suggestion and pick a gorgeous colored tile that makes you happy. Your kitchen is completely neutral and can handle a color. Personally, I think you will spend too much time trying to match the color of the cabinets’ or marble’s white with a tile.

Your kitchen is lovely. Welcome to the hardest part for any of us who venture into kitchen remodeling land.
kdlinne thanked RedRyder
KellyB6
12 months ago
What did you end up choosing?

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