Oh I'm definitely not afraid of color... I just know myself well enough to know that I'll get sick of color... so I keep it to my accents & accessories so I can change it as often as I like. Its the same reason I keep my furniture neutral... I can repaint the walls as often as can for $50-ish... Hubby was working on the crown molding again tonight. Looks great, except I dislike the under cab molding. It's not the one we chose, but honestly I'm so sick of fighting with lowes I'm just going to live with it. Its a bit too big for the space :/ love the subway tile idea... going to have that on my list for tomorrow.

Thank you everyone! I'm so happy to have found this cream....after looking at so many different ones! Here is the info: From the sample board.... Manhatten Series MN11/B36 Cream 3X6 beveled edge Best yet, the price is just $4.68 per sq foot! Honestly, I've been looking at tiles that range from $6-$31 per square foot. To think that my very favorite is under $5 really amazes (and delights!) me! I can't wait to post photos of the finished project....right now I have to order more switchplate covers!

Ooooh, you have me a little worried. I am planning a white on white kitchen...but back to the topic at hand. No I definitely don't think a lip of a backsplash is at all unfinished. In fact, i think most houses just have a lip? I wonder if the wall of a BS is a new thing. In fact i just took a quick look at property listings (no I am not a realtor, haha) and the 3 houses I clicked on (close to a million$) all had a lip of a backsplash. I think it is personal preference. And your right it is a dust catcher=). but better to have dust than me rub off my wall every time I wipe my counters down. (good paint may well solve that dilemma) but I do think that it looks naked with nothing. We cook alot ( and I am messy) so I have to have something behind my stove...and personally i do like the full wall of backsplash. If you have soapstone, that may break up the white enough to not make it so stark. You could possibly consider the lip of soapstone and then tile above that....? Best of luck

phyl Your kitchen is really lovely. It is very difficult to choose BS, especially w/o all the elements in place. BS takes up LARGE expanse & you are attempting to "see" that expanse from relatively small samples & a tiny (relatively speaking) piece of the BA. BS has relative permanency, unlike paint that can be easily changed... there are really infinite possibilities w/BS - like an artists blank canvas. Have you perused Houzz? Finished BS link? Do you have a firm idea of what you want? some people prefer a "quiet" backsplash that blends in nicely, others want a statement backsplash - bold & contrasty I prefer simple quieter type. I prefer not to have the backsplash cause the eye to stop & focus there when there are so many other elements of interest. I would suggest considering perusing sites, and listing like/dislike - to help you get an idea of what you want your final product to look like. Do you want something different over the range? Once you have narrowed that down - post some more information on what you would like your final product to look like using as much description as you can - "subtle, bold, contrast, quiet, blending in with..." Say what you DON'T like as well - "too big, too little, cold " ect And if you come across any new samples post more pics as well You should find lot's of good help & ideas as well. I find it difficult to respond to posts with generic type requests because I will tend to infuse my opinion and tastes more then what the poster may like... I personally don't like counter material as backsplash, I don't like little tiles on BS, I don't like a lot of contrast - You get the idea - But that is MY personal taste Looking forward to some more pics & descriptions Good luck