Since you don't want any more tile than necessary, you might start above the sink & carry that same height around the L, tiling higher only above the stove. Look at the space between your counter at the sink & the bottom of the windowsill molding & decide how much wall needs splash protection there. Same with the area above the stove. Once you have an idea of height for the backsplashes, determine how wide you want the stove splash & draw a sketch with measurements of all the backsplash areas. From that you can figure how many square inches/feet you'll need of backsplash & get an idea of cost of tile or any material you're considering. If you go with tile you may want to use a size that fits neatly in the regular height to make it easier on yourself. One that also fits neatly across the width of the stove backsplash would be ideal. Both will look better & minimize cutting. You'll need to work up a pleasing layout of the tiles with grout spacing, usually starting with the area above the stove & working your way out to the ends of the counter from there. A good tile book or online resources will tell you what's involved & how to proceed. Have fun with the possibilities!

Thanks for the reply! I may have used the wrong term - I guess it is called "column" as well?? I'm referring to the angled piece directly to the left and right of the cooktop cabinet. The "column" looks to be slightly narrower than the flat angled piece that it is attached to. I'm assuming the column has been cut in half and the halves used on each side. Sorry!

Thanks for the suggstions! Yes, we were going to pull rug out more. Wanted to buy area rug a ittle large, maybe not so much brown in it. Table in corner with lamp matches coffee table. Have TV wires and TV box on bottom shelf of it. Can I just get a taller lamp? Was going to move sewing box somewhere else. Can't put three seats facing TV/fireplace. The TV used to be on wall where the rocker is now but I moved TV over the fireplace to make a reading nook. There is a "walkway" in front of the rocker in this small family room that goes to the right to stairs, living and dining area. The family room area is small and broken up by that area that needs to be kept clear. I had two couches before and they were too big. Regular one was under window and loveseat was where small part of sectional is now. Arms overlapped. Maybe I should have gotten different sectional configuration. Just two seats and two seats? Just bought this one :( Moved here 5 yearsago from larger home, just retired, and trying to decorate bit by bit. I don't have decorating confidence in my purchases but I sort of know what looks good. Also want to get new rocker or glider/recliner because this one hurts my neck - pushes neck out. Not sure what color to get or fabric/leather. I like the lamps you picked out. But maybe white or lighter color shade near sofa, which has a grayish tweedy look. Room is rather dark at night. Do you do online decorating assistance? Here in San Diego the decorators I have looked up are for high end price points. Thanks, N.

I always think of lamps from a functional aspect first...do you sit up to read in bed or lay down?........is the lamp just for ambiance or just to see to get in bed?.......do you want matching lamps?...in your case if they match.... the width of the shade will be restricted by what will fit and not interfere with light switches....0n the other side you have something on the top that forces the lamp further away than convenient for reading...these circumstances suggest wall sconce that can be pulled out to where needed...with the advantage not using up bedside tabletop space...which i love as i like to keep all sorts of stuff in reach without having to open drawers...but more importantly you want it to be easy to reach to turn on and off...all of this should come before what looks nice🤗