Liveoak, I have a slide in range and the bit of counter behind, I used sm stainless tile's there and larger stailess tiles above with stainless edging, got it all on ebay. I just have a regular 30" range which no one can believe until I prove it with a measure. Not only does it look nice but somehow it makes the range look larger and a little more grand.

I can't see why it wouldn't look ok. I'm no expert, but it seems like you are going to have some countertop showing no matter what material you put on the wall behind the range. A strip of countertop between the range and the wall should look ok - perhaps like an accent. JMHO.
Cheers.

I'm going to have a Corian counter (no tomatoes, please!) w/4" backsplash. I should not have that 4" splash where the panel would go, right?

jterrilynn, what is the rest of your backsplash like? I'm just wondering about the transition from the Corian splash to the SS panel.

Thanks!

Jennifer

Liveoak, right now I have a 4" backsplash which stops on each side of range and my stainless just goes half way up the wall. This kitchen is coming out this summer and IÂm keeping all the appliances except the refrigerator but will again have stainless behind slide-in rangeÂdifference being that IÂm thinking of using this stainless hourglass tile (scroll down) http://www.fluxstudios.com/lineage_design_tiledesigns.htm IÂm stuck with an over range micro but above that there will be glass doors in a double arched mullion shape similar to the hourglass shape in the stainless tile. I will try and post a picture later tonight of what I have now though just to give you an idea of how it will work.

I think the counter would look just fine behind the range, but (I'm possibly showing my lack of knowledge here) if you don't like it, could you have a strip of stainless cut to cover the counter. Actually, appliance companies do make the stainless strips b/c my counter fabricator told me to ask the appliance rep what he would recommend. See if your model has a strip as an accessory.

I'm planning to do the same thing except like jterrilynn, taking it halfway up to the hood and tiling the rest, with a slide-in. Most pics I've seen don't even show this. The lack of emphasis on it on the web tells me it's not going to be very noticeable, so go with whatever works best for you.

Thanks to both of you for your advice! JT, your tiles sound fab. And, Jsweenc, good point about the strip. I actually like the look of the counter back there so I think it won't be a problem at all.

Jennifer

If you want a one piece solution for the stainless look under sheet metal fabricators in the yellow pages.

I never use the stove companies stainless back splashes any more.
The fabricator can make exactly what is desired for a lower price.

And a Z bend to cover the piece of counter behind a slide in and then go down slightly between the stove and counter would be nothing.

liveoak, here is a picture of my before kitchen with just stainless tile from ebay for slide in. Next kitchen will have the Lineage hourglass stainless tile going further up. It's not a panel but may give you some ideas on how it would look.(hopefully I'm posting pictures right)
[IMG]http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af170/jterrilynn/stove/p1010091.jpg[/IMG]
http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af170/jterrilynn/stove/p1010091.jpg
http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af170/jterrilynn/stove/P1010092.jpg
[IMG]http://i1004.photobucket.com/albums/af170/jterrilynn/stove/P1010092.jpg[/IMG]

Here is a link that might be useful: