Absolutely gorgeous!! It really gives the area a rich, classy look. The color choice is great. As for the backsplash, I would just leave the red paint. The white to me looks too glaring against the colors in the countertop. Since the cabinets don't go all the way to the end of the wall, where would you end the backsplash without having it look akward? If you had to have the backsplash a color that goes with the floor and the light color in the countertop would seem more pleasing. I would also use regular tile rather than the subway tile.

Again, great job on the countertop. Nice fireplace too.

That looks great, MomTo4! You must be so relieved. I agree with Ingrid, that the bright white tiles aren't blending very well. The warm, creamy sink color ties in much better.

I agree with the above comments; the white tile seems to have too much contrast and there is nothing tying that color into the rest of the kitchen (well, I guess the appliances are white, but I'm not really counting them ;-). Is the warm beige tone of the flooring tile similar to the color in the countertop? Maybe something in that family would work.

Gorgeous counters! Just love them! :) A great choice!

Jan

Looks great!!! I bet you're happy you went with that one!

I wouldn't do the white tile. It looks very stark and I not in a good way. I'd keep the red paint.

I'd keep the red paint too. The white doesn't go with the rest of the room. Your cabinets look great too and I would not paint them - I think you are planning on selling in a few years? If I remember correctly - for resale - they are better left alone.

The countertops look nice.....

Best wishes.....

Love the counters! I'm not crazy about the bright white either, but I'm biased, I've never liked subway tile.

Ditto, but I do like subway, just not that bright white with your counter. I love your red paint though.

Thanks everyone! :)
ingrid, if you noticed the fireplace..ya must have noticed the foosball table that hasn't left since Christmas? lol :)
Ah, the sacrifices we make for our kiddos :)

The subway is definitly stark. I usually like white subway next to dark counters, but this doesn't seem to really be working. Dh suggested bead board again?
I really, really don't want to leave the red. Mostly, cause it's such a PITA to cover to start with. Then having to deal with the texture of the walls, since the backsplash piece was taken off.
And if we did leave it, what do we do behind the stove???
It's a big mess behind there.

We also wanted to put lights under the counter, and add some additional moulding on the bottom of the cabinets. Bead board behind the bar, etc.

And yep, we do hope to sell in the next few yrs so that's why painting the cabinets has always been questionable. If we could agree on a color, we'd definitly still do it.

meant to add that I can't find any tile that goes well with the very taupey colored floor tiles.
Least, not that we can afford :(

Subway tile and bead board are cheap! AND, I have a $150 gift card at Lowes :)

My sister bought the tiles at Lowes -- they were cheap. I think she got tumbled marble 4"x4" in a creamy color.

Another cheap option is to do picture frame paneling instead of beadboard for the backsplash. My neighbor did this in her kitchen. She only put tile behind the stove, but the rest of the backsplash she used plain board & add trim/moulding like a picture frame and the result looks so beautiful.

I don't care for the subway tile with the walls/counters (though I like subway tile in other applications) but I think a single row of embossed, decorative tile like they have at Lowe's or Home Depot in a warm beige or sand color would look very nice. Love your countertops and rest of your kitchen, BTW. Or a row of warmer colored tiles interspersed with a decorative, embossed tile every so often would look very nice.
Susan

Bella, that does sound kind of cool. Did it look good next to the tile??

susie, so you're saying to just do one row of tile, say along the wall? Then perhaps a whole backplash behind the stove? I hadn't given that much thought. It's always all or nothing for me, lol. But, I think that could actually be affordable! IF I could find one that doesn't clash with the floor so much.

I also have this area to work with. Kind of wishing I'd had the laminate run behind the sink, but I was so hung up on a backsplash.

Gorgeous counter tops! While I agree about the starkness of the white subway tiles, I do really like the design. Someone on this or the kitchen forum has subway tiles that have a lot of color variation. They are very muted colors that would go great with your kitchen. Maybe you could do a search.

So pretty! I'm a white person and have a lot of beadboard now, so if you do paint your cabs, I think white would be best because it looks like it goes with the rest of the trim in your house. Also, white will open up a room. I used to have a dark kitchen and while I liked it, it grew to be claustrophobic (sp) on me. I would only do dark cabs if you had a large kitchen.

As far as a beadboard backsplash, I vote no because it will be impossible to keep clean since it will be near the work stations and sink. You can always add beadboard to the sides and back of the cabinets that show to the rest of the room.

Our granite and sink was installed today so I feel your JOY! lol

Wow! Gorgeous countertops. I want to come over and "pet" them!

I love white subway tile...but for some reason they don't look "elegant" enough for those gorgeous counter tops.

Could you do a cream color subway, or a very light beige marble tile maybe???

And of course, whatever you choose, even the white ones, are going to be beautiful once they're up and finished.

Very nice, indeed ;o) I'm not loving the white tiles or the red. I think a warmer and "softer" color would go well. I would choose one of the colors in the counter. I'd like to see a really good close-up of the laminate so I could see what colors are actually in it (the photos aren't really giving me the detail). I'm seeing black, taupe, cream and some terra cotta? I could be wrong, though. I would choose a color that complements both your cabinets and your counters.
Post a close-up....hurry, we're waiting LOL.

Very, very pretty. I agree with the others that the white subway tiles don't blend with the warmth of the cabinets. If they were white or black it I think they could work.

Beautiful change! And aren't you soooo glad you went with your first inclination? Doesn't Lowes have small subways in a tumbled marble that come on a sheet? I thought I saw that there...A nice creamy color. I agree the white is too much contrast.
Another thing you could do is paint the backsplash red and get some gorgeous plates with red in them and just hang them on the backsplash. I think I saw someone do that here...
I also like the beadboard idea!

Ok...so your "not" painting the cabinets? If you keep the cabinets the color they are now, then the white subway tile doesn't go with anything. I really "hate" the red too. How about black subway tile!!! :0) then do a tile picture over the stove?

mrsmarv, here's a closer pic

I'm heading to Lowes again to check out a few more options. Bring some things home, and try them.

nicole, I'd like to paint the cabinets. But, we thought we could try some things to satisfy me enough not to go through the trouble. I think in the end, we'll be painting.
As for the red. Well, I personally "love" it. Least, I do in the eat in area. It's a beautiful red, especially at night. I'm not a fan of it with the cabinets, though. But, I never intended to keep the cabinets oak. But, with all the different color schemes for cabs in my head, I think sticking with the red would all be too much. So, we shall see.

Thanks again everyone for your comments :) It's funny, cause I really don't find myself looking at the counters. I mean, I come into the room and just go to where I need to go. Before, EVERY time I passed the kitchen, or walked towards it..I'd see those green counters. I could never, ever avoid looking at them. Now, unless I'm making a point to admire the counters, I just go on about my business. It's like they've always been there. And I LOVE that it's that way. It's not a total shock, and something hard to adjust to. They just fit. :)

Beautiful counters! I too just got new granite, which replaced my navy blue counter, lol. I'm so happy that blue is gone. :)
What do you think about a nice warm gray tile? I don't know if I would do cream, because of the white in your kitchen, a tan/taupe color would be nice too. Take a piece of granite with you if you have one, and good luck, I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with. I'm looking for tile right now too, it's so hard!

Thanks patty :)
Not sure gray would work with the other colors I have going on. Mostly cause it's open to the living room, and I'm kind of trying to work with that, too.
Oh, and it's just laminate..not granite :) :)

So, this is what I found.
It looks good with the counters. Not so much with the walls. And don't have mad love for it with the cabinets.
And honestly, I think if I went that way. I'd feel like a sell out. It's absolutely NOT the direction I planned on going. Good for resale, I'm sure!! But, if you saw the 100 kitchens I've saved over the years. Not a single one has a stone/tumbled tile, whatever that is back splash. And none are builder honey oak, either :)
All painted.

momto4boys ~ Keep looking ;o) I'm not loving it with the cabinets, either. The walls can be painted, so I wouldn't concentrate on finding a backsplash that goes with the wall color. Since the backsplash will be a "permanent" fixture, I would find something you really like, holding off until you do. Maybe try going with something plain, rather than a mixed bag like the backsplash you show above. I think there's enough movement and "busy-ness" in the counter. My suggestion would be to keep it plain and simple. It will come, you will find it. You just might have to shelve that OCD tendency for a wee bit longer so you don't end up with backsplash remorse LOL.

I loved the subway tile, I don't think it looks bad with the counter at all, only with the combo of the counters AND cabinets. If you are going to paint those cabinets like you intended I would still do the white subway tile. If you are keeping the honey tone, I'd keep looking. I know money is tight, but since you don't seem unafraid of color, why not a colored glass tile?

LOL mrs, my mother said just about the same thing. Honestly, I could live with the ripped out backsplash behind the stove a bit. After living with the green for 3 yrs :)

myred, I see it exactly as you do. Looks good with the counter, IF I paint.
I'd really love a glass tile. But, I'm locked in to Lowes and I've not seen much that would work there.

Beautiful counters! I think they are perfect with the wood cabs and red walls, too... :)

Check our harrietthehoemowners tiles...I've supplied the link. Scroll down to the pic of the completed view of her kitchen. Her cabinets are very similar to yours, the counters have the same movement, and her tile choice are subway tiles, but marble. Gorgeous! I think hers (perhaps in a different color grouping) would be beautiful.

Here is a link that might be useful: Backsplash tiles

Wow, that is beautiful!!! But, MARBLE!?! Heck, I had to install laminate, cause I couldn't swing granite..hahaha!
Doubt we could pull off marble. And it really does need to be at Lowes, cause I have a $150 gift card there. And really can't put in much more then that.
But, something like that would be perfect, huh?
Shoot! Why did I set a budget? lol

To be honest, I'm not loving the border tiles to cover up your former countertop backsplash. I think you need to do a full backsplash, or no backsplash at all.

Why not just do a ivory/cream subway tile? I'm sure Lowe's can order it for you if they don't carry it. I just think the pure white was a little stark.

Plus if you decide later to paint your cabinets, the ivory subway will go with either a black cabinet, a gray cabinet or even a cream colored cabinet.

I agree with caroleoh about the cream subway tiles - harriet's tiles are a good "jumping off" point. They're marble subway, but they are subway, and I think a cream/tan/beige subway would look nice. Perhaps you could mix it up by using a variety of off-white/cream/beige subway tiles. That would mimic harriet's but still will stay within your budget.

carol, I totally agree. It's gotta be all or nothing. Just that one row isn't working for me, either.

I'll have to ask Lowes if they can order a different color. They have a not so bright white in the square, but not subway.

thanks!

Dear Mom,

I don't usually post but I have been following your post now for several months : ) I'm with you on making your home yours while you are in it! You have to be able to at the end of the day say " it may not be perfect but I like it!"

I love your counter tops, very classic and elegant. I keep going back to your inspiration picture and would suggest you look at the elements that drew you to it. While you can't have that exact kitchen- intially your inspiration picture drew you in for a reason. My take on that was soothing gray greens, black, white and that great wood tone roman shade. Everything else was accent and design, the eye first sees colors and then details.

I say stay true to the picture but don't copy it. Your cabinets are wood tone like the shade- keep them. Put in the subway tiles with black accents to break up the white and anchor the space. Get creative behind the stove for interest and a focal point. Sadly change out the red, and paint a soothing grey green color that the cabinets in your inspiration picture were. The red paint, white crown molding, and oak cabinets have no cohesion together. I'm afraid if you start adding in tumbled marble you will be adding in another element to add to the confusion taking away from your truly gorgeous bones of your kitchen.

Designers pick out a color scheme for a reason, to stay true to the vision. The clean serenity of your inspiration picture drew you to it, my vote is to stay true to it, don't get sidetracked. Make the colors work for you if you do that, your almost done! Good luck.

Never ending, thanks so much for your post.
I definitly think you've identified a big problem with my kitchen. The color scheme. The counters weren't THAT bad, when it was builder beige in there. Enter the red. Was never the same in that space again. Now, the counters are changed. But, I'm still struggling.
In painting the cabinets, I keep having to consider the red. Dh is wanting to try black on the lowers, white on the uppers. I feel with the white appliances AND red walls, my head would spin.
If the walls were more neutral, I think it would work better.
I've also seen many oakish cabs that I don't mind, paired up with a nice grey, green as you suggested. Greens are just really hard for me to choose. And having to work with my living room, which has an olivey/brown sofa and love seat. Ugh, just more problems!

I think we've decided on the subway tile for now. See just how bad it looks, with full intention to paint the cabinets either black, or white. If we leave them, I'll be bugging everyone for green suggestions. Because I no longer see the red working in my kitchen. Especially with the cabinets.
I said before, I LOVE it with the eat in area. Just next to the cabinets, it does nothing for me.

And never, as you mentioned..I was drawn to that first inspiration kitchen for a reason. And I do think it was a lot of the color choices. I have over 50 kitchens saved in a folder on my desktop. And ya know know what? Not a single one of them is red, lol.
ALL of them have painted cabinets, though. (More then I realized till just now are green)Many have uppers and lowers a different color. And almost every one of them has subway tile.

I'll post an update as soon as tiles are in!

thank you!!!

Just peeked in here, and saw my kitchen mentioned ... those marble tiles weren't that expensive. I spent around $380, so not the cheapest, but certainly not the most expensive. However, Lowe's doesn't have them, and you said you need to buy your tile there. Also, installation of marble is more expensive because it's harder to work with (or so I was told). Might be more difficult for a DIY job.

I actually think the white subways would look fine without the red paint. If you prefer more of a cream and it's only available in 4x4s, would a running bond pattern in that size work? It would be almost the same effect.

I like the new counters. They seem to tone down the gold of the oak, and you have a lot of nice options for colors with that pattern.

Yea, I hear marble is harder to deal with. Another reason I'd prefer the 22 cent a piece subway at Lowes :) It'll be our first tile job, so if we have to cut 20 to get just one right. It won't be a big deal. I have a gift card there, so that's why I'd prefer to get them there.
I really don't think the creme with the white appliances and the possibility of painting cabs white would work too well. So, we'll probably stick to the white. Stark as it is.

Congrats on your beautiful new counters!

I'm with everyone else... no to the subway tiles. Yes to the sample you pictured above.

I wouldn't paint the cabs. First, it's an awfl job. I've done that job a few times and I hate it, even though generally I love to paint. Second, your cabs don't look bad. Give the new buyer the option... and hey, in a few years your cabs may look more "in" to you than they do now.

I love your red walls. They have life, warmth and zing. You could paint the walls beige or tan for resale, I guess.

LOL oceanna, the sample went back. Just couldn't see it going in that direction. Those tones, so NOT what I see when I look at my kitchen.
We duct taped almost the whole area in subway last night. I wish I'd taken a pic, but was in a hurry to get it down before it started to fall. I kind of liked it. In person, when you see all the white appliances, and all the white moulding in the kitchen. It's not as stark as it is next to the counter alone, in a little picture.
I've since been googling some other kitchens with dark counters, wood cabs, and white subway tile.
We'll try it, and if it works well with the cabs. That'll probably be the deciding factor on if we'll be painting or not. I'm starting to get burned out, and we've hardly done a thing, lol. But, with summer coming..and the kids all home. I know we'll be pretty busy. So, it may be best to give it a rest. And not take on ripping our kitchen apart to paint cabs right now :) As much as we THINK we're prepared for the hassle. I know what a pain it was just to get the two doors in the bathroom done. Took um, 2 yrs!! lol. Took them off, primed them and left them in the garage until just about a month ago. Can't do that to a kitchen!

Momto4boys,

Wow, I think your countertops look great. If fact, I'll be replacing mine with something similiar to yours.

If I may, a couple of questions. The countertops I've seen like that come very "glossy", or with a matte finish. It appears yours are the glossy, correct? My kitchen gets alot of direct sunshine, would the glossy cause alot of glare? One I looked at almost made my eyes hurt and I wasn't sure I cared for it. Second, is yours a smooth top or a textured finish? And is one better than the other? Opinions from anyone much appreciated.

I would comment on the backsplash, but I honestly have no decorating sense whatsoever. So I will spare you my suggestions, however, I think the red looks good.

On another note, we recently painted our kitchen with BM Embassy Green (it's a green-grey) with oak cabinets and I think it looks really good. I think it would look great in your kitchen.

Thanks!

kael, they definitly reflect the light. But, not in a blinding, obnoxious way. I've seen some that don't have any texture (these have a lot) and they look more like a piece of shiney plastic to me. And they don't wear very well, from what I've heard/seen. They tend to scratch fairly easy. I had a matte finish before, and I liked it. Other then the color. But, I love these so much more.

I'll have to check out that green color, thanks!

Hi momto4boys~~
YEAH, you kept the red walls.....love them....BTW, what color red is that? Your new counter-tops look great...WilsonArt?....showing that laminate can look great.....because not all of us like granite.
I think that you need to keep something in your backsplash that has at least white in it because of the white appliances....and I don't think that there is a thing wrong with the white subway tiles. If you are thinking you might sell your house in the not too distant future, I would not paint the cabinets...so many people like the wood rather than painted. LOOKS GOOD, gal~~~~

Thanks phoggie!
Not 100% sure the red is staying. But, it's at least here for another couple of wks :)
And it's SW Bolero.

And yes, it's wilsonart.

I saw this kitchen posted on a blog the other day.

I like the subway tile ok without painted cabients. She also has dark counters.
I'm sure it'll work ok.
Dh was more convinced until he saw the pic. Now, HE doesn't like it..lol.
Oh well, he's doing it.

Here is a link that might be useful: bower power

Do you like travertine ot stone. I did my guest bathroom in a tile that looks a lot like stone. it was only around $1.95 sq ft and I used $6. ft tumbled stone deco pieces with it in the shower surround. You wouldn't need that much. You could turn the tile on 45 degree angle. Picture fram out the area above the stove with tumbled marble. Do a design on the inside. There is a picure attached of my guest bath and kitchen. This may not be your style. Anyway this is very reasonable priced for us. Are you installing yourself?

Here is a link that might be useful: Guest bath just finished