As I've said before, I'm not a person to give much advice on backsplash. But I had to smile when you said we have to trust you on this. Of course we do! I wondered if you were really just looking for permission to trust yourself. : ) Don't they say that when you find it you just know? You've looked at so many and this one is not what you thought you were looking for, but it feels and looks right.

I didn't understand from your description whether it was just the mosaics under the hood and the field tile everywhere else, or the two tiles together only under the hood. As far as design, since you want it simple, why not keep it just like you show it in the picture? That is simple and beautiful just as it is. But there's a lot I don't know and I was not creative with mine at all!

We are looking at a similar combination of square field tile plus a mosaic. (Very similar colors, too -- I like them!)

My current plan is to run the mosaic where a traditional bachsplash would go, 4" high or so, and then run the plain field tile above it (I want to go all the way up to under the top cabinets). Then above the stove, an inset with the mosaic, 24" x 24" or 30" x 30" with an ogee molding around it.

A second possibility is to run one row of field tile above the countertop, and then a strip of the mosaic, three or five tiles tall, and then more field tile above.

A third possibility is to run the field tile on the diagonal throughout, and pull out a certain number of field tiles to put in the small mosaic as an accent. This creates kind of a diamond pattern with the darker mosaic along the wall, which you can then echo behind the stove with a larger diamond of the mosaic tile.

Maybe one of these ideas will help with layout...

Oh Squigs! I like it! I agree about stopping at the hood. Will you frame it with pencil tile or something like that?

I'm not much help with the "design" of it, but are you thinking of doing the whole area behind the range in this or a "picture frame" of it? I think doing a big area of this mosaic will be beautiful, as wide as the hood from the counter up.

If you did decide to do the "stripe" thing with the mosaic around the room, consider doing more than one stripe, I really like that look better than just one stripe, but that's my opinion.

I love your choices. I may have to get a sample of that Marca Corona Reaction myself. I will be watching you!!!

What is the big thing on the floor? Is the beige tile a 4 inch or 6 inch? does it come in any other sizes?

I like the idea of the stripe but you could also cut the mosiac into 2 by 2's or 3by3's and then frame them with cut field tile. Were you going to use 4 by 4's around the room? I like a stripe that seperates two different looks above and below it. Give us some more options in tile sizes to help you!

jsweenc - hehe - I think you're right. So permission granted. I think. And yes, I do want to use the field tile throughout the whole kitchen with touches of mosaic, but more mosaic under the hood.

eastbaymom - my tile guy and contractor are supposed to come over tomorrow, and I'll run some of those ideas by them. thanks!

bee - I know what you mean about the stripe. DH is envisioning that but I'm thinking more of cut-ins. and yes, I'd like to see the whole area behind the stove in the mosaic too. It really is that pretty.

So, I photocopied a bunch of the mosaic and taped it all up behind the stove, and I don't like it all that much. Could it be because the photo doesn't have the "life" that the tiles actually have? Also, it seems to close in the room. I wonder if that's just a reaction to seeing something there when I've been living with it bare for months??? (I felt that way every time something new went into the kitchen - it took me a couple days to adjust to each new thing, didn't love anything right away.)

countrygal - check back next year. Maybe by then I'll have made a decision. (just kidding - I hope!!)

peytonroad - the thing on the floor is actually a piece of my countertop. It's corian Linin, looks kind of white but you can see the flecks of tan in it.

The field tile is only 4x4. But the Rixi is 5x5 and also a subway. Here's a picture of the Rixi (with a tantrum accent tile):

If I go with the rixi I'd have to ditch the mosaic. DH doesn't like the tantrum and would like to see it paired with glass accents instead.

Any thoughts on rixi and glass vs. the mosaic and the marca?

My personal vote would be for the mosaic and marca using eastbay's suggestion of running the field tile on the diagonal replacing a few field tiles with the mosaic. I also like the multiple stripe idea. Personally I wouldn't want to run the mosaic along the countertop b/c although it would look nice, I am afraid of putting that much grout where you are going to end up cleaning more.

btw - I love your cabinets and especially the lovely leaded windows. Great choices.

UPDATE - Tile guy was just here. I really like this guy and trust his judgement, and he's been part of our reno since the beginning.

So, he LOVES the mosaic. Thinks it's perfect in here. I agree. However, he really doesn't like the field tile. He thinks it's too plain and too close to the countertop color and that bits of the mosaic here and there would look okay but not be great. (since I took those photos, we do have a lot more "stuff" on our countertops - TV, microwave, etc.)

He thinks the whole kitchen in the mosaic would be gorgeous. So - that is so totally opposite my idea of keeping it simple. But - yes - I do love it and it would be gorgeous. But expen$$ive!!!

His other suggestion was to just use the mosaic as an accent but get a field tile that is closer to the stone in the mosaic.

What do you think of doing the mosaic on the whole thing? If I do, then I wouldn't have to figure out a design, and that would be good for my mental well-being :)

Feedback Please!!!

Squigs, your kitchen is beautiful--so warm & iniviting! The cabs are gorgeous and the flooring & countertop compliment them beautifully. The mosaic tile you've chosen is perfect! For the most part, I'm not a fan of doing small glass mosaic throughout (usually too busy for my eyes), but I have seen a few that I thought were great. Your tile is all neutrals so it might not be too busy--can you get several samples to put together to get a better idea if you'll like a bigger expanse of it? On my budget I think I'd have to use it more as an accent, but I think either way it will give your kitchen a knock-out of a finishing touch! I do think a stone field tile gives a nice texture to the backsplash and looks great with glass mosaic, but it seems like it would be considerably more work to keep clean.

BTW, I'm thrilled to see a kitchen layout & size that almost exactly mirrors my own! I can't wait to see your finished kitchen!

thanks flwrs - did you start your kitchen yet?

I seeing that soft green glass and looking at the color of your cabs. I love the Rixi too... have you considered the Rixi Agata? Or some of the real nice ceramic tile by Walker Zanger. There were too many I like to post and I couldn't change the color on them which aggravated me!

Hi Squigs!

I'm with flwrs when it comes to the little mosaics all over -- to me it's too busy usually. I think a four inch line of the mosaics, about 2/3's of the way up (so around 12" on the average 18" backsplash) and the field tile that matches the stone (as suggested by Tile Guy) could look great. Then a framed feature of the mosaics behind the range.

Yet another trip to the tile store, perhaps!? Maybe! But you're definitely getting closer! -- Amy

I agree that your tile guy is a great find. Anyone who will walk in and suggest something that requires that much time, effort and precision of him is priceless!

Did you take the Sweeby Test beforehand? If so, or if you wrote out goals for your design, did it include the word "simple"? Yes, it would be gorgeous, but not simple, as you said. When he said plain... did that mean "boring" to you, and did you agree? Remember, you have permission to trust yourself in disagreement with a trustworthy expert! : )

Also, you said you want the range/hood to be a focal point. Having mosaic all over would make the tile a focal point. Having the stripe(s) as others have suggested will lead the eye to the range

My vote would be for the mosaic and marca, or a slightly darker stone field tile somewhat in between the counter color and the color of the stone mosaic tile. When you found the mosaic, you knew it was right. I think the photocopied tiled simply didn't do it justice, but I say stick with that and find a background to highlight it and complement the counter color.

Hi squigs - my son brought his laptop so I can't stay away... And as you say, it's just sooo much easier to have an opinion on someone else's backspash...

That said I LOVE LOVE LOVE the mosaics! The color and texture seem perfect (I trust you too!) and it seems to pull together all the colors in the room. We seem to have the same idea of the neutral field tile with the mosaic over the stove... but if it's in the budget, I could definitely see the mosaic as your entire backsplash. I've always admired the fire & ice look - and I imagine that this would be similar effect of stone and crackled glass but a MUCH more muted look.

If you go with the field tile, I personally would prefer a honed vs shiny material since none of your other choices are shiny - so I like the tile guy's suggestion of a field tile that matches the stone in the mosaic. Keep us posted w/ pics!
techmom

aw, thanks for keeping up with this with me. I'm real close to going with the mosaic alone. gulp! but I'm going to go out for one last ditch effort to find the perfect complementary tile to go with it. So Sad to be losing sleep over a wall - it's just a gosh darn stupid wall!!#*&@@!!!

okay. deep breath. perspective. okay.

Wow, you really are losing sleep! 1:00 am!

I'll look forward to seeing what you end up with. Are you looking online or actually going somewhere? I hope you have a showroom close by where you can see a wide variety. At least you have the mosaic tiles to take with you so you can find something complementary. With all the tiles out there, it must exist.

Whatever you do will be great! I do encourage you to get some sleep and maybe take a short break from thinking about it if it is causing you anxiety. It won't go anywhere for a couple of days. I wish I had some perspective I could send to you (just now starting to get it back myself), but ((((((hugs)))))) instead.

Squigs, Can I go off track just a bit and ask you a question??? Your kitchen layout is EXACTLY mine, down to the peninsula!!! How many recessed lights do you have total, from over your peninsula and in the work area??

My electrician is coming today and he is telling me 16 (!!!!) minis and regular in that same area.... seems like WAY too many... Thanks!!!!

Gina

jsween - thanks for the encouragement. I was just telling somebody that I actually would rather eat a bug than deal with the backsplash. Oinch!

ginabmg - as far as recessed lighting, we have five 4" cans in the ceiling, plus two 4" cans over the sink, and over the penninsula we are set up to have a pendant or some type of track lighting, depending on who wins that battle, me or DH. DH is set on a pendant, and I am dead set against it! If I get my way, we'll change that and make it two 4" recessed lights over the penninsula. But that's for another thread!!
We have 75 watt halogens in our cans now, which is a perfect amount of light. HOWEVER - once we put the housings in the holes, which we haven't done yet, we will have to change the bulbs out to 50 watt max, which is NOT GOOD!!! I strongly urge you to put in 5" or 6" cans so that you can use 75 watt bulbs. And then you won't need so many holes in your ceiling. (although two 50 watt 4" cans over the sink is actually perfect.) That is one major mistake we made and that's what I would do differently if I could. Also, we do have undercabinet lighting, which is fabulous.
Anyway, 16 sounds like an awful lot, unless your space is much larger than ours.

Yes, squigs, oinch indeed! This, too, shall pass, and it will be just the perfect thing for your kitchen! And I hope DH lets you have what you want with the lighting!

I'm always curious how people read my screen name and what they are thinking when they abbreviate. : ) And I love guessing at others' as well but I have no guess about where yours could have originated. I always love trying to figure out vanity plates, and I guess this is kind of like that. (Mine is the first initial of each of the five of us in this house, plus NC, being where we live.)

jsweenc - got it! I actually think some time back there was a thread about screen names. I bet that would be a fun read! I'll give you a hint about mine - I really am a Suzy Q!

my first thought was not the mosaic low behind the stove - it'll get messy and be more cleaning.

mosaic all over will take away from it being the focal point.

field tile to match mosaic - not too much. the mosaic will be lost in it. it won't stand out.

i can see where field tile contrasting with the counter top would be better tho.

maybe a pencil liner above and below the line of mosaic?

squigs, thanks for the lighting info. I thought 16 sounded like a crazy number, my ceiling would look like swiss cheese. Electrician now coming tomorrow and we are going to have a discussion about the number. Thanks for the tip on the size also!

Gina

ps: My 2 cents on the tile.... LOVE the mosaic all over, it's gorgeous!!