Butler's Pantry - Wood Countertop/Backsplash Question - Need Pics

15 years ago

Hi,

Our architect has designed a butler's pantry that flows from the kitchen to the dining room. It has an expanse of counter (with upper/lower cabinetry) about 5-6'. My current thinking is that we'll have painted cabinets with a wood countertop. (This area is landlocked, so no direct natural light. Also, we are not putting a sink in here due to budget and how we'll use the space -- storing dishes, landing area between DR and kitchen.)

Our house is very traditional, and it's our forever home, so we are going high-end where possible. What type of backsplash looks good with a wood counter? Tongue and groove? Other?

We're open to other materials, too, such as soapstone, marble, etc. We are using Calacutta marble slabs in the kitchen itself for both counters and backsplash.

Thanks for your input!

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Comments (8)

alyssak
15 years ago
Why dont you do a wood backdrop matching the counter and cabinet color. We did this & it looks like a built in piece of furniture.
allison0704
15 years ago
I designed a hutch between our kitchen and laundry room in the back hallway. It has a new pine counter and T&G back - actually goes up the entire back/top. It's the last picture in the link below. Another hutch in the kitchen, next to last photo in link, (as well as the laundry room cabs) has a copper panel back.

Here is a link that might be useful: my kitchen
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willtv
15 years ago
My guess is that you'll probabley want to use the same countertops in the pantry as the kitchen. As for the backsplash you may want that to be different.

While we don't have a "pass through" pantry, we do have a pantry area off of our small kitchen. Here's what we did.

Pantry

Also, here's a link to a short before & after slideshow which may give you a better idea.

Good luck and rest assured that you'll come to the right decision.

Here is a link that might be useful: Before & After
jmcgowan
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for your feedback!

allison0704, your kitchen is magnificent (!!!), and the photos so helpful. willtv, good points to think about, too, thanks (p.s. cool floor!)!
boxerpups
15 years ago
jmcgowan,
If this area does not have a sink, maybe going without
a BS at all would be pretty. Just paint. Or maybe a
painted beadboard. I do have some images of butler's
pantries that might help you plan your own space.
~boxerpups

Wood counters but these have a sink
mtnrdredux_gw
15 years ago
A few ideas...

Antiqued mirror ... As subtle or as blotchy as you like, for that Cafe Flore look

Antique tiles ... Moroccan is so hot right now, there are some very cool encaustics, new and old. I had a link but can't find it on my iPad. For new stuff, try Tabarka

Art - it could be a great space for a line up of small framed oils. I always see lovely little painting but wonder where to put them. Or specimen boxes. Or framed dishtowels or vintage textiles.

Color - maybe a rich pop of color, like farrow and ball brinjal ... Enamel even.
brianadarnell
15 years ago
i LOVE the idea of the antique mirror~ I think that would look beautiful and would be a nice tie in to your (formal?) dining room! If you aren't doing a sink, you don't necessarily NEED a backsplash as you can see in some of the pictures.
formerlyflorantha
15 years ago
zinc