I must be watching too much bad TV. When I read diamond-set, I thought someone was talking about actually putting diamonds in their backsplash. Talk about bling!

Boy, I can see it working both ways. The backsplash tiles and the floor tiles will be on two different planes. Diamond with diamond will be a repeat pattern. Alike but just enough different to not be matchy matchy.

Diamond floor with rectangular tiles would work as well because you have two different colors and textures going, plus being in different lines of sight.

I just started considering a backsplash like that too. The common name for that style is "harlequin." If you google that, you will find numerous old threads/pictures from this forum. Unfortunately, tiles pre-cut on the diagonal appear to be rather pricey. Good luck - let us know what you decide.

melissastar: it wouldn't surprise me a bit to see actual gemstones embedded into backsplashes the way designers are going...could be one of those over-the-top trends to come! But I think I've spent enough on this kitchen...any diamonds are going ON me...not my walls! :)

Thanks for your comments, Kellied - good to know either may not be bad. I thought there might be a general design rule of thumb re: matching or opposing your floor tile layout. I'm leaning towards 4 x 4 set diagonally...just because I'm thinking symetry may be cleanest look when kitchen is small. I'd be much more adventurous if I had the gorgeous, roomier kitchens I often see here....think you can get away with more eclectic pairings there.

Elbal: I've never heard the term "harlequin" for tiles cut on diagonal...thanks for that info! I always knew you needed MORE tile when you set tile on the diagonal, as you cut/use more, but didn't realize you buy them "pre-cut" that way? I thought you determined size of tiles, then total sq ftg of tiling space, then bought enough materials to cover, based on how you were laying them out? Perhaps I'm mistaken...definitely not a DIY...I'm paying a friend to do this for me...he's done tons of tile/marble work.

Thanks again, everyone!

What I would do myself if I were pondering this would be to purchase some tiles of each type you are considering and do a mockup board of each to stand up as a backsplash. Scrap plywood and doublestick tape will do and you could still return the tiles after you have seen which one works.
Do not dismiss one or the other as a possibility until after you've done a visual. Just be ready to go with what looks best, whether or not it was the one you chose.

Good advice, Kellied. Too often I rush through things, in a hurry to get another step "checked off the list" vs exploring all options.

Hi kitchennovice..

My sis did a diamond splash..her tile floor is not diamond patterned..It looks just great..

Hope the visual helps.

KA:)

I think it sounds kinda great. The harlequins (actual rhombuses) instead of just angled squares are good too. I'm not sure which I'd pick between the two, but perhaps mimicking your floor pattern would be best.

But no. It's not too much!

Great that you have a friend to do this - if he cuts the tiles, you will save lots of money - the most reasonable I have seen for harlequin tiles is over $13/sq. ft.

Kitchenaddict....such a pretty backsplash. Thanks for posting. That's exactly what I have in mind. DH really likes the modern/urban feel of the 3 x 6 rectangular brick layout. Which is also really nice...it's growing on me. (I'm just thrilled he has an opinion either way, frankly.)

Elbal: this is the ONLY area I've managed to save on...everything else - cabs,counters, etc we had to hire out as we're not DIY's...I wish. I so envy the couples on this site who reno together. We'd divorce each other before the demolition was done, if we tried to do anything more than basic painting.

I will take kellied's excellent suggestion - "don't dismiss until you have a visual" and tack it up both ways and stay open-minded. Thanks for everyone's opinions. It's just good to know I won't commit design blasphemy with either choice!

My general "rule of thumb" is that, whatever you have on the floor....use something different on the B/S. If the floor is on a "Bias," (diagonal) I would use a straight lay or running bond on the B/S. You can alway "picture frame" on a diagonal over the stove to break it up a bit. Use pencil liners around it to give it interest.....but, a diagonal B/S with a diagonal floor is just too busy, IMO.

Will be looking forward to seeing the finished product!

I think a diagonal floor tile and a harlequin backsplash together would give me an uncontrollable urge to buy a three-pointed hat with bells.

Lazarususa: I had searched GW and google trying to see if there were any general "rule of thumb" design reccos for BS positioning when floor tile was involved, but didn't really find much. Hence this posting. So thanks for your input.

Marcolo: too funny. Seems 3 x6 brick/sub route is favorite after we put both up - although still love the look of diagonally-set tumbled marble. (But hey: if I do go diagonal, I'll just find one of those three-pointed hats and complete the theme properly for FKB. If others can have roosters...(KIDDING! I like the roosters. Really! I love animals. I love themed kitchens. Don't flame me, please.:)

Diamonds have much more visual clout than rectangular tiling. Analyze how much more you have going on; also whether the floor is actually seen from a distance or only by those in immediate area who look downward to see floor. If floor and backsplash are both seen in large area from distance, esp from a stairwell or long vista, I veto. If it's just a small glimpse from outside kitchen it might work.

We put diagonal square 1-foot tile pattern on floor in lobby; drapes and door trim have rectangular pattern and all is well. The floor is seen in long view from a number of directions but we also have throw rugs to break it up. The floor is definitely a major design element, esp. when we remove rugs.

Thanks, florantha. Whole floor - LR, DR, and Kitchen have same white 12" diagonal-set tile - it's a completely open layout and a small home. No staircase or grand views, though!

In general I like the idea of doing something different like that with the tile -- setting it on a diagonal. But what could be the upcharge for ordering tile that way? You just slice the tiles in half. I'm sure your tile guy would be highly proficient at doing that; it's just stuff. It's what they do all day long, cutting tile, and that's as easy a cut as any. Maybe someone more skilled can set me straight if I'm misunderstanding.

In a bathroom I set a backsplash of white tiles on an angle while the rest of the bathroom had the tiles straight-on -- no, that's not right; the walls were angled too, but the floor was straight on. Anyway, it was similar, but different - that being the idea. I don't think it clashes, I think it enhances very subtley, just sort of underlies the theme by using the same tile, but in a different morphology, so to speak.

That is, if you were proposing to use the same tile as elsewhere. If not, I would agree strongly with florantha to analyze carefully overall how much is going on. I think that's key, really. You can't have *too* many different things, different material, different color, different shape/design, etc. At some point your sense of taste says: I Give Up.

KitchenNovice, I suggest looking for a different backsplash effect. You have plenty of diagonal pattern already. There are other ways to make this kitchen distinctive. Keep shopping and incubating.

Have fun stormin' the castle!

KitchenNov44,
I have these pictures. I had to post them.
At first I was thinking too much but maybe in the
right situation with subtle whites like the country
home mag images. Maybe...
~boxerpups

Country Home Magazine

Florantha...I think you may be right. And a BIG thank-you to boxerpups for posting those pics. Funny...I adore both these kitchens...but can now also see the almost-dizzying effect I'd create in my space. I think it works in these 2 shots, because of the use of color - monochrome white in the 1st and softer combo in 2nd.

My kitchen is smaller...and already has visual contrast w/light maple cabs, black counters, white floors. Saw Kitchen Addict's brick/sub style backsplash in another thread and really liked it. That is probably the way I'll go, as much as I favor a diamond-set BS.

Appreciate everyone who took time to comment here...some great points made. Now if only I had found you people before I was talked into a couple of other decisions I regret...but that's a whole other thread!