Software
Houzz Logo Print
resourcefuldesigner

Backsplash tile around window, Need opinions, advice.

Hi all,

I'm remodeling a kitchen and will be installing a subway tile backsplash and would love some opinions. There are 2 windows on the wall that I will be tiling. One of which is over the sink where the backsplash is going, the other is farther down, past the end of the counter, so will not be part of the tile project, but is in the same field of view. I'm not sure if I should just remove the window aprons, leaving just the marble sills to keep them cohesive, or just replace the aprons with the same piece of wood. Who ever did the current aprons didn't properly finish the edges so it's just the rough end of the cut wood painted over. (see photos). My other dilemma is whether I should tile all the way up around the window over the sink, or stop where the current backsplash stops. I'm really hoping to see some photos of it done both ways. I'm just very visual and have a hard time making a decision until I can see it : )

(ps...If someone could tell me how to post my photos, I'd really appreciate it. I've spent all day trying to figure it out but when I try the test forum, I get a browse option to add a photo in the "review post" part, but when I try the same in the actual forum, all I get is a place to put a URL or "name of link" & I have read all of the instruction for the site that I can find. Thanks again all!

Comments (14)

  • 14 years ago

    1. upload photo to free photo sharing site.
    2. Copy and paste the html link (it'll be a long bunch of gobblygook)
    3. When you hit submit, you'll see the pic appear in the message

  • 14 years ago

    There are some application-specific instructions for posting pictures in the Read Me thread.

    Here is a link that might be useful: Read Me If You're New To GW Kitchens!

  • 14 years ago

    Hi Resourceful..

    I don't know if this is what you mean exactly, but here's what we did...

    Mine goes just to the bottom of the cabinets, but I did have them tile the window sill...


    I like having tile behind the sink on the sill..'cuz it's a splash zone!

    the other window down the wall doesn't have tile on the sill


    KA:)

  • 14 years ago

    I took the apron off, since, like yours, it seemed to be an afterthought and not an original piece of trim, which probably vanished in the '40's or so with the first kitchen remodel. If your sill is marble and not wood, I should think it would look even better with only tile and no wooden apron.

    My window is relatively low to the counter, and I could fit one exact row of 3x6 subway tile underneath the sill. We really like the result.

    Hope this pic helps a bit, I'm between computers and can't find one that's closer up at the moment:

  • 14 years ago

    Thanks for the links to how to upload photos..I'm not too excited about yet another subscription to use an external site for my photos just to do this..The "test" page brings up a "browse" box which I assumed allowed you to pull up your image, but when I actually went to post, only the URL box showed up. I'll have to look into this a little more to see if there is anyway to avoid using another service.

    KitchenAddict & Circuspeanut - I Love your kitchens! KitchenAddict, if I ever get these posted, you'll see that we alomost have the same countertop, faucet, and all of us are even using white roller shades! (Tip- They can be hung backwords so you don't see the roll but the opening on the fastener is at the bottom so it could fall out easier. If you don't open and close it a lot, it's well worth it. I'm just super careful when I do it.
    For me, it's just a quick fix until I figure out what I want to use but considering painting a cool pattern on mine once I get a little further along into the project. I'll share those too as this progresses.
    Thanks for sharing the photos, they help a lot...Still hoping for more! Would love to see someone who has taken the tile all the way up around the sink window to help me decide.

  • 14 years ago

    IMO, a window apron looks out of place on a tiled backsplash.

    Here's an example of a tile surround.

  • 14 years ago

    Photobucket is a free photo site, so it's just a matter of parking your pics there and bringing them from there (easy to do once you know how and instructions are in the Read Me thread) to here. You can easily get your pics to appear in your posts that way. If you want to keep your Photobucket account private except for the pics you choose to post here, that can easily be done, too.

    There is no way to post your pics directly to this site. But using PB, you can insert the URL for your pics in the body of the text and they will display correctly. Or you can just attach the link to the end, but that will get you less traffic (and fewer responses) in my experience as lots of people find it inconvenient to click away from this site to look at other sites.

    Believe me, I am a computer-moron and if I can do it, anybody can!

    L

  • 14 years ago

    I went through the kitchen photos I have saved on my computer and found very few that had the tile go all the way up on the sink wall. Most are capped off somewhere in the middle of the wall, and most forgo the wooden apron in favor of tile. In your case, I don't think it would be too difficult to route or sand your existing apron to make it look more finished if you choose to go that route. In any case, here are some tile-to-the-ceiling pictures I found:

    {{!gwi}}

    {{!gwi}}

    This one uses marble slabs instead of tile, but it's the same idea:
    {{!gwi}}

    {{!gwi}}

    {{!gwi}}

    {{!gwi}}

    {{!gwi}}

    {{!gwi}}

    {{!gwi}}

    {{!gwi}}

    {{!gwi}}

    {{!gwi}}

    {{!gwi}}

    And here's one that uses a piece of the countertop material as the window apron around the sink area:
    {{!gwi}}

    I realize that these pictures mostly use white or marble subway tiles, but that's only because that's what I personally like and am planning for my own remodel. I think it could look just as good with a bolder or more dramatic tile.

  • 14 years ago

    Another term for a splash that goes counter to ceiling is "eurosplash" and that's what I'm doing too, at least on the wall with my hood and windows.

  • 14 years ago

    Wow thank you so much for sharing those. I guess I'll have to break down and do the Photobucket thing so you all can see what I'm dealing with. White subway is what I am using too, so those are particularly helpful. Should be able to get them up tomorrow and anxious to see what other advice I can get once you can see it!

  • 14 years ago

    Ok, sorry but after reading the terms and conditions on Photobucket, I wasn't too excited about signing up just to post a photo here so I did post pics to another forum that I use that allows for direct upload...If anyone is interested, here is the link..you can click on thumbnail to see better....I have also posted a new message on this forum to deal with a new problem related to this tile job.(I titled it "How to end subway tile at window without using bullnose")
    The tile I want to use from Lowes doesn't have tiles with a finished edge on the 3 or 6" side so I can't just end at window like I'd hoped and really don't want to frame out window so looking for photos of either people who have used the plastic edging around a window that Lowes does have, or maybe some other solution...Close ups would help a lot. Thanks!

    Here is a link that might be useful: House Repair Talk Forum

  • 14 years ago

    Doesn't work. No one can view your images on that other forum, without themselves registering on that site. Which most won't do (me included). Also, questions get more answers here when there are images inline (appear in the post). If you want to get images in your post, you will have to find a way to get your images uploaded someplace.

  • 7 years ago

    Dan, do yourself a favor and start a new thread with a picture of the area you want to tile around. This thread is 7 years old and won't get many if any responses. And it certainly won't from just a description.

Sponsored
Boss Design Center
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars33 Reviews
Reputable Home Renovation Company Serving Northern Virginia