Hi Malhgold,
I think the first layout you have is perfecto! It's classic but not typical, therefore interesting without trying too hard. I really do think it's perfect.

I wonder if those tiles are the 2x8 or if they are 1x6? I really do love that pattern. It's the mix of the three styles that make it interesting. I would just kit-n-kaboodle copy it!

How's the kitchen table chair project going? Or are you now focused on the backsplash and have paused the chair issue? :)

firsthouse - i love the fireplace pattern too, but I just don't know how to "copy" it, considering I have that big 'ole hood where the chevron would be. Had thought about doing the chevron behind the range and trying to work the other patterns in around it.

Still working on the chair issue too!! I REALLY like this slipcover, so I'm thinking of using it on my side chairs and then getting something like the panton chair or some other "modern" chair for the ends.

Here is a link that might be useful: Panton Chair

I think if you did a center square (or rectangle) of the herringbone surrounded by a boarder of the smaller tile and then have the large tile you would get all of that texture. I don't know if the space is large enough for it not feel cramped though. I think part of the deal with the fireplace is that it has so much space the three textures really have a chance to move, trying to scale it down may take away what you find visually appealing.

why not throw another wrench into your idea...I like the chair's ties and the pattern it creates--how about incorporating a harlequin tile on the backsplash under the hood, turned sideways, same color as subways. (I know daltile has subways in different sizes and harlequins in the same colors)

It would sort of mimic the chair because, like the chair, the color isn't changing, but the pattern/texture does.

Sorry to throw another idea at you, it's just a thought.

I could swear those tiles are 2x8. If you look at how many of them go across the top of the fireplace and multiply it by a reasonable number, it would come out to be a fairly standard fireplace opening.

Now, how to get 2x8 tile? First I would draw all three patterns on white paper, photocopy them all and start fiddling with how the design would work behind the range.

Tilesetters can cut the subway tile for you into this size...or you can do marble to match your island counter!

I don't think the first pattern will look like that in real life. You have those areas under the windows that are very short.

Maybe if you did soldiers across the top and bottom, brick pattern off to the outer edge of both windows and then filled the center with herringbone? You could use 1 x 3s or 1 x 4s for the edges - stack pattern mosaic on edge and as brick pattern, then a larger format for the herring bone.

I like the way the paton chair appears fluid. May I ask where you found those slipcovers.

Bmore - here is a link to the slipcover. I found it on Etsy.

I sort of lost you at "stack pattern mosaic on edge and as brick pattern".

Here is a link that might be useful: Corset Slipcover

Samples of stacked and brick laid or running bond pattern - also called offset - who knew?

Not suggesting this exact tile, but it had both patterns. I was thinking you could rotate the individual stacks 90 degrees so they emulated the horizontal elements in your inspiration, the running bond would be a nod to your actual fireplace and the herringbone would steal all of the attention.

I love that slipcover!

I like the idea of a large framed rectangle filled with herringbone pattern surrounded by small subways. It seems consistent with the design of your kitchen.

Alternatively, if you want to use mixed tile sizes you could try a flemish bond --check out the floor in Zolablue's kitchen. Intersperse 4x4 and 4x8 in each row, but do it so that in each row the 4 inch tile is centered over the 8 inch tile in the row below. Mixed patterns work better when the two sizes of tile share one dimension in common, such as 4x4 with 4x8 or 3x6 with 3x3.

I definitely really like your first one. Your inspiration pic is...inspirational! Love it!

Are you only doing the swatch of wall behind the stove? Or are you doing the entire wall? You could do the area behind stove traditional subway style, the area to the sides of the windows herringbone and the area above the windows vertically stacked.

Check out ndvweb (232) on finished backsplashes, it's similar to what you are trying to capture.

http://finishedbacksplashesslideshow.blogspot.com/

thanks nursetammi...that's somewhat the look i'm going for except i don't want a frame around the area behind the range. Not really looking for that "backsplash focal point". I think I'm going to cut out a bunch of 2X8 strips, photocopy them and then see if i can figure out where they belong.

So sorry to say I'm not loving that. I think the tiles are too large which makes them look less rich and I don't see the pattern as anything but a distraction that will create a competing horizontal line across that wall. The eye will go there immediately.

With that backsplash, since there won't be color I'd be looking for texture or directionality vs pattern that will accentuate the length. Of course, it's your kitchen so you should have what you want.

rococogurl - any examples of what you're suggesting? would you not suggest any "subway" like pattern at all? what about the bigger 8X10's?

I feel the 8 x 10s are not big enough or small enough. For me, that wall needs texture or directionality not pattern variation and not something that is a horizontal pattern variation as there are already a lot of different horizontals there --the bottom of the hood line, the double-hung window lines, the switches in a line.

Not loving the pattern on the fireplace either truth be told.

I don't understand what you're going for there exactly though it's clear to me you to want something more from it.

I haven't been in the space and, of course, it makes a huge difference to see it in person. But looking at the pix there are about 6 really obvious classy choices that make visual sense and would work well -- though they have to work for you.

If I recall, your original inspiration was the De Giulio Siematic kitchen. Perhaps that will speak to you again?

The key question is what you want from it.

Here is a link that might be useful: SieMatic

I feel that with the windows, the patterns you have will not "read" as well because of the interruptions.

I also agree with Rococo that the 8x10 are either too big, or not big enough.

I would look at what happens with the 3x6 vertical all by itself, (including under the windows)...or look for a large format tile.

"But looking at the pix there are about 6 really obvious classy choices that make visual sense and would work well -- though they have to work for you."

I'm sorry...maybe I'm just so tired of thinking of this backsplash. What are the 6 really obvious choices??

I think I'm just afraid to commit! Worried that I'll find something else the minute I install my choice.

Thanks!

Could always go back to this.

Below is a slide show of different kinds of backsplashes - with a lot of non-gw types of styles shown.

I like the backsplashs of the first blue kitchen with sheet glass and the almost all white kitchen with large format marble tile (18") and the wood archtop window.

Might help, might not.

Here is a link that might be useful: Some other types of backsplashes

Six obvious (to me) choices in descending order:

1. 3/4" white mosaic all over -- dramatic, similar to SieMatic and solves all the issues of the small vertical tile cuts around the windows. Look at the white pearl backsplash apartment kitchen -- so glam and lots of sources. It would be seriously fabulous in your kitchen IMO.

2. 3 x 6 white subways - either horizontal or vertical in running bond (staggered) or stacked for more vertical effect. Classic

3. 3 x 6 pillow-cut subways in crackle. Perhaps a little less formal but very rich

4. 3 x 6 or thereabouts textured white tile a la the Heath or something more traditional with an embossed design. Price might be an issue.

5. marble subways to match the countertop on the island. very glam -- here are 2 examples .

6. long skinny glass tiles vertical or horizontal

Really big wall slabs should have gone on before the hood so I'd forget that even thought they'd look great. You don't want to take the hood off and put it back.

Issue with larger tiles is the cuts. Those are a killer in the window and hood area and that's the main focal point of the kitchen. I would not go with the size of that vertical rib tile.

It's much harder to do a splash after the kitchen is done because the choices are singled out rather than integrated and then you start the second-guessing about something better. Also, you get tired and can't decide but it's a big let down when it's done and dusted and there's nothing more to build. LOL.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pearl White

I'm guessing the last thing you want is another tile site to look at, but after reading through the suggestions and looking again at the Siematic Beaux Arts gallery, it brought to mind a certain tile...The slightly 'not white' tile behind the white hutch made me think of the large format tiles I fell in love with when planning our kitchen. We were looking at large squares for counters, but I remember that it was available in rectangular sizes, also...like 20 by 60 cm.

I went back to the manufacturer's (Floor Gres) site and see so many I think might work with the look of your kitchen. On some of these the photo example will change if you 'refresh' so you can see a different view of it installed, and if you click on a certain color, you can see the tile sizes in centimeters. Some have texture, some have variation in color/pattern that will add visual texture and depth...Pretty and interesting, but still simple.

http://www.floorgres.it/en/prods-163-1.asp

http://www.floorgres.it/en/prod-169-1848-bianco.asp

http://www.floorgres.it/en/prods-152-1.asp (on this page, click on Warm/1.0 for large rectangular pattern, and on something like Cool/2.0 to better see the textures available...I like the 'point')

http://www.floorgres.it/en/prods-161-1.asp (this one comes in 3 textures, too)

http://www.floorgres.it/en/prods-155-1.asp (the ones I saw in person and loved the matte finish and slightly stone look...Just enough to give some color variation)

They're better in person, and I know you're sick of considering completely new options, but thought it wouldn't hurt to make the suggestion...

This was the other thing I was thinking when Rococo brought up texture.

Not overly helpful budgetwise at $124/1.15 sq ft., but it is probably similar or less than the Bizazza in the pearl kitchen.
{{!gwi}}

I still think the 3/4 mosaic or a 3x6 subway with no particular accent would be fine.

I wasn't suggesting the brand of tile/ price point used in the pearl splash -- just the style -- and there's glass mosaics around at decent prices. Also the installation becomes much easier than with large pieces that must be perfectly cut to line up.

There have been many suggestions in the past which everyone loved and agreed would be fabulous. OP made it clear price was an issue as it is for many of us, especially at the end.

Hands down subways give most bang for the buck. But it's a great kitchen and will look good whichever way she eventually decides to go.

rhome, that orange florgres is a knockout.

That fireplace is a stunner but I think it's just not a good inspiration for your situation here.

I stare at that wall and think that the best possible solution is a big piece of stainless linking the hood to the stove and white pearl mosaic everywhere else on the wall. Second best is the glass mosaic all over the wall. Third is that textured tile you brought up in your last post, but stick to one direction and the smallest grout lines possible (I'd go vertical.)

I don't envy you...this is a hard one!

Take this pattern and reverse direction so its vertical instead of horizontal?

Here is a link that might be useful: One more