We are doing a soapstone lip. For different reasons (we have huge windows with a mountain view and windows under a few cabinets, so I want that to be the focus and where your eye is drawn). I think it's just one of those things that is purely a personal choice. I just do not like a lip and tile above... I think that can look like an afterthought. We are using BM paint specifically for kitchens and bathrooms, so it's scrubbable. Oh and another factor was that we didn't change the footprint and we have an island cooktop so I didn't feel the need for wall protection from cooking. I think it can be tastefully done whichever way you choose!

I like the baclsplash in the second photo alot better, but the red accessories in the first pic are a nice touch. I think its just personal preference.

I have a 'regular' stove with the piece that sticks up in the back and also an over the range micro. The space between the top of the stove and bottom of micro is only 9" (and 30" wide).

We installed new cupboards, paint, counter in Jan 10 and never got the backsplash installed. DH is a messy cook and the wall paint is a soft creamy tan. I can't see any food/dirt above the stove. It might not look finished, but it's wearing 100% fine.

I know you want the BS to look nice. If you're concerned about the stove area -- keep in mind that it's a *small* area. Much smaller that what's shown in either of the pics above.

FWIW I personally like the look of pic 2 with paint or BW down to the counter (no lip). As another GW'er said recently, the lip is a "dust and penny catcher." LOL.

Is it an option to live without any BS for a while? Have it installed later if you find you want it?

that 2nd picture's BS is looking great...my vote for # 2

I believe the kitchen may look unfinished if you do not include a backsplash. I think the backsplash is critical to tie the cabinets and counter-top together. Check out our blog post on different backsplash options located on the Optional Link URL

Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchen Cabinet Kings Blog - Don't Let Your Choice BackSPLASH!

I'd go with a soft color in your bs like in the 2nd pic. If you go with a very subtle green, you can coordinate your wall color to be a darker version or vice versa.

Obviously, not all subway tile bs' have to be white or off white. We are using a gray subway as our field tile and using black border tiles and putting a decorative "feature" behind our sink. Our cabs are white and our counters are a white marble type look in Corian (Rain Cloud). My original preference for the field tile was a pale lavender with the black trim pieces, but I struck out trying to find the right shade and so went with the cheaper gray ones and lavender for the wall paint instead (reversing the original plan).

I can appreciate white on white kitchens, but it was not the look we wanted in ours. If our budget was bigger, we would have had our tiles custom made, but that would have broken our already broken bank acct further, lol.....

Firstly, I don't think the kitchen in the first pic looks unfinished AT ALL. I don't personally care for the lip off the countertop thing, though.

Secondly, I think your instincts that tell you the white subway will be too stark for your new kitchen are likely valid. If you want a tiled backsplash, there are a ton of subways (and other options) that are neutral without being white and will keep the kitchen from being monotone if you don't want that look.

I think the best advice is to wait. Get your cabinets and countertop in first. See how it feels then. You will then have the real life template to play around with options to your heart's content.

Ooooh, you have me a little worried. I am planning a white on white kitchen...but back to the topic at hand. No I definitely don't think a lip of a backsplash is at all unfinished. In fact, i think most houses just have a lip? I wonder if the wall of a BS is a new thing. In fact i just took a quick look at property listings (no I am not a realtor, haha) and the 3 houses I clicked on (close to a million$) all had a lip of a backsplash.
I think it is personal preference. And your right it is a dust catcher=). but better to have dust than me rub off my wall every time I wipe my counters down. (good paint may well solve that dilemma) but I do think that it looks naked with nothing.

We cook alot ( and I am messy) so I have to have something behind my stove...and personally i do like the full wall of backsplash. If you have soapstone, that may break up the white enough to not make it so stark. You could possibly consider the lip of soapstone and then tile above that....?
Best of luck

julize - a different vote here. I prefer the first picture with the lip of sandstone and then paint. To me, it makes the kitchen lighter and more spacious. I have never been a big fan of subway tiles - all those lines just don't appeal to me.

I also like the first one better.

No lip...no backsplash....soapstone and painted BM matte walls . Works perfectly for me. Has for 6 yrs. I use the area for art and "space" . I didn't want the clutter of a backsplash that I couldn't change as easily as I could paint. Here are a couple pics. It is a great place for art and your personal inspirations as time goes by and you are using your kitchen. Very very easy to wipe clean. My hood sucks up everything so a quick wipe down once a week suffices. c

baking area :

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cooking area :

more when you click on pics Hope this helps with your decision.

I did a 2" beaded trim piece of soapstone all the way around, and a piece of copper over the stove. Otherwise I just have painted wall:

Window isn't finished in that one but you can get the idea; we also did soapstone window sills. This one shows better maybe?

I also like picture number one. I don't think it looks unfinished. My opinion is that pictures look good with back splashes, but in real life, your kitchen might feel/look better without one. It also depends on the rest of your house and how it blends in.

My kitchen might photograph better with a back splash, but in real life, my lack of one works for me. In my case I thought it would go over the top and I wanted to tone it down.