This photo gives a better view of the 2x8 in the typical running brick pattern, option 2. By the way, my tile will be much more consistent in colour unlike the tile in this shower.

{{!gwi}}

I prefer the traditional my dear. Your kitchen is very traditional in all the right ways. I'd rather see it with that gorgeous tile on a standard pattern verses the waterfall style. The tile shape is already a non-traditional, so a nice unexpected element, and I personally like to just go with one unexpected per item :) Verses the unexpected done in another unexpected design. It's too busy with all that suprise :)

I agree. Definitely traditional. I may copy you! Can't wait to see it :)

I agree with igloo, for the same reasons. Your kitchen is traditional and elegant. Option one is very attractive, but I see it as a bit funky and rebellious. to me, it says, "Oh yeah, you think I'm subway in a running bond? Look again? I'm long and lean. And I'm off center. So there!" But your lovely kitchen just doesn't seem like it should be sassing me!

:-)

francy

I have to say the traditional running bond and I'm not typically a "go for the traditional" girl. The tile in and of itself is beautiful... I love the dimension and feel that should be the highlight; not a funky install pattern.

I'm all for being different; I guess I kinda don't understand the asthetic point of option 1.

Your kitchen is just gorgeous!!

another vote for the standard pattern.......can't wait to see it all finished!!!

Traditional. Goes much better with the rest of your kitchen. Can't wait to see finished pictures. Almost there!

redroze-- I'm with YOU!! I can't figure out which one looks better, either!! They BOTH look good! :-)

I know-- alot of help I am!! :-)

Another vote for the "old fashioned" way. I can't wait to see it either. Lovely kitchen!

If you had a hood and no upper cabinets, or open shelves, I would say go for the raking bond. I think your symmetry requires the running bond. I wonder if the raking bond would make your cabinets look like they were hung at different heights or give some other off-setting illusion.

I think the off center one would really start to bug me. I appreciate its uniqueness, but I would pull in a different feature that was unique and wasnt so permanent.

Have you considered a herringbone pattern? Those tiles are perfectly proportioned (in my opinion) for that pattern. Traditional but not boring.

Oh traditional, hands down. This is a case for less is more!

Out of these two... #2...it will be understated and lovely.

yeah, i think the traditional running bond would look better as well.

Igloo said it perfectly.

Also, I think the other option, the raking pattern, might look cool at first, but then the novelty would wear off and you wouldn't like it after a time.

I gotta dissent just because I've been following the history of this kitchen. Red, you fell in love with the tile shown in pic #1, untraditional pattern and all, IIRC. You also want something untraditional in an otherwise traditional kitchen, right? So even though I-chic is always right on questions of taste, I'll vote for #1...if YOU like it better. And, of course, your vote trumps all of ours put together.

Blue I'm going to print this and put it on the door of my house. People walk in after hearing "mosaic marble rug...crocodile tile...stainless steel and granite...26 different knobs in the kitchen...and hand done plaster" and I can see them bracing themselfs for horror. (I'll cut out the part about your dissent on my vote though :oP You might give my GC ideas) heh heh

Red, I'm curious...have you laid out a herringbone with those tiles. That would be fun and still carry over the traditional....

I've made quilts in the tumbling block (similar to the raking stretcher run you like) so I am also infusing my opinion of that pattern on this question. I like the tumbling blocks on a quilt, it's fun and quirky, and on a huge surface (big square) it looks great. I don't however like it on a pillow unless done in tiny pieces because you don't really get the feel of the tumble without a large rectangular expanse of the pattern. I see the same issue with your walls. If you had an open wall or were tiling up to a ceiling with a glass hood, you could get the feel of the pattern more because it would be easier for your eye to take it in.

But you know...I bet either way you go...it's going to be gorgeous. THe tile is lovely, and your kitchen is yummy. You make me want to do a white kitchen now :oP ANd I'm running out of kitchens to do!!

I love the tile in the bathroom pic- (am going to add it to my favs' file)- but I also love advertguy's suggestion for the herringbone. (Could even just do a feature insert of herringbone behind the stove).

I don't think you have enough vertical space for the raking pattern- if you notice, in the inspiration pic you have, they are going to put it on a whole wall.

Here is a link that might be useful:

It's so funny that you mention the herringbone! I have a purse with the herringbone pattern and I've always gotten a little flutter when I've seen it either in a backsplash or in hardwood flooring (a good flutter). You think it would work in the 2x8? I wonder if I could mock it up somehow...

You're all right, the reason I doubted my inspiration pic is it is this big beautiful La Cornue range (which in itself, biases it) and just an empty half-done wall. Not exactly representative of a kitchen with actual upper cabinets!! I think your point are bang on, I don't want to conflict with the symmetry, I already have a non-traditional element in the size of the tile, and the matte finish arguably is more contemporary.

But you have really intrigued me with the herringbone...hmmm. You think the dimensions would work?

I just checked Mamadadapaige's finished kitchen post...her gorgeous tiles are 2x6. How would the 2x8 work in terms of connections? Bill? Any tile gurus out there?

OK- It's not like I have nothing but time on my hands... and a WHOLE house to renovate... Can you say Procrastination???

I found a 2X8 herringbone tile pattern.

Don't know if you can photoshop it to your colours?

Hope this helps.

{{!gwi}}

Raehelen - you're the best!!! I'll try to do a mockup tomorrow.

Personally I like the raking stretcher board. If you do end up going with traditional running board make sure your tile guy starts at the center of the range hood and works out from there (rather than starting at the far left and working right). Your hood is your focal point on that wall. Bill V, do you agree?

I couldn't find the original pic that I was thinking of when I suggested the herringbone but I did manage to find a few examples of it at the Restoration Hardware site (see link). The colour is different but you get the general idea. The original pic I was thinking of showed a vanity with mirror and a couple of sconces. It may have been from the Anne Sack website. I don't know... Anyways, good luck. I think it will look smashing.

Here is a link that might be useful: herringbone examples

Herringbone over the stove I think would be lovely but herringbone in the entire kitchen would be too much visually and likely cost a lot more to install. JMHO