Another backsplash decision

17 years ago

This morning Hubby said he's not sure he wants to to the granite behind the stove - he's thinking he wants to go back to our original idea of marble "with a design".

There's a couple of problems with this:

1) We've yet to find a marble we both like. I really like this one:

From Kitchen

but Hubby is rather cold to it.

2) The expense. We already have the granite, so will only have to pay for it to be cut and polished (and possibly installed if we can't figure out DIY). The marble would be completely DIY.

3) If we did marble, I'd want to do it everywhere (maybe not the whole wall bu replacing the current backsplash), not just behind the stove.

4) What do we do for the design? Our original thought was to do something like what you see on the current backsplash (painted floral design) but I'm concerned that won't turn out well. I broached the idea of using a fireback (and idea I first saw here and which I LOVE) but I don't know if Hubby would go for it and I'm not sure it would work for our space. The feel would be perfect but I think it might be bordering on "too much" as it's a small space in a small kitchen.

Hubby is concerned the granite would be lost against the purple but I think we can counteract that (if necessary) with trim around the parts that won't already be trimmed (a very small amount).

The granite will, by current plan, be installed just behind the stove area. Hubby has already removed the white piece in the opening that you see in this pic:

From Kitchen Backsplash

We'll have a OTR microhood whose bottom will be just about flush with the bottom of the cabs (slightly higher maybe but not by much). Not having a mircohood is NOT an option.

The doors will be raised panel, arched (not sure if they all will be or just the top). Eventually the window wall will be going away / shrinking.

What do you think?

Here is a link that might be useful: more pics of the kitchen here

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Comments (5)

remodelfla
17 years ago
pbrisjar,
I must be tired because I'm not clear on a couple of things. Do you want to do a 12x12 marble tile as your backsplash or are you talking about a complete marble slab? IF you meant slab; wouldn't tile of some sort/size be easier to DIY? And then... I had a thought... albiet a tired thought; but a thought. If you think the fireback would be too much (I actually think it would go awesome with your kitchen); how about a herringbone design or pattern in a smaller tile that you could highlight behind the stove? I didn't find a herringbone example but found this:

{{!gwi}}

I love your color palette... so soothing....
igloochic
17 years ago
I think you should keep your granite behind the stove, then do the rest with the pretty marble you have picked. You can trim out the granite in the marble if you want, but personally...I don't htink it's necessay.

Your paint color compliments your granite so well I don't think it will disapear at all....I think they'd be perfect together.
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pbrisjar
Original Author
17 years ago
Yay! My two heroes responded!

remodelfla: If we went with the marble we'd get either a 4x4 or a subway of some sort. The 12x12 was just the sample the tile store had on hand. Our granite has TONS of movement. We've tried multiple things with it and they all wind up competing with the granite. Any tile pattern (and tile) would have to be really, really simple.

If we had more space, I would LOVE to do the fireback as I just love the look and also think it would be perfect with the look of our kitchen. The space behind the stove will be about 21" x 31" - not that much. I may try a mock-up to see what it feels like.

OTOH, we have the granite, Hubby and I both love the granite, we know it matches, it would be easy to keep clean (very important factor for us) and it gets the igloochic Seal of Approval(tm). I could always do a fireback for the fireplace once we get to that project.

We love our color palette too. It's the one of the few things that Hubby and I both strongly agreed on.
remodelfla
17 years ago
Yanno.... the firebrick doesn't look all that large and you have that GORGEOUS granite already PLUS it's easy to clean! It's starting to feel like a no brainer... I'd do a mockup to make sure (geez... I wish I knew how to do that but I'm on a MAC and don't know a thing about photoshop) but I'm feeling the granite and firebrick. Now... this is from a girl who LOVES marble but why re-invent the wheel when you already have the material that both you and DH both love and it's swirly pretty.... my favorite kind of movement in granite. There are many things you can tie the metal of the firebrick to in accents... lighting, teapot, knick knacks, a few funky knobs to change out... endless ways for us to spend your money!!
igloochic
17 years ago
LOL We are going to have to start a decorating show..."TKD Hero's" ;OP

I'd love to see the marble portion done in a simple subway offset pattern. (traditional brick?) I like the marble for a couple of reasons....first, it's very plain, and yet it's an upscale backsplash, so it won't look like you cheaped out on the areas that aren't done in the granite. The sheen is also the same, which is important. And becaus it's so simple, it does not compete with your granite. That's important since your granite is such a killer part of your kitchen. It's so beautiful you don't want anything to compete with it.

Except...you know that first cool like from ebay I posted in the other thread...man that would be fab with your white marble and granite.....heh heh