Help with backsplash (pics)

17 years ago

First of all apologies for the x-post but I'm trying to get as much input on this as possible.

Here's the set-up: contemporary kitchen (slab gloss-white cabs, dark floors and counters, stainless appliances and backsplash).

Here's my dilemma; I want a full (to the ceiling) vertical backsplash behind the range/exhaust. However, the range is 30" and the hood is 36" and I'm not sure were to end it. I prefer the look of ending it lined up with the range, but I'm not sure what to do about the remaining 3" on either side. Options include leaving it painted the wall color (light grey), running up strips of stainless on each side, putting up molding painted to match the cabinets. Or, I could just extend it to the cabinets and be done with it.

Here's a couple of mock-ups I did:

And while we're on the subject of the backsplash, I'm planning (budget allowing) to have the rest of the kitchen's backsplash to be stainless steel between the uppers and base. Trying to decide if I should include a 4" backsplash of the the black granite and then have the S/S above it or just do stainless extending done to the counters. What impact will that 4" have (visually or functionally)?

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Comments (9)

ccoombs1
17 years ago
I like the second mock up better. I think having the BS fill in the space between the cabinets will look a little more finished.

Regarding the short 4" granite....I wouldn't do it. It seems is sort of outdated anymore. Many granite fabricators push it for two reasons though. One....they get to sell you more granite. But probably the most important reason....they don't have to be quite as percise with the gap between the granite and the wall. The 4" BS can hide a large gap nicely!
claybabe
17 years ago
I agree with no 4" backsplash.

And I thought that the vertical piece would be a no-brainer (my kind of decision :) ). However, even though ccoombs is probably right, that it will look more finished with the splash going to the cabs on either side, I kind of like the vertical statement that the paint makes in the first mock up. Hmmmm, probably not as practical either. Good luck with this, can't wait to see the finished product!
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charlikin
17 years ago
Isn't this the place where Bill Vincent usually chimes in and says, "How about BOTH?"

What if you kept it the width of the stove up until you hit the bottom of the cabinets, and then widened it to cover the full space?
busybme
17 years ago
Or how about using a verticle tile to run up the wall on either side of the range to sort of 'frame' the space, filling it out?

Sort of like this:

This is just a crude example...I didn't take the time to get my grout lines straight and these are obviously hand-made tiles (because of the variation in size)! : )

Sandy
jax1723
Original Author
17 years ago
Oh no... four replies and they are all for something different! Where's the consensus people!! :)

Seriously, thanks for all the input and mockups.

Good point about the backsplash ccoombs1; I realized that material-wise they would push for it but didn't consider that it would hide a less than perfect install. More things to think about.
remodelfla
17 years ago
Are you countertops stone or laminate? If they're stone and IF you have material left over; what if you ran a 3 or 4" vertical strip on either side of the backsplash behind the stove to meet up with your cabs? If you meet the requirements of the if's that is....:-)
jax1723
Original Author
17 years ago
remodelfla; countertops are going to be dark stone. I'm planning having the backsplash stone be as close to counter color as possible. Wouldn't what you're describing look pretty much just like my option #2 image?

Did another mock-up of charlikin's suggestion. Seems to be drawing the eyes downward where I think drawing them upward would work better in this size kitchen.

Thanks
bluekitobsessed
17 years ago
Strong vote for original #2, which looks more finished than #1; didn't like busyb's in a modern kitchen (no offense) and charlikin's/jax's #4 version is just weird, sorry.

Check out mustbnuts' kitchen to see how she handled hers (beautifully IMO).
remodelfla
17 years ago
Sorry... I misunderstood that the backsplash was going to be dark and close in color to the counters. I then agree with blue's choice of #2. It looks finished, complete, and will blend into the counters anyway.