Will this be too many different patterns for one kitchen?

11 years ago

I was discussing the orientation of square tile on part of our new countertop with the spouse who jokingly suggested it match the floor's pattern. So naturally, I now think I have too many patterns planned for the kitchen.

The monochromatic floor is in a Versailles pattern, basically different sizes of rectangles and squares. The main counters are stainless steel, so no patterns there, but part of the counter will be tiled, along with the backsplash. We had planned on a funny shape for the backsplash and a square of the same color on the tiled part of the counter. Is it too much? How should I do counter and backsplash to avoid getting too much pattern?

I don't think I want this pattern on the counter because it'd get too chopped up on one small bit. (The tile is about 12"x3", by Fireclay.) If I did put it on the counter, there would be one 29" long section topping a pony wall that'd be about 5" wide. The tile would have to run horizontally on it. Maybe that's OK?

Or should we give up on the interesting shape and do everything square everywhere?

Thanks!

Featured Answer

palimpsest

11 years ago

last modified: 11 years ago

Can you post all the finishes?

I think if the square tile and the rhomboid tile are the same color it will be ok.

I would recommend framing your pony wall so it is a size that takes exactly one tile plus the bullnose(s). This is not conventional framing: a 2x4 wall with drywall or cement board would be too thick to take only one tile on the face, it has to be finished at 4 thick or 4.25 thick to get the tiles to do this. It really takes a full size mockup

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Comments (10)

Lavender Lass
11 years ago
Are you doing the shape anywhere else? Rug in the sitting area? Maybe something like this, but in the green?
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Fori
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank y'all!

What?...a rug!? LLass, you are miles ahead of us. At this point I just want my house back and have not considered textiles! :) But um...no, that's the only curvy shape anywhere at this point. There are a lot of angles, some strange, but that's it.

Pal, isn't not actually a pony wall, it's just easier to call it that. Also, I didn't want to admit that I have a 2-tiered island. But I do. The upper tier will get the tile and the ponywallish structure is just a narrow bit of cabinetry that continues around to pen in one end of the lower counter. It's already in but I can modify the width a bit. It's 4" wide but it'll have the same overhang as the rest of the counter. So I was going to do a cap trim around the whole thing. The other end of the tiled counter is chopped off at an angle that is not 90 or 45, so perhaps that should influence the tile decision--a square might end up looking choppier than a long skinny tile.

I will have to wrangle up some diagrams or photos I guess. It sounds weird. It is weird.

Finishes so far are natural walnut slab cabinets, stainless steel countertops and (some) appliances, dark grey slate floor. Doors and windows in the room are cherry with brass hardware.
palimpsest
11 years ago
I can't really figure out what it looks like, which is okay, but whatever it looks like I think I would size it as much as possible to work with the tile.
plllog
11 years ago
Well, I'm generally cool with mixing patterns, but given the layout you've described, I think that even normal people would be fine with the squares on the counter. I would keep their grid on the same orientation as the floor however, if you're trying to restrain the patterning.
Fori
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks!

I can't get in there right now for photos (they're working on the floor), but the skinny raised end piece that is throwing me off is like the ones in the first photo ediblekit posted in her tiered island post, except there is only one and the cabinet supporting it has been notched to leave it more like a wall instead of a functionally sized counter.

Gee. Is it too late for soapstone? (yes.)

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2991402/2-tier-peninsula-bar-with-soapstone-and-or-wood?n=9
Jillius
11 years ago
I think the picture you posted would look very nice as a backsplash with the other finishes you mentioned. I don't think it'd be too much with the floor. Neither is loud in color, so it's okay if the patterns are a bit interesting.

I do think a third tile on the raised part of the island counter would be too much. Also, tile on counter is a total pain in the neck to clean because of the grout lines. Are you very sure you don't want something smooth there? You could just put a walnut slab on the bar and be done.
oldbat2be
11 years ago
Fori, I love the ideas of this tile on your floor!! Can you post pictures of all your planned elements? I am incapable of imagining them all together without the visual. (Glad to put this together for you :) )
PRO
Mercury Mosaics and Tile
11 years ago
I'm with Jillius - smooth surface versus the tiles on the countertop for maintenance of grout lines. Also, that'll eliminate one of the patterns. What material do you want to be the star of the show? If it's the elongated hex, that should be the most prominent and other materials selected should highlight that. Let me know if we can help - a mood board identifying all of the materials might help think it through so you're confident of all the selections.
Fori
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks all. I'll try to get some photos together. Bat, I just have boring slate on the floor. I didn't think of doing ceramic in there and it's too late now (but the slate is so delightfully CHEAP compared to the ceramic!).

This isn't a working counter, so I'm not concerned about grout lines. Actually the kitchen I just removed had a tile counter and it was fine. If I'd been able to find the perfect tile-under sink, the entire thing would be tiled. I looked!

Anyway, right now, everything is in (or currently being fabricated) except this bit of counter and backsplash. I think they should be the same to avoid it getting too busy. I could see sneaking in a wood countertop (since it wouldn't really be a new element) but introducing a stone or something else would probably be too much.

So yeah, I guess the squishy hex would be the highlight and out of lack of other materials, it would be the same on the counter. I'm just not sure if I should put the same shape on the counter or go with square or rectangle on the counter. I WOULD get the same color on both, regardless of shape.

Also thinking of painting backsplash and plywood counter and calling it done. I'm getting tired of this project and hey! It's not a working counter! :)