I think the 1/3 offset is perfect for these tiles. It's going to be gorgeous!

This might be out there, but have you considered running it vertically? The vertical orientation isn't usually my favorite, but for me, the mock up is fighting a bit with the vertical lines of the beadboard in the hood.

I love the close up with the pencil liner.

They make beadboard pattern tile.

1/3 offset will look lovely.

Eam44, thanks for the vote of confidence. I was hoping you would see this (mayflowers, Crl, and a few more as well) because I consider you all the GW tile "gurus".

Jillius omg, that idea is really intriguing me because I was thinking the exact thing with the lines of the beadboard on the hood. And guess what else? My wood flooring runs on the diagonal! Ha! But seriously, that has been in the back of my mind this whole time on, how I could pull this off without making me dizzy with all the lines.

I mocked up your idea. What do you think? I kinda dig it. Okay, let's add this one to the vote people!

Snookums, I already have the tile, but I did see that beadboard tile before. I considered it, but I only saw it in white and I wanted a little color. Thanks.

BTW akl_vdb, wow! Awesome sunset or sunrise photo! Thanks for the vote.

I like the thirds! Horizontal. It doesn't conflict with the beadboard to my eye. I think it's pretty traditional to have beadboard with subways.

It's even prettier in its close-up. What didn't you like about the liner?

I personally don't like the vertical layout - I like the fact that the horizontal "offsets" the headboard - don't think they fight at all. I vote for the first picture 1/3 offset, horizontal

Mayflowers and sjhockeyfan, thank you. Glad you like the 1/3 horizontal. I think that's probably the winner. Yay! One less decision.

MF, I absolutely love the pencil liner. But every time I tried mocking it up from the counter in different ways, something felt off. Especially on the wall with my window/sink with the outlets.

Just today I had this crazy idea how to use the liner. I thought maybe I could "tile in" around my sink window instead of doing wood trim.

But I am not sure of this idea so feel free to let me know if this looks stupid. Won't hurt my feelings.

I was fooling around with something like this. But I'd move my finished cabinet ends out a hair so the tile would slide behind.

I show the tile vertically here so keep in mind it would run horizontally. Would the 3" high tiles in that skinny of a space, after the bottom of the cabinet look weird?

That front tile would also be flush with the pencil liner. Not recessed like that.

Hard to mock it up, but here goes...

I am having an issue with the little jalousie transom above the white vinyl window. The slats are the original redwood slats. They tie in with the rest of the room with the same transoms, but slightly bigger.

Note: There were only SCREENS before in the whole house! We added the Windows. I want to keep the redwood, but was going to go with white window trim because there is no way I can match or afford the redwood now to trim out all my windows. My thought was that this window could be different since its in the kitchen and already has a different sill with the granite?

Have you tried mocking it up with a darker grout? Like a grey that is close to the color of the tile?

I like the continuity of the vertical orientation running the same direction as the beadboard, but I think the vertical orientation is too modern compared to the cabinets and agree that that orientation isn't quite right either.

However, seeing the vertical mock up helped me realize that the same thing is happening in both the horizontal and vertical mock-ups that I don't like, and that is the grout. It's so pale that it's really highlighting all the lines in the backsplash going every which way, and I think maybe THAT is what is really throwing me off. A grout that's closer in color to the tile will make those lines a lot more subtle, and then they won't compete at all with the hood (or the floor).

Jillius, that was my original thought. I wanted to match the grout to the tile. I even bought the bag of grout that from the sample at the store matched perfect with the tile.

But the little grout sample color I took home kept changing on me in different lighting. I just last week gave up and exchanged it for the white because it was driving me crazy. (I will try to post the other samples tomorrow, too dark now)

But I agree with you 100%. If I could get that grout to match the tile, and it not get all weird colors on me at different times....that would be my perfect backsplash!

How do I find that color!?!

I like the 1/3 offset for the backsplash. Around the window have you considered the tile vertically there so it doesn't look so choppy along the window? Just until you get to the top and then continue your horizontal pattern? It might not look weird if it's framing the window. You'd have to do a mock up to see...

Oh yes - I completely agree with Jillius about the grout color! Mine (stacked small crackle subways) kind of blends in with the tile and the lower cabinets. So you see it, but it doesn't stand out.

Mgmum, That is a good idea. That might work because I wasn't liking those short tile cuts. I will mock that up when I get home later today. Thank you.

Jillius, Here were the two other grout colors I tried. On the left is called Light Pewter and on the right is Sea Glass.

They are Laticrete brand if that helps. It is what the tile store had recommended where I bought this tile.

Both looked good at the tile shop and outside in the sun, but at my house on the walls under cabinets it turned different colors that I didn't like.

Maybe there is a different grout brand I should look at that would have a closer color match?

We have one other tile shop in town, plus the two big box stores. I will see what I can find. I will also ask my tile guy. Thanks everyone.

Looking at your entire kitchen, I don't think the beadboard hood is an issue. I'd use window trim, not tile around the window. The tile between the window & the transom and the small pieces with the grout lines are too busy. Even vertical pieces of tile may look like too much - less is more. I think the white grout in the mockup is showing up much more white than it would be IRL. The only way to really know is to do a couple of tile boards with your tile & real grout. The contrast could be a fresh, clean look. This pic is the light blue shade of your tile with a light grout. I like it.

I like the horizontal 1/3 offset but agree about the white. Also remember you're seeing a large piece of the grout vs what will be thin lines when it's tiled.

We just did our backsplash yesterday. I have a strip beside my window that is less than 3" wide. I just laid it horizontally as you have in your mock-up and it looks fine. In fact, think it would look odd if it was the only place where it was laid out differently. I think your 1/3 offset will look great!

Okay 1/3 offset is the winner!!!

Thanks Romy. I think you are right on with the keep it simple advice. And thanks for that photo of the lighter grout. That helps.

Cpartist, thank you for reminding me it will be as skinny as I can get the grout line. But probably needs to be about 3/8 to avoid any lippage. Romy gave me that tip for handmade tiles.

Sherri, I would love to see your tiled window. I'm sure it looks great. Is your grout color similar to the tile color?

Can I get you all to vote one more time for around the window pretty please? I did a mock up of the tile oriented as mgmum suggested, then with white painted trim, and lastly with my original idea of wood trim.

1) Tile around window

2) White painted wood trim (Also please vote: tile above window or not)

3) Redwood trim. (This was my original plan. The two bedrooms already have the wood trim around window)

Maybe it will help if I show the rest of the space. Photo below shows the redwood wall (the large triangle section under the peak) You can see the kitchen cabinet on the right. This is one big room with the cathedral ceiling. I am leaving that area redwood above the windows but sheet rocking under the Windows.

I might leave this section of redwood on the opposite side just above the door as well. Isn't that stained glass with the birdies adorable?

If you vote for 2 or 3, can you also comment on whether I should skip the tile above the window and just paint?

The cabinet crown had to be scribbed funny to the angled ceiling because I didn't want my cabinets any lower. Will that that be an issue if I tiled? I don't really want to bring attention to it.

That you so much. You all are the best!

redwood with no tile above

I like the redwood with no tile above or the white trim to match the cabinets with no tile above. DH is a contractor & handy so try the redwood first?

It's a 1/8" grout line recommended for hand made tiles. I would see what your tiler can do with your specific tile. He may be able to do a 1/16" grout line without lippage. I have a 1/16" grout line & didn't notice any lippage until reading a post here. A couple of years post reno & I am still jumping up from the sofa to examine & measure after reading a GW post. The lippage is only visible below the range hood when the 4 bright halogen range hood lights are on.

CP, That was my original plan. TY! If you noticed in one of the photos, hubby had already started to add the redwood. I think I need to learn to trust in my first instincts, as they are usually close to what I end up doing. It's my crazy wild in the moment whims that are usually way off base and mess me up. :-)

Romy, Oh my goodness, I was thinking that I probably remembered that grout spacing wrong. Thank you so much for clarifying and double checking on that to help others. Your backsplash will forever be my first love! I do that exact thing. I'll jump up and grab my pink tape measure to see what my isle width or whatever is as I read a post. Ha! I will try for the 1/8 and if i can get away with 1/16, I would be a very happy camper!

(btw, I sure miss funkycamper. Sending hugs her way!)

Redwood with no tile above. It's going to look gorgeous!

And my pic is a sunrise...view from my bedroom window. Thanks for the love!

Redwood with no tile above

CP, That was my original plan. TY! If you noticed in one of the photos, hubby had already started to add the redwood. I think I need to learn to trust in my first instincts, as they are usually close to what I end up doing. It's my crazy wild in the moment whims that are usually way off base and mess me up. :-)

Hey I think we all do it when it's our own house. I know I do. Every time someone posts a good idea here on GW, I find myself reexamining my plans to see if it's possible for me to do some version of whatever it is. LOL. Human nature I guess.

Big thanks to everyone. I will let you know how it turns out.

Hi rebunky

Seems you've already made a decision and don't need my photo.... cool! I'm not good at pics or posting them. I also like your redwood for trim rather than the tile. Not sure about paint or tile above though. I'm sure you'll get it right though!

Thanks Sherri. Even though I decided against it, I still would love to see a picture of how your backsplash turned out! Were you planning to do a reveal thread? Let me know if you need help posting pictures. I'd be happy to walk you through it. :-)

I'm trying to get through the reno before I decide on whether or not I'll do a reveal. I can't even hold the camera straight! :( Also, because the ceiling is sloped quite a bit in that area, my tiler cheated the tiles on the left side so the top pieces wouldn't show the slope.

And I have to post a close-up of the way he tiles around the electrical outlets.

Omg Sherri! That's gorgeous tile! I love the way the light hits the slight waviness in the handmade tiles and sparkles.

What brand and color tile is that? You MUST do a reveal because I know people here will go crazy for your backsplash and your entire kitchen. Oh and is that soapstone too? I love the slab drawers with that glass front cab that has the glass on the side to.

You have an excellent tile setter because you cannot see any slope in the ceiling at all. And look at the little cuts he did for that outlet? Are you kidding me...he's a perfectionist. (Actually, I should edit that your tiler could just as well be a woman. I'm gonna try this myself!) You are very fortunate. Have you seen the crazy hacked tile threads lately? I hope I don't end up one....

Okay, I think I just hijacked my own thread. LOL! But, seriously please, please do a reveal. It doesn't need professional photos. Yours above are great.

Thanks rebunky! The counter is Barroca and the tile is from Spain. Equipe Ceramica Masia Blanco in a 3x12 format. I think I paid around $7.50 Cdn. My tiler on the other hand, is more expensive. lol!

rebunky! Your tile is gorgeous - this is going to look amazing. Regarding around the window, I love the clean look of what sherri1058 did - no pencil liner, just continue the same tile horizontally. BTW - what is the dark box above the window? Can that be painted the same color as the tile, so it blends in?

Ob2b, I know it is hard to see what that dark box is. It's sort of a small transom above the regular window, but only screened behind the two slats that open and close. The slats are made of redwood. I wouldn't paint those, but I could remove them and use glass jalousies there instead. I think I will wait and see once it is trimmed out with the wood if it looks better. I wish I had a little more room between the window trim and the cabinets because then I could have done it like Sherri's. Thank you!

rebunky, that bathroom ^ is not a 1/3 offset. This would be one vertically. Notice how the tiles don't line up every other tile but every third tile.

Oooops, good catch cp. :)

Just wondering how much room do you have beside the windows? I've got about 2 1/4" on the left side of mine.

That vertical tile pic you posted is really nice! Wonder if my DH would divorce me if I decided to redo our bathroom. It has been 3 years......

Lol Sherri! Yeah, 3 years might be a little soon.... :-D

There is only a little over 3" there. No room for a little bit of tile and window trim like yours. I knew it was a one or the other choice. That is one of my kitchen regrets, not having more room next to the window. At the time I thought cabinet space was more important. Live and learn. I'll think I will go for the wood trim, no tile.

Thanks for your help and the pics though. Very helpful. I will look forward to your reveal!