You've made very lovely choices so far. It looks like you have a relatively small backsplash area. Have you considered installing the P&L throughout?

Personally, I don't like accent tiles. They're typically too visually cluttered for my taste. The other elements of your kitchen are simple enough that I think it could handle a full backsplash of detailed tile.

First, I love your cabinets! And I really like Benjesbride's idea of the detailed tile throughout (the larger one...not the tiny tile). If that won't work then why not copy your inspiration photo? Just behind the range would look good, if there's enough room to do 16 tiles, just 9 might look too small for a focal piece.

Thanks. The cabinets are Mennonite/Amish custom in cherry. That was a totally amazing experience. The inspiration photo for the tile is in the running, but I was looking for something a bit more subtle, maybe? The all over is a fun idea, but I imagine it would be $$$ and not so fun to clean. I need some fresh eyes to throw out some ideas. Keep them coming please.. I need to get this done!

beautiful cabinetry, congratulations

i'd rather choose to repeat an insert, as in your inspiration photo, rather than disperse smaller tiles

their insert seem bigger than the space you've got. but. it might be exactly the same size you'll be able to do, or just marginally bigger. their pic was taken much closer, making the insert seem longer.

measure yours, and maybe make the mock up out of paper, to see the true proportions of what you'll get and how it will look

This is very pretty. It would need to run above your switches, but then stuff on the counter won't hide it. I love the two colors but it could be done in all white. I'm not sure if it would be as effective so I might do the field in a light taupe. I think the 2" x 4" tile works well in small kitchens. I like the row of squares at the counter but you'd have to do subway because your insert is squares.

Transitional Colonial Craftsman · More Info

Light taupe. This looks really nice with a warm white.

Stanwich Road · More Info

Beenzmail, that's a beautiful tile. I see that it's made by Pratt and Larson, do you know the type and color it is? Thanks

I think using the detailed square tile the way your inspiration photo shows would look nice. Not sure how large the tiles are, but maybe 9 tiles instead of 16. Or an insert of 4 wide by 3 high behind your range. Just the matching subway tiles for the rest rather than the smaller detailed tiles.

Absolutely love mayflowers suggestion.

Also, check out this little different approach, using herringbone behind the stove, also your hood opening (36"?) is wider than the stove (30"?), so you can run separating tiles vertically, like in this picture, but imagine all that in white tile:

The color of the tile is S13. http://prattandlarson.com/colors/glazes/satins/ (It doesn't look anything like their website picture shows up on my monitor.) It has a bit of a gloss, but not a lot which is why we liked it. http://prattandlarson.com/product-category/relief-tile/bas-relief/motif/ Here is a link to the relief tiles I like, but there are lots and lots of choices.

I definitely wasn't planning to use both tiles, and the rest will be subway. My switches will probably have to be moved a bit for whatever we decide. The wall will be repainted too. It looked very cream with the old yellow oak cabinets, but with the brown it's reading too yellow.

Thank you beenzmail!

Thanks nbaskets. That's what I think I would prefer, but my husband said it would bother him. I really like ayerg's tile layout. Their picture started me on the relief tile hunt. Fireclay no longer makes it. http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2669675/i-just-discovered-fireclay-tile-gorgeous-has-anyone-used-them?n=37

If you go with random 2x2s with subway tile, one thing our tile setter did was to cut a little off the adjoining subway tiles so that the 2x2s were centered. Just took this photo to show the difference versus how ayerg's was done.

Any other thoughts? Thanks!

I really like mayflower's suggestion but without the framed area behind the cooktop. Only the border as shown in the photo.

If you are seeking to highlight a small area of a feature/busy tile, I am a huge fan of adding an inset shelf behind the range, I really like how it gives purpose to the tile change. Plus, I love my oil/condiments ledge from a functional perspective.

a few examples for reference:

and our kitchen (...not the best photo or lighting):

If the math works, you can fill the entire space with the relief tile.

Traditional Kitchen · More Info

anyone else? Thanks!