Here’s my kitchen (not done yet waiting for hickory surround on vent hood and two floating shelves to the right) hope this helps. We love contrast (sorry showing out of order) went with a busy tile on one wall while the other walls are tiled very neutral

some ideas with taj:

zimmer, I adore your accent wall!

Hey! Thank you so much everyone! Lost access to this page and just came back... Thank you for everyone's input. As it turns out, the Taj came in looking VERY different than originally shown, so I'm waiting for a new one to come in so I can choose backsplash... Talking about quartzite choices- can you explain the downsides of leathered? So many mixed info online... Have a kitchen with a lot of activity (teaching cooking classes and also young children...)- wondering what would be best. Thank you again, everyone! And I love all the photos!!

Downside of leathered is that it's more porous, so it doesn't have the bacterial resistance that polished does.

I’ve been following this site.....hoping to decide about my Taj Mahal Quartzite, because I had chosen the same options. I still cannot decide .. I need some help deciding, please.

The TAJ was the decision. Beautiful on its own , it needs no competition from an overwrought backsplash! One that will simply detract! Sorry, the leading lady has been selected. You're at the chorus girl.:)

I am a big fan of arabesque tile. The great thing about Taj is it's versatility, so I must respectfully disagree with Jan Moyer. Not that she's wrong. Taj can stand on it's own, but I feel it is neutral enough to go beyond what is "safe" in a backsplash. If you love pattern and/or color, I say go for it. Taj can take it.

Yes It can stand on its own. .............why fight a thing that can do that? : ) Simple need not mean BORING!!. Put an elongated subway in a herringbone install with the barest change in grout from the field tile. Not boring, still simple. And beautiful on whole, which is the point. Not every cast has ALL stars. I am not wrong about that . .........these pages and the WOEFUL WAHS are the testimonial tears to that fact. Design is editing.

No one said anything about being boring or being wrong. Pasadeena asked for advice, but will ultimately have to go with whatever he/she will enjoy looking at and working with every day. I don't like the iridescent tile - too much shining back at me in my work area. And I never choose subway, not only because I see it everywhere, but also because a kitchen is already so filled with straight lines and right angles, I like the opportunity to throw in some curves. Your arabesque choices do that nicely.

I just took some time to scroll up and remind myself what has already transpired in this thread. I see that I'm repeating myself about the tile, but there are some nice examples already posted above. @zimmer has a really cool focus wall. I wonder what @Rivky Greenbeeg ever ended up with.

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Thanks for opinions.. the aberasque was my very first choice. For about 3 weeks I have been trying to convince myself to go with subway. ( my very first comment to salesperson after they installed TM, was “No subway”.
As my husband says, I over analyze everything.
There are just too many beautiful pieces and photos on Houzz ❤️
Hopefully I can order tomorrow.
Ordering from builder depot.com...I’ve read so many positive comments about them
( and they are $14.00 less sf than my local store)
And I need 68 sf

I feel you on the over analyzing! That was me for months while we were doing our kitchen - just ask Bruce!

My two cents on the Taj and a statement backsplash: from personal experience and living with our new kitchen for over a year now, I have absolutely no regrets going with the statement arabesque tile. I think of the Taj like a gorgeous black dress. While it can certainly stand on its own (classic), an added statement necklace or bracelet never takes away from it. For what it's worth, I get more compliments from guests on the backsplash than the Taj because it's unique and the Taj is so neutral. Also, the eye will always be drawn to what is in front of it versus below. But people ask me all the time what the countertops are because they want them in their kitchens! The overall look is so cohesive, it all just works.

Good luck! Whatever you decide, I am sure it will look lovely. Keep us posted!

Hi
I am a new comment, I hope you have not ordered yet. My comment is simple.
I love to use my stone marble, granite as my backsplash. And I would use the Arabesque over the gas grill/electric. etc. or over the sink
The stone makes the kitchen taller, simple and stunning. I do not think you need more going on. Your first instinct was correct.
Angela
COCONSULTANTS

Do you mean slabs, not tile? I think a marble or granite backsplash would look odd with quartzite countertops, but that's just me. Not to mention the astronomical cost; it would double!

Hi In answer to you question slabs. The firm that you purchase your stone from. They will come out measure maybe a single seam veryical in the middle. ie If counter is 12 feet they will cut the slab and the movement in the stone to fit 6 feet 6 feet on center seam etc.
90% know what they are doing and do a great job. It is elegant, taller and simply Divine. Why slab if you place the same stone vertical the color will change slightly. if you have lighting under the cabinets this will pick up all of the beautiful movement, shine, partcles, ivory, beige within the stone and it looks great. why add a ceramic or porcelain above an item that cannot be beat I think the oven will have a great section with a rolled trim and you could rope the trim if you wanted and put the time in there. I would leave it simple. A

installer is here!!!!! YEA!
I chose the arabesque.
I thought I was done.
Now we have a dilemma...
Where to end the tile ?
I’ve got both choices marked in blue or green
The areas are in opposite corners
Please help

Locations of “delimma “

Love the tile you chose! Honestly, I would end the tile with the cabinets. I always think the tile looks out of place when it sticks out past cabs.

I'm with Dasha. Counters look great, BTW!

That’s what we decided

He has to do this. It’s a remodel, and there’s separation between end of bar and wall. ♀️
I don’t know what else to do.

It will look great. Will the tile fill that little gap?

He’s coming back today to grout. So far it looks like it will be covered. I’m just not real fond of the “ dogleg”.
But I usually have a lamp, plate on stand , etc there
( to hide those AWEFUL switch plates ) haha
just had a thought....
Wonder if they can be painted same color as wall???
I’m also seriously considering putting my gold hardware back on cabinets.

It’s finished!
Now a SERIOUS concern.
When the Taj was installed, I found some unfinished? areas . They feel a little rough, reminds me of when cake icing dries on counter. It is not raised, just maybe unpolished. My most serious concern is the veining
There is a prominent, visible “ crack.
When I pointed it out, they assured me they would send professional to fix it.
He is coming today.
QUESTION: is the Taj supposed to have areas like that ?
I thought it was supposed to look like glass.
I just want to know Incase any issues arise while he’s here to fix it

In the meantime this is my kitchen at the moment

Sorry for the duplication

I think the veining is the way it's supposed to look since it's a natural product.

What did the pro say? Are they going to fill in and smooth out the rough spots?

Nice job on your kitchen. The colors all work so well together.

Dasha, your kitchen will be beautiful with the Taj Mahal and white subway which matches the white in the TM. You can always bring in some color with a few well-placed useful accessories in a color you love....just a few. Make one of them a nice shapely ceramic vase you can pop some flowers into.

Taj countertops installing next Tuesday! I'm waiting to see how they look before choosing tile. Anyone have ideas with wood cabinets?!? Should have straightened up the kitchen before posing pictures... Walls are a camel color, BM Lenox Tan. Thanks

I'm going to re-do/update the range hood after counter tops and tile are done. Any ideas on that would be appreciated, too. Thanks

THIS IS OLD ALSO, WHY ARE WE STILL WRITING ABOUT OLD STUFF?

pasadeena5875

How did the rough areas turn out on your quartzite countertop? I am concerned with the same issue?

I have quartzite in my bathroom with the same issue of cracks/scratches. I had several people come out to look at it and each one told me that with a natural stone, it is not uncommon. Although I’m not thrilled about it, I have accepted it and unless I look sideways, I don’t see it.

Dasha, your pictures are beautiful! I also have Taj Mahal countertops and am having a problem picking a cabinet paint color. Would you please tell me what color your cabinet paint is? I apologize if you’ve already answered this in a previous response. Thank you

Dasha- what color paint did you use on your walls? Same color in your family room too?

JAN MOYER - What color are those cabinets you posted above?

Is a stacked stone too much for satin Taj Mahal? Too much going on?

)

Yes, a stacked stone is too much for Taj Mahal. Keep it simple. One star in a kitchen is enough.

We remodeled and used Taj Mahal and I luv the warmth! We also have cracks and I was questioning the fabricator but then came to accept it. I chose a very simple off white Crackled and beveled subway tile. My cabinet maker suggested the TM and the colors are like artwork.

Hi! I recently put in a new kitchen w/Taj Mahal honed countertops. I have recessed veining in certain areas and everyone who sees it loves it as do I. My neighbor put in leathered TM and it does not look as natural as and rich as mine. That is NOT just my opinion. My stone texture is NOT totally smooth anywhere, but that is what is so lovely about natural stone.
My cabinets are BM White Dove w/Edgecomb Grey walls.

We just did white dove cabinets with Taj Mahal counters. I am having a problem finding a backsplash that works with both. Any suggestions?

Ann Sacks has some nice Subway tile options. I used a cream, beveled,crackled subway tile and have been quite content. Bedrosians is a good place to look.