So no one can tell me the correct way to install it?

If I was going to do it, I would do the mosaic first, then the pencil frame and then work the subway out from there. You still need to lay it out and see if you are going to end up with some funky sliver sized tiles. I think I would rather have slivers on the ends than up against my mosaic.

Have you looked on the John Bridges forum? The forum has many tile pros and they are happy to help out DIY homeowners. I would ask the question there.

Where are the John Bridges forums? I’ve never heard of them.

This isn’t at all simple to DIY. And, if you have to ask, you need to hire the right Pro.

You have to be able to do the math with the tile that you’ve chosen, which we have no idea what it is, to figure out the layout so there are no small slivers in both the feature section and your field tile, then this is over your head. Then you have to know how to compensate for the different tile thicknesses. In addition, cutting mosaic tile is not for the inexperienced. The wet saw will make mush out of the grid, and it will fall apart before you ever get it on the wall.

https://www.ceramictilefoundation.org/homeowners-guide-to-hiring-qualified-tile-installer

I am not a fan of mosaic (because I have way too much of this in my master bath). If you post pictures of what you have in place (or the space), I am sure the forum can help. I'd highly recommend using the subway throughout instead of a feature mosaic. It's SO much cleaner.

oldbat2be- Well, I am a fan. I love a beautiful mosaic, or accent, or whatever you want to call it, above the stove and think it adds a pop of interest. I'm not asking for ideas on what to put up, I'm wondering what the best way to do it is.

Sophie- We can do math and figure out how to not make slivers. We can also figure out if things are different heights and to compensate for that. Maybe mosaic is the wrong word because the tile we are using is individual pieces, not on mesh. Maybe accent space is a better term.

From what I've been learning in all of my searching is that people do it different ways and we just need to figure out what makes the most sense to us.

@mommyniki - found the forum that chispa pointed you to: (thanks to the sub-reddit!): http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/index.php?

John Bridge tile forum

Make sure everything is in place (cabinets and hood), before you start. Otherwise, your mosaic/layout may be off.

Best of luck!

Everything is done. It’s a new tract house so we don’t move in until it’s complete. We just didn’t have them do a backsplash. Way too expensive. We are also taking out the flooring in the living areas and replacing it. But cabinets, counters and appliances are all ready to go.