Wait til you are in the home and decide on a back splash as so many things come into play. No Matarazzo Quartzite on back splash - now or later. 2 much of a good things is a bad thing.

You forgot to include a picture of the quartzite.

I think it could look nice in the right space. Here's a sample photo:

Matarazzo Quartzite

If you do it, watch out for this: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/marble-with-unfortunate-image-dsvw-vd~5277129

:-D

Angel18432,

Too much of a good thing can be too much but there is little else on the vertical surface other than painted white shake cabinets, so I was thinking the quartzite would look fine for the eye to view as opposed to distracting. This particular quartzite has more pattern than Calacatta Quartzite which I would have no doubts about using as movement is not quite a much.

Elle,

Thank you for the visual. It helps me a lot. I am a visual learner, for sure.

I love a counter top run up the splash. No grout, and a very finished appearance. Yes it has movement ! Adding a tile and grout lines would reduce that? Hardly. Have at it. In a white kitchen, that's a quite beautiful material. I could see a warm burnished/gilded accent or two via gorgeous lighting or cabinet hardware

( I'd lose the two stools and overhang on your cook wall. ) Don't suppose there's another exit to deck or patio available? You're a bit hemmed in with the fridge locale.

Go for it. To me it is more "timeless" than any tile and always makes a kitchen look more high-end. And no, it doesn't have too much movement. Especially since you aren't talking about putting the whole big slab on the wall.. though it would still be gorgeous if you did!

Thank you, Jan. Your input is always valuable, and in this case, has instilled more confidence in my countertop selection. I am one step closer...

Actually the two stools to which you speak are ones that slide under and will not be there unless we need additional seating during entertaining, dining, etc. I could have cabinetmaker go ahead and add to that side of island and not have 12" overhang. Something to ponder.

Looking out over the island to the family room is an exit on the right to a covered porch. Just on the other side of that red X is the door.

I am using Brizo Luxe Gold faucet with a champagne finish for the cabinet hardware. Appliances are stainless steel so I am mixing finishes.

Here is the island pendant I am considering...again, haven't built up enough confidence to move forward on it. Second one is one I have considered for breakfast room which is open to kitchen and family room.

Below:

Breakfast Room (Hoping the two

coordinate well enough since both rooms are open to one another.)

And then...the foyer light which is also open to these rooms...yet to be selected or even thought about!

Tedbixby...another ounce of confidence for me. Thank you!

I like those 2 fixtures - and together. My experience with table & floor lamps with black shades is that the shade only allows the light to go down and up rather than out. I don't know if this would be an issue with the Breakfast room fixture? Just wondering if you would end up with pools of light on the table rather than lighting the whole room.

I have unusual granite in my kitchen. It has light brown, cream, white, gray and even pink-toned veins in it. I tend not to go with trends or what is the "new" thing. While I was granite-shopping, I was also considering what the backsplash would be. My solution was to use the same granite for counters and backsplash AND above the two side-by-side ranges, and as a windowsill for the window over the sink. The walls and ceiling are a pale gray in a nod to the stainless appliances. The cabinets are white (on the creamy side). The floors are oak hardwood (32 years since they were installed).

my view is every kitchen needs one stand out item or you'll die from boredom. as long as you werent planning an encaustic tile floor you'll be fine.

tedbixby,

Good thought on shades directing light downward only...something to ponder and determine before committing to this light for the breakfast room. I am going to continue my look for the "perfect" fixture for that room to complement the island one. :)

ninigret,

I agree that there needs to be a showpiece in the kitchen and with horizontal surfaces, the countertops are necessarily it. I am hoping my pendant and the backsplash will be...I'm going for it!

Queenie1951

100% okay not too busy at all. I love the full backsplash and if I could find such a pretty stone like you I would definitely go for it. Full height beautiful stone with your white shaker cabs will be stunning.

And the light fixtures.. PERFECT. I think the entire kitchen is going to be great.

~boxer

Awww....boxwerpal, your comments and vote "for" are so reassuring!

Hi Queen....are you liking your counter? Love the Matarazzo but worried about using it in my kitchen,

Queen- is that an induction cooktop? If so, are you liking it and what brand is it?

Pretty quartzite, too.

LOVE induction, yes. Bosch.

Queen-yes I would love more photos. Can you please tell me what the name of the quartzite is that you used? Are your cabinets white? Hard to tell from the photo. Thank You

BM Mountain Peak White is cabinet color to match my trim but due to finish on cabinety, it is a shade different (lesson learned).

photos of my island

will send some of cabinet and backsplash next.

Island cabinetry is a different color.

Here ‘ya go Linda Hunt!

White was chosen to complement my wall colors.

I think the quartzite/quartz is White Pearl. I wanted a warmer material in color as I was using gold fixtures as noted in hardware and pot filler in photos.

I wanted a “white” material and granites do not really have any whites.

just gorgeous!

Which lighting did you end up with? Your initial selections were gorgeous.