I like it!

Which sample is which? What’s the large white/cream sample and the wood-look piece?

I like it! Classique is a popular one but food r good reason, it’s gorgeous.

I like it too, some other options

I really dislike that leafy tile backsplash. It needs to be on a wall that's tall, so that the pattern can flow vertically. It's a tile with a vertical grain that you will be chopping up without letting it establish it's pattern.

That's why you never see subway tile laid vertically in backsplashes.

And, truthfully, I just don't care for tile. but the use on a backsplash makes it worse.

I don't like the floor tile with the rest of your choices. I would go with a more solid color and darker floor.

I don't really care for the floor tile. It seems rather blah.

IMO that is not good. I would absolutely stop and get someone with some decorating sense to help you. That back splash does not match with anything else you have selected. The floors do not match with anything else. And navy blue makes no sense. Stop and get some help.

I get everything but the floor tile. The color is off and does not go well with the counter top which is more white/gray vs. brown/cream in flooring. I would hold off on backsplash until cabinets and counters are in the space. Then get a large sample and look at it throughout the day and night. I think you might change your mind on the backsplash tile once you see the counter installed. Maybe you can use that tile as a focal point over stove or at beverage station but not the entire kitchen.

Have you seen more of the cabinet doors fronts than just this little sample? The reason I'm asking is that going with a stain wood rather than a painted you are going to see a lot more pattern/grain in the wood depending on the species of wood. The sample you have appears to have a lot of pattern/grain to it and you may find that it is too busy with the backsplash. Also, I would not select a countertop unless you see the full slab. What you need is a full cabinet door to take shopping so you can put it up against the slabs and also against flooring. I don't know how much of your current countertop and backsplash are reflecting on to your samples but the flooring and cabinet stain are looking like they may have a pink tone to them?

Is the flooring a ceramic? Will that blotchy pattern be consistent throughout all the tiles?

I have no problem with the stained wood with the navy island but the rest I would keep looking. Plus, if you want non-traditional then you need to get away from the marble look counter top and backsplash.

What is the style of your door? What style of "non-traditional" kitchen are you working to achieve?

On my monitor, the wood doesn't really go with the blue gray of the counters and BS tile. If the wood cabs are a given, and you want to go with a marble, I'd try to find one that has some gold veining, e.g. Calacatta Gold.

Sorry to say, but I don’t like any of this combination, and esp the leaf tile. But I’m not a professional so maybe it’s just that thing - to each his own? Good luck. :).

I like your choices, but would still look at more choices for the floor.

I would definitely reconsider the floor, but everything else I think could realistically work together. Bring in some gold elements with the hardware!

I like it.

Wood laminate flooring I was referring to if you didn't already guess lol

No. Not outside any boxes at all. You’re right in line with all of the rest, following the current fads. **yawn**

If you want something different, you have to try much harder to get outside the mainstream. Get away from white and marble.

So I looked at the tile and the words “aran cucina” and immediately the tile was sweater knit (like an Irish Aran knit sweater) and it was in my cucina, which, granted, is Italian, not Irish, but who is quibbling? This made me want the blue to look more like the color of a pair of jeans and less navy. And the wood perfectly completed that whole rustic scene, and I liked it very much.

But the floor tile is killing me (not in a good way), and I’m not sure about the counter with the whole thing. Maybe I need to see a whole slab?

Dark grey slate type tile on the floor might put me back into the whole rolling green sheepy hills Wellington boots mood.

But that might not be what you are after at all.

Soapstone? There are some darker bits in the wall tile. Something not veiny, because the wall sweater is a bit busy.

I like it, especially the leafy backsplash tile. I do think the floor tile is too beige for the rest of the design. Love the navy blue island idea. Do what makes YOU happy.

Irene Morresey, Do you happen to have the source for the wood cabinets, that you posted, in the first two pictures? Love them!

i like the wood cab color. can live with the blue but would go more navy, its seems a little bright to me.

b/s, sadly a "no". maybe in a bathroom but not a kitchen

counter, "no"... been done over and over. not an "outside the box" at all

floor, "no".. looks like something out of the 80's... much better choices out there.

one rule of thumb is do not mix real stone with fake stone, very hard to pull off if ever.

following

I personally like everything but the floor tile

All I could find was it was under House of Jade, Morgan's farmhouse kitchen

Thank you, Irene!

Yes they go together but there is nothing outside the box in terms of the choices. I've seen versions of it over and over on here.

Nothing constructive to add, I'd just like to follow along and see what you end up doing. Do you have kitchens you've saved that you like or like elements of? maybe that would help others help you figure out how to get outside the norm?

Bleached oak cabinets

I love all of the choices! I would go darker on the floor to give more contrast. I agree with the comments that this is not outside the box but who cares!! Do what you love! If you want get some drama in the room I would consider getting a unique backsplash with navy in it.

Sophie Wheeler right now is kind of hard to do anything for the kitchen “outside the box” since almost all the kitchens nowadays are in the same colors and if one is trying to do a different or something that is not on trend, specially in kitchens is really hard to get some ideas, for example my kitchen is new, but outdated and now almost everyone is doing white and gray so is hard to find inspiration pics :(

I like most of your choices, but not the flooring tile. It's off, at least on the screen. Not crazy about the backsplash either. If you want to think outside the box, what about a copper backsplash? You can find a local HVAC company that will sell you sheets, and even cut to size. Patina is up to you.

Do you have any photos of kitchens you like, so we can see your style - other than just the samples?

I understand wanting to think outside the box. Getting there, with materials available in the area, takes some work. Our last house had an English unfitted style kitchen (it was actually made in England and shipped) and our new kitchen is also English, but Humphrey Munson style.

I look forward to seeing your project evolve.

Here are some I would consider outside the box kitchens. I'm not commenting on whether they are good or bad but just posting some pics.

Nix the floor tile for sure! I like the wood for the floors. I like the blue island and quartz counters, white upper/perimeter cabs. That backsplash is far too distracting for your design. I would go with a really light grey solid color backsplash so that the island and counters get the attention they deserve. In your design the backsplash should be the “background” if that makes sense.

OMGosh...

"right now is kind of hard to do anything for the kitchen “outside the box” since almost all the kitchens nowadays are in the same colors and if one is trying to do a different or something that is not on trend, specially in kitchens is really hard to get some ideas, for example my kitchen is new, but outdated and now almost everyone is doing white and gray so is hard to find inspiration."

Girl, the internet is full of "out of the box"/ non mainstream kitchen photos. In order to think outside the box, you can't look for photos that look like your kitchen for inspiration. You need to look at the elements in these kitchens individually and determine what elements could work in your existing kitchen.

Some non mainstream kitchens. And yes, most people wouldn't be able to afford these kitchens or have the space but you think outside the box and take elements from them that can be found at a more affordable price. Like this 1st one, who would think of using those pendants in a kitchen? Not mainstream as they would have to match! Ceiling (not sure if it is tiled) could be stenciled to keep cost down. This is how you have an affordable out of the box kitchen...

tedbixby- your right! Most of my clients want what they see on tv, and presenting a creative design is getting more and more difficult. I would love a client like tania811 who wants an out of the box design. However...

tania811- your current selections aren’t really that out of the box as far as what a lot of people are wanting or doing. The suggestions in my previous post were based on what you’ve currently selected. If you really want out of box, start over and nix the blue island, marble-look counter and backsplash. That being said, don’t spend your money on a space just to be different! Spend it on what you like, how you want it to feel and function, and most importantly what makes you happy. You can give any design, no matter how “on trend” something is, your own touch. If your doing this for resale, then you’re $ is better spent doing an “as seen on tv” design.

Had to post this out of the box element. The island cabinets are tool chests. Now that is thinking OUT OF THE BOX!

Nix the leafy backsplash and fake cement look floor tile. The floor tile is pinky greige and doesn’t match the marble backsplash. Use, dare I say it, subway tile with light grey grout. Floor can go darker but make sure it’s grey and not beige.

Tania, I think your choices in the OP look just fine together.

I would change the counters or the backsplash. Both seem like they want to be the star so just let one shine. I like all the colours though and think you don't need to be "outside the box" to have a lovely kitchen. DO what you want. :)

I think the OP has gone MIA... this might be one of those threads that goes on and on with no OP...

tedbixby, I'm afraid you're right.

It seems her "thinking outside of the box" has taken her to the task. Of course, some won't agree with me and that's ok.

tania811, Your "outside of the box" may be different than some peoples "outside of the box." I think you have gotten some good advice on this thread. Use what you love and you will end up with a lovely kitchen.

Appreciate all the comments and the suggestions everyone, including those comments that may make some run for the hills.

The cabinets and island are already purchased.
The blue is on the darker side.

I have flexibility with the tiles, backsplash and countertops.
I havent chosen a kitchen since my current, which is circa 2006.

The floor tile im looking at is more grey than beige, i think the colour of original photo is off. I attached one from the showroom below.

As for the backsplash- “ they” , as in, those at the showroom said that using a marble would work as well as a shiny or matte subway tile and suggested these below?

As for quartz- im definetly open to other colours and was also looking at a glacier white quartz.

If the bottom sample is for counters and the top sample is for the backsplash, they will not look good together because one is beigy-tannish and the other is white-and-grayish. Both are beautiful separately but not together.

So do these finishes meet your criteria for being outside the box? The showroom people aren't the same as Interior Designers and are only going to sell you what they are comfortable with and what I would call "safe." Which is fine if that is what you are looking for. I still would wait to pick out the back splash until the cabinets are in and wouldn't even consider selecting a counter top from a sample. As far as the flooring, is this a new build or a gut? Will the flooring being matched up against another flooring?