Nope that looks all wrong. Especially since the backsplash on the other wall is horizontal!

If they replace the backsplash behind the stove and redo it with horizontal veining, I think it will look best. The backsplash will flow with other backsplash and counters all flow.

I think it looks interesting now as you have it, though. It will likely grow on you.

It looks like backsplash and countertops run together and are connected. I'd probably keep it that way.

First, that stone is lovely. Second, while I think I would prefer it running the other direction (especially when viewed from farther away), I do think it's interesting as it currently is. If I was in your shoes, I'm not sure I'd change it.

I've been asking ALL day, and consensus seems to be "thats probably wrong, BUT, it actually looks kinda cool". Part of my issue is we had a vision in our minds of what it should be, and we didnt get that. Thats not easy to get over.

Also, chicagoans.. thank you for the picture.. that helps!

Sure thing florida! BTW I also think it's interesting the way it is. I'm wondering if it's mostly the transition in the corner that is bothersome. Will you keep anything on the counter in the corner? If so, try putting something there (coffee maker, canister, etc.) and see if you feel any different. (Or if that makes it worse by drawing the eye to that corner.)

I think its two things... the transition in that corner for sure is one. We generally keep the toaster over there so that would help. But really, as I was saying, it wasn't what we had in mind. Maybe there is no right or wrong and either way could be "right", but they should have asked what WE wanted. And I think above all else, I don't like the vertical veins. When my wife said she wanted stone backsplashes, I think we both liked it because of the horizontal veins.

GOOD NEWS: We have a choice. They have another slab. They asked if we would be ok changing the backsplash, but leaving the counters the way they are, as opposed to doing a mitre cut in the corner and turning the veins. That would be a whole 'nother poll for me to take!

Here is another view. THIS view is changing people’s mind here. The veins in the island go that way.

What a conundrum... I actually like it the way it is... it looks like the stone was folded up the wall...

I like how it looks vertical but also would have preferred the mitred countertop on the edge to make it flow. As is there is a transition on the countertop so it “makes sense” to have one on the backsplash

Honestly, I don't think there's a right or wrong answer here. I do think there's a reason why online pictures show this sort of counter and backsplash combo on only one wall... either the corner transition never looks good, or they are installing them in kitchens where there is only one wall treated this way.

I think you just need to pick one and go with it. Good luck deciding! :)

I still would change it to horizontal. Especially if you have the option to and another slab available. I worry about the corners meeting slightly but I think you could camouflage that.

Horizontal for sure! The vertical backsplash behind the range is rather jarring. So, yes, would have them replace and change the orientation even if it's not the same as the adjacent countertop. Never really heard of continuing the veining (especially this pronounced) all in the same direction. Good luck!

Since you had a vision, you should have TOLD them what you wanted. No one is a mind reader. It actually looks better the way it is.

I can see how the vertical veining continues, visually, from the island. But I want my eye drawn to the island because wowza - it's so gorgeous!

I'm hoping some of the following chime in: cpartist; Joseph Corlette; oldryder (among others.) CP is an artist with a great eye; Joseph has done a ton of installations; oldryder is a fabricator. They are among the many whose viewpoints I value (and there are so many more that I don't have time to look up!) Anyway... maybe ping them and as them to take a look?

I think opposite. I love the vertical but would change the backsplash behind sink wall to vertical too. I do not like the change in direction in the corner and we're more likely to view the backsplash versus the counters since the counters are horizontal and our eye level goes to the backsplash.

The reason I don't like the horizontal is because the lines are not all exactly horizontal so it looks a bit jarring to see them that way whereas vertical we don't mind if they're not all parallel.

Hope I made sense.

Makes a lot of sense. Not sure if they’d be willing to do that without a cost for me as I specifically am arguing they should all be horizontal, but I agree, the corner transition is part of the problem I think.

I appreciate all the comments. I feel we’re no closer to a resolution. So many people making good points on both sides. It may just be there is no right or wrong. One thing one of our contractors is saying..in pictures, it looks like it may be wrong. In person, standing there, it feels more correct. Maybe that’s because you can “feel” the flow of the veins better. I don’t know. Pulling my hair out!!!

I would have wanted everything flowing in the same direction and would have picked the mitre/seam in the corner to achieve that.

Sorry you are having to go through this. Don't pull your hair out!

My vote is for the counters to flow in the same direction.

That's the problem with trying to put a linear pattern on an L-shaped countertop. There is always something that looks wrong.

Florida...it’s a beautiful stone. With that said, the vertical lines would make me crazy. I would have the fabricator make the whole thing horizontal as the backsplash is viewed as a continuous pattern around the L. It’s such a beautiful kitchen, I think it should be finished exactly how you envisioned it.

The vertical veining behind the stove is more dramatic. I personally prefer it, but it’s not my kitchen :) good luck!!

I did a wonderful solid white full Corian backsplash over a blue Corian top. It looked great, then the customer put all her cookie jars and stuff all over the counter and covered the splash. Same thing's gonna happen here.

Make it all horizontal. The vertical mixed w horizontal was messy when I first looked at the whole room.reason is all the cross pane window grids and semi circle above w more panes. If you had simple casement windows you would have license . Simplify and go horizontal ....just make it all lay down and be quiet. And will still be appreciated.

omg...it's a crazy maker...too many lines, no matter which way they go. Use a nondescript subway tile for the backsplash and let the pronounced countertop make the statement. This is overdone. P.S. I'm not a decorator, so I hire one. And even then mishaps happen. I just set aside some money for the "I can't live with this" mistakes that are unfortunately gonna happen.

Your quartzite is similar to this and MSI Highland Park Pearl looks great with it - if you decide you can’t live with it (and without a template I am sorry to say you probably don't have a leg to stand on).

What was the final plan. Did you replace it for a horizontal vein flow on the backsplash? In a similar spot.

That is my problem today with quartzite. The sink wall is horizontal and the range wall is vertical. I am also getting mix comments. I think it is wrong but trying to see if I can live with it. I think I would have used a different backsplash if I knew before hand that it would turn out like this.

So we are having this exact same issue right now! Fortunately, our long wall with the hood vent and cooktop is the horizontal view and the shorter side is the vertical. Our fabricator also insists this is the correct way, as if the whole thing was one piece that folded up the wall. They also did not provide us a template to approve. We did communicate that we wanted the lines to be horizontal but apparently they thought that meant on the primary wall and the rest would flow accordingly.

What did you ultimately decide to do, and are you happy with it?

⸻

Hello! I’m currently in the same situation you were in. We selected a very similar countertop and plan to run it up as the backsplash. Unfortunately, I didn’t take that into consideration when choosing the stone, and now I’m feeling a bit stuck. May I ask what you decided to do? I’d really appreciate your insight. Please help! Thank you!

Would love to see what you ended up doing.

The horizontal orientation looks best in my opinion.