is there a piece of the countertop that comes up the back? It's hard to see in the photo.

if you have the piece up the back, then I'd advise you, "no tile".

bottom arrow,,,what is that piece? molding? countertop? is it removable?

This portion of the wall is inset? so it's like a little cubby? why does the right side look flush but the left further back? is it the photo?

Also, that window trim needs to go if you want to do all tile. either that, or bring in larger trim that eats up the wall space and just tile on the outside portion.

Honestly, between the countertop trim piece, the window trim, the soffit , and the bulky window, I just can't picture how you're going to incorporate tile over the sink area.

can you take some better photos that aren't small and aren't Stretched?

just take regular photos that show the entire window wall. what's off to the right side?

Hi Silverlined, I've already taken down the cabinet. The counter space is really limited in this kitchen. If I take it down, I free the countertop that was previously covered by the cabinet. Also, I feel it conflicts the openness brought by the kitchen. I don't have many displayable dishware and there are good amount of storage in the kitchen. I plan to put green plants, pictures on the floating shelves.

Hi Beth,

Yes, a piece of the countertop material acts as the backslash under the window sill. the countertop is white quartz. It's 15 years old, so more gray-tinted white.

The picture shows the wall behind the glass-door cabinet (in the first picture) that I took down.The dry wall has two colors (don't know why). The straight lines you marked up are all left over glue strips. The wall is not insert. To its right, there's the kitchen window that is not flush with the wall, it's stick out towards the backyard by a few inches.

"if you have the piece up the back, then I'd advise you, "no tile"." - may I ask why? I hope to replace the countertop material backslash with prettier tiles. I just feel it's a dated look using the same material on the countertop and as a backslash.

The one thing I want to warn you about on that backsplash is that sometimes when thicker material was used for a backsplash, the fabricator of the countertop may have left a larger gap at the back than would be used if tile was going in on the wall. If the gap is too large to be covered by your tile, you could end up with issues there.

Also, if you are putting potted plants on your shelving, you are very close to needing brackets affixed to studs for that type of weight. It's a serious concern if you don't want falling shelving. Check out the Shelfology website for more helpful information on that.

this is just an odd set up to tile. where do you want the subway tile? (besides the open shelf area)

that shelf area is separated by a portion of a wall that extends past the window. were you going to wrap that portion w/tile?

Normally tile does not go on the side walls.

do you have plans on changing out the countertop? you said you don't like it. why not save up and do that, and have the window over the sink redone so that the entire wall (where you want the shelves) will be flush. no bump outs.

then you could have the countertop come up under the window like so, but do your subway tile elsewhere.

see how the shelving is flush w/the window and wall?

as for tiling on top of a 4" piece, it's just usually not done.

you'll never see if done in professional or recently redone kitchen. it's one or the other. If it is done, it's usually after the fact for a quick update.

I usually tell people to remove the 4" piece.

Beth, thank you so much for the pictures. TBH, I am new to remodeling. I've lived in my current house for 12 years and didn't do anything... We bought this house and I just have so many ideas and not sure about execution.

Yes, I should've made it clear. I want to get rid of the 4" piece backslash. I also plan to replace the countertop.

"that shelf area is separated by a portion of a wall that extends past the window. were you going to wrap that portion w/tile?" -- no, I won't wrap the tile around to the side. I like the look of tile, which will be minimal other than the wall where the floating shelves will be installed. I plan to just use tile under the window and above the countertop. I will paint the rest of the kitchen wall to highlight the tiles.

This post has been updated. please see 1st comment for updates.

A green,

For what it's worth:

The 2 x 8 better suits the area given the long expanse under the window. I'd tile up to the bottom of ther first floating shelf, and same on the right side of window. Don't wrap anything.

Your pictures don't blow up well. ...........that's from what I can see.

Thank you, Jan!

just saw you message Al.

I'd prob tile all around the window (are you doing any shelving?) like shown here

you could take the tile inside to the window trim, or leave it drywall.

they did both on this one

I had a similar set up with mine but I decided to wrap the inside w/walnut. But since you already have trim around yours, I don't think this one would work

Thank you, Beth! Those pictures are great inspirations!

Is your backsplash up? Did you use the Montauk Gin? I just ordered it and would love to see more completed installs. Thanks!

Hi Rachel, I ordered triangle white tile.

That will look great!