What is the issue you just do the same behind the stove up to the bottom of the hood IMO any kind of pattern change or design behind a stove is adated look unless you have a huge Tuscan style kitchen and best in Tuscany. Too bad you dis the corbels for the counter top they really were not needed.

This question comes up a lot on this forum....and since your kitchen is all white..i would consider choosing a tile with a more interesting shape or layout to add the little detail you are looking for

no change in pattern just do what you are doing in the rest of the splash. no fancy borders needed. I think that makes it look dated

Beautiful space! Love the island top.

I came across this image of an kitchen by a local Ottawa designer named. Ulya Jensen. She used a chevron pattern for the backsplash and extended it over the oven.

Opinions really vary with this, but I agree with keeping it all the same. Love the kitchen!

I also agree that having a different tile for backsplash or a border is dated. just do the same tile everywhere. when I google "subway tile kitchen", the continuous backsplash looks perfectly fine.

your kitchen is beautiful. I really like that you chose a skinnier subway tile rather than the standard size. once you've completely moved into that space and see all of your stuff in there, I think you'll be happy. you can always bring in color and variety with accessories.

One thing we learned quickly in building our home is that the grout colour really impacts the look of the tile!

If you just want to change it up a bit so it doesn't look sooooo white, you could try running the same tile vertically behind the stove, with a narrow pencil border, in the same color, where it meets the horizontal.

@barbara_c, I love your counters. They are gorgeous! The whole space is lovely. Do you have inspiration images of what you are hoping to achieve? Choosing a different pattern behind the range is a little passé but if that’s what you want, do it. What is most pleasing to my eye, and less distracting from your marble would be to keep a single running bond throughout. Should you prefer to change it up behind the range, the obvious choice is to use the same tile in a different pattern, like a herringbone. But look for images of backsplashes you like before you make any decisions. Good luck!

Many thanks to everyone for their input. It sounds like switching to another pattern is not a great idea. As for using a ”more interesting“ tile, I have brought home seemingly endless samples and I really just prefer the plain white (although finding the right white was a challenge). Between the movement in the countertop, the wood on the island, and an oriental rug in my dining room (relatively open to the kitchen, but not shown in the pictures), there is plenty of “interest” for my taste.

Patricia, in regard to the corbels, I believe some support was required. I originally wanted chunky floor to countertop legs but the kitchen designer talked me out of that and we switched to corbels. I like them, but based on your comment, I’m assuming you don’t. I used less noticeable, metal supports in another house, but I prefer the wood. And either would be seen from the adjacent dining room (which is why I ditched the undercounter power strips).

The final decision I need to make is the grout color. I prefer matching grout, everywhere. My husband wants a contrasting grout. To me, contrasting grout makes all the grout lines jump out. Any advice on this? I can talk my husband into whatever would be best.

vertical tile.... with matching or contrasting grout... and maybe not the horizontal band.

Corvallis Backsplash · More Info

Not in these colors, imagine in all white.....

Small Modern Home · More Info

All white

The Apollo in Crestmont · More Info

entry stair · More Info

Great decisions so far, and I’m sure your grout choice will be just as good. You choose a matching grout if you want to see the tile, and a contrasting grout if you want to see the lines. I would go for white grout here. The star of the space is your counters. Everything else should be quiet, if you know what I mean.

Eam44, thank you so much for all your support. You have great advice and such a positive way of communicating it. I now feel so much more confident in my backsplash selection!

I think you have made an excellent final decision. Pleas post pictures when it is complete.