Beautiful inspiration photos!

I prefer your gut instinct and option 1.

I am seeing a lot of posts about the heat ruining quartz backsplash. It’s definitely making me reconsider my choices. It just looks so good 😩

I had Silestone BS for 10 years with no problems. My range had a controls at the back though, so that may have made the difference. My problem was the installer used the countertop thickness, not a thinner piece, so the range stuck out 1/2" too far.

Glad to hear you have had no issues! It seems like it’s all about range installation. I am getting a bertazzoni range. Not sure if they have that. I should definitely do some research on that.

I think the tile looks better behind the range.

If you want something different, then do an accent (the pictures I show are just examples, not suggestions of which tile you should use)

this may be enough clearance so that it doesn't scorch. (but if you don't use those back burners, I wouldn't even worry about it)

instead of a subway, us a cement tile for the entire wall

I like the ones w/the niche

this isn't for everyone, but it's an eye-catcher. obviously not for the kitchen you're doing

IMO unless you have huge Tuscan kitchen a fancy accent tile behind the stove is not good. BTW that Tuscan kitchen should also be in Tuscany. I d agree quartz is not a good choice for behind a cooking appliance.Is tah granite you are using for a counter?

none of what I showed was 'fancy'. I showed options. diff options. I never said, "Use this tile as an accent" I show options so people can get ideas of what else is out there

why shouldn't OP do either one of those kitchens if she's not in Tuscany?

She also showed you a picture of the countertop she's using. It's plainly visible as quartz

I'm a slob so I like a stainless backsplash like in a 50's diner, then you never have to worry about the mess.

There was an episode of This Old House where they showed a home that had installed a dark antique fireback behind the stove.

That looked really cool.

But here's a question for you Ash D and you other cognoscenti.

I though that the vent hood is supposed to extend a few inches beyond the cook top on each side.

Is that not true any more?

Cognoscenti --> I learned a new word today.

I'm not a fan of the countertop material as a backsplash, be it quartz or granite or whatever. I think tile looks better, even something simple like a solid color subway if you don't want to do an accent behind the stove (which, for the record, I happen to think can look terrific).

@loobab: The hood system is supposed to capture and contain. To capture it has to overlap rising and expanding cooking plumes. While these can be somewhat constrained by the wall behind, and cabinets on the sides, it is best to aim for overlap all around. This requires that the contour of all possible pans and pots grow with height above the cooktop at the plume expansion angle. We might use 10 degrees from vertical for this angle. Hence the same capture efficiency at height2 greater than height1 will require a larger hood. Where cross drafts are common, an even larger capture area may be required.

As an approximation to all this, for hoods not higher than 36 inches, overlapping the range (not the pans) by 3 inches all around is deemed reasonable. It is, however, up to the customer to determine his or her best trade among performance, cost, and aesthetics. 'Good enough' is also a personal choice.

@Ash D I'm also doing a bertazzoni range (pro 36 dual fuel) with MSI quartz backsplash. Did you find any more info about the safety/chance of discoloration?

I ended up using a tile instead of the quartz and am happy with how it came out! I still love the look of quartz backsplash.. just didn’t want to risk it

That's a gorgeous design @Ash D! I may have to make changes.

Thank you!!!

So many beautiful materials, but that herringbone floor has set my heart aflutter :)

None of the images I just saw reviewing this thread had back guards on the ranges. This means: (a) All the ranges or cooktops have no spacing requirements from combustible materials, or (b) the walls are non-combustible through their entire depths, or (c) the fire safety requirements of the IMC are being violated.

I reiterate: An installation manual's requirement for distance to combustibles when their specified back guard is not used (island trim) does not go away with having a non-combustible material such as tile cemented to the combustible wall. The issue in the wall is heat driving moisture and resins out of the wood such that its fire rating drops to negligible.

Even though the thread is 3 years old, your idea of using quartz for the range backsplash is still timeless and elegant. Pairing it with tiles for the walls adds a classic touch to your kitchen design.

Considering your interest in quartz and elegant finishes, you might want to explore options from an artificial marble factory for other parts of your kitchen. This company offers a variety of artificial marble products that could complement your quartz backsplash beautifully, even after a few years.

It's great to see how your design ideas have evolved over time.