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Slab island and countertop with different slab backsplash?

5 years ago

I am using slab material for both the island, countertop where range is and then slab for the backsplash above the range/countertop. This is the only countertop in the kitchen and the size is 7' long with a 36" cooktop (2' of counter on each side), while the island is huge (16' x 42"). I am using a black with white veining slab on the island and countertop. For the backsplash, which l will run to the ceiling (72", no upper cabinets) I am thinking of a white statuario marble with clean bold grey veining to add a pop of contrast (keeping the veinign simple so as not to compete with the island and countertop below too much). I see people use different material a lot on the island and countertop, in this case it will be the same. Any view on whether this black/white contrast btw the island, countertop and backsplash works or should the countertop also be in the white Statuario? People seem to do same slab for countertop and backsplash or a tile for the backsplash, do not think I have seen a slab countertop and slab backsplash contrast. A little concerned. Thank you for any feedback.

Comments (27)

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    Two different veining patterns, no matter how subtle, will most likely be clashy and probably very busy.

  • 5 years ago

    Wow! That’s a lot of stone with veins, I think that your backsplash would be competing with your countertops, island.

  • 5 years ago

    Thank you so much for the feedback. So here is the dilemma i guess. I think a huge island, countertop and very high backsplash and hood cover (hood will be covered in same slab stone), all in the same stone, will be a bit monotonous. If I do the 6' backsplash and hood cover in a similar slab it will look like a mistake. So, my thought was to contrast with a clean white stone with crisper, less busy veining. If that is too busy or too much of a contrast the only alternative seems to be a plain white quartz backsplash/hood cover but to have a slab of plain white as the centerpiece of the kitchen going up 6' also seems really bland and would seem to defeat the purpose of no upper cabinets, which wast to create nice focal point. Am I not thinking of a better alternative for the backsplash/hood cover?

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    A slab is just a big flat piece of material. Are you using natural materials like granite, marble, quartzite or man made like quartz, corian? They all come in slabs.

    I have only seen a handful of photos where people used different types of marble slabs for counters and backsplash. Not easy to have it look intentional and good.

  • 5 years ago

    Island and 7' countertop in same quartzite. Backslash in marble.

  • 5 years ago

    I don’t think it would be monotonous at all. But if that idea bothers you, consider doing the island solid. Perimeter and backsplash the same

  • 5 years ago

    Same quartzite slabs on counters and backsplash


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    I know I have one photo saved of different stones being used for counter and backsplash, but can't find it! It really is a hard mix to pull off ...

  • 5 years ago

    Well Chispa, love the pics. Would be really curious to see the pic you can't find of the mixed counter and backsplash. Sounds like a real thread the needle type look when it works.

  • 5 years ago

    I used the same slab for counter and BS. I personally think having two different types of stone with a pattern will be challenging. Only one star in the kitchen.



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  • 5 years ago

    Because the backsplash is vertical the impact will be the highest. As above and at 7' long, it can be dramatic and attractive. That effect, in my mind, should be your primary focus. It's a major opportunity. Can you post pictures of your material?

  • 5 years ago

    Black with white veining will look busy all on it's own - much more than the examples above - so it's even more important to keep it simple. You can use the same slabs for the back splash, but it's not going to look "monotonous" it's going to look dark and very dramatic. Personally, I would consider a solid white tile that matches the veining instead.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Typically when we do a full back splashes in slab material, it is in the same slab as the counters. If you want a contrasting material for the back splash, I would look for something different besides slabs.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    You’re setting up a very expensive clash. Terrible pattern overload.


  • 5 years ago

    You have all been very helpful. Below are pictures of the black/whtie quartzite used not the floor and island and small 7' counter so far (keep in mind 3' of that counter will have a drop in cooktop so really not much counter space on either side. As you can see, a 16'8" island and flooring in the dark stone with brown cabinets and brown ceiling is quite "moody". I was worried it would trend too dark. My thought was for the remaining opening above the countertop (including hood cover) to go with the pictured statuario marble. Very clean white marble with clean simple veining so as not to overpower the rest of the room, while adding a nice bright focal point for some contrast (the whole blk/white kitchen thing). Now i guess I find out if the idea is a rarity that threads Chispa's needle or falls directly into Celadon's pattern disaster . . .






  • 5 years ago


    Here is the interior side of the kitchen btw counter and island.

  • 5 years ago


    Messed up last pic.

  • 5 years ago

    Especially since you've done the floors as well, I think you're better off with something solid and light with no veining at all - either a large tile with the same colored grout, or maybe stainless steel.

  • 5 years ago

    Agree with calidesign, something simple, plain for the backsplash.

  • 5 years ago

    Hi, just wondering what your experiece has been with your honed quartize after applying the Tenex Ager enhancer/sealer? Any staining?

  • 5 years ago

    Can’t believe it myself but still not done with construction. Stone covered up. Hoping to be done in the next 60 days and then more than happy to report back.

  • 4 years ago

    @HU-6868130 what did you land up with for your backsplash? Would love to see a picture.

  • 4 years ago

    Hey, looking at the dates above makes me realize how delayed this all got. Everything is covered now as we are refinishing the floors over the next two weeks (leak ruined a section of flooring, was engineered and the company that made it went out of business so need to refinish ALL floors so they match — ugh). Anyway, will paint after that and then be done. Happy to post pics in late late April when all done — though based on above feedback it might be hard to face the jury . . .

    Take care.

  • 3 years ago

    Would love to see what you did! That marble is really gorgeous, I see why you loved it so much. I’m sure it turned out dramatic and beautiful :)

  • 3 years ago

    Wow! It’s beautiful, I love the floor and countertops!
    Well done, thank you for showing the final!

    HU-6868130 thanked Poorgirl
  • 3 years ago

    Super! A beautiful transformation. I think you tackled this challenge while having the stars share the stage. Nice combinations.

  • 3 years ago

    I think it looks amazing! Well done! I love how different it is from all the boring white kitchens we see everywhere. You took a risk and it paid off!