Here’s one idea…https://www.houzz.com/magazine/reinvent-it-street-signs-become-a-lively-kitchen-backsplash-stsetivw-vs~10462788

How about washable wall paper?

Or decals.

Since your kitchen is dark, I would go with just the tin tiles. Not painted. I think it would look great in an old home like yours.

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why don't you just continue w/the board and batten? they shouldn't be too difficult to install.

Or, get the inexpensive white subway tiles and install it directly to that wall. lots of tutorials on line to guide you.

or, do these 4x4 plain white tiles. these would be easy to install. just do the math to properly line up your tiles, (laser level) and take your time laying them.

or, some type of beadboard or nickel-gap panels.

The used the V-groove panels for this look

https://www.yellowbrickhome.com/our-diy-beadboard-shelves-backsplash/

beadboard:

https://blog.jennysteffens.com/the-kitchen-dyi-remodel-new-open

I don't think plastic looking tin tiles is the answer.

I think this would look better.

make your own shelving to go on either side.

What if you did the area w/a skimcoat of finishing compound, smoothed it out, and then stenciled a design to look like tiles?

I like your idea of tin tiles, but since it has to be glued on and costs about $500, I might go with a waterproof, removable wallpaper or tile with the idea of waiting for a more beautiful and permanent backsplash when budget allows.

You did the whole kitchen yourself and you’re afraid to tile the backsplash? No way! You are amazing! Go to a discount tile place and buy tiles, use the tutorial that @Beth H suggested and finish your gorgeous kitchen!! I’m impressed by what you’ve already done.

If tiling seems like too much work, a vinyl wallpaper, board and batten or beadboard might be the easiest solution. Just make sure to paint the beadboard with a washable paint.

I love your new kitchen!

Great Ideas, thank you for the input!

Since the whole house is 110% wood lol, we were trying to move away from wood in general but some of those do look nice. Beth, the bead type panels would probably work but wood is $$ right now and the cedar planks are about $60 a pop so I wouldn't be able to match that. While the all-white looks great I still think the wood surfaces need to be broken up. That wall is the only wall that isn't wood.

For background, I painted the knotty pine tongue and groove walls white ("butter creme" or somesuch). Same with the rough-cut knotty cedar plank wall. Originally, the whole interior looked like the ceiling still does. So, we were really trying to liven the place up with a different material without getting too modern. But of course, sometimes you embrace what you've got.

We will be installing shelving where we can on that wall, including some creative (out of necessity) shelving in that corner with the beam. I will make the shelves. Likely out of wood reclaimed from elsewhere in the house. I am framing the interior sill of the window with refinished planks from flooring I pulled up.

There will be a hood* above the range (TBD) so that will break up the big wall but also potentially make it a bit crowded in the corner.

We really need the shelf space though, as having only lower cabinets really limits storage. I like the look of the unpainted tin but was afraid it would be too overwhelming and/or too contrasting but I will think on that some more.

When we were thinking about just painting, we dabbled with something bolder, e.g. blue or sage green on the wall too since our cabinets are kind of utilitarian grey so I guess that is still on the table if we go with some kind of wallpaper or other material. I just don't know how level and finished the wall needs to be in order to take to some of those.

The peel-n-stick stuff I have seen is actually quite expensive for a large area and it gets poor reviews. Likely installer error, but still.

And because I had to remove the old cabinets and wallpaper due to water damage, mouse infestation, and mold, I ended up jumping the gun and cleaned and kilz primed the whole wall so there is a school of thought that says that mud won't adhere correctly now.

*We are debating basic stainless hood or just buying the guts of a hood and building a custom enclosure out of reclaimed wood, painted white to match.

I like the subway tile look. Really most tile. But I am pretty exhausted and just don't know if I want to learn tile right now. Ha.

I will look into the removable wallpaper. Again, not sure what condition the wall must be in to acquire a good bond and look.

You've accomplished a lot! Don't forget to consider flammability since the stove is on this wall. You may be in a rural location and not concerned with codes and inspections, but please make safe choices.

You mentioned "buttercream" paint and have grey cabinets, so finding a tile that can bridge the warm and cool shades may take some looking. The unpainted tin might be a good choice. Hope you have the chance to bring home some samples. Good luck!

When you can get around to it, refit those lower cabinet shelves with drawers; here's why.

they make the beadboard in a pvc material, or an MDF material. could be cheaper than the wood version. And you can always paint the material any color you like.

Another option is to buy a 4x8 sheet of plywood and cut the boards yourself. paint (or stain). it's cheaper than buying pre-cut ship lap or V-groove.

If you're near a big city, check on Craigslist or offer-up for people selling leftover wood flooring(you could use it like a shiplap and paint it.), left over tile, left over wood pieces, etc. I've scored big time buying materials from those sites.

Beadboard isn't that expensive. you could install it, paint it white (it comes pre-primed in the white) or whatever color you like.

as for wallpaper, buy a thin piece of luan and glue or stick the wallpaper to that.

I mentioned taking some drywall compound and skimcoating that wall yourself. then you could paint.

On mine we installed this greenboard and skim coated it w/drywall compound. I lived w/this for a year before I decided on tile!

You could always skim coat it, smooth and sand it, prime and paint the stencils over it to hold you over until you can tile later on down the road.

In any case, $500 is plenty to do any of the things I've mentioned. you just have to know how to shop.

So after using the tin panels elsewhere in the house I decided I didnt like working with them on such a large format I ended up rebuilding the entire drywall on the kitchen wall. With a mostly level surface I installed 3”x12” ceramic tiles which took forever.

installed a basic wall vented hood, total pita!, track lights with h track mounted pendents and three big old barn lights in walll sconces i wired when i demod the wall.

I was also able to mount floating shelf brackets to the studs to make the tile cuts easier and avoid having to drill thru tile to mount after.

The shelves are just 2”x10”x8’ joists i cut down and finished. window casing is wood i reclaimed from the old floor i had to pull up.

Didn’t like the long grey skin on the cabinets so used rough hewn cedar planks I pulled off walls downstairs then painted and trimmed to match the back wall.

Still some tweaks but finally its done! lots of good info and advice from folks here that helped me out, thanks!

It’s beautiful!!! Great job and I love how you repurposed materials you already had! We’ll done!! TFS the end result…enjoy!

Looks terrific! Love the green tile.