Kitchen backsplash/color advice?

2 years ago

Good morning! I would love input from you experts! 🤞🏻

When we built our house 5 years ago I made the mistake of getting the antique white cabinets (countryside divinity) instead of the white that was one shade down from a bright white. We had trouble picking out granite to match, yet I think made the problem worse by picking black. Now we have black granite and cabinets that pull a lot of yellow and I do not like it at all.

My husband and I want to finish the backsplash, and ideally would love to find something that makes this all pull together (and maybe even look purposeful?). We have been on the tile hunt for 6+months and have had a heck of a time. We are now thinking a stone look may be better (some options are in the pictures attached).

Otherwise we have discussed painting the cabinets a lighter white/macadamia color, or removing the granite and subbing for a light quartz to brighten everything up (though we don’t want to have the original problem we found of having white quartz with yellow-ish cabinets).

This combination has given me a heck of a time painting as well. We had a light green/blue color on the walls and removed that to paint the walls to match the cabinets. That didn’t help much but did make things more neutral to start fresh. I love color!! It just make the cabinets look more yellow with the blue/green on there.

We are open to any and all suggestions! At this point I’m just stuck and I’m decision fatigue mode! I’ve attached a poll but any extra advice - feel free! I’ll take all I can get!

Remove the granite and find a lighter quartz by

Paint the cabinets

A backsplash can tie this all together

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Comments (11)

chispa
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Do not do any of those stones on the backsplash! It does not add anything to your kitchen and is a terrible material to use behind a stove.

I think first, you need to address your lighting. The kitchen feels dimly lit and drab. I would check if the LED light are at minimum 3500K. Some here will suggest you go higher on the Kelvin., so you might need to test in your space. Also make sure they have high lumens and CRI over 90. This space might need more lighting overall.

Was this photo taken at night? Can you take a daytime photo too?
AJ
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you for your input! This is during the day. It does look dim - which might be a little bit of the picture but also a little bit because I have the can lighting on the closest warm to cool, not sure what kelvin but I can look! Once it’s cool the light is so bright blue it bothers my eyes a bit - but maybe I could add more lighting a different way. Not a huge fan of the cans!
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wsea
2 years ago
Your cans look like they are in the wrong place which might be one reason you dont like them. from the photos they look like they are directly over your aisles instead of the countertops. That creates shadows and renders them pretty useless.
Maureen
2 years ago
You really don’t have that much wall space that a colored backsplash will make much of a difference (I like the walls the same color as cabinetry, so space doesn’t feel broken up). First thing I’d do is look into the lighting, per above advice and suggest large black, island lightening; hung lower and there will now be a connection to the counters. If you want color, consider a runner and new island seating.

In regards to the backsplash, I’d try to find the same undertone and use an interesting tile or pattern. If you know paint color, get a chip and bring with you.
AJ
Original Author
2 years ago
Maureen - I love that first tile that looks almost clay like - did you get that from a specific site?
Maureen
2 years ago
Unfortunately no link. Found this picture which is similar and perhaps its name helps.

This company might carry something similar.

https://www.cletile.com/products/fornace-brioni-listello-cotto-rosato?epik=dj0yJnU9YnQtRTZkLTVGUHBqX1FiTXZVMTRjWE9ReUdqYnVGdGwmcD0wJm49NHR6TjhwWVh2eHhNbXBDZnkwdHlnQSZ0PUFBQUFBR1ZGTWtV&utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&sku=T31060
coray
2 years ago
Do not use stone! I was in a similar situation years ago and chose a 4x4” tumbled slate as backs….big mistake! You can’t clean it, it tears your sponges apart etc, it’s very impractical. We ended up replacing it. I like Maureen’s examples.
catspa_zone9sunset14
2 years ago
Montauk Gin tile is available from Tilebar, comes in several colors: https://www.tilebar.com/montauk-gin-2x8-ceramic-wall-tile-satin.html
AJ
Original Author
2 years ago
This is so helpful. I appreciate all of you!!!!!
chispa
2 years ago
That tile is also sold under the name SOHO Studio - Myorka - White.
AJ
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you!