Kitchen Backsplash/Countertops

last year

Hello! We are in the middle of a kitchen remodel. My current question is about what to do in the area under some corner windows. I'm attaching some photos as I'm having trouble wording this correctly (true renovation novice here)! For context, this is a renovation in the Northeast for a home built in 1905.

Based on the height of our countertops (which need to be where they are because of the range specs) as well as the height of our windows (which were laid out to line up with an adjacent sliding door), we have an area in between the counter and the window that will be a tiny bit bigger than 4". We are planning on tiling the entire half of the kitchen where the cabinets and countertops are and had been choosing between two tiles, both of which we really like: a 4"x4" (https://www.marazziusa.com/products/wall/zellige-neo/gesso) and a 2.5"x5" (https://www.wowdesigneu.com/collection/fez/), both white with some undulation and some variation between tiles.

In talking to our GC, there are basically three options for this space:

Choose the 4"x4" tile. Pros: one row of tile fits perfectly in this space. Cons: maybe none? The opposite side of the kitchen has a brick chimney, so I liked the idea of a brick lay with the 2.5x5 to nod to that, though we could certainly also brick lay the 4"x4".
Run the countertop up the window sill (or even include the sill as countertop). (Countertop is quartz Mirragio Cove.) Pros: easier maintenance. Cons: our KD doesn't like this idea aesthetically. I'm not sure why and think it could look nice? If we did this, I'm not sure whether it makes sense to extend that 4" strip around the entire kitchen or just do the area under the windows.
Choose the 2.5" tile and have a wooden apron under the windowsill so that one row of tile would fit. Pros: traditional look that fits with the house. Cons: I worry this will be a) busy and b) higher maintenance.

Thoughts? Anything I'm missing? We can certainly push this a little further down the road if we choose option 1 or 3, but the countertops are getting templated tomorrow so time is running out for option 2.

Sorry for the long post!!!

Initial plan:

What things look like currently:

Cabinet, counter, hardware, and the 2.5x5 tile:

FWIW, chimney on the other side:

Floor plan:

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Diana Bier Interiors, LLC

last year

I have 5 windows in my kitchen all placed about 3-4" above the counter top. We used a 2x6 backsplash tile. Do you really notice that there isn't a full tile between the sill and the counter? It's kind of a non-problem, if you really like the tile, which I think goes very well in an old home.

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Comments (14)

AnnKH
last year
If you choose granite or quartzite for your counter, you can use the same material as your backsplash.
Wild West
last year
I personally like using your countertop.

It looks more sophisticated.
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A G
Original Author
last year
@AnnKH yes, this is what I mean by option 2, which I believe we can do with the quartz we’ve already chosen (unless I’m missing something — please tell me if so!). I still want some tile because a) I don’t like that look aesthetically for very large spaces and b) cost wise, it’s a big enough space (65 sq ft) that continuing the countertop material for the entire backsplash would be far far more expensive than tile.
PRO
mary7149
last year
The kitchen backsplash can be made of large tiles or quartz, which will look better in white.
anj_p
last year
last modified: last year
I would not want to do #2 unless you did a strip around the whole kitchen and didn't add another backsplash. Also, be aware that quartz can scorch if subjected to heat, so you may not want to run that behind your range (you may not have room to do it anyway - usually ranges have clearance requirements at the back so you'd have to check your specs).

If you decide on tile, wait until you can get a large sample in your space and see it with your counter installed.

ETA also at this point I think you've gone too far to use the full slab as backsplash anyway. That needs support in the wall.
dan1888
last year
When you calculate the cost of tiling the space it includes the labor cost including grouting. If you use slab, that labor is greatly reduced or eliminated if the counter guys do the install. At least the cost of using a separate contractor is gone. Quartzite is all natural stone. And super hard. Quartz is 66% quartz and 34% resin. That's why a hot pan will scorch it.
PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
last year
There's another option--use the 2.5" tile under the window without an apron. You use a full tile where the tile sits on the counter top and a partial tile above it. No one will notice the partial tile, as it will be blocked out by the window sill.
wdccruise
last year
Lots of photos show the Fez tile installed vertically. If you did that, you could cut 2.5x5 tiles to 2.5x4 to fit under the window stool and use full, 2.5x5 tiles on either side of the window. Of course, you'd have a row of 2.5-wide tiles under the window stool which you may not like.
PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
last year
That layout above looks fairly modern to me, and the OP has a home dating from 1905. I believe she wants to honor the period in which the house was built. I think either the 2.5x5 or the 4" square installed offset would be a traditional way to lay the tile.
A G
Original Author
last year
Wow, this is all SO helpful!! Thank you all. Diana, those pictures seal it for me — you’re totally right that we could just do the 2.5 with no apron. And all of these convinced me not to do the counter up to the sill.

I think we’ll wait for final tile decision until the counters go in but this is so helpful to rule out the quartz option!! Thank you all again!
wdccruise
last year
Diana Bier Interiors, "That layout above looks fairly modern to me, and the OP has a home dating from 1905."

Well, the house may have been built in 1905 but the kitchen pictured in the first photo looks quite modern.
PRO
Diana Bier Interiors, LLC
last year
Yes, it does, but that's just a rendering. It all depends on what A G wants--a traditional look or a modern look.

And A G, most of the time you can wait until everything is in place before you select and install a backsplash. My kitchen was completed and I used it for about 8 months before I got around to getting the backsplash installed! The shoemaker's kids...
A G
Original Author
last year
All so helpful. Yes, rendering more modern than what we hope it looks like IRL. Thank you again!