if you want a finished edge, you're going to need either a schluter® edging or a jolly of some brand. Have you looked at other tile options that DO have an edge tile?

I just haven't found any that I like as much as the Zellige. I'm open to suggestions though.

If you aren't up to a metal or plastic trim edge to finish Zellige tile, in your case, you might have a woodworker create a wood trim piece similar to the trim edge on your cabinet to finish the edge. You can also caulk the edge and paint it to match your wall color.

I might caulk the verticle end, and add a slim wood trim for the horizontal.

it's really just a personal choice. I am guessing only you will notice, once it's all finished.

That's a good idea, I hadn't thought of that. Thank you, Lyn.

Some tile companies also give the option of ordering tile with glazed edges.

A really good tile person might be able to miter the edges to give you finished sides.

Here you go, a previous discussion on the same topic with photos of mitered tile on backsplash edge. Lot of info on these forums if you search!

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6472277/tile-edge-detail-options-schulter-mitered-return-or-#n=8

You either have a tile pro adept at miter.....or

Caulk/Paint the exposed edge as the wall color. Using wall color, eliminates the "which white" decision, it will disappear, and do not stare with a microscope as nobody else will, either.. It isn't a "perfect" tile, that is the charm and look, and you don't need"perfection" in the edge.

Most sites for the tile suggest miter or Schluter, (always seems too tidy for the tile), but that is me. The use of the material means you embrace the imperfection inherent in handmade, or you select another tile. You're agonizing on what would seem less than a total of two linear feet total.......and this?

Not the easiest cleaning tile for a kitchen ........." that's first. Especially behind a range.: )

That little hunk of exposed counter (back), make me insane, like a riser cut too short of its edge.,lol

I spoke to my installer, and he said the same thing, Diana. So, we will have one vertical line and one horizontal line exposed that I need to figure out how to finish out. As pointed out, it's not much, so I'm not too worried about it, I just want to make the best choice.

I agree that the Schluter is too tidy for Zellige. I'd rather caulk the edge and paint it to match the wall. My installer also suggested I consider a marble pencil trim for the edges. My countertops will be Shadow Storm dolomite, so I think that could coordinate nicely.

I agree, Jan, I wish the upper cabinets were flush with the countertop, but alas, they aren't. As you can see, this a kitchen I am remodeling, I did not build it from scratch, so I'm working with what I have. The cooktop is on the island, and there is plenty of food prep space on the peninsula, so cleaning won't be a huge concern.

No upper is EVER, ever flush with counter top overhang below, unless in a plan, you widen the width of the upper by an inch. That's the amount of protection to the side skin on the base cabinet.

It would always take you out of3" increment in "standard" size upper cabinet.

Nobody does that : )

OK, so when you say, "That little hunk of exposed counter (back), make me insane," what is the solution?

Look at the faux zellige line from Marazzi, Zellige Neo. It's more uniform in size, and easier to install. It also has ceramic Jolly that match, to finish off the raw edge.

Your far larger concern than tile, which I would NOT select until post install of counters"

The slab has lot of movement , in a kitchen with turns and a peninsula?

You get with the fabricator and stone yard now,and the layout and make sure you have all seams and layout figured out.

Then.......you are home at the actual template, and you see this all at the fabricator before cut and polish.

You are worrying on the wrong thing, and too soon.

I have the countertops taken care of. I have a very meticulous fabricator and I have worked with him to figure out the appropriate layout and seam placement. I am happy with how it will look, and I like the movement of this beautiful stone. I am using multiple slabs with a bookmatch available to make the one corner piece (where there will be a sink anyway) work.

I don't want to live without drywall and backsplash tile any longer than necessary, which is why I'm trying to figure out my tile plans now. I disagree that it is too soon to start thinking about these small details, because they might affect my tile choices. Zellige tile is handmade and not always in stock, so I want to get ahead of the game if that is what I'm going to select, because there could be a long lead time. And I need to consider these types of details to make an appropriate tile selection. I will not make any final decisions about backsplash until the countertops are installed. I just want to be prepared with samples ahead of time. Not that I need to justify my process to you. I was simply asking for advice on how to finish the edges, and I have received some helpful input. Thank you.

Update on my backsplash:

My countertops have been installed! Due to some hiccups along the way not worth explaining, I had to choose a different slab, and fortunately found one that I liked much better. This is another Brazilian marble called Tesoro Bianco. Before anyone comments - I KNOW the recessed light bulbs are different colors. We will soon be changing the fixtures to LED.

For the backsplash, I ordered 4x4 Zellige tile from Riad in Snow White. Rather than trim, I think I am going to have my installer just caulk the edges and I will paint them to match the walls. He also suggested using a piece of marble pencil trim.

Now, to decide a grout color... thoughts? Should I try to match the tile and go pure white? Or do a subtle contrast with perhaps a warm gray? Has anyone used this tile (or Zia in Pure White) and can show me what color grout they used? (the tile I'm using is the two samples on the right in the picture below)

Beautiful kitchen! I think either white or a light gray will work fine. If it's a true zelige tile, there won't be much grout showing.

Thank you, Diana. It is true Zellige, so that's a good point.

Just a question--why wasn't the drywall completed before the cabinets were installed?

The cabinets aren’t new. I had them refinished. Then I had the backsplash and old countertops removed and the outlets/switches moved underneath the cabinets. My tile installer wants to do the drywall himself to ensure it is to his liking.

This is the before:

Wow, what a transformation--looks so good! Closing up that opening over the sink was a great idea.

Such a pretty kitchen - love those green cabs!

Thank you :)

Hi! I have Z tile in four areas in my home - kitchen, master shower, guest shower and bar. I too hated the idea of schluter until my installer cut himself deeply on the Zellige edge without any force. The fear then became someone brushing up against it and cutting themselves, as well. I’m a detail oriented person and was concerned I would hyper focus on the schluter … I dont! I can share pics if you are interested. :)

I’d love a pic! Thank you!!

I really, really dislike schluter. I know a designer who puts in her contract that she won't use schluter. So I like your idea of caulking. The Riad website shows a couple of ways people have finished that tile. Your kitchen is beautiful!

Thank you! My gut says no Schluter, especially since it’s such a small area (less than 2 ft total)

Your kitchen is gorgeous! Love the green. With Zellige tiles, it’s going to be even more beautiful.

Can your tile person do samples of the tiles with both colors of grout? I would lean towards pale gray but want to see how white looks too.

Nobody is going to cut themselves on that tiny amount of exposed edge on a wall! I'd just do white grout, and caulk.