Backsplash -"Transitional Kitchen" -Farm Stainless Sink Backsplash?

12 years ago

I'm going to have a "Transitional" style kitchen. Dark Espresso Cabinets and White counter tops. There will be an island/peninsula that has a range and island hood. The sink is against the wall where a lot of people put there Ranges/Oven/hood. Also I have a stainless steel farmhouse sink
Simlar to this kitchen SETUP in Photo #1:

I was wondering about backsplashes. I was thinking something white or light for the majority of the backsplash like white marble, light travertine or white subway tile. Then in the middle where the sink is against the wall I would put a stainless steel decorative square with tile all the way to ceiling like this photo #2:

Or similar to photo #3.

I was wondering what you all thought or any other ideas or critiques? Do you think if I had the stainless steel all the way up like in photo #3 that could look good or bad with the stainless steel farm-style sink?

THANKS SO MUCH!

Featured Answer

Darzy

12 years ago

last modified: 12 years ago

I think your kitchen will look fabulous. But, I really need to tell you that a couple of fab designers here on Houzz said they installed a stainless farmhouse sink and they HATE it. A no holds barred really hate comment! I guess it is hard to keep it looking beautiful.
It would be "safer" to do a beautiful under mount sink.

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Comments (31)

intelinside1
Original Author
12 years ago
this is another example of the decorative square that would go against the backsplash above the stainless steel farm house sink. It's either this or a full stainless brick pattern all the way to ceiling.
PRO
Decor Team
12 years ago
I think that the tile in the third photo is gorgeous. I think that it will be the showcase of your kitchen.
intelinside1 thanked Decor Team
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intelinside1
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks yeah I like that. I am thinking of doing the stainless steel over my sink all the way to the ceiling, then glass tile, ceramic white, or a white marble for the rest of the backsplash.
User
12 years ago
Can you post photos of your sample finishes, or any bits that are finished in your kitchen?
intelinside1 thanked User
intelinside1
Original Author
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
hehehe!

well the cabinets aren't up yet all i have is this so far. You can see the stainless farmhouse sink is against the wall. That wall with the sink, I was thinking of putting a stainless steel backsplash all the way to the top.

(also the island will have a 12 inch overhang to the bottom and right so it's larger in the 2nd picture):
intelinside1
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks Darzy!
Do you know what their issues were? Do they damage easily-ding and scratch ? ORis it more a problem with finger prints/dirty/cleanliness?

BTW I really appreciate the help from everyone I have been learning TONS here
Darzy
12 years ago
I tried to search "hate stainless farmhouse sink" in discussions but couldn't find right off to see exactly what it was. Maybe you could do a new discussion "Do you like your stainless farmhouse sink?" and see the reactions.
intelinside1 thanked Darzy
PRO
Sustainable Dwellings
12 years ago
Love the kitchen #3! I opted for a deep single stainless undermount... I am so much happier than with a farm sink (My original plan). I did have the cabinet built out (6") with fluted columns. You will actually get more bang for your buck that way...
intelinside1 thanked Sustainable Dwellings
dclostboy
12 years ago
I don't know what people are doing with their sinks and dirty backsplashes on here...I love my stainless farmhouse sink...even switched from a fireclay farmhouse to get it. I use it daily, bathe my dogs in it and have the maid clean / polish it every other week. Looks and works fab!
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intelinside1
Original Author
12 years ago
Haha thanks! Yeah I like idea of fluted sustain. but I think I'm gonna keep the farmhouse sink. Still not 100% on it though....

dclost I have a dog too and I plan on washing him in my huge farmhouse sink
feeny
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
I think the issues with stainless farmhouse sinks were scratching and smudging. I don't have one, so this is just based on other houzz discussions. If I had a kitchen with espresso cabinetry I'd model it on the first photo--white counters, white or near white backsplash. Light and simple. If you use subway tile stack it (rather than staggering it in a brick pattern). It looks more stylistically consistent with a modern/transitional kitchen that way. I dislike the busy backsplash in photo two, which also makes the kitchen look too dark. The photo of kitchen three, which everyone seems to like, is a white kitchen so not really relevant for visualizing your situation. But in general I think a backsplash that isn't broken up like that one would be be preferable.
intelinside1 thanked feeny
intelinside1
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for advice .

Yes white/light counters and backsplash! I don't really like the look of stacking it. I know I've seen it common in the modern/transitional kitchens as you said feeny. I think I like photo 3 as well. Do you think the photo 3 tiles could look good in the espresso cabinet kitchen?

They're installing the espresso shaker cabinets now so no going back on that hehehe!!

Any other advice appreciated.
feeny
12 years ago
I love the brick pattern subway tiles (and have them in my vintage kitchen), but I associate the stacked layout with a more modern/transitional design. But with the more modern glass tiles like in the third photo I think the staggered layout could look great with your cabinets.
intelinside1 thanked feeny
Ashley D
12 years ago
For my taste, that would be too much stainless. I'd go with the white backsplash with no stainless.
intelinside1 thanked Ashley D
intelinside1
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks yeah I think I might do a staggered glass tile like third. I like the staggered look. Also I don't like that typical mosaic glass tile much that u see in a lot of newer kitchens. I prefer the staggered retro look

Do u think it would clash too much if I out in a natural stone like white Carrera marble staggered through whole kitchen then did a backsplash against the sink all the way to ceiling?

I don't have a window in my kitchen so I felt that light surfaces or the shiny reflective stainless steel surface might suit me.

I kinda like a little glam or shiny thing that pops out. But I also don't want it to look cheap or cheesy
intelinside1
Original Author
12 years ago
Here are a couple more examples of possible backsplashes. Please let me know what ya'll think!! :)
grobby
12 years ago
@ dclostboy. Key here is " maid." Way to go! I find stainless in anything requires frequent wiping to keep it looking good, but I always go for the beauty, always have. Can't figure myself out, Lol
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feeny
12 years ago
Keep it very simple and very light colored and you won't go wrong.
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User
12 years ago
Marble stains easily.
intelinside1 thanked User
indianpatti
12 years ago
I have espresso cabinets with white granite ... chose a backpainted glass for my backsplash and I love it! Reflects a lot of light and is super easy to clean.

Without a maid, I would not recommend the stainless farmhouse sink. I have a dark granite sink and never have to scrub it.

I too have a little dog .. we bathe her in the laundry tub.
intelinside1 thanked indianpatti
PRO
The Restored Homestead, LLC
12 years ago
For some WOW factor, go stainless back splash... enlarge the light shades (maybe stainless) and get more silver on the stools.
intelinside1 thanked The Restored Homestead, LLC
intelinside1
Original Author
12 years ago
indian, I like the backpainted glass. It pops out and seems to brighten your kitchen. Yeah maybe the white carrera marble wouldn't go well with the stainless. Maybe I will go with that throughout the kitchen and then do the stainless just above the sink.

I guess I will be doing a lot of cleaning because I bought the stainless steel farmhouse sink about 3 months ago before I even started my kitchen reno, LOL!

I was thinking similar to this picture
intelinside1
Original Author
12 years ago
these were options for statement backsplash above sink. what do you think of White ledger backsplash too?? Critiques are also welcome
intelinside1
Original Author
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Most of the cabinets arrived. Here's an updated pic. They are very dark! but I'm happy with that. They aren't arranged yet. I was thinking of having no upper cabinets above the sink. The range will be where the island is on left

I also don't have a window in the kitchen because it's a condo. Which is one of the reasons why i wanted a semi-reflective sink backsplashlike glass or stainless steel

There's also going to be the island in the left. Right now there is just a plywood 'table' where the island will be
intelinside1
Original Author
12 years ago
pic
dclostboy
12 years ago
@grobby, it's just me and the dogs in a 7 bedroom house...more economical to outsource cleaning and dog walking.
intelinside1 thanked dclostboy
intelinside1
Original Author
12 years ago
Does anyone know what type of grout to use with a glass backsplash? How about for about for a stainless steel backsplash? If I got a off white would I get white rout or a grout to match the tile.
intelinside1
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks I'll be posting some more updates. The cabinets are very dark almost black. I'm still debating with the backsplash!
aky3
11 years ago
Have you considered darker coloured tiles? I know something white or light is the obvious choice, but I recently used grey in my backsplash reno (granted I have lighter coloured cabinets), and I'm just in love with the idea. I think I would have become bored by now if I had used light-coloured tiles. I think a grey (matte) glass tile would work with dark espresso cabinets and white counter. The arrangement of the tile, and the decision to go dark or light with the grout will determine your overall outcome of wanting a "transitional look". Good luck.
Xty G (z4)
10 years ago
Curious to see your finished pictures if you are there yet.