Wallpaper Wednesday- Elizabeth's Kitchen

Hi Christine! It's Elizabeth N. from Ohio. I'm a longtime reader of your blog, and a huge fan. I am finally putting aside my shy apprehension and coming to you seeking help in my kitchen.

We recently renovated the space and bought new cabinets and appliances. While there are a couple of things I would have done differently, I'm generally quite pleased with it. But now I'm stumped on three final decisions: (1) pendant lighting over the island, (2) backsplash, and (3) window treatments. I could use your help.

I love to cook, and in all honesty, I thought I was renovating the kitchen to give me better cooking space and to help us stay organized with our after-school paperwork. However, now that we've spent so much $$, I'll admit that I want some wow factor there. I want a kitchen that is stunning. I want to love it every day. I want to turn heads at parties. I want to hear 4-letter words under the breaths of even the most stalwart non-swearers. You get what I'm saying? I don't want a stale room that lacks visual interest.

That brings us to the backsplash: I love simplicity and my husband loves drama. I like white subway tile with a heavy bevel and gray grout. My husband says, "Great but you have all this space behind the range. What are you going to put there? Oh please don't make this boring..." I had thought about a field of stainless behind the range (with a shelf), but I ditched that because I don't want to keep it *that* spotless. A tile shop owner suggested white subways with tiny glass multicolored subways in a line through the middle of the backsplash, going up and around the range area in a rectangular formation. I think that's nice, but I don't think it's the look I'm going for. I don't want it to be fussy-looking, or forced, or glitzy-weird. I can't stand "froof." Any thoughts on this or the other two areas of indecision? Can this marriage be saved?

Thank you, Christine!

Hi Elizabeth-

Are you the Elizabeth that comments and gets my sense of humor?  If you are- then I wanted to say- thanks for laughing at my jokes.  ;-) 

I will try to be especially thorough in my response as a thank you.  I with I had read your e-mail sooner- and I would have been both thorough and fast.  But it's too late for that....

We will start with your backsplash.  First of all- your kitchen is really lovely.  You are doing a fantastic job.  I like the idea of a subway tile backsplash.  It is uniquely timeless.  Beware of trendy in something as permanent as a backsplash.  

I also like your idea of a subway tile that has a deep bevel and gray grout.  Also look at tiles that are hand-made.  The imperfect nature to them is really great.  The photo below is a handmade tile, the photo above is a machine made tile.

I would have to agree with you and disagree with your husband. When I look at the kitchen above- I don't think it needs anything over the cooktop- and that cooktop is much larger than yours.  The rectangular designs above a cooktop are called picture frames.  Picture frames look better and are more appropriate with larger spaces.  It is one of those things that people will see in a magazine over a 48 inch cooktop and try to imitate above their 30 inch cooktop- and wonder why the effect is so entirely different.    But- let's say we want to humor him. 

1.  You could change the material from a white tile to a Carrara marble.  This gives the room more of a wow factor.

Now let's pretend he still wants a picture frame over the cooktop.  You can keep it classic by using all Carrara marble.  Use a Carrara marble ogee chair rail, or large pencil liner- and fill the center with a different shape- same material.

So- now for over-island pendants.  I would keep it traditional- and beautiful.  Something like this one from Ralph Lauren Home:  Less expensive versions of the same look would not be hard to find.

A different thought altogether would be to go with your white beveled tile like you imagined- and bring in some interest in wallpaper and window treatments.

Select a wallpaper that has both white and additional colors in it.  I really like this one from the Masters Collection - Ronald Redding. 

Add a Roman shade on your window in a different pattern- but also bringing in your color:

The fabric above is from Lee Jofa

Add a third pattern on your table- the runner below is from William Sonoma.

Now- in 10-15 years you can update and change the entire look of your kitchen if you'd like to by re-wallpapering and changing your window treatments.  You get an entirely fresh look- without busting out any tile. 

Option B- would be to go with the Carrara marble- with that I would keep it all a little more formal- with a fabric like the one above for your Roman shades-  (also Lee Jofa) and paint your walls a soft gray- or use a more monochromatic wallpaper like the newsprint paper below from York .  I would add a black edge to the fabric above to help it to pop.

Two more things:

1.  Layer your Roman shades with a woven roller shade in coordinating tones. 

2.  Add live plants.  Notice the live plants in the kitchen photos above.  They really do add a lot.  They give your room life.

Anyone have a preference to share with Elizabeth- white tile with colorful paper and fabrics, or Carrara marble with shades of black and gray?

Kimberly's Kitchen

Hi Christine,

I've included a picture of the area above our sink. We need to finish trimming out the beadboard and cabinets but you can see the backsplash and wallpaper. We originally intended on putting long shelves above the sink but the can light hit the shelves and block the light from the work area. I'm not sure what else to do in that space. I really need some more storage space (I prefer open storage in that area.) I am going to the Country Living fair this Saturday and am hoping to find a solution to my problem there. Could I do small shelves to the right of the sink and something decorative in the rest of the space?

- Kimberly

Kimberly,
I really like your wood counters. They are charming. However- I don't like seeing that line where the wallpaper and tin meet at all. It is very awkward. It has to go. Let me give you a few options.

1. I would extend the tin to the ceiling. Then- I would still do one of my subsequent ideas.
2. A plate rack is very shallow- but offers some storage and good wall coverage.
3. A very shallow shelf for glasses
4. Cubbie style shelving- just 12 inches deep.
5. Add a large window- or a pass through if it goes to an appropriate room.
6. Add shelves just deep enough for spices. Then make sure you get cool spice jars-
7. Add a display area for a collection. Don't have one? Go to an antique store and get inspired.
8. Move your lighting or add some more and give yourself all the storage you want.

What do you think readers? What should Kim do with her kitchen sink area? Do you have a favorite of these ideas or one of your own?

The Perfect Subway Tile...

Hi Christine,
This is my kitchen. In the spring we painted the cabinets white, changing the hardware, installed black granite countertops and an undermount sink. But my husband and I cannot agree on a backsplash. We've spent the past 6 months arguing about it. Help! I want a backsplash before the holidays get here! I like white subway tile but he thinks it looks cheap. What would you do for a backsplash? We live in a suburban Missouri neighborhood and need to keep it pretty neutral for resale purposes.
Love your blog!!!
Thanks!
Kelley

Kelley,

Your kitchen is looking great! I think we can find a perfect solution for you. A subway tile that does not look cheap. No problem!

I have four types that I would like you to look at.

1. Beveled edge
2. Stone
3. Handmade
4. Glass tiles

The subway tiles with beveled edges have a really nice depth and a more striking pattern to them. I know that Porcelenosa has a nice one. But just go shop at your local source and ask for a subway tile with a heavily beveled edge. Make sure you also get a flat one to show your husband the difference. Show it to him installed if you can.

All kinds of stone come cut in a subway tile shape. Any nice neutral travertine or marble would look terrific. You get your subway look- he gets the richness of real stone. If you want to keep it white like a traditional subway tile- no problem- you can get a carrara marble in a subway cut. (at least you can in California :)

Hand made tiles have such a terrific richness to them. The lack of perfection- makes them perfect. Jeffrey Court- Walker Zanger, Country Floors- there are many sources- again- go to your local tile source and ask for hand made subway tiles. They will cost so much your husband will never mistake them for "cheap."

Glass is the hottest new surface in backspashes- and comes in a lot of neutral shades- not just the blues and greens. A subway shape and size will also be simple to find.

Hey readers- what do you think? Which way should Kelley go? Or do you have another idea for her altogether?

If you still have problems- you can call my sister- in- law- she is a Ph. D. and does relationship counseling. She is very good. :)

The Beadboard Backsplash

Hi Christine,
I'm in need of your expertise. What are your thoughts on beadboard backsplashes in the kitchen? Can I do it and pull it off without looking too country? I would also beadboard the island and paint it the same color (white/off white-ish) to pull it all together. Do you hate it? I'm also considering doing a tin backsplash like this one. Overall my style is shaker/mission/coastal, but my house is anything but that. Any recommendations?
Thanks!
Jen Dear Jen,

As soon as Abercrombie and Fitch decided to put beadboard all over their stores- the whole idea that beadboard is too country went right out the window. I think the beadboard backsplash look is great- and certainly can be incorporated into many kitchen styles that seem to fit with your home. Take a look at the pictures in today's post. They are all country on some level- but certainly can be more of a Coastal Pottery Barn Country rather than what you might consider too country. I would take a look at your room- and beadboard the walls as well as the backsplash.

Do I like the tin backsplash?- Yes- it is also a great look- especially the real deal. (Always a richer look than the fake wallpaper look.)

Keep in mind that deciding to beadboard your walls will also require casing your windows- and adding trims and mouldings- I would consult a professional.

Thanks,

Christine

Photos from Country Living and Sub Zero

Backsplash Height

I am interrupting in red today

Hi.
I have previously written to you regarding my living room. I did make some of the changes you suggested but that is still in the works. Nevertheless, we have moved forward with getting granite countertops and a new backsplash in the kitchen. Let me start by saying this is not my dream kitchen by any means...that is a black and white vintage kitchen, but I am working with what I have and keeping it somewhat simple for resell purposes.
I am ecstatic about the changes, but choosing the backsplash is very hard. I have finally chosen the granite color

and glass tile pattern. Nice choices.
My kitchen layout (which I cannot change) has an odd area that seems it should have been a cutout to the living room. However, all I can do is hang artwork to make it not seem out of place. This is where my problem lies.
I have attached a current kitchen photo. I am not sure if the tile should be laid all the way up to the cabinets or only 8" up from the countertop as it is. The issue is the area behind the sink. I am not sure how that will look if the tile is even with the bottom of the cabinets.
I am leaning towards keeping the backsplash at approx. 8" like it is for several reasons:
The glass tile is very bold and I don't want "shine" overload. I wouldn't worry about that. I have seen many glass splashes all the way up- and they look great. Although my typical position would be to always have a full backsplash unless you cannot for budget reasons. I like the tile to go to the ceiling if you can. It says "luxury" to me- when your tile goes high. Your area above the sink does create a challenge- and I agree with you that the shorter splash is a good solution. Also- as you said- it is not your dream kitchen- so I wouldn't over-invest. Your area over the sink would look awkward if your tile went as high as the cabinets- and really doesn't gear itself to go to the ceiling. You could consider adding open shelves that match your cabinets- and put the splash to the bottom of the lowest shelf- but a short splash would certainly be the easier solution.
I like the way the sample looks of a "short" backsplash (although it is a bath). The sample does look great.
I am confused about behind the stove and if I keep it short, I do nothing. Behind the stove put in a full backsplsh- to the cabinets. This is very common- and especially with your style of stove- it is the thing to do.
But, please tell me what you think! I think you will like the area above your sink better with some new art work. I found a cool set for you from Uttermost that goes with your new surfaces. Once you have little squares in your backsplash- the squares in your art will be what I would describe as the wrong kind of repetition.

Thanks!
Alison

Enjoy your new look!

XOXO

Christine