We can’t mount our range hood or open shelving until we’ve chosen and installed our backsplash tile. Assuming we’re doing tile. We’re doing tile. Aren’t we? Are we?
Should we just put up a stainless backsplash behind the stove, caulk the back edge of the countertop, and call it good?
Are we saying that because we’re tired?
That’s about how the breakfast conversation went today.
We’ve rounded up a few options from our friends at Home Depot. We’re going for white, because we’re an indecisive Libra/Gemini couple that’s afraid of color commitment it’s timeless and adaptable, and matches our cabinet faces. I’d like to bring in some curves and shapes, since everything else in the room has straight, modern lines. The spouse has always imagined subway tile. Penny tile seems to be the middle ground, and comes in 12×12″ mesh sheets for easy install. (If we DIY. Which is a serious debate at the mo’.)
Or, for real–should we just go for the stainless panel behind the stove and move on?
Votes? Speak to me, good people.
1. Merola cobble subway tile (1×2″ inch mini)
2. Lantern tile in matte white
3. Merola Cosmo penny tile
4. Basic Merola Palace tile
5. Basic white subway tile (3×6″)
This Bendable Life 
I vote for stainless steal penny tile. (Not one of your choices, but something I think would look STUNNING in your new kitchen.
Oh! Ohhh! Now that’s an idea.
The Sealer/Enhancer for the slate makes it look so great! I need to find some of that for my bathroom which has a slate floor and shwoer surround. I didn’t put it in and would have chosen something less “earthy” looking if given the choice. Maybe the sealer would work a bit of magic. Thanks!
Of course, I mean steel. Stainless steel.
Number 5. Stay with the straight line look. Your shelf contents will add other colours and shapes. You want the tile to disappear, except possibly for colour. Maybe a strip of bright colour at the top, bottom of the tiles.
Subway tiles look great and add a nostalgic look to a kiecthn. Paint alone on your kiecthn walls just don\’t look finished like a backsplash tile wall in any finish looks. Its like not having molding on doors for example. Paint is subject to moisture and can peel and cause damage to the gyproc as well. Backsplashes are relatively cheap and easy to install for the average DIY project.
Stainless. three words: grease in grout. Stainless, all the way. (also, a cleaner aesthetic.)