People have often used my Designed in a Click service just as a second pair of eyes on their project.
They may think they have it all figured out, but just need some confirmation to feel confident about moving forward. They might have the overall idea ready to go, but just need to work out a few details.
And believe it or not, some even have designers but just want a second opinion.
Such was the case with this consultation.
Background Story for this Q&A
Homeowner - “House is a 1912 two story Craftsman in CA. The kitchen is being totally redone, keeping the same L + layout but with rearranged appliances. Overall aim is friendly and casual and light, bringing in color with art, etc. Feel of rest of house is Scandi/eclectic. After making some preliminary improvements to maximize light, we used a designer for layout. We’ve used an architect for windows.”
This project was already partially in the works and these items had been done.
Big window over sink was installed.
Cabinets over fridge were removed.
Cabinets on “chase” wall were removed. (See the furred out area in the corner? That’s the “chase”.)
Photos of Kitchen to be Remodeled
Kitchen - view from eating area into kitchen to be remodeled. New window already installed.
New windows are installed already, new cabinetry to be installed with a centered sink and range in lieu of the fridge.
The wall between the kitchen and eating area will be removed and kitchen cabinets extended down a bit into that space.
These items were still to be done.
Sink will be centered under window.
30” range will be moved to where fridge is shown in photo.
Fridge will move across the kitchen, opposite the range.
There will be no appliance on end wall where range is now located.
“Chase bump” will shrink in size as much as possible so countertop will wrap around chase area.
Wall dividing kitchen and eating area will be removed.
New window in eating area will be installed on sink wall.
New countertops will be light quartz material.
New floors will be white oak.
Cabinets will be light or mid-toned color, walls will be a shade of white.
Small anteroom will be painted different deep color.
Here is the floor plan showing the changes to be done.
Kitchen and eating area floor plan showing changes to be made.
Now, let’s get to the questions.
Confirm the tile backsplash selection for scale, color, grout color.
How to run the tile on the big window wall……to the ceiling, to a certain height, where to stop the tile? Should there be a slab splash under the window?
Chase bump wall area - should it be tiled?
Anteroom - Since new oak flooring is going in kitchen replacing all the slate, should it butt into the existing wood floor in the rest of the house or be changed to a tile floor in this small transition space?
Here’s the tile that was selected for the backsplash from Fireclay Tile, Star and Cross.
Here were my answers.
1) I think your tile backsplash choice looks good. I love Fireclay tiles and think that pattern is fun and bold.
In the white it will be toned down but still add some life to that wall. I think that is good for the look you are going for, which seems more subtle. I read through all your reasoning on this and feel like this was a thoughtful decision.
You might consider a light gray grout, just for a little bit of contrast, but it depends on how the variation is between tiles. If there is a lot, you might not worry about that, if it is really consistent, and it might be in the matte finish, then you might consider the contrasting grout color to get some delineation there.
2) I would use the tile under the window and over that whole wall.
You have wood trim there framing out the window (below the window). I usually use solid slab material there when I am also doing the window sill out of the slab material too, so butting the slab up under there wouldn't be so desirable in my opinion.
3) I think it is fine to keep the chase wall totally backsplash free. I prefer it that way. I did a sketch for you to see how that would look.
Kitchen sketch showing backsplash layout. carlaaston.com
4) Regarding the floor in the anteroom, I would absolutely tile it. You could do something really interesting like a mosaic or whatever, it is such a small space. I much prefer to see a different material than have two different wood floors butt together.
She had a few other notes and I shared some more thoughts on how to end that tall backsplash length, etc. but overall this was the jest of the Q&A. I hope she sends final pics of how it turned out!
Do You Have Some Questions?
If you have a few questions and need help getting past some stumbling blocks in your remodel, new home design or decorating, check out my Designed in a Click service. It’s open and I’m ready to use my many years of experience to help you. :-)
Designers, I have something for you!
It’s an interesting story about a recent photoshoot that almost didn’t happen. You can read more about it here.