reidsal Yes - the walls are staying white, so color in the splashback is a definite option. Quite keen to keep it neutral though and warm. Maybe an amber or something that picks up the floor tone?? I do like grey but it might be a bit stark?
reidsal In the foreground of the second picture attached you will see that the rest of the open plan space will have some intermittent red/ crimson accents. I wouldn't want a huge red splashback though.
Laurie S Woods ASID Great Kitchen remodel! Since the tone of the floors are warm and you have a red rug, go with a cooler neutral for the back splash. You can select a warm gray (if that makes sense) to avoid too stark a look. It will provide enough contrast while keeping it neutral.
And since you've established such a clean, architectural look, I'd resist any urge to introduce a "feature" strip or second color of tile. Keep your modern look going with one color in a simple shape glazed tiles.
Then you can add crimson with one or two great accessories.
Good luck!
ALLDECOR Home Staging & Design I suggest installing a mosaic backsplash tile to the bulk head/ceiling, in the neutral tones - white & grey. If that too cool looking for you then white & grey with some light beige. This photo is Style At Home magazine editors Erin McLaughlinss' own personal kitchen. Follow this link for the entire article and more photos. http://www.styleathome.com/homes/interiors/erin-mclaughlin-s-ikea-kitchen-makeover/a/41731/3
Ikea have a very clean and simple stainless steel backsplash that sits behind the range; I think it's available in 30" and 36" widths, and is very well-priced indeed. You could top it with a stainless shelf (Ikea also do solid and railings shelves), which is really handy for pans, etc, and would frame the hot spot where you cook.
Do choose something that's easy to maintain an keep clean, and doesn't stain immediately with splashes of bubbling tomato sauce, or greasy foods. ;)
pollyannagal With such a lovely clean neutral scheme I would go for grey or silver tones. This would enable you to change accent colours and will add to the resale value (probably not priority right now but an important thing to consider). It's much easier to replace blinds or accessories than splashbacks if you want a change. Splashbacks must be easy to clean so avoid small format tiles with lots of grout.
Susan Jablon Mosaics Hi reidsal, how about something that combines the warm and cool elements, bringing out the warmth in the floor but staying cool enough that the red accents pop? I created this blend with sage and wheat colored tiles with Fern grout. I think it is a great neutral backsplash that will tie your space together, won't be stark or too warm, and will shine without overwhelming your space. I can also help you custom design something, or you can check out our mosaic designer and create your own design! http://www.susanjablon.com/designer/mosaic-designer.html
We took a look this morning, we also like the idea of stainless steel.
Just for fun I did a quick mock up of your room with some Stainless-Steel Penny Round Metal Mosaic Tile
The photo you posted works pretty good with mock ups. If you find a tile pattern you like let me know and Ill see if I can throw it in there to give you an idea of what it would look like (roughly) =)
reidsal Thank you for all the ideas and suggestions! Kitchen Art - I love the suggestion! What would you think of more amber/ gold tones (maybe Susan's wheat tone idea is less garish than gold?).
Polyannagal / Alldecor - greys seem a popular palatte - any view on more reflective or less reflective options?
Thanks to all for kind comments - more ideas would still be appreciated!
pollyannagal Hard to tell from photos but your worksurfaces and refrigerator look quite glossy so I would incline towards a less reflective surface, say brushed stainless steel or a mid sheen tile. From a practical point of view remember that high gloss will show more marks so be more high maintenance, unless you like smeary splashbacks!
If you want to pick up the warmth of your flooring a nice caramel coloured limestone or stone-effect backsplash would be nice.
mpoulsom I think a brushed stainless steel would look great with stained wood floating shelves on those walls....OR the opposite, wood panels on the wall with stainless steel or white floating shelves!
GARY FINLEY, ASID Honey,,,,,,you need more help that with just the back splash.......what are your plans for the windows, counter stools and hardware.....love the glass tile above....the stainless steel needs to blend itself in and the right tile above, will do that.....I would run it full height to the ceiling...this will ad a great deal of character, punch, and actually even some visual warmth thoughts?
GARY FINLEY, ASID Honey,,,,,,you need more help that with just the back splash.......what are your plans for the windows, counter stools and hardware.....love the glass tile above....the stainless steel needs to blend itself in and the right tile above, will do that.....I would run it full height to the ceiling...this will ad a great deal of character, punch, and actually even some visual warmth thoughts?
GARY FINLEY, ASID you'll love my work as well take a look www.garyfinleyinteriors.com .....calling like i see it! not here to be a nice guy and make people feel good ( well maybe get a laugh or two)
Mint Design You have such a nice clean look there, I would prefer to see mirror used as a backsplash. You can use clear or light, medium, or heavily antiqued. I will attach some photos to give you an idea. Hope these help! :)
Mint Design the mirror is for the backsplash ...it will not go up the wall....will not reflect the chaos...purchase a couple of mirror tiles and check it out first if you are concerned...
Natalie Thanks Gary-
In this particular space I'm more in favor of a vertical application. HOWEVER, I suggest it be hung horizontal that way the pattern/direction contrasts to that of the wood floor. Make sense? I think so... CheerS!
GARY FINLEY, ASID i like the idea of the horizontal......I was base a choice on what you what to look at, the floor is totaly out of play here.....the floor is going to work as a solid mass
Natalie Well to me the floor has to be considered because it is the only thing with color (besides white and ss), and has both a pattern and direction (slight wood grain & running vertically into the space). Since the ceilings are not high and the dining area is off of the kitchen, my eye would likely travel more from side to side, rather than up and down. Therefore---HORIZONTAL tile...
Schroeder Design Group, NCIDQ, Licensed Suggestion; Skinny/horizontal tile running from the countertop to what appears to be a soffit. However, how to "die" the tile at the far right side is a challenge. I can't see what's over to the right, the end of the kitchen area. Tile in a more brushed, matte, contemporary, greyed tone/s, metallic, stone. Or, what is going on nearby ? Can you pull a color from another area and really punch it up ( I mean I see blue/water/soft greens/muted colors possibly ).
Laura Moore At first I thought it would look too busy because I wanted to keep it modern but it made the kitchen! Also, it will never go out of style like some of the tile I liked.
And since you've established such a clean, architectural look, I'd resist any urge to introduce a "feature" strip or second color of tile. Keep your modern look going with one color in a simple shape glazed tiles.
Then you can add crimson with one or two great accessories.
Good luck!
Ikea have a very clean and simple stainless steel backsplash that sits behind the range; I think it's available in 30" and 36" widths, and is very well-priced indeed. You could top it with a stainless shelf (Ikea also do solid and railings shelves), which is really handy for pans, etc, and would frame the hot spot where you cook.
Do choose something that's easy to maintain an keep clean, and doesn't stain immediately with splashes of bubbling tomato sauce, or greasy foods. ;)
We took a look this morning, we also like the idea of stainless steel.
Just for fun I did a quick mock up of your room with some Stainless-Steel Penny Round Metal Mosaic Tile
The photo you posted works pretty good with mock ups. If you find a tile pattern you like let me know and Ill see if I can throw it in there to give you an idea of what it would look like (roughly) =)
Polyannagal / Alldecor - greys seem a popular palatte - any view on more reflective or less reflective options?
Thanks to all for kind comments - more ideas would still be appreciated!
Laurier - what do you mean by a warm grey?
If you want to pick up the warmth of your flooring a nice caramel coloured limestone or stone-effect backsplash would be nice.
http://theglassmosaicoutlet.com/vivid-blizzard-glass-tile
http://tiledaily.com/2012/09/11/metallic-linen-porcelain-series-3-colors/
http://www.tileshowroom.com/product/TS11051/Impact-Staggered---Cirrus-Metal.html?cid=364
In this particular space I'm more in favor of a vertical application. HOWEVER, I suggest it be hung horizontal that way the pattern/direction contrasts to that of the wood floor. Make sense? I think so... CheerS!