Making a more subtle splash
Simple, timeless designs for kitchen wall
The kitchen backsplash — that surface behind the stovetop or sink that protects the wall from damage during cooking and dishwashing — has long been used to add colour and beauty to an otherwise utilitarian space.
But dramatic, ornately patterned backsplashes, once popular, are being replaced by sleeker, simpler designs, says New York interior designer Jenny Kirschner. Many designers are using monochromatic tiles arranged in simple patterns to create beautiful backsplashes that won’t quickly go out of style.
Kirschner and two other interior designers — Florida-based Andrew Howard and Sayre Ziskin of California — offer advice on creating a timeless, gorgeous backsplash.
QUALITY AND HANDCRAFTING
“I make it a point in every kitchen to do a standout backsplash,” Howard says. But that doesn’t mean the project has to be expensive. Because a backsplash covers a relatively small area, he says, it’s possible to use high-end and even custom-made tiles while keeping costs down.
There is usually a space of just 18 inches between upper and lower cabinets, so it doesn’t take a lot of tile to fill that area if you wish to extend the backsplash beyond the sink or stovetop.
All three designers suggest hunting for high-quality porcelain or ceramic tiles, or commissioning them in custom colours and finishes. For ceramic tiles in custom colours, Kirschner recommends Fireclay Tile, a California company that ships to Canada. Ziskin is a fan of the handmade tiles by Anne Sacks, which she says offer the beautiful flaws and uniqueness that machine-made tiles don’t have.
CO-ORDINATING, NOT CONTRASTING
It’s tempting to add a burst of colour in your backsplash. But by keeping the backsplash neutral and adding brighter colours through more easily replaceable things like curtains and upholstery, you’re less likely to get bored. And if you’ll be selling your home within a few years, a neutral backsplash in classic white subway tile or a pale grey glass tile is a much easier sell than a distinctive colour.
Kirschner likes designing backsplashes that are co-ordinated with the countertop material. By matching the materials instead of contrasting them, she says, “you don’t run the risk of saying, ‘What was I thinking?’ ”
One way to do this is to use fauxmarble porcelain slab countertops in a neutral colour, and then use tiles or a solid slab in the same material for your backsplash. You can also choose a tile in a slightly different material than your countertops but exactly match the colour.
CREATIVE PLACEMENT
One way to make tiles in a neutral shade like white or grey look more striking is to get “playful with shape, rather than colour,” Kirschner says.
If you like subway tiles but feel they’re overused, choose an oversized version or a very elongated one. To make classic tiles look fresh and surprising, try arranging long, narrow tiles vertically instead of horizontally.
Ziskin likes lining up edges of tiles so they are stacked neatly, rather than offsetting them in a traditional brick pattern.
Also popular right now are hexagonal tiles arranged with the top edge left uneven. It’s traditional to cut a few hexagonal tiles in half to create a solid top line straight across. But designers are now using only whole tiles, creating a playful, uneven line across the top.
SLABS AND STEEL
“If you’re in your kitchen a lot and it’s getting heavy use, I would shy away from marble or a grouted backsplash,” Howard says. “Because you don’t want to spend all your time scrubbing down your backsplash.”
One solution is using a faux-marble slab backsplash (real marble may pick up stains you can’t remove), rather than tiles. That way there’s no grout to clean.
Another option is using tiles but keeping grout to a minimum. Kirschner has used stainless steel tiles with no visible grout lines to create a sleek backsplash in kitchens that also have stainless steel appliances. It’s a unique look and easy to clean.