Kitchen Backsplash

Hi, I have been looking for a backsplash that will work with our countertop, but nothing seems to look right. The counter is a very dark brown that has a slight purplish tone in some areas of it in certain light and up close is very busy with black veining, a few small white spots and spots that look sort of orangish, maybe slightly pinky? There is a spot by the wall that has some slightly pinkish to it which really makes it hard to pick a backsplash. The countertop color looks different in different light.
Our kitchen is extremely rustic, so I am looking for a rustic bs, and would like it to be very easy to clean. I like bs with tumbled edges (not perfectly straight) if possible. Also, anything even slightly busy does not work, but I don't like solid color tile. Regarding color, I am having a hard time because anything with even a hint of yellow, orangish rust, brown, beige or gray does not look good since it has a very slight purple in it as if a bit of purple was mixed with dark brown and has a very pinkish right by the wall in some areas. I am about to give up and just paint it white, but really want a bs.

Any Suggestions? Thanks!

 

Another photo of countertop

 

Attachment 102564

One more photo of countertop

 

Kitchen is not as dark as it looks in the photo

 

How about copper or brass sheet?

 

I thought about a copper or tin backsplash, but I put some up to the counter and it doesn't look right with it. I also don't know if it's easy to clean if oil etc would get on it.

 

Any other backsplash suggestions?

 

Classic 3x6 subway tile, hand-made, white or off-white. These are off-white with a slight yellowish tinge and a slight crackle finish. Matching grout lines.

 

I like the white subway tile too and you can use a colored grout, which really looks nice .

 

I'm also fond of subway tile. If you go with a different color grout it really looks nice BUT you need to do both a good job setting the tile and grouting as any defects will be highlighted, same color grout somewhat hides any defects.

 

I've been thinking about some sort of subway tile possibly, but don't think I want just a plain straight edge solid color subway tile.
I am considering botticino tumbled marble, but am worried that because it has variations of colors in it, I'm not sure if the slightly darker color in it would look dirty or dull and if it has any rusty beige in it, that might not go with the countertop. Not sure how it would look and I've heard mixed reviews about tumbled marble. Some say oil etc can stain it and some say no problems at all with it.
Also, I like it best with a grout color that matches the tile, but I've heard light colored grout can be hard to keep clean if it gets splattered on.

Wish I could find a matte ceramic or porcelain tile that has tumbled edges since it's the easiest to keep clean, but have not seen anything. I seem to see a lot of photos of kitchens with tumbled marble and don't want to have the same thing as everyone else, but so far it seems to go better with the countertop than anything else I've seen. Also, by tumbled marble, I don't mean travertine. Tumbled marble is different than travertine.

Anyone know anything about the tumbled marble? Or other suggestions?

 

You can seal the grout to prevent that.

 

I would tend to want to stay more toward the white as well. There is an awful lot of darker colors already in the kitchen, one more dark element and you will close in the place and think that it is impossible to get enough light in there. Understand you want another rustic element, but white subway offset by half a tile to give a brick pattern is timeless. Will help keep some level of brightness in the room.

 

So, no opinions about the botticino tumbled marble(2x4)?

 

You've got an awful lot of different, exposed woods going on. Four different wood tones and grains are jumping out at me and that's without clearly seeing the ceiling. That's already a very busy look. I would be going very simple on the back splash to prevent pushing it any further.

Also keep in mind that you have everything wood. Basically a log cabin. It's a look born of necessity when wood was the only material available and affordable. Marble was a extremely scarce, premium material available only to the wealthy. I would really resist the urge to get fancy. In a log cabin the back splash was very basic and often just the wall without any treatment. It could have been bare logs, brick, (field) stone, galvanized steel (roofing tin) or maybe plaster. About the only tiles remotely affordable to the well off log cabin pioneer were some very basic ones like white subway. It's earned timeless classic status because it has been around and worked for so long.

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Any kind of marble has the potential to absorb liquids and stain. Marble is soft and porous. Things like vinegar and red wine leave a lasting impression. If you go with marble I would seal it to make cleanup a bit easier.

 

I'm looking for something that is easy to clean and won't stain. Yes, our style extremely rustic. Our home is actually an 1800's log home. Wood, stone, logs, brick etc is not easy to clean. I would love stone or brick, but neither looks right and again, hard to keep clean. Also, I would like something that isn't just completely plain solid color tile(white subway). Not busy, but not completely plain.
If I were to go with the tumbled marble, which is different than regular marble, and it is sealed, would I still have to worry about vinegar, oil, red wine etc staining it?

 

Botticino tumbled marble

 

Close up of backsplash

 

First, we are just strangers on the Internet. It's your house and we aren't there to see how the room actually looks. Do what you want. Even with a tumbled marble or something similar I think you are on the right track. Basically a neutral, simple back splash but maybe with just enough variation that it doesn't look like a bare white wall.

 

Pilot Dane, are you saying the tumbled marble isn't quite right?

Anyone have any other suggestions that are not completely plain white subway tile and just has a bit of something to it? Maybe light veining or slightly tumbled edges or ???? Don't think I like tile with completely straight edges and something that is not bright white. Something a bit softer than bright white. Preferably matte and not shiny.

 

Any thoughts on the tumbled marble or something else specific that would look good?

 

I don't really know about different types of backsplashes, but I do like the one you posted. It's nice and light to offset the darker things in the kitchen.

 

Thanks shadeladie! Any other opinions?

 

I agree with Shady that those subway tile should look nice BUT remember you are the one that lives there so whether or not it pleases us doesn't mean a whole lot - it needs to please you and yours!

 

Thanks marker!! I may go with the tumbled marble,, but I was just looking to see if anyone knew of anything else that would look good other than something so plain, but it might look best to go with it if there isn't anything else that would work. I was kind of hoping for a ceramic or porcelain tile since it's easiest to clean but.can't find anything, so if no other suggestions...

 

IMO something on the plain side looks better with all the other colors/textures you have already there.

 

I agree. The less is more thing. There’s already a lot of textures going on, so something more plain provides some relief.

 

Thanks, I will probably go with the one I posted since I can't find anything else that is quite plain, unless someone suggests something

 

That looks really great Kathy.
Whatever you do, don't paint over it.

The wife got me to paint over ours when she fancied a colour change - and it's a nightmare with running paint,

 

Kathy I love the white personally! I don't think you are going to want to do anything different with a countertop that strong. I can't wait to see the pictures with the new splash.