We did a kitchen a couple years ago, and opted for no backsplash (other than behind the stove) and I loved the look of it but did not like the practical aspects. It wiped easily enough, but I didn't like how water seemed to pool at the caulked seam where it met the countertop. It got moldy and just didn't work well. We are in the midst of a kitchen remodel on a new house right now, and we are struggling with countertop again. The kitchen is high gloss white flat panel cabinets with Carrera countertops. The island is white countertop with walnut cabinets. We're in a 150 year old DC rowhouse. My husband wants modern backsplash but I think it's an opportunity to tone down the modern kitchen just slightly and tie it into the old house. Probably looking at an interesting beveled subway tile or similar. Or we might just go modern and do a big white porcelanosa tlie. All we both know is we HATE backsplashes that are busy and loud. They're like the equivalent of an ugly xmas sweater.

The best and most classic backsplash is just to have your granite/marble go up to your cabinets. It may be boring, but it won't go out of style. My parents had this in their kitchen 30 years ago.

I think that subway tiles are pretty classic. I like marble subway tiles a lot.

Anonymous wrote:Let's redirect to what are good alternatives for backsplashes... I hate that mosaic too but need to get some tile. I think paint would not wear well for us.

Yes, what are alternatives? I thought subway was supposed to be timeless in kitchens?

Anonymous wrote:I hate when those skinny glass stick tiles are used vertically (or horizontally) in a band in bathrooms. Looks so stupid.

Accent bands look instantly dated.
Mosaic tiles look like a bad 70s shirt that the cat ate and puked all over the walls.
Subway too is not the greatest but at least more subtle.

A good alternative is marble squares or slab.

Let's redirect to what are good alternatives for backsplashes... I hate that mosaic too but need to get some tile. I think paint would not wear well for us.

I hate when those skinny glass stick tiles are used vertically (or horizontally) in a band in bathrooms. Looks so stupid.

Anonymous wrote:I also dislike those busy glass tiles as a backsplash. Don't much like subway tiles either. Why can't we just use sturdy, easy-to-wipe-clean paint on kitchen backsplashes?

+1. I have no backsplash. I figure this will be the rage in a few years so yay for me!

I also dislike those busy glass tiles as a backsplash. Don't much like subway tiles either. Why can't we just use sturdy, easy-to-wipe-clean paint on kitchen backsplashes?

They're not nearly as bad as the white subway tiles that scream bathroom in the place you'd least like to think about bathrooms.

Anonymous wrote:Agent, what about the stained and/or painted cabinets? Have you gotten sick of those yet too?

Pinterest has made everyone a decorator, but unfortunately everyone's decorating exactly the same way.

Even more unfortunately, pinterest give unartistic, uncreative people with bad taste inspiration to make the world a tackier place.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agent, what about the stained and/or painted cabinets? Have you gotten sick of those yet too?

Pinterest has made everyone a decorator, but unfortunately everyone's decorating exactly the same way.

I thought all cabinets were either painted or stained, no? Even the wood colored ones are stained.

General Finish Java Gel Stain - it's all the rage

Anonymous wrote:Agent, what about the stained and/or painted cabinets? Have you gotten sick of those yet too?

Pinterest has made everyone a decorator, but unfortunately everyone's decorating exactly the same way.

I thought all cabinets were either painted or stained, no? Even the wood colored ones are stained.

Agent, what about the stained and/or painted cabinets? Have you gotten sick of those yet too?

Pinterest has made everyone a decorator, but unfortunately everyone's decorating exactly the same way.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Ok, ok. These were a moment in time. Specifically, 2009.

Man, I must be so behind the times. I didn't know these were in back then. So, what types of backsplashes are in now? Subway tiles? Or what are classic backsplashes?

Anonymous wrote:

Ok, ok. These were a moment in time. Specifically, 2009.