to the cottage guests now visiting our "Cottage Life" site! My name is Kim and I'd like to invite you to join my husband and me as we, project by project, turn our ordinary little ranch style house into a one-of-a-kind, old-fashioned cottage - and on a very small budget! If you love the charm and simplicity of days gone by, you'll feel right at home here. Please feel free to email me with your questions and comments...and remember to sign my cottage guestbook before you leave! So first I wanted beadboard...and then I thought painted brick pavers would be really neat, but now, I'm thinking little one inch travertine tiles would look pretty, too! (And no cutting!) The travertine gives kind of a warm look to the laminate. Which backsplash would you use? The countertop shown is what we'll be installing...
The small tiles are gorgeous, but my vote would be for the beadboard backsplash.
I think any of them would be pretty, but the small tiles seem too Euro/trendy for your old-fashioned kitchen. I loved your paver idea and plan to use it in my next kitchen!
I like the wall just painted the same color as the wall or with the beadboard, the small tiles would be my second pick, and the brick my third.
The beadboard is definitely my first choice. I think it would really tie in well w/ your cabinets, since they have the beadboard detail and really promote the cottage look. I think the pavers would be my second choice, and the tiles third. I do really like the tile but agree w/ the other comments that it doesn't really fit your kitchen aesthetic.
Another vote for the beadboard :)
Thanks, ladies, for your votes and thoughts! I'm still pondering!!!
I vote for the tiles. It will give added texture to the space. Especially since you'll eventually have beadboard on the kitchen walls. (if I remember correctly)
maria/Illinois
I can tell you from experience that small tiles look fab, but are horrible to clean. I suppose if you are a very tidy person it wouldn't be too much of a problem, but keeping the grout looking nice was always a terrible pain. Maybe as a row or accent between some larger tiles?
I think the beadboard would be the thing that matched the most and go great with the cabinets.
Hi Kim! I would go with the beadboard or the pavers before the tile. They are really pretty, but I don't think they scream cottage.
What about doing pressed tin? I don't know if you remember from my blog, but we put in a tin ceiling, and we used old tin for our backsplash too, and it looks great and is easy to clean. Just another option for you to ponder! lol
My cottage design inspiration piece:
"The Garden of Hope"
~Artist, Kim Parker
View more Kim Parker Art
"In the past, when asked...why I didnât trace or place my designs down first before plunging into the act of painting⦠it was precisely this âthe "human element," however "imperfect" in itâs final and only execution, seemed to keep it at a safe and honest distance from the cookie-cut industry standard of "beauty" and "perfection."
