tile backsplash for this sequence……bare wall to two overhead cabs to stove w/ micro overhead to 2 overhead cabs to corner…that;s working left to right.
Now the tile layout..would you center on the stove w/ overhead micro and let the corner tiles and the tiles at the end of the counter (bare wall) fall where the will…or would you start exactly at the counter edge along the bare wall and let the stove w/ micro fall where they will.
Personally, I fell the stove is the focal point and the tile should be exact in that location. Nobody will notice the corner and I can probably fudge the bare wall end to make it look good.
thanks, bob
Replies
And what kind of tile?
Different sizes and styles allow more "movement" and design statements.
Translation: you can make everything look better with a little forethought.
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How much fudge is involved? You don't want a sliver of a cut in your corners But I can see your point with the stove being focal. How big of a tile are you using? It always pays to dry lay on the floor so you can get a feel for what size grout joint you want and where you will end up on the sides.
Definitely center on the stove.
But centered on the stove could mean either a tile in the center or a joint in the center. One or the other might clearly look better at either end. Depending on the tile you can fudge the joints, too, or do something with border tile.
Solving problems like this are what separate craftsmen from amateurs. If you succeed you are on your way.
The pattern you set the tile will have an effect on the look of the centering. If you have diagonals versus squares or a brick pattern the look might be different. You could mix it up and have a course set square and the next course set on diagonals to see if that looks better.
I just got done a backsplash in our own kitchen and before setting the tiles, I taped them to the wall to help decide what pattern to use.
all depends ...
what's the tile and what's the layout?
at the stove ... pattern just running thru or a "quilt" with borders and such that'll be the focal point of the whole kitchen?
and ... using bullnose or border tiles at the end of the runs?
that can help / hurt the layout.
if there's nothing special being stuck in the middle ...
I've recommended going with a running bond pattern.
helps take the eye away from all the cab / stove / micro areas.
also using a coordinating grout color as opposed to a contrast helps make it all blend and flow .... blend and flow ...
had another thot ... using a smaller tile ... something on a sheet ... also helps make chopped up spaces look more uniform. Took many grout lines for the eye to catch.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Edited 3/30/2008 12:28 am ET by JeffBuck
Since I think you wouldn't be asking if there was a single feature that would naturally be placed above the stove, I'm assuming we're talking about a layout with plain tiles.
The eye is naturally going to head for the center of any group of anything you put on a wall, so if the range/micro is pretty much centered the "human" thing to do is to center the tile with those items, using the best layout to avoid little bits of tiles at the ends. The advice to do a trial layout is also good. It's amazing how "Yeah, that'll work" can turn to "NO way does that work" when you actually see the placement.
However, if the range is just somewhere along the wall, I'd follow Jeff Buck's advice and not call any undue attention to the grout lines.
thanks to all for the suggestions. the tile is not plain, but a combination of tile, border, and center squares.
I will definately layout prior to install.