4" Granite backsplash and/or granite windowsill?

[momofmikey]

Trying to get opinions b/c I'm completely confused We're redoing our kitchen, and are at the granite stage. Chose Madura Gold, although it's a very different slab, which is more reds and burgundys, which I love. Anyway, guy came to measure this morning, and mentioned the possibility of a backsplash. I don't think I like the look of that, but then he suggested just a backsplash under my window. My sink is centered under my 60" long window, with only about 4"-5" b/w the sill and the counter. He thinks this would be a nice look - to run the granite completely under the window only. I'm not sure. He also mentioned doing the sills - we have the large one, and then 2 smaller ones on either side. Anyone have thoughts or pics to share? I think if anything I'm leaning only to maybe the sills, but not even sure about that. So many decisions

 

[SpecialK]

I'm not a fan of the four-inch backsplash. We recently installed new countertops, got rid of the four-inch and added a travertine backsplash.

Would you put in a tile backsplash or skip it altogether?

 

[luvmy3]

My friend re-did her kitchen a couple of years ago and ended up doing a granite backsplash and window sill (her sink is centered under a window. She was not going to do that but they had the piece with them to cut so she went for it and loves it.
ETA my friends is a full backsplash, not the 4 inch one.

If you do just under the window granite, what would you do for the rest of the backsplash? My personal thought is it may end up looking too busy if you have to much going on. (In general, not you specifically)

 

[minnie56]

I have granite on the backsplash of my island only. It is 2 levels..one with the sink etc and the higher one for eating at. So the backsplash is only about 6 inches. I think it depends how much granite you have? I have a huge amount so it would have been overkill. I have seen it in some kitchens though and it's amazing...

 

[LilyWDW]

Personally, I would not do the backsplash/windowsill in the granite. However, that is a personal design dislike of mine.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We did the 4" all around (at the suggestion of the granite folks) and we're happy with it. I still might do something simple on the walls but there's no rush. As others have said, sometimes it can be "too much". Price is always a consideration, too.

 

[momofmikey]

Thanks everyone - not sure about backsplash - definitely a tile or brick probably. Haven't decided yet...

 

[dis-happy]

I like the look of granite on the window shelf---my aunt has it that way (sorry no pictures though). You can get it wet which is nice if you have plants there.

My favorite look is to extend the space behind the sink straight out so it is continuous with the granite. But that would only work if you are having the window done to be a garden window and at the same level as the sink.


I also prefer to have the tile come straight down the wall and into the granite countertops. If the space is 4 or 5" under your sink you could probably find a tile that matches up to fill the space.

 

[minniecarousel]

We have a tile backsplash with our granite, but we used the granite for the short backing leading up to the bar area. We also used granite in our greenhouse window - and it looks great.

These are tough decisions. It's a wonder we ever got our kitchen done!

 

[LilyWDW]

Thanks everyone - not sure about backsplash - definitely a tile or brick probably. Haven't decided yet...

I love subway tile personally. You get the look of a tile backsplash but it seems (to me) less busy. The effect is tile but laid out in a brick like pattern.

 

[Disney Doll]

We have a granite counter which is a gunmetal gray with swirls of light green, lavendar and peach. We felt that extending it up the backsplash wall would be too busy. So we did just the counter in the granite.

The backsplash is a tumbled marble subway tile, sort of white/alabaster in color. We added some glass accent tiles in shades of light green, light gray, deep green and deep gray interspersed between the subway tiles. Our appliances are stainless steel so the accent tiles pick up the greenish color in the granite and also offset the stainless.

If I were you, I'd probaly do the counter and the windowsill in the granite (nice not to have to worry about a wooden windowsill over a sink) but I'd do the backsplash in something different.