[jwn]

Ok, I am using the Eurostone Brilliante Classico which is a creamy color with speckles of mirror in it for my countertops. What I am wondering is: As it turns out inorder to do the countertops I have to purchase 2 slabs which then leaves enough left over to do a 3-4" backsplash in the same material. My plan was to use all glass tile on the backsplash but it seems silly to waste the Eurostone. Would it look funny having a 3-4" backsplash in the countertop area and glass tile on top of that? The backsplash area is 17" high. I so need to decide tonight because my fabricator is buying the material tomorrow and cutting this weekend! I don't know why I don't think of these things before hand!

[Emmie9999]

Hi jwn!

That is really neat looking countertop material! Very different. The mirrrored bits look lovely, and I really like the color.

I'm a bit torn about the idea. I can understand not wanting to waste the material, and I have seen a backsplash like that with tile above it. However, it's not a look that appeals to me. I think that tile directly down to the countertop is a smoother, more polished look.

If you must have the extra material, perhaps you could have the fabricator do something else with the excess. Maybe he could cut out and polish the edges of several pieces, and you could put little rubber feet on them to use as trivets?

I hope this is in time to help you with your decision!

[jwn]

Thank you so much for your response! I was in a panic. I had decided to go with all tile but then after the fabricator came and started asking me about backsplash etc I freaked out thinking that the grout would crack and water would leak down behind the cabinets etc. You helped confirmed my initial gut feeling I thought that since the ceilings are only 8' and the kitchen is only 8'4" wide, the all glass tile backsplash might make the kitchen look a bit taller with one material on the wall and more open with the glass tile.

The eurostone is really pretty slick. It composed of recycled ground granite chips left over from granite mining/fabrication operations and, in the case of Brilliante Classico, broken mirror pieces. I tried finding a greener solution that fit my needs and check book but couldn't and stumbled upon the Eurostone.

Thank you again!!!

[dubgem]

I have seen it done a lot here (in Ireland) with a 3 or 4 inch high piece of material the same as the countertop (which I think is what you're talking about) and then the wall above that isn't tiled at all, it's just painted (presumably in something wipeable).

Because the bit of countertop on the wall seems to blend in with the counter, and because the painted wall has no "seams" in it, it gives a great impression of space. It also looks great. The 3 or 4 inch high "skirting board" of countertop protects the wall from getting bashed by dishes or pots'n'pans (or at least I presume it does, I don't actually have this myself, I've just seen it)