12" quartz backsplashes: just too much?

9 years ago

Hi folks,

I have a nagging doubt about our use of quartz thruout the condo we're rebuilding.

The place is about 1700 square feet, two stories. Per the current plan, there will be the same quartz (Cambria Darlington) on all the countertops (kitchen perimeter, kitchen island with raised bar, half bath, main bath and ensuite, including tub deck). Just typing it out makes it sound like too much!

Our builder's design consultant thinks it will unify things, and generally I agree. We are planning to sell without moving back in, so we asked for features that would appeal to current buyers.

What's making me most uneasy is the use of 12" quartz backsplashes in all the bathrooms. Bath designer says it's better that way because we have wall-mounted faucets (Kohler Purist) and it creates a cleaner look. I worry about severe Darlington overload.

What do you guys think?

Featured Answer

troff
Original Author

9 years ago

Thanks, Palimpsest. Yes, I am worried about the colour and pattern of too much Darlington. It's a pretty quiet quartz, but in quantity may read too greenish. That's my thought, anyway. We are talking about a kitchen island, three (smallish) bathrooms .... it all adds up alarmingly! (Not just in cost.)

I like white -- Cambria Torquay was an earlier choice and the bath finishes are white. But now I think pure white is too stark for the space. I mean, we could go that way, but it would start a chain reaction of change. (Currently, tub and shower tile is Crema Marfil; bathroom and shower floors Ceratec Sensation in Desert.)

Does anyone have experience in using so much of the same stone in one condo? Is it unifying or monotonous? Or as if we "got a great deal" on the quartz and just threw it in everywhere?

Comments (11)

sloyder
9 years ago
It does seem high, but then how high up on the wall are the faucets placed.
troff
Original Author
9 years ago
I'll have to check the plans for exact height. Our counters are high and we have a semi-vessel sink, so faucets must be high on the wall.

I know the designer wanted the backsplash to go all the way up to mirror frames, without leaving any painted wall in between. But would a full-tile backsplash be difficult to install there? Distracting? Will the quartz look overpowering? That's the dilemma.

This post was edited by troff on Fri, Apr 25, 14 at 0:15
Related Professionals
Mount Prospect Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Soledad Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Adelphi Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Elk Grove Village Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Vista Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Mountain Top Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Miami Glass & Shower Door Dealers · Alton Cabinets & Cabinetry · Christiansburg Cabinets & Cabinetry · Tabernacle Cabinets & Cabinetry · North Tustin Window Treatments · Riverhead Window Treatments · Rockford Window Treatments · Westfield Window Treatments · Brownsville Window Treatments
palimpsest
9 years ago
I think that a Single material will be less distracting, than counter material/backsplash material/wall color below the mirror.

Counter and splash in one material up to the mirror is the more minimal way to go. The issue is if you think that the color and pattern of the quartz is too much in that amount? What are the rest of the bath finishes? If you are using all white fixtures another safe and unifying choice would be to use a pure white like Cambria White Cliff, for the bathrooms --if it works with the other bath finishes.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
9 years ago
You've hired a professional and now you want to second-guess.

On the other hand, I second-guessed my lawyer, didn't follow through, and it turned out my instincts were much better than his.

Sorry I'm not much help with this one.
raehelen
9 years ago
Do you have a mock-up/layout of your bathrooms? Does the 12" BS look proportionate to the vanities?

I'd be more concerned with using semi-vessel sinks on a high vanity. Have you seen these in person? I was originally going to do that until I saw them in two show-rooms, and realized that's way too high for a vessel or even semi-vessel. Especially if you have that in ALL 3 bathrooms. If this was for yourselves, that's one thing, but I'm not sure that would appeal to a large portion of the general public.
gr8daygw
9 years ago

[Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/kitchen-ideas-phbr0-bp~t_709) by Brampton Tile, Stone & Countertops Caledon Tile Bath & Kitchen Centre

[Traditional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by Urbandale Tile, Stone & Countertops Renaissance Granite & Quartz

[Contemporary Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2103) by Cologne Cabinets & Cabinetry Modern Design LLC

Normally I might think it is a bit much of the same but this is a lovely neutral that would be easy to work with in the future. I like the 12" idea too especially with the wall mounted faucets and vessel sinks. I would also not be opposed to the splash going all the way up but with the 12" if a future resident did decide to add some contrasting tile accent they could. I think you are on the right track and this would be appealing to me if I were looking at the place to live. It has the type of personal characteristics that could be made to go with either modern or traditional tastes. Good luck!
troff
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks, gr8day.

Are those pics of Darlington that you posted, or another neutral stone? If it's Darlington, they do look reassuring ...
kirkhall
9 years ago
I think backsplashes to 12" will be fine, esp if it is what was posted above. But, I would not want side splashes to 12"...

Will you be sidesplash free? (please say yes)
troff
Original Author
9 years ago
Yes (she said confidently).

Oh no (she thought privately), better check with bath designer NOW.
kirkhall
9 years ago
haha!