1. I love love love your large inspiration photo.
2. The tiles (carrerra?) in the inspiration look like they are 6 x 12's. I think that what you're planning will be spectacular, but different, with much smaller tiles. I think that you need to go with a stripe color that is different from the main tiles, so that people can tell that it is supposed to be different.
3. Love the rabbit.

Do you remember where you got that inspiration photo from? It is HOT! would love to get more details about it, it you remember where you got it

rjr220, that's one of sarah richardson's kitchens. If you go to her website you can probably find it, or google sarah richardson.

amysrq, I also think that no one will be able to see a pattern unless you pick tiles that are different enough in tone. Those two are two colors are too close.

Honeysucklevine, I am glad you know that photo. I had no idea where it came from. I have spent many late nights gathering photos and am not always so good at documentation.

RJR, glad you like the rabbit. :-)

Here are a few more pics of the two tiles together, IRL. They show more of a contrast than pics from the site do.

These are not the format I will be using. Samples are for color only. I think there is enough of a contrast. I want it to be subtle though. It is a small kitchen and I am afraid of too busy.

The rabbit is wonderful. From a distance you really get the degree to which the form conveys movement - quite delightful.

Have you considered organizing the stripes in a way that would frame/enhance/accommodate the rabbit? Something like two sets of stripes, one above the rabbit and one below? They could be double rows of the stripe tile, or single rows just one tile apart. It looks as if a bottom set of stripes could extent all the way around the kitchen, interrupted by the window (maybe lining up with the sill, maybe not) passing just below the power outlet, while the top stripe would only be above the stove area, above the rabbit.

Is it just the photo angle or my eyes, or is the gap between the window and the cabinet not quite straight? Maybe figure out what isn't plumb and prepare your contractor for it. It would just require some uncomplicated correction in the corner since you have a horizontal layout.

KarinL

amysrq, where did you buy the rabbit? I am for an over the range focal point. Actually stopped looking and need to start up again.

Is that your countertop and if so what is it?

(Slaps head...) Oh good grief. I never noticed the gap being off before. You are right. I first thought it was a trick photo. But, I measured and it is indeed 3/16 of an inch off. (dammit)size=1>

This house of full of little glitches like that. Most of them, I have just become inured to over time.

I think the idea of framing the rabbit is a good one. It could be simpler to install than slicing up sheets of tile to get a pinstripe. Maybe two stripes above and below the rabbit and then another set of two splitting the difference on the adjacent wall, positioned so that it shows above the mess array of countertop appliances.

I am only planning to tile up to the bottom edge of the hood, or thereabouts, btw.

Just to clarify, because I'm a little confused. The tile is all going to be stacked and all the same size regardless if it's the glass or the opaque? The glass row will only be 1 tile tall, so you're trying to decide how many stripes and that will tell you how many tiles high of the opaque tiles you will use?

Like rjr said, what you're planning is going to have a very different look from the first inspiration pic. You will have alot of grout lines which will make the stacking pattern very visible. Not saying that's a bad thing, just something to be aware of.

Lucky you that you've finally settled on something!!

HSV, I bought the rabbit from an artist/crafter at the San Rafael farmer's market a couple weeks ago. Her name is Briana Kaufmann. I'll give you a link, below. I fell in love with the rabbit and just trusted I'd find a place for her. Didn't think of the backsplash until I got home from vacation and unpacked. There is a hanging ring on the back, so I can pull her down when I do any particularly messy cooking.

The counter is Cambria Snowdon White. I am pretty sure that's what I will be using. I am not in love with it...but that's what glass tile is for...LOVE!

Here is a link that might be useful: The artist

Just to clarify, because I'm a little confused. The tile is all going to be stacked and all the same size regardless if it's the glass or the opaque? The glass row will only be 1 tile tall, so you're trying to decide how many stripes and that will tell you how many tiles high of the opaque tiles you will use?

Yes, mahlgold, you've got it right. My head was starting to spin, trying to explain it! :-) Thanks for asking for clarification.

I have wanted glass mosaic all along, and I had something very similar in my last kitchen, so I am ready for the grout lines. The challenge was to bring a subtle suggestion of horizontality (is that even a word?) to the wall, to help ameliorate what I perceive as an imbalance on the range wall, as you may recall.

So, yes, it will be quite different from the inspiration pic in overall effect. But, that was one of the ways I found to bring in a "horizontal" element.

Yes, I do feel lucky at the moment. I see you are continuing to struggle. It is so hard. And, often when I think I am there, something shifts. I always wonder when it will end and if this time I really have it right.

One thing interesting my husband said yesterday as we discussed all the different ways to use the Sandstone and pale blue together was that really any of them would look good. He's right and it helped me relax a bit. Just a bit. :-)

Amy, I was just wondering where the first inspirationphoto came from? That is dropdead gorgeous and was hoping to see more...

It's a lapin agile! :)

And I reiterate my usual advice: color xerox a bunch of the tiles, and mock them up, full height. I'm serious. You can be a master-visualizer, but you'll never see it as clearly as if you actually *see it*. Also, that way if you don't like it, you can cut things up and rearrange patterns, play with the tiles, etc. And you'll know exactly what you'll be getting.

Here is a link that might be useful: want to go there tonight?

onelady -- I just posted a new thread about that inspiration backsplash and amy has put up a few more pictures with it. Look for a thread rjr220 posted (I can't remember the title, I am too tired and it's only Wednesday, yikes)

Fly... I was thinking I should name her. Maybe something French?

I don't have the actual tiles in the correct size, but you are probably right. I did that last time and the colors turned out nasty. Something about the glass just doesn't come out right on the color copier. Do you think it would work better on a better copier, like one of those big honkers at Kinko's?

Onelady, RJR has started a thread about that backsplash and I found a few more pics.

Here is a link that might be useful: here it is

Yes, that's what I did--I went to Kinkos and used their machine. My Sicis waterglass came out like I could have mounted those and been done with it :)

Maybe she's a French chanteuse lapin?