Today I’m welcoming Merri Cvetan from the blog Design Coach and she’s going to show us a fun take on a DIY Backsplash! Welcome!
The two most expensive aspects to kitchen remodeling are the cabinets and countertop. First, you choose your cabinet style, color and design. Next, you pick out the countertop. There are many countertop options to choose from. Before making a decision, check out the pros and cons of each. The most popular countertop materials are:
Granite continues to be a popular choice. It’s a natural stone that comes in a variety of colors, veining and patterns. No two pieces are ever the same. It’s resistant to heat, scratches and stains.
Quartz counters are man made from ground quartz and resin and are extremely durable. It’s available in many colors and textures.
Solid Surface countertops are also man made and completely non-porous. Since the finish goes all the way through, scratches can be sanded out.
Laminate countertops are the most affordable option. It comes in a multitude of colors and patterns and faux finishes.
There’s also stainless steel, concrete, wood, copper, marble, soap stone, recycled material, glass, travertine and tile.
Depending on the countertop you choose, you may decide to install a coordinating or matching backsplash. There are no hard press rules; it’s a matter of taste, style and budget. The previous owners of this house decided against a matching granite backsplash. They probably planned to install tile backsplash at some point, but never got around to it. Now, it’s in the hands of new homeowners. Although they would love to add color and pattern to their kitchen, a tile backsplash isn’t in their budget at this time.
I decided to offer them an alternate solution. I framed vintage recipes passed down from the couple’s grandmothers!
To do this project yourself, gather a variety of 5 in. x 7 in. picture frames with glass (glass will protect the recipes). I prefer the original recipes, but you can make photocopies and choose a scrapbook paper that coordinates with your kitchen décor.
Cut the scrapbook paper to fit the inside of the frame and attach recipe cards with adhesive squares.
Layout the frames on the counter and rearrange until you get an arrangement you like. Make as many as you need to fill in the space between the countertop and bottom of the upper cabinets.
As an interior designer, I always recommend you choose the best countertop you can afford. But you should also consider your personal style and lifestyle: do you cook and entertain? Are durability and maintenance a concern? Do you want a countertop to look like new ten years from now, or do you prefer the patina you get from use? There are hundreds of finishes and colors: Polished or honed? Natural stone or man-made? Bold color or neutral? Countertops cover a large surface in any kitchen, so choose wisely and think about how it will mesh with your backsplash. And if you inherit—or simply choose—bare walls as their backsplash, consider how you can get creative with family heirlooms like old recipes to fill the space. Have fun with the process!
Merri Cvetan in an interior designer that likes to incorporate cool crafty DIYs into her designs. She also gives great kitchen design advice that includes how to match your countertop with your cabinets and backsplash. To see more info on countertop options, visit homedept.com.
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