COLUMN: Be bold with backsplashes

DEAR GAIL: We recently purchased an 8-year-old home with a beautiful granite counter top in the kitchen.

The problem is that there is only a four-inch backsplash, which leaves about 16 inches of space to the bottom of the cabinets. It would be nice if the granite extended all the way up to the cabinets. We thought about removing the backsplash and installing a full granite one, but the granite that was used is no longer available. Do you have any other suggestions? -- Connie W.

DEAR CONNIE: A full granite backsplash is beautiful and wonderful for easy clean up, but there are many other options available.

If you like the look of granite, you could use a contrasting granite with an accent tile or tumbled marble listelle (a predesigned border usually sold in 12-inch lengths). Black Galaxy is a beautiful granite and since most granites contain black, it would be a great choice.

Run a six-inch border of granite, then your listelle and finish with granite to the bottom of the cabinets. You could also remove the existing four-inch backsplash and apply a full Black Galaxy backsplash with insets cut out for accent tiles.

Tile is another way to treat a backsplash. There are many tiles on the market in every color and design. Pick up some of your accent colors from your kitchen and apply the tiles on a diagonal.

Depending upon the style and theme of your kitchen, you can use slate, mosaics, marble or ceramic. There are also glass and metal tiles. Add additional accents with liners, ropes, listelles and mural panels. Decorative wall tile decals that can be transferred to ceramic are an alternative to pricey hand-painted tiles.

Then, above the cook top or range, run the design to the bottom of the hood and be adventurous. A full decorative mural panel over a range or cook top brings in a custom touch. You can find these in fruit or vegetable baskets, wine scenes and flowers, or you can have your favorite picture applied to tiles.

Wallpaper and borders work well as decorative backsplashes, and come in every color, pattern, design and theme imaginable. They are a great way to bring in the kitchen theme and color scheme. And since it is a small area, don't be afraid to be bold with the pattern and color. You can always change it.

Paint is another way to treat a backsplash, and is the quickest and most economical way to change an area. You can paint the backsplash with a bold solid color; faux paint by ragging, sponging or color washing; stencil a design; or even add your favorite saying. If you like the look of tile, but not the expense, make a stamp out of a sponge to the size of the tile you want to create. Apply paint to the sponge, then stamp on the design in a diagonal or straight pattern.

Backsplashes are a wonderful place to add your personality, theme and color scheme in your kitchen.

Gail Mayhugh, owner of GMJ Interiors, is a professional interior designer and author of a book on the subject. Questions may be sent by e-mail to: gail@gmjinteriors.com. Or, mail to: 8170 S. Eastern Ave, Box 4-275, Las Vegas, NV 89123. Her Web address is: www.GMJinteriors.com.

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