We’ve always planned on adding a backsplash to the desk area in the kitchen. Without a backsplash, the upper cabinets looked odd and disconnected floating on the large wall. I knew a backsplash would be the perfect link to visually tie the upper cabinets to the base cabinets.
As for choosing a material for the backsplash, I knew I didn’t want tile like the other half of the kitchen. I spend the majority of my blogging time at the desk and tile felt too cold and too sterile for that kind of environment. I wanted something that would designate this area as a workspace but still feel cohesive with the rest of the kitchen. I also wanted something that would act as a backdrop for inspirational images and quotes. I’d love to have a constantly evolving inspiration board in my workspace. It doesn’t happen a lot but sometimes we use the countertop as a buffet when we’re entertaining. So a material that could handle potential food splatters would be a good idea.
Cork in a herringbone pattern was a front runner for a long time. But I couldn’t pull the trigger because it just didn’t feel right. It would have looked amazing but once I started pinning stuff to it, I think it would have looked really busy and that’s the last thing I need in my workspace. I work best in an organized, uncluttered environment. I wasn’t so sure about cork’s ability to withstand possible food messes either. And while it would have looked awesome in the context of the desk area, I wasn’t sold on how it would look in the overall kitchen and open concept room. It needed to feel in line with the adjoining living room.
When we finally got the ball rolling on the TV wall, it hit me. A painted tongue and groove backsplash! It met all of my criteria and would tie in with the rest of house picking up on the planked TV wall in the living room and the planked wainscoting in the mudroom. I told HH it was what I wanted for my birthday {last month} and he delivered this past weekend after he finished up the TV wall. When HH picked up more tongue and groove to complete the TV wall, HH also grabbed a few extra boards for the backsplash.
I was so surprised when I came home from an afternoon of running errands with the kids to find the TV wall and backsplash completed. Best belated birthday present. Ever. HH is out of town for business this week and I forgot to ask before he left but, from what I can tell, he used a finish nailer and adhesive to install the backsplash.
The electrical outlets had to be extended with box extenders. Once the backsplash is primed and painted white, they won’t be as noticeable. HH ran the backsplash to the edge of the countertop and tidied up the ends with simple wood trim. We had box extenders and wood trim in the garage {I’m not kidding. We could probably open up a well-stocked home improvement store in our garage.} so those were “free”.
Once it’s primed and painted white, it will be the perfect backdrop for my workspace and the occasional buffet. I’m so happy I waited it out. I think I would have gotten tired of the herringbone cork real quick. That’s not to say some cork won’t make it into the desk area.
Even as-is, don’t the upper cabinets look less floaty? Less lost? They look grounded now. The entire setup has a hutch feel to it – which I like. I also like that the backsplash will tie into the ceiling, TV wall and mudroom wainscoting. There’s something to be said for repeating design elements throughout a home.
My goal for the beginning of 2014 is to organize and style my home workspace. I’ll be doing just that and sharing it all with you thanks to Wayfair. An idea board and more details to follow after the new year! I really want to dive into blogging next year and having an organized, inspiring space to do that in will be essential. I can hardly wait.
images: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking
budget decor, DIY, interior design, renovation