backsplashes

brick and concrete

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Civilizations have used herbs, and many of the same ones, for thousands of years, and it’s for a good reason,” Larenas says. They bring pollinators, they’re there when you need them as a food source, and they’re good for companion planting and bringing in beneficial bugs. “When I started integrating herbs into the garden, organic gardening was pretty easy.” Most herbs are perennials and require very little water once established. Rosemary, lavender, oregano, chives, garden sage, thyme, echinacea and mint (if you keep it in a pot) are especially drought-tolerant, and some are even on local low-water plant lists for water-reduction rebates. See the recipe for Mediterranean edible garden style

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No backsplash. Because soapstone is a traditional material often seen in farmhouses, this simple, stripped-down look is popular. Another popular move seen here is the integrated soapstone sink.

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Remember that soapstone colors vary. Whereas the material in the previous photos was more green-gray, here it is more charcoal-graphite. Soapstone will darken over time, so keep that in mind when designing around it.

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Butt boards. Technically, this counter also has a coordinating low soapstone backsplash, but the butt boards occupy most of the usual real estate. The horizontal planks provide a simple look befitting a farmhouse or cottage style. You can play around with the gap width or opt for crisper tongue-and-groove paneling to make the look more modern.

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Beadboard. This classic detail is popular in traditional and eclectic homes, especially if you’re going for a farmhouse or cottage look. In this kitchen, the sink and bin drawer pulls also contribute to the farmhouse look.

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In this kitchen, glossy white subway tiles and white grout complement the more industrial elements in the kitchen. They also provide a sharp contrast to the dark soapstone.

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Carrara marble. There’s something about the gray vein patterns in this white marble that make it the yin to soapstone’s yang. Different looks to try include marble slabs and a range of marble tile sizes.

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“As there’s a lot going on in the rest of the kitchen, we decided to keep the tap simple,” Long says. He settled on an Abode single lever in a matte finish. In another nod to the French-cafe theme, the backsplash is mirrored antiqued glass — the foxed finish adds just the right vintage note

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Pay attention to this practical idea: Rather than choosing to have electrical outlets muck up her pristine subway tile backsplash, she relocated them to underneath the cabinets.

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Moroccan tiles with natural variations

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