Best:  Tile Backsplash

Ceramic tile probably works best in the kitchen for backsplashes.

The backsplash is the border of whatever-material-you-choose that acts as a horizontal border above the countertops.  Backsplash materials can range from pressed tin to ceramic tile to granite to absolutely nothing (you really don’t need a backsplash).

As the name implies, it’s supposed to catch splashes.  But it also goes behind the stove, and does a bang-up job of preventing grease from runing your walls.

Not only is ceramic tile beautiful as a backsplash, but glazed tile is 100% wipe-able (but remember that the grout lines are not).

So-So:  Tile Floor

We suggest using special gel mats or just throw rugs to alleviate the discomfort from standing on ceramic tile for long periods.

Perfect for kitchen?  Seems like it.  After all, ceramic tile is water-proof and hygenic.

But many cooks don’t like ceramic tile for kitchens for these reasons:

• Everything breakable will absolutely break when dropped on ceramic tile.  Other materials (wood, vinyl) will have some “give.”
• Ceramic tile is hard to stand on for long periods.

Worst:  Tile Counters

Again, looks beautiful and is mostly waterproof.  So, why are many cooks averse to using ceramic tile as kitchen countertops?

• Grout lines hard to clean.
• Not a smooth, flat surface for preparing food (due to those grout lines).

If you really, really want tile counters in your kitchen, you can mitigate those bad things by making sure your grout lines are properly sealed; using bigger tiles to minimize grout lines; installing granite tiles that don’t need grout.

It’s not their fault, really.  Because homeowners often misrepresent the project, saying that it’s a simple, level, unencumbered install–when in reality, the contractor has a warped floor to deal with.

So, what I’m giving you is a best-case scenario, and it does not include countertop installation because counters are a completely separate thing.  Also, does not include removing any existing cabinets.

Cost to Install 36″ Sink Base

In these estimates–for the sake of comparison–the cabinets are very base-level laminated or melamine cabinets.  Includes simple hardware.

Cost of Materials = $155

Cost of Labor = $325

Total = $480

Cost to Install 3-Drawer 18″ Base Cabinet

Cost of Materials = $200

Cost of Labor = $285

Total = $485

Cost to Install 30″ Wall Cabinet

Cost of Materials = $132

Cost of Labor = $310

Total = $442

Cost to Install 24″ Wall Cabinet

Cost of Materials = $115

Cost of Labor = $265

Total = $380

About the only thing we don’t cover in this quick guide is the kitchen countertop–but since you’ll be using stock cabinets, you can also find stock counters to fit.

Tools and Materials

• 2 base cabinets.  Size is up to you.  The smallest that base cabinets come are 18 inches, so double them would bring the island length to 36 inches.
• Hammer
• Blue painter’s tape
• Cordless drill
• Set of drill bits
• Drywall screws
• 2 foot long 2×4

Process

Don’t try to screw the two base cabinets together.  This will take care of itself later on when you put the cabinets in place.

1. Put the two cabinets together and in the place you want the island to go.
2. Mark on the kitchen floor all 4 corners of your kitchen island with the painter’s tape.
3. Move the cabinets away.
4. Cut off 4 pieces of your 2×4, each piece about 3 or 4 inches long.
5. Measure the thickness of your base cabinet walls.
6. Now, measure in from the four marks you made on the floor–measuring inward that distance.  So, if the base cabinet wall thickness is 3/8″, measure inward 3/8″.
7. Create two pilot holes on each of your 4 wooden blocks, so that the drywall screws do not split the wood.
8. Screw down each of the 4 block to the kitchen floor, precisely at each of the inside corners of the kitchen island.
9. Set your base cabinets over the blocks.  The blocks will hold the cabinets in place.
10. On the side of the cabinets, drill one screw at each corner to help the cabinets stay in place on the blocks.

The height of kitchen countertops is actually controlled by the height of the base cabinets, which is 34 1/2″.

This is not the total height, because you need to add on the countertop thickness.  Figure that the countertop thickness will be around 1 1/2″ and this would bring everything up to around 36″ for most countertops.

Remember, that not all kitchen countertops are the same.  You’ve also got breakfast bars, which, as shown here, would be around 42″ high.

Summary

• Kitchen Countertop Height:  36″ total.
• Breakfast Bar Height:  42″ total.

Well, those were the days when TWA and PanAm were still flying, Julia Child was a major force in the culinary world, and Francois Truffaut was an important cinematic figure (Who?  Well, that’s the point).  In other words, those days of European ascendancy are long gone.

But a European kitchen still has its strong points, and the European kitchen style is still highly desired by homeowners on both sides of the Atlantic.  While not necessarily warm and fuzzy, kitchen design in the European style is highly practical and durable.

Let’s look at some basic hallmarks of European kitchen design.

1.  Stainless Steel Sink

The stainless steel sink is one of your cheaper components of the European kitchen.  Available at your local Home Depot or Lowe’s, stainless steel sinks with drain trays and marine edges (lips to keep water in) shout European pragmatism.

2.  Frameless Kitchen Cabinets

When searching for kitchen cabinets, you can get either framed or unframed (frameless) kitchen cabinets.  Apparently, framed kitchen cabinets are for “crude Americans,” because nothing says European kitchen like a huge set of flat, stark frameless cabinets.

3.  Bold Colors

Why be boring?  Vibrant colors like reds, oranges, and even purples are often used in European kitchen designs.  And don’t forget that checkerboard floor, either!

4.  White Kitchen

Can’t stand the thought of a kitchen that looks like exploded lipstick?  Well then, you’re in luck, because the white kitchen can just as easily pass for a European kitchen–albeit a bargain version of it.  El cheapo white melamine cabinets with some Euro-design hardware can instantly transform the look of your ordinary American-style kitchen.

5.  Frosted Glass Cabinet Doors

After some of the more expensive, cabinetry suggestions above, it’s time again for something cheap.  Frosted glass (or even pebbled glass) cabinet door inserts can replace your current clear glass.  Or, purchase new cabinet doors that can accommodate glass, and then buy frosted glass and have your local frame shop cut to size.  Easier and cheaper than it looks.

6.  Crazy, Creative Storage

Remember how the country of Europe is supposed to be all tiny and cramped and all?  Well, it’s kinda true, and it’s getting smaller all the time.  That’s why those nutty Europeans have had crazy, creative, and often outlandish storage.  Or instead, is it simply smarter storage than in the good ol’ USA?  Take your pick.

7.  Design with Horizontals

Space issues or not, one of the strongest features of European kitchen design is the bold use of horizontals.