Many kitchen makeovers focus on cabinets, countertops, or appliances. In this kitchen, the most noticeable change happened to a wall that was left completely blank.
From Myra My Blessed Life Skipped the tile and created a painted herringbone backsplash using paint, tape and a level. The pattern extends from the stove wall to the sink area, turning a plain surface into a feature that changes how the entire kitchen looks without changing the layout, countertops or cabinetry.
Green cabinets already define the kitchen
Bright green lower cabinets give the kitchen a distinct personality before the backsplash project begins.
Open shelves, white upper cabinets, laminate countertops, and vintage-style hardware created a cottage-inspired look, but the plain wall behind the stove remained unfinished compared to the rest of the room. The bare surface left much of the kitchen without texture or visual detail.
The countertops remained exactly the same
The existing laminate countertops remained part of the design throughout the project.
Replacing the counters will require a very large renovation budget. Keeping them allowed the backsplash to be the focal point while preserving usable work surfaces and storage throughout the kitchen.
Paint and tape replaced a tile budget
Instead of buying tile, the project relied on paint, painter’s tape, brushes, rollers and layout planning.
According to Myra, the goal was to create the look of a gray herringbone tile backsplash with white grout lines. The material costs much less than traditional tile installation while allowing complete control over the pattern.
Each grout line was first planned
Before the pattern appeared, vertical sections were measured and taped to the backsplash.
The wall was first painted gray before the individual grout lines were marked and painted white. Careful measurement is required to create consistent spacing throughout the backsplash so that the final pattern aligns around corners and appliances.
Diagonal tape creates a herringbone pattern
Once the vertical lines were completed, the diagonal sections were taped to create a herringbone layout.
The design emerged one section at a time as additional white lines intersected the original grid. The process required more patience than specialized equipment, with most of the work focused on preparation and tape placement rather than painting.
Gray and white replaced the entire stove wall
A finished backsplash introduces contrast that a blank wall previously lacked.
Gray painted panels create the appearance of large tile pieces while white lines mimic grout joints. Stainless appliances, white upper cabinets and green lower cabinets stand out more clearly against the geometric background.
Open shelving feels more intentional
After the backsplash was finished decorative dishes, bowls and kitchen tools became part of the display.
Geometric patterns add structure behind open shelves while allowing colorful pieces to remain visible. Without a backsplash, the shelves seemed to float against a plain wall.
Corner countertops received a stronger backdrop
The corner section next to the range got the same herringbone treatment as the main cooking area.
Storage containers, fruit bowls and countertop accessories now sit in front of patterned surfaces that visually connect the entire workspace instead of breaking it up into separate sections.
Window wall pattern continued
The backsplash wraps below the window and behind the sink to maintain continuity throughout the kitchen.
Extending the design around the room prevents the sink area from feeling disconnected from the cooking zone. Dark faucet hardware creates additional contrast against the gray background.
Current hardware works with the new design
Decorative drawer pulls and cabinet hardware remained unchanged during the project.
A dark metallic finish complements the gray backsplash while the green cabinetry helps to stand out. Keeping the existing hardware keeps costs down while maintaining the cottage character of the kitchen.
Before and after photos show the difference
The wall behind the stove has changed more than any other surface in the room.
Do you notice that this is not a backsplash tile?
Instead of installing a traditional backsplash, Myra created a herringbone pattern with paint and tape. This approach costs less than tile and avoids demolition, yet it still defines the wall behind the stove and countertops with a pattern that spans the entire work area.
All credit goes to Myra and the team at MyBlessedLife. Images and original project details were shared My Blessed Life.
