Natwerk Designs

Tooled (faux) leather as kitchen backsplash?

I am decorating an office building. The theme throughout is a mixture of cowboy, santa fe, and indian art. There is a kitchen in the office and I am thinking of doing the backsplash with faux tooled leather fabric. It looks and pretty much feels like leather, but it is fake. They sell it on a bolt (roll) at Hobby Lobby. The kitchen is rarely used. I was also thinking of covering the chair seats with the same material. I am planning on doing one wall (the one you look at as you enter the kitchen) with the torn up brown kraft paper to make it look like 'faux suede' and then paint the other walls a contrasting color....maybe a sienna or barn red? Any suggestions on colors? Or do you think the faux tooled leather would be a good backsplash? Thanks for your input!

Public Comments

1. I would not use a textured surface for a backsplash
2. Terrible idea as a backsplash. Even water will stain and eventually mold will grow behind it. Due a painting process that gives you the same look
3. I think a leather backsplash would look great! I was initially concerned about it getting damaged from water, grease. But like you said who is really cooking huge meals in an office kitchen. Go for it! As for the faux suede wall you could really go either way with the color. For me it would all depend on the lighting. If it is a very bright room (you know how bad office ligthing can be) I would stay away from the barn red as the reflection of the wall would be intense and not necessarily in a good way. Good Luck!
4. Color? Rawhide. Should be fine, as long as it doesn't ever get wet. Splashed water will hit it eventually, and if it's a material (like leather) that doesn't play nice with water, it will eventually show spots and color changes. Maybe that'll look ok, maybe not. Kind of a cool idea, though. Here's some information about other backsplash materials. Maybe something here will fit your theme (I even found a backsplash article with something western in the title, though I don't think I could pull up something with a Polka theme so don't ask): Backsplash Bonanza http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,191217,00.html?xid=yahoo-answers&partner=yes