To upstand or not to upstand: now with pics!

[navyeyelasH]

Ok I have uploaded 3 pictures that the kitchen designer has given us; see here.

We will definately be having a green glass splashback behind the hob (which I added on myself to give you an idea). But the question is do we need upstands on the second section of worktop... If we do need an upstand do we do it green glass or do we do it the same wood as the worktops?

By second section of worktop I mean the section that runs under the window and along the right hand wall if viewing from the hallway.

NB> we have changed the design slightly now in that the flooring is slate and the sink will go under the window.

Don't make any suggestions to change the layout as I may cry - the kitchen is being installed this week and has already been delivered so too late to change anything.

So then ladies (and gents?) what do you reckon? Also do you think it would look cool to cover the back of the units under the bar (where knees would be) with green glass too.

TIA

[navyeyelasH]

Impatient bump as I'd like to order this either this evening or toorrow morning

[SoupDragon]

No I don't think you need upstands on the other bit. putting glass where feet would kick under the bar would minimise scuff marks.

[navyeyelasH]

great news soup dragon as I think I prefer it without upstands on that section. Thanks for replying!

[preggersplayspop]

I would go for upstands....sorry! Looks quite similar to my kitchen and we put wooden upstands around all the worksurfaces, and I think it gives it a more 'finished' look. Personal preference though of course.

[Furball]

agree with preggers, thats what we also did.

[navyeyelasH]

hmm buggr - I think the upstands make the kitchen look more traditional and less contemporary? Do you both think definately not glass on that part though?

[SoupDragon]

What is the wall going to be finished with?

[Kitsilano]

Definitely not glass - that would look really "bitty". I would go with wood upstands - think it looks more finished.

[SoupDragon]

My kitchen has no upstands and I don't think any kitchen I've been in recently has upstands. None look unfinished.

[lalalonglegs]

Not.

[SoupDragon]

TBH, I think they're just a way to get you to spend an extortionate amount on a small bit of wood.

You prefer it without, therefore go without.

[SoupDragon]

No one is going to come into the kitchen and think "oooh, there should have been upstands there."

[lalalonglegs]

I love the green glass by the way, the more of it, the better.

[navyeyelasH]

lol soupdragon - you haven't met my dad ! I'm not worried about that, I'm worried that upstands are there to protect walls (?) and without them the walls will look grim pretty quickly. But we do intend to chop and stir over by the hob so I'm not sure it's going to be a deal breaker?

The walls are going to be painted with a kitchen specific washable paint, in a light colour. Not sure which brand yet but definately not cheap low quality paint. Will be dulux, crown et al.

[navyeyelasH]

thanks lala, it's bloody expensive but I think it might look really good underneath the breakfast bar. But we have saved some money on the flooring now so might be able to convinve DP to do it.

[MaryHuff]

Another vote for no upstands.

Glass by the stools would be a good feature.

[SoupDragon]

An upstand (as I imagine it) isn't going to protect much of your wall. Having googled, I think they look like you couldn't afford to protect the whole wall.

[navyeyelasH]

Soup drago that's exactly what I tought they looked like - I couldn't afford tiles etc so went for upstands which is not the case.

I think I'm going to go down the no upstands route unles someone comes up with a good practical reason for having them.

[lalalonglegs]

Upstands (now I know what they are ) aren't there to protect the wall but to hide any gaps between back of worktop and the wall as walls are often not true. If your walls are reasonably good, then I wouldn't bother.

[navyeyelasH]

Hmm ok thanks for that lala, the walls would have been freshly boarded and plastered so I'm guessing that they will be decent ish?

[Millarkie]

We didn't have upstands fitted when we put in our worktop but we paid a fortune for an experienced fitter to cut the worktops to the same shape as the walls exactly (and had to buy wider than normal worktops so there was enough wood to cover the units allowing for the trimming to fit the walls).. We had the walls painted with kitchen paint and splashes washed off easily.

[lalalonglegs]

Should be perfect.

[Millarkie]

We had just had the room replastered but the walls were still wobbly (not to the naked eye but if you held a long straight piece of wood against it you could see).

[navyeyelasH]

DP is a chippe and can plaster too so I will just ake sure everything is 100% straight and fingers crossed it should be all good.

Thanks for all the help again everyone, god only knows what state my house would be in if it wasn't for mumsnet .

[lalalonglegs]

Replastering an old wall won't get rid of wobbles but if they have been reboarded they should be pretty good.