Whenever interior designer Heidi Caillier talks about kitchen design, I listen. She always creates the most interesting schemes and brings a layered look to kitchens that make them look more like soft, inviting living rooms than the practical, hardworking spaces they are.
She recently shared an archival project that pairs materials and textures in the most genius way, proving just how enduring her designs are. One of this year's biggest kitchen backsplash trends is the mixing of two or more materials, and it's a look Heidi nailed long before its time.
It's that time of the year when I begin to look ahead to the trends to come. And as soon as I stumbled across this project, I immediately noticed at least three of 2026's biggest backsplash trends. It might sound like a lot, but Heidi has curated the perfect balance.
Let's talk through it. I've already mentioned the mix of materials – a heavily veined marble kitchen countersplash transitions into the beautifully unique tiles. It was a solution she found when trying to tackle the room's proportions: a low ceiling and a narrow kitchen layout that could not be altered.
'The walls needed to be pretty! The inspiration for these tiles came from a photo I’d pulled a few years ago by artist Freyja Lee of some plates she had done. We reached out to see if we could work with her to create a custom tile, and it was just a great experience all around,' she recalls in her post.
And pretty the walls are. The custom tiles feature a whimsical floral design that flows effortlessly around the walls. By taking them to the ceiling and across each wall, she has created an all-encompassing scheme that embraces the kitchen's proportions, rather than hiding from them. She's even brought the tiles over the range hood, resulting in this usually unsightly feature disappearing into the walls.
It's clear that the tiles became the artful basis for the rest of the design. Green tones in the flowers are highlighted by the mid-green tone of the kitchen cabinets, while the creamy yellow background picks out some of the lighter veining in the marble. It's subtle, yet so effective.
At the center of the room, a freestanding wooden island adds a traditional detail, adding extra surface space and a place for casual seating. Bar stools upholstered in plaid with gold framing as a touch of decadence to the space, without overwhelming.
But for me, it's the small decor finds that really tie the space together. Pretty glassware and vases on the shelf add a sense of lived-in style, small white pendant lights add a calmer detail against the busy wall pattern, and linen window treatments softly diffuse the light.
There's a thread of natural materials through the decor, too. A woven lamp on the countertops, a wicker basket on the island filled with foraged greenery, and ceramic plates with an organic finish on the walls bring a more handmade quality to the design, which once again nods back to those charming tiles.
It's a lesson in knowing when to be bold and when to practice restraint. Heidi has gone bold with tiles and the marble, and then pulled it back with simple, natural details. It also makes a strong case for nature-inspired colors – the design hasn't dated since she first revealed it, and it's a look we will probably revisit years from now.
Shop the Look
On the backsplash shelf, Heidi has displayed charming glass goblets, very similar to this design. Too pretty to be hidden away in a cabinet these glasses will add dimension to a kitchen shelf while also being a practical addition.
There's a thread of brass finishes running through this kitchen, and if you love the classic faucet, this design featuring a side sprayer is a similarly timeless option.
I mentioned the simplicity of the pendant lights, and this design by Louis Poulsen is so similar. It's stylish and sculptural without the risk of competing with other details.
Every kitchen should feature a basket, whether it's hung on the walls or displayed on the island. This vintage option has the same form as the one in Heidi's design.
The freestanding wooden island is key to an open and spacious feel in this kitchen. While this island features a bit more storage, it will add the same look and style.
Love the lamp in Heidi's design? This wicker design is a playful way to bring in the natural texture – it's the one thing designers say every soft, social kitchen needs.
This kitchen is proof that the right design can really stand the test of time. No trends were followed in this space (even if it does tick a lot of this year's trends, many years later), just a heavy dose of personality and character influenced by the client's tastes. It's layered, warm, and features the most enviable tiles I've seen in a while. I think we should all be taking notes.
