Mikepier wrote:
I'm ready to install 4x4 tile for my backsplash in the kitchen. It is
approx 11 feet wall to wall, 18" high, and has a stove on the same
wall. My question is where would be the best place to start? I'm
thinking find the midpoint of the wall, then test out the tile to see
if I end up with equal cuts on each end and adjust if necessary,
right?
Also, I wanted to start with full tiles on the bottom granite
countertop, and butt them up against the bottom of the wall cabinets,
whether they end up as full tiles or not does not matter since you
can't really notice them. Is this right?
And I'm assuming i run the full 18" tile behind the stove, right?

You are correct in trying to lay out the tiles. If the backsplash
behind the stove is taller (and most are) than the area under the
cabinets, I would center the tiles on that area. This area behind the
stove is the first area viewed when looking at that wall, and you would
be wise to have it symmetric.
As for the starting of full tiles above the countertop: I would try to
do this unless you ended up with a sliver of a tile on the top of that
area. If that was the case, cut some of the lowest tile so that the
difference is split between the lowest and the upper tile. Taking time
to lay out a ceramic tile job is something you will never regret. Once
the tile is applied, you do NOT want to remove it due to a mistake.