If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into a sun-drenched kitchen in the French countryside—where rustic charm meets timeless elegance—this one’s for you! Here’s how to recreate our French country stone backsplash in your own home.
Welcome to Montigny Manor, our family’s home build that was truly a labour of love: even though we weren’t the ones moving in! One of the most talked-about features? Our French country kitchen backsplash. Every time I post a photo, I get flooded with questions like:
- Where is that stone from
- How did you install it?
- Does it stain easily?
- How do you clean it?
So today, I’m pulling back the curtain and giving you all the details on our stone backsplash kitchen, including the inspiration behind it, sourcing, installation tips, and yes—even how to clean it.
The Vision: A Kitchen Inspired by the French Countryside
When we started designing Montigny Manor, I knew the kitchen needed to feel like the heart of the home. Warm, welcoming, and effortlessly beautiful. I had this vision of a French country kitchen—something that felt lived-in, layered, and full of character.
We looked at dozens of options, but it wasn’t until we came across this limestone-look tumbled stone that everything clicked. It gave us that old-world European feel with just the right amount of texture and age. Honestly, it looks like it was pulled from a centuries-old farmhouse in Provence.
French Country Stone
We carefully chose the stone for the backsplash. Here is what we used:
Product: Country Cottage Field Stone: 80% random, 20% field stone
Finish: Slightly irregular, matte, with softened edges
Source: We sourced ours from a local stone supplier here in Kelowna called K2 Stone. If you’re not local, request a sample first to make sure the tones are right for your space.
Tip: Look for stones that have soft veining, variation in tone, and a weathered texture. The goal is for it to look naturally aged—not polished or perfect.
Installation Tips for a Stone Backsplash Kitchen
Installing a stone backsplash is a little more involved than your typical tile job, but the results are SO worth it. We used a professional stone mason to install ours.
Here are a few tips from our experience:
- Use a light-coloured mortar if you want the stones to pop. I used Biscuit, a Mapei colour, and over-grout so the grout gets washed over the stones. We also left a larger grout line between the stones for more of that French feel.
- Dry lay your pieces first to get the look you want. There’s natural variation, so it’s like piecing together a puzzle.
- Don’t seal it. While you can use a high-quality stone sealer to protect the stone from stains and water damage, we didn’t. It changes the whole look and colour of the stone.
- Expect texture. This isn’t a slick subway tile—it’s beautifully imperfect. That’s the charm.
How to Clean a Stone Backsplash (And Keep It Beautiful)
This is the question I get asked most—how do you clean it? Especially with cooking splatter and oils! Here’s what works:
Be Careful:
I hate to say it, but you do need to be careful. Fry greasy things and cook things like tomato sauce on the front burners to avoid having to deal with the splashes.
Regular Cleaning:
- Use a damp soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge with warm water and a drop of dish detergent
- Clean with a pH-neutral stone cleaner (don’t use vinegar, bleach, or anything acidic—it can etch the stone)
- Wipe spills as soon as possible, especially oil and tomato-based sauces
Deep Cleaning:
- Mix warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap
- Gently scrub with a soft brush if needed, then rinse and dry with a clean cloth
- Avoid abrasive pads or harsh chemicals
If you take care of it, this backsplash only gets better with time. It develops a natural patina that adds character to your home, just like you see in France.
The Final Look: Old-World Meets Everyday Life
Our French country kitchen backsplash is easily one of my favourite parts of Montigny Manor. It brings so much soul and warmth to the space—now I want to create it for us! So happy for the new owners; waking up to this kitchen every day will be a dream come true.
If you’re dreaming of creating a similar look in your home, I hope this post helped! Whether you’re renovating or building from scratch, just know this: it’s okay to go with what makes your heart skip a beat. That’s the beauty of creating a home you love.
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