Decor Craft Question

[moondanzing.livejournal.com]

Ok.. typically I post pictures and such, but I have a decor question. I'm posting it here because it involves a craft and I'm wondering if you all my have some interesting input.

I desperately want to tile the backsplash around my counter/oven area. Problem is, I rent. Now I do believe that my landlord *may* let me do this the right way (making it fairly permanant) but because I'm planning on using colors that others may not like I don't really want to make it that way.

My cousin has gorgeous cherry red glass tile behind her stove, which I adore and want to steal. Since this wouldnt work well (for the reasons above) I was thinking that perhaps I could make wooden panels and set the tile into it and screw it to the wall. (much easier to fix later when we move) I figured I'd make wooden panels that fit exactly to the backsplash and tile them so it would look like I've tiled the wall.. my husband believes that the tile would make the panels too heavy, and between the weight and the fact that it will be near heat/water, they may warp and fall off. My second idea is to make the same panels, but to decoupage squares of cardboard with a nice shiny red paper (maybe use foil too) onto the panels and make a faux tiled wall.

I was wondering if anyone has done this, or has any comments/suggestions about doing so. I'm thinking that the decoupage idea holds merit simply because they'll be much lighter, but also because they'll be much less expensive.. but they may warp fairly badly.

Thanks >^^