A very popular concept here in Australia and one we use in kitchens is toughened glass spray painted on the back them glued to the wall. Colour can be of your choice and with the black bench top a vibrant red would make your kitchen really stand out.

White subway tile with gray or any dark grout is a farmhouse look. Doing white grout is an alternative that feels modern.

Subway tiles are being offered in more modern proportions. Check out Daltile modern dimensions. They have a great 2x8 and a 2x4 on sheet arranged with straight joints. That one really ups the modern.

I like the 2x8 I am not sure about all white (tile + grout)

It's a preference thing. With white tile I only do gray or dark grout in colonial or farmhouse settings. Otherwise, I strongly prefer white grout.

Here's a few ideas...

Glass & Marble


You can never go wrong with classic white subway tiles. This is my vote!

While white subway tile can pretty much work well in any space and any color, if you are not looking for an ultra-modern look or want to add some "pop" to your kitchen, try a colored tile or a different shaped tile. Tile is both functional and art and can help complete your kitchen to look just how you want it.

Let me make a suggestion about the grout color for subway tile. We used grout that was just one shade darker than the tile (i.e. not white, but not gray either). Thus we have "bone" subway tile with "alabaster" grout. It looks sleek and modern, but with just enough subtle difference in shade to give a little definition.

I did white shaker cabinets with absolute black granite, white subway tiles with "sepia" color grout. The subway tiles were the last thing to go in, and everyone thought I was crazy, when they heard what I was going to do, were they all surprised, I was even a little skeptical, it tied everything together. It is/was gorgeous, I get more compliments on that kitchen. I did copy it straight out of a kitchen decorating magazine, and it turned out just as nice if not better.

The last kitchen I did where the husband wanted more modern but the wife wanted more traditional we compromised. We did an AKDO horizontal glass and stone with the matte subway tiles offset top and bottom. Go to AKDO.com and browse through their gallery and borders for ideas. You can probably find the same look elsewhere for less but you'll see some neat stuff.

What kind of floors do you have in there? Are they black? Hard to tell from pics

since the kitchen has a more modern look, go with a glass mosaic or one of the lovely white marble carrera tiles. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some very contemporary and others interesting baskets weaves and inlaid patterns. As they are both white with grey streaks, they will bridge the stark white of cabinets with the black top. Senior Designer~Urbana, Victoria BC

The floors are maple hardwood java (darkreddish brown) stained I added a pic from another room the floors go throughout the whole house love them.

Ellen Crystal TY I was just looking at marble but wasn't sure if it would go with the quartz. Marble modern is probably a good idea like the 2x8 Chroma Design suggested

the white marble with grey streaks should be soft enough to go with the quartz. Its dense enough tone, that a bit of texture on the tile is OK. the three links above give you different looks. The smaller, tonal mosaic (similar to feel of white marble) and then a very textured, more colourful tile for a more flamboyant look, or lastly the monochromatic white tile. (from Cait above) all are great looks, but very different. It depends on how many accessories etc you are inclined to have out and how colourful they are. If you are more restrained or nearly nothing on counters, go with busier more dramatic tile. If you are more inclined to have artful interesting counter "clutter", then go with the plainest, simplier tile choices. You'll be thankful you considered this aspect of your choice in the short & long term!

Consider penny tile. It would give a more retro look. Penny tile is making a huge comeback (like all good design).

Love the idea of red, but I always like the option of changing colors 5 yrs down the road. In anything that is too expensive to change, that's worth remembering. Have you considered a metallic-sheen silvery gray? You'd have to see it personally, not in photos, but it would look very high-end, no matter what shape the tile.

Here's a terrific example of a penny tile application. The grays and slate blues would be beautiful in your kitchen.

ohhh, Love the idea of a penny tile. What about a carrara marble penny...a little timeless and less likely to be replaced in 5 years???

A Carreras marble in a smaller subway tile would look great. I would use an unsanded white grout for a tight grout line. http://www.houzz.com/projects/51743/Transitional-3

Thank you for all that input. I like the marble ideas a lot and the grey pennyrounds awesome! (michigammemom) @Ellen Thank your for your advice.

Here is a photo of white cabinets, black granite, and white tile with white grout. The cabinet knobs and pulls in this kitchen keep the look from being too sleek. The cabinet style also helps maintain a more traditional feel.

What about a seaglass colored glass subway tile, either in the normal running bond pattern or with joints aligned for a modern look. It seems to soften the black and white and add an ethereal water color.

Another option is the spectacular mother of pearl tiles. Many tile companies now offer a variety of shapes and colors. Here is an example:

I've used hand made small tiles set on larger squares in a kitchen. They have an acrylic finish on top and clean easily. Here is a kitchen with the white mother of pearl.

I don't know how to attach links. Brain dead I guess. :( I found the 1 inch dark emperador hexagonal wall tile that should do great things for your floors, black and white. I like that it doesn't conflict with both the vertical and horizontal lines in your cabinetry, that it bridges the gap between the black and white and that it has a rather sophisticated, warm and earthy look to it. It would be my choice for certain.

Herringbone pattern is awesome so are the Mother of Pearl tiles.

This type of basket weave tile is awesome & classic. would be a wonderful transition between black top & white cabinet while adding a super texture. Penny tiles are also a great idea as suggested. As you have a few options, I'd go to your favorite tile store & get a few samples. Line them up vertically in your kitchen. Look at them over several days in morning, evening & afternoon lights. It will soon become apparent which will be easiest to live with & what vibe suits the other elements of your home

I decided on honed marble 2x8 tiles laid in a herringbone pattern. I am not sure though if I should take polished or honed marble. The kitchen is not very bright (facing NE) during the day and I am not a fan of glitter and shiny stuff . However I wonder if honed makes the kitchen just look dull. Any help?

I wouldn't worry in the least about honed marble looking dull. Marble is always beautiful, honed or polished But you might check into the issue of sealing and whether polished or honed is more durable (i.e. stain resistant) for a backsplash.

May be off topic but you have a counter top very similar to mine. Wondering what you use to clean as i am not happy with the streaks and water stains that i have :(

Yikes! 7 and 5 years ago posts?!?