Love the choices, especially the last two, but I feel that maybe it will be too much of a contrast without something else going along with it...would you be open to painting the walls brown, for example?

Like the gloss/matte strip glass mosaic with stone and stain. steel - very fun!

I agree with Aggie in terms of your examples being too strong of a contrast with your Overall kitchen palette. The darker tile would work if your flooring was darker also, for example. Perhaps a similar style of backsplash tile in the horizontal strip (#2), but lighter palette; taupes, greys creams. I love the cabinet colour. A Benjamin Moore colour Revere Pewter would be stunning with this wood and would not be too dark for the space. You have not talked about what style your home is overall... Traditional, transitional, contemporary? The hardware is definitely a more contemporary look. Do you have stainless steel appliances? They would be best with the direction you are moving with your tiles.

Dark brown to match the tiles or ...?

to TJG - my home is aspiring :) to be contemporary with colorful ethnic accents, as for the kitchen - you are right, I want a clean modern look, the appliances are going to be s.s. I really like #2, but thought it is not "clean and modern" enough having all those inclusions?

Yes to match the tile as dark as you are comfortable with, can you post more views and adjacent rooms, just to make sure?

Last 2 ones are cool

The last 2 maybe "cool" but the first one is the most timeless pattern for a modern looking kitchen. Also, the black is very stark against all your light surfaces. Get some black posterboard and place it in the backsplash space to make sure you will be able to live with the contrast. Look at modern Houzz and Ikea kitchens for inspiration.

to Aggie - adjacent rooms

ooooo, is that an orange breakfast room chair peeking there? Brown all the way, LOL. And a Light pendant drum fixture with beige, orange and/ or brown..

)) thanks, love the orange pendant drum idea

I love, love the drum pendant idea in the orange or combination of orange taupe cream stripe! Very nice. Glass tiles are so nice if the kitchen needs more light; as they are reflective and the light bounces back. The stainless is fun, but maintenance (finger prints and food splashes) are very noticeable. i don't think your space reads that contemporary for stainless tile either. I still think brown on the walls is too dark for your space. Honestly check out the Revere Pewter HC 172 online even... so beautiful! have fun!

yes, I like this color, thank you, saved it in my folder and will go and check in the store.
I am not a stainless steel fan in terms of maintenance - but white looks sort of boring and plain.

Not wild about the black. It's just too harsh a contrast. But brown or gray or any number of other colors would be lovely.

My comment to Susan got lost - I really loved the maroon (?) mosaic, but 1X3 subway tile is even more amazing.

I like Susan's #1 choice. Contrasting, but not so much and coordinates with other finishes in the home.

Too dark and will be hard to look at in long run. How about a lighter glass subway tile? Artistic tile has very nice glass mosaic as well, check out website.

I have been thinking, and I agree with others on a slightly lighter brown for both the tile and the wall...

helenabs, yes that is a rich brown/maroon mosaic. We love 1x3 subway tile too! We'd be glad to send you some samples so you can see the color in person!

Some suggestions to add on top of the great ones that've already been given -
Maybe a marble and glass combo -
http://tiledaily.com/2012/09/04/random-brick-series-marble-and-glass-mosaic/
http://tiledaily.com/2011/10/23/emperador-dark-marble-and-glass/

or travertine & glass - http://tiledaily.com/2011/12/22/tumbled-travertine-and-glass-mosaic/