I DO AGREE YOU MIGHT NEED SOMETHING TO BREAK UP THE WHITE WITH BLACK, something that softens it all. THE WHITE ON WHITE MAY BE JUST A BIT TOO STARK WITH THE BLACK CABINETS. I do have a similar kitchen but in the reverse and opted for this brick by boral called oyster bay. You can find a vendor in your area and get a sample. I have had a ton of compliments and many saying that I may be starting the trend back to brick. This brick has no red in it and has a lot of brick that is whitewashed looking and grey as well. Good luck,

What about something that has a grey marble look to it, either in real marble or a tile? Or, what about stainless panels or subway tile?

The other alternative that exists is to paint, especially if budget is an issue, and do the wall space later.

Have you seen The Lettered Cottage? Even though her countertops are more of a cream, she still has the light countertop with a light colored backsplash and it looks good. You could use a darker grout on the backsplash and that would break up all the white. I love the floors you have picked out, laminate or not. Can you tell me what they are?

Laurie

Here is a link that might be useful: The Lettered Cottage

I found a similar kitchen on the Finished Kitchen Blog, so you can see if this is too much white for you.

Laurie

Here is a link that might be useful: rtpaisley's kitchen

I have the exact same color thing going on in my kitchen. I am also a person who loves color. My plan is to use the backsplash tile to visually link the kitchen to the LR beyond and the attached dining room. LR is a warm sand color and the dining room will be turquoise. Tile will be a mix of the two, some bend of blue and amber glass.

I think your most important decision is whether or not you want the backsplash to stand out as the focal point in the kitchen or if you want it to just be a part of the whole. For me, the splash is what brings my kitchen splash! I need it to be fun and interesting and more than a little blingy. You have to figure out where you are on that spectrum and choose the medium/style accordingly.

Similarly, you have to decide how much color you want/need. For me, the stark white is just too sterile. There are some really nice "clear" glass tiles that throw a bit of green or blue or gray. Or, if you're drawn to the ceramic, you could get a soft gray or taupe like you mentioned. Ann Sacks Ceramic Basics has a number of really lovely, soft-but-not-pastel colors in the field tile.

Sees like everyone who was still looking for a backsplash over on the kitchens board made a New Year's resolution to get it done, so there are a lot of threads right now. You might take a peek over there and see what people are looking at...whether any of it appeals. I assume you have already looked at the FKB and Inspirational Backsplashes slideshow?

Here is a link that might be useful: Ann Sacks Ceramic Basics

oopsie, your kitchen is great! I love the "gray" of your brick. And the woven blinds... we're going with that over white faux wood blinds. Did you find the cost comparable?

amysrq- I've not seen the inspriational back splash slideshow... I'll have to see if I can find it. Thanks for the link too... I'll check it out. :) I agree, I feel like the backsplash can truly be art! I agree on the glass stuff, I really like alot of it... do you think the glass is a "trend"?

msrose, see, I don't know that the white is too much white for me. I am thinking that I can bring color in other ways. Hmmm.. thanks for pointing that out! The floors are Mohawk, Bellingham Smoked Oak. Honestly, we paired up a million floors, floating hardwoods, nail down hardwoods and in the end we just LOVED the variation in the laminates. We have 3 active/clumsy/messy kids, 2 dogs that weigh 249 lbs combined and I love to cook... so it needed to "withstand" and it's a recycled product. :)

Inspirational Backsplashes and Finished Backsplashes are both linked from the FKB.

Regarding the trend-factor of glass...I used Oceanside in my last renovation in 2005. Now, five years later, I do worry a bit that it will feel "dated" somewhere down the road. But, I still think the stuff is gorgeous. I am not over it. So, that means the look has longevity for me.

Just for fun, I asked the woman I am working with at the Boston Design Center when the glass tile would feel dated. She said, "right about the same time those espresso cabinets start to feel dated." I laughed and cried. :-) I actually think the dark cabs will bother me sooner than the glass tile will. I plan to paint them eventually, but hopefully not until Harvest Gold is back in style!

Here are a few pics from my files:

Many of these are from the FKB. I find it really helpful to pull pictures of things I a considering into a folder, so I can look at them together, side by side. It helps me refine the look I am after.

You should also think about paint color and how that plays into the mix. That is a big issue for me for a variety of reasons. I can't pick tile without simultaneously knowing where I am going with paint. YMMV.

I really like the pic msrose posted. It gives a really clean look. You can add color with accessories. I do like the pic with the bluish colored tiles but you really have to be happy with the color cause once done you have to pay more money to change it someday. Or you could just have the corian go up the wall a few inches and then use paint to color the walls.