Opposite problem - my husband finds the most expensive tile in the place and decides that's what he wants.

That being written the carrara subway backsplash is pretty safe and, in a more modern home, may look somewhat dated in a few years. But for now it's sleek and clean.

Kids like color. When kids choose their own room decor what do you get? Wild colors and patterns, fun! So basically your kids think white and black are boring. Maybe consider what they are saying. Will there be any color in the kitchen?

My 16 yr old DD wants there to be purple in the granite or the backsplash. I agree it would look cool. I'm aiming for the backsplash.

My teenage DS said he was glad we changed from tile to hardwood as wood fit the character of the house. I had know idea he cared.

Other here will help you will the design. Just wanted to say sometimes adults should consider "kids" opinions. One thing is for sure they will say what they think and not worry if they hurt your feelings. Sometimes we need that.

You certainly can go either way with what yu have so far. Maybe some accent tiles to mix things up a bit?
It is interesting getting the teen opinion. But, they live in the moment. This is what they are liking today, not tomorrow. So, I am not too sure about letting them weigh in on an expensive backsplash.
Go back with your DD and reassess.

Would you consider carrara marble tiles in a shape outside of the standard subway? Maybe something more elongated like 2x8? I think a standard subway would look lovely too, but with the modern/contemporary elements, a more modern/contemporary shape might be fun. I think you certainly could throw in a pop of color (even muted color), but if you want black, white, and gray, listen to your instincts.

Personally, I would recommend searching multiple tile stores on your own and bringing home only samples that you really like. This reduces the likelihood that someone will fall in love with something you don't like or that your opinions will not be heard. Obviously I don't know the dynamic of your home, but in my home I'm the one spending the most time in the kitchen (not to mention the one paying for the remodeling and generally doing the labor for the remodeling), so I fully believe that I have the final say. I want my family to have input and if they absolutely hate something, I certainly listen to that. But, it is important that I'm happy with the outcome and since I am generally the one with the overall vision, my opinion and ideas are critical to the project.

I've tried to elicit opinions from my kids and yes it can be difficult. I find they are looking at the "piece" instead of the whole. Yes there may be awesome back splash options out there but they don't necessarily fit into the overall look I am after.

It sounded like your children were loud and clear with their thoughts. Did your DH ever contribute his opinion or better yet pull out some options? Your DH hopefully has taken enough interest in the selection process that he can enlist an opinion taking the overall project into consideration. If not you're on your own.

FYI, sounds like you have the same color scheme I'm having using black/grey/white. The trouble is, I've been thinking of how dull this might end up being and how I could give a splash of color into the room. Though your selections would look fine, perhaps stepping out would be fun too.

Maybe your DD can help you pick out accessories: Towels, glass items, pendants or whatever, that can be changed easily later. Or maybe a strip of glass mosaic or accent in the backsplash as mentioned above. Or maybe it is time to repaint/redecorate DD and DS rooms and get what you want.

I'm in my mid 40's and don't have kids. So without parenting experience, I feel like a child doesn't get to have input on decisions like this.

I'd have to see the gray tile because I'm not picturing it with the cabinets and counters. That being said, I'm not feeling the flooring /counter/ carrara back-splash combo. It sounds to matchy - gray & white, then black, then gray and white again. I wouldn't pour a ton of saturated color in the back-splash because that's all you'll see, but maybe a glass subway with a hint of color?

Oooh, design by committee...never a good idea (LOL) but I like the suggestion of having the kids remember those colors and help you pick out some fun accessories. Point out that the marble will go with anything...so you can actually have more color in the kitchen! And, think about the possibilities for the holidays :)

Thanks for the opinions and perspective. I actually let DD pick out a paper towel holder and napkin holder last night on Amazon. While they're not colorful, they are whimsical and she loves them. She's also helping with new placemats and decorative items for the adjoining dining room, so that makes her happy. DH does like the carrara subway tile. He actually preferred it after seeing them both in person.
Pricklypear-I love the idea on a 2x8 instead of 3x6 for the tile but after a quick search online I haven't found that. Do you have a source?

Last time before this when we redid the dining room, we were hemming and hawing on the wallpaper selection and getting nowhere. DD, who was in middle school at the time (and who was/is never short on opinions!) said, "I think you should do this one on the top, this on the bottom, with this border." So we did, and later congratulated ourselves on having the good sense to listen to her. Of course, in subsequent years, when she hit her mid-20s, she told us how very out wallpaper in general was. I was thinking about that as we finally removed that wallpaper last summer.

But back to your question: yes, the carrera does fit, the only problem being that your kitchen is going to look like a black and white TV show if you don't plan some color in. It doesn't have to be the backsplash, maybe the wall color, or decorative elements?

pricklypearcactus had a good idea on bringing home only things you like. Just remember to bring some that you don't have much confidence you'll like, just in case. Things always look different in your space than in the store, so some outliers are worth a look.

30 yrs. ago, my parents began the journey of restoring our 100 yr. old Victorian home. My mother included me in EVERY decor decision. Not like I got final say or anything, but my opinion was taken into account. AND, I learned so much. I'm no interior designer, but I trust myself about color combinations, furniture layouts, accessories. My current home doesn't reflect that, but with this project it will soon. Also, some of my favorite memories include looking through wallpaper books and fabric samples with my mother - agonizing for hours trying to find just the right one. You will be so glad you included your kids some day. Really.

As for carrara, I think of that as traditional not modern. Like a pp said, it is a "safe" choice. I'd be open minded and listen to what they have to say.

Ok, you people are much nicer parents than I am, as far as I'm concerned when my kids are paying part of the reno bill then they can have a say in decisions. They will be leaving the house and I will be stuck with their "says" so no thank-you. When they do their own renos on their own homes then they get to make the decisions. Yes, they do get a say in how their own bedrooms are decorated - but the kitchen is off limits.

The carrera marble backsplash fits in and may be exactly the look you are going for.
I agree with Aloha, that kids look at the elements as pieces. As the project manager, you need to recall your vision and figure out which tile goes with that vision.
I would try to re-state the question to the kids. They probably have great ideas and I bet they truly picked out lovely tiles(to them). But, you didn't mean to ask them which tile they "liked". You need them to think of it as an art class project, explain that the kitchen is your turf, explain what you want the kitchen to look like and to feel like. Then, ask them which tile do they think will best help you achieve your goal. Kids are smart and have great taste and they think about things from a different perspective. They just need to have the ground work formulated a little differently to keep on task with your agenda.

Let them pick out something that is not permanent. They will be gone someday. Pick what you love. Harsh, I know.

Go to daltile.com and then search in their marble collection. They have lots of accent pieces that i think the kids(and YOU) would like that would bring a more contemporary feel to the space. They also have nice marble mosaics as well.

bahacca-thanks for the daltile tip. They have alot of great marble choices. I'm feeling so burned out by all the kitchen choices...we are in our 6th month of kitchen renovation and we really wanted to finish before the end of July, but I may have to give it a rest for a while. Then I'll be part of the ABB club.

Kids know nothing about tile. Let them pick the color of the kitchenAide mixer. Go with something you love. I just put in small herringbone carrara marble. I love the fact that it is a neutral color and I can put any other color with it. I almost went with the smaller carrara subway tile.

Personally, I think anything fairly "permanent" is probably best picked by adults...you're going to be living in it longer than the kids. And therefore you HAVE to live with it after they are out of the house and until you put out more money again to remodel.

I am for them having a say in what you narrow down to, but I wouldn't set them free in a tile shop and ask them to pick.

I also think it's great to allow them to help pick accessories. Since it sounds as if your kitchen will be mostly monochromatic, you'll have loads of great opportunities to spice it up with great colored accessories and the kids will probably love finding whimsical, colorful things to decorate with. They can be changed out when the color-du-jour has changed.

Sorry I don't have a source for 2x8 carrara marble tile, but I think I have seen some posted as backsplash samples here before.

Basketweavemosaics.com has a bunch of different marbles, including 4x12 and a random brick that might work.

I also think daltile's ovals would look cool.