Yes we can see your post and I think your choice will give a modern edge (but not too modern). No reason at all that you need to use white subway tiles if you like the glass stick styles.

I too love the idea of mixing traditional and modern elements. Be bold!

neldam,
First, if subway tiles don't give you butterflies in your stomach and the 8mm sticks do please please please do not hesitate to go with the butterflies. I am currently installing these tiles artistic tile stilato in verticle pattern in my kitchen and part of the reason its taking me so long is because i spend most of time admiring it.

But there's a back story to all of this. I first installed this tile grey and white sticks . As the install went on I kept forcing myself to love it but i wasn't. The problem was in the contrast between the white and the grey. It was just too much. You are interested in a white grey and black tile, I think you may have this problem. I ended up ripping down the tile after a day and returned the rest for about a $400 loss and then paid double for the single color light grey Artistic Tile glass tile..

Here's a thread discussing glass tiles with bold contrasting colors. backsplash thread
Without seeing the tile my advice to you as someone who's in love with glass sticks is not do a black grey and white tile. I have found that on glass sticks you want at most 2 colors and they should not contrast. Also the overall effect of the combination of colors should pick up your cabinets. if you can't achieve this then go with a single neutral color close to your counter or cabinet.

Ofcourse I don't know what the rest of the kitchen looks like or what gives you the butterflies in your stomach. If you think such a tile will give you the feeling I get from my uncompleted backsplash then please totally go for it. Its the best feeling in the world.

Neldam,

I think it's very difficult to give people advice on things that are a matter of taste (some people like red, others white....). Who's to say? But, from the way you describe the kitchen, I think you want a very clean, uncluttered look. (I'm doing the same) I also think that the backsplash you describe will be quite eye-catching. If you don't want it to be the focal point, how about continuing your counter material up the walls? I think that's what I am going to do.

As posted above, there are some people who regret a bold backsplash. Have you looked at the finished kitchen backsplashes? How about using the black, grey and white tiles behind your range as a focal point with the simple tiles for the rest of your backsplash?

I am so not an expert on backsplash, however I've been spending more than a modest amount of time pondering which direction to go. Here are my thoughts.

I love the sticks...love them. However, my DH does not. I'm now thinking it might be a blessing in disguise. All along I've been cautious about "dating" my remodel..."Oh, you did your kitchen in 2010..." So, I am going with a more classic mini-brick in my contemporary kitchen. The mini-brick is a Walker Zanger combining neutral stones (warm beiges to greys) with irridescent glass. You can find in online in the Walker Zanger catalog.

My DH was drawn to a GigiStix (or maybe it was the Walker Zanger sticks). I eventually realized that it would be too high contrast for me and I really am hoping to achieve more of a "spa" feel.

So there you are. My cabinets are dark. My counters are Opal White Quartzite. And if I could choose a paint color I'd be one happy camper.

Thanks everyone for your sugestions, I got some good ideas ! I think I might want to re-think the bold color contrast in the backsplash, & rather "accessorize" with bold colors like in my paint, or towels; that can be changed easier than a backsplash. Or like someone suggested, do a smaller area like behind the stove as a focal point.
I think I like the mini bricks in white; I'll have to check it out.
Thanks everyone ! I really appreciate it.