Don't ask me about tile, but for hardware (your knobs are lovely, by the way) I like A; it seems to echo the shape or the angles in the knobs. B doesn't seem to have anything to do with the knobs.

My vote:

1) Subway framed herringbone panel above cooktop.
2) Octagonal cross section handles to reflect octagonal shape of knobs.

What are your countertops? They are lovely.

I love the crystal knobs. Most elegant.

I am using the white subway tile in a running/offset joint pattern. But I am going to use the beveled tile. I like the picture with the herringbone feature using the same tile behind the cooktop. I like the subtle statement. I wouldn't get tired of it. I wouldn't do the other color feature. But, I tend towards the subdued. I don't think you would go wrong with either decision.

With the octagonal knobs, I definitely prefer the more angular pull (A).

As for tile patterns, I like the one in the upper right (offset joint with vertical straight-set trim). It adds interest without being overly busy, and it looks like the vertical trim would carry throughout the kitchen rather than just over the range. I'm not a fan of over-the-range features (personal preference--it seems like you like them).

I think the straight-set and especially the vertical straight-set are too contemporary for the rest of your kitchen. I think any of the rest would look fine.

I like knob A better, too.

Why not wait on the backsplash until you feel up to making more decisions? When I redid the kitchen in our previous home, I think I went for about a year without a backsplash. Since the area behind the range was sheetrock, I wasn't worried about fire hazard but if that's a concern to you, you could always tape a cookie sheet or something similar back there for safety until you make your decision.

I just find that if I'm rushed or tired, I usually end up making a bad decision. So I'd rather wait and live with your new kitchen so you can properly ponder your choices.

I love your kitchen. It's pretty much what I want to do (including the knobs and hardware!)
I vote for choice A for hardware
I'm boring so I would do the 2/3 offset tile with no frame behind the cooktop (but that's a very personal thing because i had something like that in a rental and really didn't like looking at it)
Good luck.

I would do handle A, and offset 2/3 or herringbone.

I generally go for pulls over knobs, but your knobs are so beautiful I'm wavering! I like your A pull choice the best. It has a strong form, but complements the knob and other elements in the kitchen rather than competes with them. As for tile patterns, I like so may of the variations that I cannot really be of help. Sorry.

After bpathome made that brilliant observation about the shape of the knob and pull, how can you not vote for A?

I hear you about the herringbone. It seems to have become the default for those tired of subway tile. But I think your kitchen needs color because you have so much cabinetry.

I like the accent tile. It brings in the blue paint and has some dark tiles that ties in the ORB hardware. Otherwise I'd use chrome pulls with crystal. What's got me scratching my head is how a large rectangle of it will look plopped into all that white, while the beverage area is ignored, which is the primary feature wall imo. So I think the accent under the hood could work if you spread a little of that blue around in your glass cabs and on the counters.

I vote A.
The tile you selected looks fantastic with your countertops, well done. I personally don't care for accent tile but, If you want to highlight the cooktop, I think a subtle change in pattern is a classic choice. If you are using a running bond for the backsplash tile, I would suggest changing the direction of the tile for your cooktop inset. I'd prefer a diagonal pattern, it's more of a classic look than a vertical tile orientation.

Don't forget to think about grout color sooner than later. Grout color can dramatically change the feel of thee installation.

My opinion: Exactly what cawaps said.

I prefer pull A.

I too am not a fan an accent behind the cooktop so my preference is the offset joint throughout, but that doesn't make it the right choice for you. Do you feel you "should" do an accent or is it that you want one? Go back and look at your favourite kitchen pics, what do they show behind the cooktop? Maybe that will help you decide.

Your kitchen is gorgeous!!

I vote A hands down. As for the colored iridescent tile, I would say no. It's trendy in my opinion, although beautiful! Do you want a pop of color behind your range?

I also really like the color variation the blue mosaic brings. All the whites together get a bit repetitive/boring, but you bring in one thing that is different, and suddenly it all comes to life.

The kitchen you have installed is a touch-old fashioned, so I am not sure the blue mosaic (which is very modern/trendy) looks quite right with it. But I really do like the grey-blue color with the rest of your finishes. Would you consider a similarly blue subway tile everywhere? Or perhaps a blue penny tile or hex tile (or any traditional shape like that)?

Examples:

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I can also see something a bit darker working nicely. The contrast is nice, and it plays well with the dark hardware you have in mind. Examples:

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I also like pull A. As for accent tile above the range, I am not a fan - but what do YOU like best?

I really like the colored tile Jillius posted.

Knobs: A, for sure.

Tile: I can't help there. I'd probably go simple subway, as that was what I did, as I was too tired of choices to make it complicated. :) Otherwise, maybe the herringbone over the cooktop. The other fancy patterns look too complicated to me at the moment, but I'm sure they might be awesome!

Offset, no accent over the stove, handle A. I like it simple. Beautiful Kitchen!

Your kitchen is fresh and beautiful! Love your countertop. I vote for handle A as well and offset tile layout with no accent feature. My personal preference is a neutral backdrop as my dishes and accessories are the star. Please post us your final pictures after all your hard decisions have been installed!

I love those crystal knobs. I just painted my bath cabinets white (formerly dark stain) and plan to put crystal knobs on them as soon as the paint cures. I love the bright, clear look of them with white. I agree, A is the pull I would choose, goes perfectly with the knobs. As for backsplash, that is the hardest thing to choose. I am not a lover of penny tiles myself, I think I'd just do the subways in a normal staggered pattern. Just personal preference though, herringbone is nice too. Your kitchen is beautiful!

I too like Handle A and Offset 2/5 or Offset Joint throughout.

I just returned from Waterworks SP in NYC and picked up Dove (gray crackle) and Icewater (slight blue crackle) 3x6. As Jillious, their designer suggests the light blue gives a white cabinet/Carrera kitchen a slight (needed) pop. Idk though, as blue is a cool color, and most of my house is warm color.

ssnewbie, may I ask the cost of the 3x6 subway tile in Mountain Mist by Jeffery Court? do you find it's gray color alters with your under cabinet lighting on? A few I picked up in gray seemed green with the LED of 3000k.

I vote for pull A. I like a continuous field, but if you want a pattern that is different than herringbone, how about the crosshatch on diagonal or one called "running bond", which is quite different.

This Houzz photo shows how the accent would look in a small space under a standard hood. I think it will be insignificant and out of place in the expanse of white in your kitchen.

In your other thread, I suggested using a single row of the mosaic as a frame, thinking you could frame squares on the diagonal or herringbone or arabesque, then repeat that in the beverage area with a large rectangle of framed tile. But your field tile only comes in subway and a 3 x 3" beveled. It also comes in a rectangular mosaic, so you might do what Lkaisgirl did. Although the Jeffrey Court mosaic doesn't have variation like hers, that little change in texture might just be enough.

[{{gwi:2135991}}[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/white-kitchen-bold-not-boring-traditional-kitchen-bridgeport-phvw-vp~1780893)

[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by West Hartford Kitchen & Bath Designers Kitchen + Bath Design + Construction, LLC

You've done such a great job already. Whatever you choose it's going to be great.

Herringbone is a classic, it's been around forever, I think it unlikely that anyone would tire of it, but if you're concerned that you will you can forgo it for the running bond and use the framed mosaic over the range. The running bond (lower right hand corner of your layouts, tiles butted end to end with their joint falling at the middle of the tile in the next row) has been around forever as well - and it's a much much easier, less expensive layout.

The knobs you've chosen are lovely. I prefer pull A to B, but you might want to consider a glass pull like the one below.

Visually, I like pull A better, for the sake of compatibility, but it doesn't seem like anyone has mentioned the feel of the pull in your hand. I don't know about you, but I dislike pulling on metal that has a right angle at the back where you grab it. I would never buy a batch of pulls without checking out the way they feel, but if that's not important to you, order a batch of A today! (Otherwise, can you get a sample first?)

I like the simple subway and have never been in love with the tile "feature" behind the cooktop in most examples I've seen. They often look like a tile serving tray glued to the wall to me. I like the tiles Jillius showed, though. Whatever you do, it's going to be lovely.

i agree with lori,
try it first for the feel of it

i liked a couple when i was choosing but when i tried them, they were so uncomfortable.
that being said, i like A..

as for tile, i love herringbone, so i would do that behind cooktop if i felt it needed "something"...
if not than just ur standard running bond/offset joint
not a fan of mosaics or vertical placement, i feel it will be dated and more importantly, i feel i will tire of it quickly, IMO

keep it simple.
you can always spice it up with accessories...

Thank you everyone for all the comments. Sometimes you just need to hear other people’s opinions to figure out your own! Sorry to take so long to reply. Forming coherent thoughts with my kids underfoot is nearly impossible!

So The A pull is the clear winner. Of course I had bought the B pull a few weeks ago when I was planning to do an arabesque tile, but other than being a little painful I can exchange them. I do worry a little about the feel, but I think aesthetics will trump in this case.

HomeChef59 the countertops are quartz. LG Hausys Viatera Rococo. We love them!

At this point I think I am leaning toward just skipping the accent and doing a staggered subway tile. It seems a little boring, but that also make it the “safest” choice. So even though it may not be stunning, I will likely not hate it in 5 years. Or maybe the offset joint with vertical straight-set trim once I have the tile in front of me and can lay it out. My husband is not a huge fan of the herringbone, and it would save a little money as well.

I can hopefully bring in more color with accessories, etc. I do really love the lunada bay accent tile. It has such a subtle sparkle and does tie in the paint color, the counters, the wood floor, and the ORB hardware. But I as much as the idea of a band sounds like the perfect solution, when I look at photos of other kitchens with a band accent for some reason I am not enamored. may_flowers I think I am so focused on the area behind the cooktop because it is opposite our family room that is open to the kitchen. But like you pointed out with a standard size cooktop it is a pretty small area to try to squeeze in an accent. Unless I am standing at the island the area by the glass doors is sort of tucked away behind the oven and fridge so I really don’t notice that wall much. I think originally I thought I would do paint more there to add more color in an eaisly changeable way. But I see your point about how it probably need the tile as well. Truly thanks for all your input. I have read a lot posts on this forum and you are kind of a tile genius!

Jillius I do like the idea of a blue/grey tile. That is close to what I was originally looking for but just could not find quite the right match. Blue is my favorite color, so our house is also fairly blue overloaded : ) And it is also almost the same color as the paint for the family room and kitchen. Benjamin Moore pale smoke (http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/palesmoke)

SparklingWater it is about $12/sq ft. After looking at pics on Houzz I thought Encore silver was goimg to be perfect, but it was very green in my house. The Mountain mist actually has a fair about of taupe to it which warms it up to my eye. (It reads light grey in our house)

I thought about going darker, but just am afraid it will take away from the light, airy, bright feel of the kitchen. I also really love the tiles with some subtle shade variation but did not have luck finding anything in the right color palate, and all of it was pricey (we need about 50 sq ft) Totally open to suggestions if anyone knows just the thing.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/san-jose-res-2-traditional-kitchen-san-francisco-phvw-vp~45350

And am not sure how crackle tile holds up to a messy cook and little kids…

As far as grout is there a collective thought? White? Match the tile? Dark Grey?

THANK YOU ALL AGAIN! HOMESTRETCH!

as far as grout, match the tile

glad u got almost all the details figured out, im sure its such a relief!!!

Thank you all again for your input, all your comments led me to look one more time at my options and I think I found a tile that will be just right! Mexican Handcrafted Tile very similar to suprema "touch of grey". It adds a little more color but is still neutral, that way I can do straight subway without worrying about an accent and it won't look too plain. I am excited to show you all in a couple weeks!

I'm glad you found something you're excited about. Looking forward to your pics.

Still needs a little trim on bookcase but basically done. Thank you all again. so happy and could not have done it without this sounding board. Hard to capture the tile color...

I like the subway tiles and the "touch of grey" gives some depth to the kitchen. Can you show us a close-up of the knobs and pulls? Love the pendant lights!

Love the tile colour! Nicely done, it's beautiful. Clean and classic.

Congratulations, it looks great. Your backsplash is so pretty and I love your pendants.

I love your countertops and the arrangements in your kitchen! While I do like Pull B, I think Pull A goes better with your room, especially with the lovely upper knobs. Re the tile behind the range -- I'd only be concerned that grout is awfully hard to clean from the inevitable grease. But since that's what you like, I 'd have to say many of the patterns you show us look really good. I do like a splash of color, but you may have plans for that with the minor appointments in the room.

Ssnewbeige, how big is your kitchen? I have been struggling with how to layout my kitchen in a new build. The floor plan is similar to yours, see post on kitchen critique. Was worried on where the frig was and how close the dinette was to the island. Do you like where all you appliances are? You don't have the triangle everyone talks about. Does that bother you? Do you have pics to the dinette?