Look at some of the big guys--about 10 years ago I got some handmade American Olean subways (complete with fingerprints on the back) special ordered from one of the big box stores to be a field tile for my Motawi accent$. I don't know if they still make that particular tile but AO and Daltile have a lot of stuff we tend to not notice.

Yes like elizardbethday said Home Depot and lowes have nice ceramic subway tile. I'm using Allen +Roth Pearl for my backsplash. They also have a few other colors like Fawn and Chocolate a soft taupey color. HD has a pretty crackle gray tile.

Somertile's Thames line has a very handmade look. http://www.overstock.com/search?keywords=somertile+thames&SearchType=Header

PS I found them for $7/sqft locally.

Thanks, everyone. Unfortunately, I also want a fun green color, so some of those aren't going to work. But look: http://www.completetile.com/products/ceramic/modulatti_ceramics/mounted_field_tile/leaf_peeper_-_satin_crackle

That's $13 /sf. Quite reasonable, and less than half of Fireclay. I'm going to order some samples.

Open to any other suggestions, of course. :)

Thanks for that last link, raenjapan. I've been looking for the same thing for over a year!

I had pretty much given up due to the price, but $13 I might swing. I tried the Allen and Roth Pearl, which is pretty, but was not good with my countertop. Like you, I am really drawn to a varigated grey green pop of color.

I like the Leaf Peeper. What a name, huh? Looks a little yellow, but it is so hard to tell looking online. I am liking green river and moonshadow too. What other color samples were you going to order?

Glad it helps. I ordered the moonshadow (which on my screen looks maybe kinda greenish?), Lily Pad, and Leaf Peeper. I really want green, and I'm hoping the Leaf Peeper works for my house. I like fresh looking greens like that. The Green River isn't the vibe I'm going for, and the turtle green is too dark. I'll post pics when they get here.

Just curious: where are you seeing a price, raenjapan?

I had to email them for the price. Annoying.

ah, too bad you want green. I have a bunch of butter yellow handmade subways sitting in my basement that I ordered for our backsplash and then changed my mind about.

daisychain, do you still have the tile? I might be interested!

How about : http://www.urbanarchaeology.com/overstock/Tile/Metro.html

First, check your local CL ads in the Materials section. I found a brand new Perrin and Rowe bridge mount sink in my local ads for $400. I've seen many high-end tiles that are leftovers for sale there, too. Second, I was looking for this look myself and saw some companies machine make "handmade" looking subway tile (yes, really). Good luck!

Emily, when do you need them and where are you? We had a house fire and the tiles are in storage. After a year long restoration, we are just getting ready to move back in and things are nuts right now. If/when the tiles come back (it seems to be a bit of a crapshoot of what was saved, what wasn't) I would be willing to give them to you if you pay for shipping. I just won't be able to get around to doing it for a bit.

oh daisychain, what a challenging year you have had! I'm glad that you are getting ready to move back in, and I can only imagine what it's been like to move through fire/flood damage and navigating life through that.

As for us, we are in Boston, and our renovation will begin Jan 4th, so we have a bit of time, and/or can be flexible and do the backsplash afterwards. It's so kind of you even to be willing to think about anyone else's home!