Hi Alexis - I'll follow this thread also and post some ideas I have. There have been so many beautiful cool grey/blue/green things as of late. I'm actually interested in something coppery/warm - but still modern. I'll see what I can dig up and what others post. Excited to see what we find!

I've posted a series of ideas a few comments down. So excited about new ideas...

I'm kind of loving the hexes and wide hexes that have surfaced in the last year. They seem like they would work well in my 50's house, too - especially the wide hex.

Maybe take a look at the fireclay and heath websites. They have some different shapes, gorgeous colors, and in Fireclay's' case, some lovely patterns and also the thin brick tile. Pricey though.

Back painted glass is pretty slick. I put it in after seeing it in this thread.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2449038/digital-printing-on-glass-as-backsplash

Lurkerlisa- I love those BS. So cool. I wonder how a fun collage of black and white family/friends photos would look? Maybe not the entire space but part of a space?

Lurkerlisa-- I've been intrigued bythat thread too. Can you tell us more about your glass backsplash? Did you have your own image printed? Was it difficult to find and install? Expensive? (maybe I should add to the other thread rather than risk hijacking this one?)

Encaustic Cement Tile

I'm contemplating a San Felipe pattern in 8" tiles in a solid neutral color. I like the variation, shape, etc.

What I'd really like to do if I didn't have to consider DH's opinion would be a patchwork of 8" encaustic like a quilt in all different shades of neutrals and maybe a little sage+mint+evergreen+kelly green variation.

Lurkerlisa love those cabinets!

another possibility is to put fabric stretched over a board behind glass intalling it with the intention of changing it out from time to time when you get bored with it. Strippable wallpaper is also making a bit of a comeback...

Wow you guys are really thinking outside the box here Thanks for all the good comments and suggestions.

Ooooh I like the idea of wallpaper as a splash. Maybe something vintage if you are into that. Great way to add color too!

I stenciled a backsplash in my kitchen. A branch behind the stove, and leaves scattered randomly elsewhere.

Wallpaper behind glass! Brilliant!

Just this morning I was looking at my butcher block cutting board propped up on one end wall and thought that would make a good backsplash all around.

I wish I had saved them to share but I've seen photos where people have done art prints, photos (family and/or landscape), stenciling or their own hand-painted designs, and even memorabilia (like concert ticket stubs) behind tempered glass that is held in place in such a way that it is easily removed to change-up what's behind it. Yeah, would be easier with plug mold outlets.

Another alternative, beadboard wallpaper. I would paint it white first, then use a glaze similar to a Raw Sienna color, which is warm and would compliment the Cherry cabinets. It's also washable, and you escape the hassle of the real stuff, but it looks very close to it.

Here's a link for the wallpaper:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_314368-37364-19739_0_?productId=3104163

Natural stone - but with texture. Personally not for me because I'm convinced it would be difficult to keep free from dust and any splashes from cooking would be harder to clean.

Inlays - Stainless Steel & Color Highlights

These are probably a mosaic and not that "fresh"...

Pencil Tile - but different from typical horizontal installation.

Vertical install is newer trend. The variable sized with includes pencil is also interesting.

Tempered Sheet Glass - Mentioned earlier in this post, but I like this wave pattern. Seems more approachable than a giant tomato...

Chevron-Herringbone - This has been trending for 3-5 years already. I'd hesitate as I think it is a statement of early 2010s and might be the first to appear dated.

Here is one interesting mosaic backsplash picture I have had saved for awhile. I think it is cool!

Not sure if you saw this thread on the Home Decorating forum, but it's a pretty amazing and very different backsplash: http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3211588/need-help-large-tile-backsplash-layout?n=9

iris_marteja's ideas · More Info

Geometric - Seems to be trending again.. both in wallpaper and tile.

Limestone - okay so probably not a trend, but I found something a bit different that has me quite excited.

I would love to hear other ideas from GW users for what to do with limestone. I'd like to have a quartz counter with limestone backsplash. I used seagrass limestone in my masterbath (slab counter & subway tile for shower & backsplash) and have thought about another fossil limestone with brown tones (instead of green).

Updated to add link to GW user with limestone BS (4x12 subway): Kitchen Reveal

Regardless, today I found something called silver beige vein cut and I love it! Check out this placement of large format rectangle tiles. I'd probably use smaller format in my kitchen, but I'm officially in love. The grey vein cutting through the sample in the lower photo means the overall tile could have some variation that one might not love...

Pebble - river rock

There's a GW commenter who recently did this DIY - couldn't find the thread, but here are a couple photos of this idea:

Patterns

Lots of fun ideas in this space. The prints are not something I would do (too avant-garde for me), but the third one marble with inlay is one I like and would consider.

I am loving these back splashes! And I have white subway tile which I also love. I need more kitchens! Love the river rock. Haven't seen that before either.

Mosaic - crushed china -

The picture rebunky posted is really cool! If I had heirloom china from my family, I'd totally be tempted to incorporate this is some way - especially the chipped pieces. I found the original designers webpage - link below. Also, how adorable is the pencil holder? Love it! The chandelier is also a fun touch.

I could see lavendar doing those ^ . I wish DH would let me! I think it's darling, whimsical, and happy.

@ AnnKH, stenciled is a great idea. I have a wall that I want to add some interest to, but cannot hang anything there because a cabinet door would hit it. I am going to stencil the area, thanks to your idea. Thank you!

This type of glass tile back splash may not be new to GW, but here's our new backsplash. Looks much better in person - the picture doesn't do it justice, imo.

Choosing a backsplash can be overwhelming! Here
is a great article: A
Backsplash Guide

I am liking the pencil type glass mosaic layed vertically...but I will probably go with a white subway with matching or a very minimal contrasting grout. I like the tile samples above that look like quilt or "old world" pottery patterns..

It's all so over whelming.....lol...it may come down to cost and ease..since I'll be doing it myself..