Maybe a tile wall mural backsplash...look at this artist I found on Houzz... http://www.houzz.com/projects/60312/Kitchen-Backsplash/ls=2

I would use stainless steel tiles with a pattern something like this and do the ceiling.. http://www.metalstainlesssteeltiles.com/emt_100-sil-sm~metal-mosaic-tile.asp

I love your choices.

I'm ready for some large tiles on backsplashes. I think we've about overdone the mosaic trend. So I'd go with the suggestion from A Kitchen That Works and select a 6 x 24 porcelain field tile, laying it horizontally, and add a single row of glass mosaics between every two rows of the 6 x 24s, carrying the tile to the ceiling around the vent hood.
Carolyn Albert-Kincl, ASID

I also like very large tiles in a backsplash..but usually in a "busy" kitchen. This one is very sleek..smooth..solids..for that reason I would use a smaller tile (not little glass, so over that) but one that creates a little pattern for the room such as stainless using several size tiles as in my earlier example.

Visit www.backsplashtogo.com for some great selection

I really like A Kitchen That Works LLC idea.

What is the flooring material/color? Countertops? Might want to consider a dimensional tile or stone.

Beautiful kitchen. What is your favorite color, incorporate it into the backsplash with a pattern of some sort. Unless you add some color somewhere it will not "pop".

Have you considered adding interest by adding both color and pattern. The tile in this photo is stained glass and can be custom colored to work with your taupe cabinets.

beautiful kitchen love the colour. Have you thought about a glass splashback, I would like to see it in a soft blue or aqua. You could also consider wallpaper in a big design in tones that match the kitchen then the glass spashback goes on top of the wallpaper.

Sorry, didn't read your summary! What about something like this? Would lend some texture and an organic feel. Good luck! Beautiful so far!

http://houzz.com/photos/862718

I brought home a tile, in 2 different colors! Both are from Sonoma Tiles. It's the Duo in either raffia (which matches the cabinets) or in saki which is more like an off white which looks great with the wallpaper. What are your thoughts? I don't care for the squares, but the store didn't have the lighter color in the Duo brick. Help!

The one on the left matches the cabs....the color on the right is lighter although it reads quite similar in these photos

Or I can use a more white glass. Left picture is the saki color against the wallpaper nd the photo on the right is a different white glass in squares.

Great Kitchen - I would not hesitate to go with a slab of granite all the way to the ceiling - go with some soft colors - browns, creams, gold.

Great kitchen - where are your cabinets from, what's the finish and the color; hard to tell from the photo, but an interesting color pallet. Thanks for the info.

You have a gorgeous kitchen!

I also just did my kitchen in similar colors. I love it. I used a crackle porcelain tile in an oval shape it picks up on the taupe color nicely Maybe it would work for you too?

check out luxumcountertops.com They have awesome countertops and backsplashes.

I would go for a bright glass splash back such as bright turquoise, orange or violet glass. Nice bright and shiny

Do you want the backsplash to blend in -- more of a monochromatic look or do you want to make a "wow" statement? Have you considered "mother of pearl" tiles?? They are so gorgeous!! Go to houzz.com -- hit the "products" button at the top and type in "mother of pearl tiles" . Prepare to be amazed. You can get white, shades of gray, shades of taupe, etc. BEAUTIFUL!!!

I would agree with greenrealtorlandy and continue the coffee coloured granite up as a splashback covering all of the wall between the wall and base units.

White subway tile.

Painted glass, same color as the walls

I would use a larger format tile like the Daltile Florentine Carrara with the polished surface. It comes in both a 10x14 and 12x24 size, and has the traditional Carrara marble look but when you see it in person the veining is more of a brown/gray then true gray, which I think would work great with your taupe cabinets and coffee brown counters. I would also run them horizontally with straight joints, not brick lay.

Also, I would go to the ceiling behind the hood as well.

How about a 'smoke' grey glass subway tile. We would love to send you a few samples to compare.

How about a solid piece of back lit glass...sleek and sexy just like the kitchen

You might consider checking out artistictile.com. They have a great selection and a lot of truly unique options!

Awesome kitchen. I agree with the stainless steel tile idea, you need a little bling in there to bring some shine because your other textures are pretty matte. Love your cabinet colors, am experimenting w those myself:)