close up pics.

Gray is certainly modern, but first install your backsplash - then choose your wall color! lighting can change everything!

Painter is coming soon so won't have time to put in backsplash. Wondering if I should use a lighter gray than countertops.

A lighter gray would be nice. Hate to throw in another color, but have you looked at Accessible Beige?

Choose what you love. Why are you concerned that the color is in or out?

What is the backsplash? There really is not that much wall after you install the backsplash. I think one of the good old standbys Benjamin Moore Palladian blue would look great or Woodlawn Blue.

Sage is too homely. Gray seems too modern for the space.

Go white with light grey counters...

Gina don't really know colors of backsplash yet. Was thinking white subway possibly but not set on anything yet. Wee have white trim in our old house and a white farm sink. Painter uses only Sherwin Williams but have a little bit of time to mess with samples. The blue may look pretty with the gray counter tops too. Just don't want a blue that is too overwhelming. I don't really have a knack or an eye for design so your feedback is appreciated.

Actually a lot of wall space than previously shown including back room.

Love the blue subway tile and look here. Not sure it would work with gray countertops though. http://houzz.com/photos/1002300

I think the palladian would be great! its subtle and Sherwin can match any color just give them the name a number. its a designers standby and will make your beautiful wide door, window and floor trim look awesome! white subway will look great too. crisp classic and inviting.

I would stay with a lighter gray on walls for contrast, if you go too dark on the walls, your countertops will just look, well, like a big gray heavy slab. I like the countertops and agree white subway tile would look great. Somewhat modern look, but vintage at the same time. Crisp, clean lines and color. That's the ticket!

Here

Oops here

I painted my bathroom gray owl with white Quartz counter and I hated it so much we repainted it something a little darker (Galveston gray). The white Quartz brought out the green in the color in the gray owl. My friend did gray owl with carerra and it looked amazing. Do a test sample of the paint against the stone and in the proper light!

I'm speculating that if any color is going out of style it's probably gray.

Really you think gray will be going out of style? I just ordered the sleek concrete quartz countertops which I really liked. Super earthy and soft looking. I am leaning toward this glass backsplash that I thought would give the room more zip and would look nice with the light maple cabinets, white farm sink and white trim in my old home.

sleek concrete quartz by ceasarstone

we have the gray ceasar stone and white carera on our kitchen. getting ready to move and the discussion in my house is no more Caesar stone. although we love the utilitarian aspect of it, it is very freakly bout looking streaky all of the time. also, I agree I am tired of the gray it has become drab quickly. in hindsight I wish I had gone with the quartz or marble white.

marble

jascherm, yes, gray will definitely go out of style--once it's in it'll go out. No matter how cool it seems--the more in it is, the quicker it's out. That's how the industry makes money. Plus, people are always looking for what's new and chic. They don't want "so last year". Classics are a little less likely go vary because they aren't so faddish.

I think a warm white would look great. And either a white subway tile or if you are a colorful person, a monochromatic glass or tile backsplash.

Maple cabinets, gray countertop and the multicolored glass tile backsplash would point to walls in gray to blend in. That backsplash would be the focal point, and I wouldn't bring in beige or blue to compete. BUT it is very difficult to select a paint color before the backsplash, so I would make up my mind about that first before settling on the paint color.

Many thanks for your advice! I actually decided on the backsplash below. I lover it and think it will look great with my white farm sink and cool white west elm table and white trim. I don't think the natural maple will go out of style and the lighter gray isn't too trendy. Maybe I am wrong. A friend came over and liked orange, cinnamon but I wasn't feeling it and want a light kitchen with some warmth.

Opening up another can of worms. Trying to make the best use of this connected back room for storage, little office, etc...(dog food, broom closet, coats and gloves) I priced a storage cabinet from same place we bought the kitchen cabinets and it was over a thousand bucks. Ideas for making this area cute but useful is appreciated too. :)

how about looking for a vintage/ salvaged kitchen cabinetry, there are usually some cool ones that we have used in other houses to "upcycle" from salvage yards. I also have a friend who has a similar area and for an inexpensive solution she is using threading pipes and joints (no welding involved) and simple wood shelving. Very utilitarian and cool looking too.