Marble-like countertop options include marble, quartzite, engineered quartz and neolith. Depending on the marble, it's the cheapest option but it does etch. The quartzites I found were lovely, but not as white as marble and a lot more expensive. I never looked at the engineered quartz options seriously because dh vetoed them, but there are many threads debating various brand/color choices. Neolith or dekton is sort of like a tile with no seems I think. It is the newest of the choices and there are a few thread on it. It is pricey.

Your first inspiration picture (and romy's second inspiration picture) reminds me of heath or fireclay tile. Both have very lovely choices. Both are pricey (I think somewhere in the $25 per square foot range and up depending on shape and color). Fireclay will send you five free samples, which you can order on their website.

I really like the Highland park subway tiles from thebuilderdepot.com. we bought marble tile from them but this is a newer line they're carrying. I like it because they look like a good marriage between the flat subway and textured at a good price.

Romy,

I love your second pic's backsplash tile. Is that from Houzz? I would to find out if that tile is tagged.

I like the tile in the second pic's backsplash tile also. The tile in the first picture is Walker Zanger Ceramica Alhambra it is very pricey.

nice choices!! going to look fab!! i would suggest u find your counters first and then pick your B/S... its very hard to do either w/o the other, and to me the counter is more important than the B/S...YMMV...

with your inspiration pics, i would probably do a honed counter, i think it adds to the rustic feel, IMO..but that might depend on your flooring., i don't think you stated what you we using??

when u go for counters, bring a cab, floor and paint sample with you...anything u have, bring with you...if u have a B/S sample, bring it. it will really help the process.

i don't think i would do the light rail trim to match the island. if u do it on the hood, i think that would be the perfect touch...., less is best.!!

Thank you all. Romy -- the wood trimmed hood in your photo went right to the carpenter. That is exactly the vision we had there.

The floor is medium stained white oak. We also decided staining the rail would be too much. thank you for pointing that out.

We are leaning toward honed marble, but if anyone has good experience with a honed quartz marble-like surface I would love to hear about it. I think we have the tolerance for patina. Thanks for the backsplash advice.

You are welcome, nightowl. So glad the picture helped. I've attached a couple more pics of this kitchen for you & moms2sulu. I've been unable to source the tile. I found the pics on Decorpad & the designer is Westbrook Designs. The tile is iridescent glass.

Thanks, Romy, for those extra pics! :)

I would call iridescent glass bling!

Have you seen motherof3sons' kitchen? She used the cherry from her base cabs for a thin light rail and beading around the glass. I kind of like it just for the beading. The backsplash is photoshopped in as she was asking for help choosing one.