Looks beautiful! I like the idea of a white or off white subway tile with white or light grey grout.
How do you feel about orange accent items.
Anew grey is a great neutral color and the add your accent colors with your rugs and curtains,etc

Also chairs with color would be nice

Hi Leigh, Thank you for the compliment and all your input! Yes, I agree that it's probably best to add color in the chairs, rugs, pillows, curtains, etc. (orange could work somehow) and stick to white tile of some kind. I actually have white subway tile in one bath with light grey grout so was wanting something different for kitchen. Thanks!

I wouldn't do white subway tile because I think it would be too flat and would blend into the countertop. Even though the lower cabinets do have some variation, the upper cabinets and countertop are visually more flat and cool in color and those two finishes are closest to the backsplash. I would therefore create some visual interest between them by having a backsplash that has some variation. I would do a thin glass mosaic tile and run it vertically to complement the vertical grain in the lower cabinets and to counter the long horizontal planes of a galley kitchen.

If you're inclined to do something more conservative and go with white subway, I would go with glass white subway so it's reflective surface adds some interest.

How about a linear white subway installed stacked instead of offset? This is a nice modern look...

I really like Darzy's idea. You definitely should do a glass backsplash to match your modern kitchen. The backsplash needs to be reflective. I would go with a bigger tile stalked. You can do either white or a light, pastel color...light gray (that almost looks white), light green. You want a suttle hint of color that's not that obvious.

I have a another idea if you really want different. :) How about these gorgeous modular wall panels? They can be installed to look seamless and you can paint them any color you want. (Washable trim paint). That way, if you tire of the color or your boldness, you can always repaint them later.

Love the tile. Have you considered installing it vertically?

Backpainted glass

I love the unique tile you selected. I understand your "tacky" fear but if it doesn't end up looking tacky it will look fabulous! I think it will be beautiful and unique...not tacky.

There are so many possibilities here! If you want to keep it simple a white glass tile will look great. If you want a little contrast a light cream color or a grey with bright white grout would look fantastic as well. Ill post some of our available options from our Houzz store below. Would you like some free samples to help make your decision easier?

Here is our white glass subway tile:

Here is our ice white linear mosaic:

Taupe Gray glass subway tile:

Cream glass subway tile:

Your choice in cabinets are so unique and pretty. I would caution you in adding "too much" color mix in your tile back splash. We just bought a house that they had redone the kitchen but the cabinets, counters and back splash has so much going on my eyes jump around in a spastic kind of way.. Just a thought from someone who is living the "jumble"

I would bring in a local kitchen designer. Good luck!

I think the options for what would look good are relatively limited. Going with white glass would be an easy solution.

Backsplash ideas.

I could picture a tumbled travertine (various ones to choose from) to add texture to you beautiful glossy cabinetry.

Love, love, love LeeLee's suggestions. They are modern with a twist and so much more interesting than subway. One issue about using white with white is that to my eye, they don't look good together unless they "match" and have the same undertones. If they don't match it looks like a mistake. Close, but no cigar. If you go with a pale new color you can have a subtle contrast.

I like the idea of white or gray glass. Another possibility is to bring in a very mild color, perhaps a sea glass tone -- I recently did a kitchen with cabinets similar to what you're using, and I went in that direction. Think it worked well -- did a very pale green for the paint too, although a gray would work too. (I had grey counters there.)

Have you considered stainless? With your modern touches it could really work beautifully and reflect light around the room see photo

Agreed^ Stainless could work very well here as well.

Here is a 2x4 stainless mosaic:

If you're inclined to do a glass other than white, I think it would look best if it subtly included the current colors of white, beige, brown, and gray. I think introducing a new color would be too much and I think glass that is all light gray or only light gray/white will compete with the light beige of the upper cabinets. With just two colors, I think light beige/white would be better. If you go with all white, I agree it should be the same color as the counter but they will be two different materials so they understandably will not look exactly the same.

A white tile with the upper cabinet color as the grout color may also work.

Hi everyone, Thank you all for your comments/input! I definitely appreciate them all and they are a huge help! I think what most of you are saying makes sense - about keeping it more simple - and would like to see how samples of a glass with a subtle hint of taupe/grey or even the clouded white look as well as a sample of stainless steel look.

One more question: For the side with the hood, should I stop the tile where the top of the cabinets are? Architect has it at mid-point of hood - but I think this is awkward.

Thank you again everyone!

I like the tile all the was up, but trust your architect. he did a good job so far

I agree the tile to be midpoint of hood if it's 2/3 of the space from the counter to the ceiling.

An iridescent backsplash may be nice.