Subway tiles, sage crackle glazed from fired earth.

I should have added pics of the rest of the kitchen when I originally posted - here they are. The paint is neutral but a bit of a darker taupe so I thought to lighten it up to sell it. Also do I backsplash 3 areas or just two - by the window and across from the window - the area on the stove side? The cupboard colour is expresso. We are also retiling the floor area in the hallway outside of the kitchen and will be continuing the tile into the kitchen so what you see on the floor now (laminate faux tile) will also be changed. We are also adding a new sink. We also have to paint the ceiling and are changing the range hood. Light fixtures are brand new so they are not going to be replaced. Yes before we sell I will be decluttering ...

The walls don't look very dark in your pictures. If you must keep the ceiling fans repalce them with white. I'm not a fan of ceiling fans but if you must have them it's better if they just fade into the ceiling as much as possible. Personally I'd change them for some great lighting fixtures. They are adding to the dark feeling as are the black appliances.

I would go classic with the white subway tile. After seeing the pics with the floor, the others may be too busy for the space.

bdennison - the floors are being changed to a neutral porcelain tile

Why are you changing the floor? If linoleum I agree but if tile I ask why?

It isn't tile - it is laminate

Just for some reference, here are some pics of the first tile installed ( we put the same tile up in our kitchen last year) Hope this helps!!

Just beautiful! Nice job!

deadmedia - beautiful!

The one on the left for sure.

#1 left tile is great,..more classic, will stay looking current longer than the other tile. The #2 tile is too faddish, and you will get tired of it too quickly. Tile is a long term commitment go classic and clean,..YOU should love it, you will have it a long time.

I like #1 better -- I find the other one busy and muddy. If you are planning to sell, why not pick out one of the palest colors in the tile and paint the wall that color? (i.e. neutral and brighter than current color).

I think the first one will appeal to the most buyers.

The second one will be "dated" too quickly. If you are into other suggestions, my thoughts are that the tile with all the other colors being so similar will look too muted, so I'd do something different. Depending on the colors, try a penny tile. Or, since you have all the super smooth materials (finish on cabinets), polished counter, etc., maybe go with a textured stone tile backsplash?

I like the second one, but you could also have a cream color too.

I like the first one! Have you given some thought into laying them vertically though, like in the below picture? It will give the illusion of height....good luck....

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Just to be blunt...do not put up the colored glass mosaic tile. It screams 2008 and would clash with the busy tile floor. A simple white subway tile will be classic and would appeal to buyers. Check Maria Killem, Colour Me Happy, a blog about color choices. Taupe seems so simple but she has great posts about the undertones of paint. Good luck on the sale.

Yeah, All 4 show! Much better and how obvious. (the horizontal run looked just as susceptable to "dated" charges as the mosaic to me). This we see a little less of. I read a poll somewhere that said that almost 60% of buyers immediately redo the kitchen. It seems verified by the number of people on this sight asking for advice on perfectly decent contemporary looks that they have just moved into. So maybe the question becomes"how much do you want to invest in a decor that stands a very good chance of being redone, no matter what?" When I flip, I focus on perceived value and good lighting, and call it a day

studio10001 has a great point....if reselling your home is in the near future.... :)

debbiecz - the kitchen floor is being changed to a neutral tile so I don't believe the backsplash would clash with that. I do appreciate your comments.

Yes, Use the first backsplash. It goes with your modern cabinets.

too much going on, too busy, i would keep it simple, one color, white.

I think your first choice is neutral enough- you have a beautiful kitchen! I really like the taupe it feels warm but will appeal to buyers as well, why are you changing it?

Maybe just paint the backsplash if you are selling. I did not think it is dated but the new thing but I may be out of it with what is new. Personally, the craze is subway tile but I hate it. It reminds me of the subway and I don't want to feel like I am in a subway!

The 1st one definitely. It is more streamlined, modern than the 2nd one which is too busy. The 2nd one may not be liked by all buyers. I have similar cabinets and used tiles similar to the 1st backsplash but uses that as an accent - the field tile is an elongated off -white porcelain. Will take pics tomorrow.

You mentioned replacing the vent hood above stove. I see your microwave on counter. Have you considered replacing vent hood with above range microwave? Would give more counter space and update look of kitchen.

What year and style is your home? It looks to be traditional and in that case I would do a subway tile especially for resale. Glass tile is modern and trendy but you want to appeal to the mass market. Mix a little contemporary and traditional and you will have a bidding war.

PS. when selling declutter the top of the cabinets

I do not like subway tile at all. It looks like in a subway. Why do people want to have tile like a subway. Nothing cool about a subway. You say the mass likes it but I don't. Just sharing my personal opinion.

bevballew - I agree with you - I don't like them either.

I've already picked the backsplash and it was neither of the pictures that I posted but one similar to #1.


grtedford - we are replacing the range hood. We can't put a over the range microwave there as we'd have to tear out the cupboard and we don't want to get into ripping out brand new cupboards.

Andrea - the house is traditional but I'm trying to mix it up with contemporary. I already planned to declutter the top of the cabinets.

Amy Stanley - thank you - I appreciate your comments. I'm not sure if we are going to change the paint colour. I think I'll wait until we get the backsplash up and change the floor tiles and then we'll decide.

That is all many people suggest is subway tiles! I dont think it would go with your kitchen! Good luck! Beautiful kitchen!

How about single color backsplash such as on those photos, probably light beige color in both lines would be nice.

The first one is perfect!

I would use a backsplash with more black and silver. Are app. In stainless? If so use more silver or stainless in splash.

I'm a realtor in Ontario, here's my 2 cents. Both of those samples are very in right now, but I see them so often I'm tired of them already. I would suggest a neutral glass tile as a previous poster suggested, and the accents of colour with a bowl of limes etc. Let the buyer decide how to accent, rather than being stuck with a busy backsplash choice that may only be temporarily in style. I think those busy tile mixes may go the way of Terracotta tiles which were popular for about 10 minutes!

I couldn't agree with you more, ReMax.

You have a point. Once they start showing up at Home Depot, the look is over with. Classic subway lasts and you never get tired of it.

Good luck with the rest of the redo, Tracey. Sounds like you're off and running!

Cmr. I hate subway tile and would rip it out if I had a home with it. Home Depot probably has it. I don't think you can run away from things dating themselves. Just my opinion.

First tile is perfect. It will look beautiful with the countertops, cabinet color, and taupe paint!

Creamy tumbled travertine set on the diagonal.

Also make sure you have plenty of undercabinet lights.

Of course you can run away from things not dating. Subway tile isn't dated EVER. I've been a professional designer for 10 years and subway its still in style because its classic. Glass is here today and gone tomorrow. This kind of glass is selling at lumber stores...when it started out in showrooms. Which means its been downgraded. When you can guy the same thing at tile outlet, the look is called a trend. Trend is easily dated. Classic design however is timeless and lasts.

Posters may want to read the thread first.

Hi Tracey
Is the backsplash installed yet? Take pics asap so we can see!

Esp considering your floors...now that I saw the pic above of them. A classic subway -not white but something colored would be perfect. You don't need a busy backsplash because you already have a lot going on -on your floors.

#1 is going to appeal to more buyers, however, I would seriously consider a white or other color subway tile as others have suggested because your kitchen flooring is patterned. If your flooring was less busy then I would go with #1 no question!

I guess in my neck of the woods subway not popular. Never see it. I don't like it and hearing the big push for it is interesting. Didn't wish to offend so sorry if I did so just don't like it at all.

I'm so glad you found one you like! I thought the first two were too busy. I bought our townhouse and was excited at the time that our kitchen was done in this really cool glass tile backsplash but now that I actually live here I hate it because it's so hard to design around. Neutrals are always best when appealing to the masses because it can match any decor or style. Good luck and post after pictures :)