I would skip the rooster mosaics--they're a little outdated. It's your kitchen but I personally don't like permanent things that are tied to a by-gone decade. Frame the rooster and put it on a wooden back so you can remove it if you want a change.

Appreciate your thoughts on the rooster but I love it and it's going up! Would like input on the grout color though!

sounds like there will be plenty of things going on in this kitchen -- I'd keep the grout color close to the tile color for this one.

I would go very close to the tile color. Your accent will be the texture of the 3x6 sized tiles. Philosophy --- If you accent everything, you accent nothing.

Your safest bet is to match the tile. You could always try a small sample area with the grey grout. If you like it then use it. If not scrape it out and go with the other.

They've been "in" my whole life ;)

I agree to keep the rooster! And, I also agree to keep the grout the tile color so Mr Rooster (and the copper sink) will be the stars. :)

What's not in is a mosaic behind the stove. They were really big in the 90's....remember the Tuscan scenes?...now people usually go for a simpler style. Rooster is great. That's why I recommend putting it on a wood backer with a frame and hanging it on the wall behind the stove, It could then be removed or replaced by current owner or the next owner without demolition.

I know you love the rooster but it is a shame to date a brand new kitchen why not have him framed and use as a piece of art somewhere as for grout as cloose as you can to the tile color for sure.

Use the rooster! It's your kitchen. As far as subway tile is concerned, I would hire a local kitchen designer. No one on this board can tell from a photo. Also, the number one post on Houzz is from people who hate their subway tile. Enjoy your new kitchen!

Lol, who knew a rooster would be so polorizing. Maybe I'll call him Trump! I designed my kitchen and love the rooster so he stays & will be permanent until I die. After I'm gone next owner, my daughter or D-I-L can do with it as they wish. My grandmother always had a rooster in her kitchen. Lots of good memories and I'm carrying on the tradition. We tore down the old farmhouse to build this house and the first thing all the nieces and nephews asked, "You're going to keep the roosters and chickens, aren't you?!". Do appreciate the comments on the color of the grout though. My instincts are to go with grout just a smidge darker than the tile but thought I would query the pro's & wannabes input to test my decision. Thank you all for your thoughts. Life is short, do what makes you happy, even if it is a rooster and subway tile ;).

Too cute...mudpiesnfireflies...you could also call him "The Donald" hehehee.

What are you talking about Belle, in all this time I have rarely heard someone hating their subway tile.

I haven't seen a topic on Houzz saying "I hate my subway tile" either. On the contrary, many say it will never go out of style. Did I miss something?

Use the rooster. It is a classic look and NEVER goes out of style. Just wait, tiny glass tiles are already on their way out. You can never go wrong staying traditional and not always jumping on every "trendy" bandwagon...at least on higher end homes.

Bottom line: you like the rooster, you keep the rooster. It's your kitchen and your rooster. You asked for opinions on grout color. Keep it simple and as close to the tile color as possible. Narrow grout lines, easier to keep clean.

No one is saying not to use the rooster....we are saying not to permanently affix it to the backsplash. We are encouraging her to frame the mosaic and hang it.

Ode to Mr. Rooster:

Print his likeness on a kitchen towel,

Or frame him and hang from a dowel,

But some thought it strange,

Affixed over the range,

Forever- and called it a fowl.

Grout color close to tile color. You want to make your rooster the star and contrasting grout might be distracting IMHO

I am remodeling my country kitchen too, and this mosaic caught my eye, as I'm looking for something special to go behind my cooktop. Where did you purchase this from?? I have several large ceramic roosters and chickens that I was thinking of incorporating in my overall décor, and this would be cool! But..... I am also leary of "dating" my permanent features, in case I want to sell my house someday. Don't want a potential "lady of the house" hating it. Want my kitchen to be a wow factor! But, again, I'd like to know where you got this mosaic? I really do like it. The colors are vibrant.

Pmlmll mosaic came from mosaico.com. Kitchen is almost finished. Husband still working on Osage orange counter for island. Using temporary oak top till it's finished. I had my rooster mosaic tiled

Good for you! Looks great

I like your rooster :)

Thanks jesker! I am a nurse by profession and not a designer so feels good to have a few compliments on my choices instead of the negative rooster placement comments. I designed my island too down to the paint finish and hardware and had a local cabinet builder build all my cabinetry. Another favorite feature I had built was a pull out broom cabinet that houses, of course my broom & dust pan, aprons, step stool and plastic bag storage. Handy. Placement is just to the right of the fridge. My husband and I designed our home together after a few years of contemplation. He drew up the plans and then we found a contractor to work with; we did some of the work ourselves when not working at our other jobs. It was a stressful year with lots of decisions but worth it!

flopsycat1, I took liberties with your input ;)

Ode to Mr. Rooster:

Print his likeness on a kitchen towel,
Or frame him and hang from a dowel,

but, That would be strange somehow!

Affixed over the range to display

Is a beautiful fowl in every way!

If anyone is having problems selling a house I might suggest the addition of a tiled in rooster mosaic. Hahaha, came back to my Houzz account and completely forgot about this post. Read with great amusement as we sold our country "dream home" to relocate to city living. Getting ready to do an addition with complete new kitchen and with another Rooster mosaic.....the exact same one! Our house sold within 4 days, 3 full price offers. All the women were in love with the kitchen and the "Rooster".