I really like the larger size. Better than regular size (which is what I have).

It doesn't look grouted yet. Once grouted it will be less obvious. That being said he did screw up. Have it replaced if you are questioning it still after grouting. I think it looks OK tho.

I think it is fine but you have a LOT of squares and rectangles. I would use round objects (like in fruit bowls or in a topiary tree) with a soft window shade to break up all the straight lines.

@Bev, yes I wanted a lot of white, but the tiles were supposed to be smaller. Wondering if the larger size looks odd.

@nicolejanicewow & @lisa0527 Thanks, do you think it's odd that the same tile is in the bathroom showers too?

I think it looks lovely and no it's not weird at all to carry a tile through the kitchen and bathrooms.

I agree that the same tile that is used in bathrooms can be used in kitchens. They have been using the same tiles in bathrooms and kitchens for decades.

I think these larger tiles look better than the smaller ones, myself. The smaller ones remind me of public bathrooms; the bigger ones just seem classier.

@Rusty Empire It might look more obvious, we're grouting with a gray grout. Not super dark, medium though. I think it's called Dolorean Gray.

Try not to look at room elements in isolation. They are part of a whole. After you add fabrics and people to the mix, it becomes just a background. The white backdrop is fine if you like white. Generally speaking, the size of the tile should fit in with the scale of where the tile is going. Larger room = larger tile and vice versa. If it is the color scheme you want/like then I would not worry about it. PS - matching the back of a tile usually works for grout color!

@Keel's Floor Fashions & Design Center -- Hmm, it's a pretty small kitchen, so maybe the oversized tiles are out of place then? It's about 128 square feet.

I think the trend is moving to the larger formats. First 4x6, then 4x8, now 4x12. And I use Delorean Gray quite often & it's a good color grout for this. We're installing 4x14's next week !!! Think of it this way...less grout to clean!!!

It looks nice with the bigger ones.

Don't use gray grout unless it is very light.

Sounds like you're trying to talk yourself into ripping it out.

It looks fine, leave it alone. Truth be told, it would have looked even better on a 33 % offset install. Use white grout please! You have pattern/color in the tops below.

And word to the wise: It isn't enough to tell a builder " I want white subway.You may as well compare that to a diner order of " I want eggs"

You tell him the source, the style the sku #, the size......and how you want it installed.and you and he...... write it down.

I think the backsplash tile should be scaled to the size and general design of the kitchen. To my eye the size of these tiles make the simple shaker style doors of the upper cabinets in the photo look busy and small. Not a look I'd go for - especially with a contrasting grout. But ultimately you are the one who will be looking at them daily. If you have an image in your mind of how you wanted the finished kitchen to look and these haven't wowed you yet I'd seriously consider changing them.

I like the tiles. After the appliances are installed and the cabinets are dressed up with hardware you will have created a pretty backdrop for your kitchen. The size of the tiles will become a "non issue."

Like the tile size and I used the same subway tile in shower and kitchen, thought it brought continuity to our home. I think the larger tile is easier to clean.

As previous comments stated, that's a lot of white, however... Just think of all the possibilities
when it comes to adding splashes of color here and there. I don't think the larger tile looks bad at all, (especially if it doesn't bother you). However, if after all is said and done, you decide you really don't like it, then its your contractor's responsibility to make you happy.

Much luck to you on the rest of your renovation, you're going to enjoy this fresh, new look, for a long time to come!!

@Jan Moyer He received all of those things, including an actual sample tile in the size I wanted as I stated in the original post. He knows he messed up and offered to take it out and reinstall it correctly.

@teamaltese Does it? I'm really not sure. I'm going to go see it in person today and see what I think. Right now I could go either way, I'm really on the fence.

@Liese Sadler Do you have any photos? I'd love to see your kitchen backsplash.

1. its fine 2. its in 3. it was installed correctly 4. don't make a different choice in grout. 5. no matter which tile you ended up with, if you are waffling between two grout colors, pick the lighter one. 6. it doesnt matter that its the same as the bathroom. (i'd say differently if the bathroom was a decided color other than neutral). 7. move on.

Take it out.... You will always feel inside that it's not what you wanted. And what's with the weird way the end is finished off? Carry straight across

The tile looks fine but I'm wondering how you're going to load the dishwasher since when you're standing at the sink you won't be able to open the dishwasher. The DW should have gone to the left of the sink on the same wall.

I agree with cpartist. Move the dishwasher!

cpartist is right about that dishwasher. I'd fix that now while your contractor is still there.

I like the tile. It is a handsome mistake. If you are OK with it, go ahead and ask for a significant discount on this element of the job. For me, a handsome mistake (like nnigrt says) can be left so long as you are compensated for it. The compensation should be in the realm of "cost of replacement material, demolition, and labour to REINSTALL". Like I said....it should be significant. Most builders will jump at the chance of offering a discount for their mistake vs. "doing it over again". It means they can finish your job on time just a few bucks short of what they thought they would make.

There is something to be said for having money put BACK into your account after a renovation is finished! Remember that product that you had to "put back" because you were over budget? Well now you can have it! Or if you are tight wad like me, you put it back into your account to gain interest.

Looks very nice! White grout.

I like it. I see the difference you were going for. But I would leave it if it doesn't bother you.

Mamablue.....I honestly think the size of the tile is OK in the space. You have the larger squares on the cabinets, a smaller pattern in your countertop, so the tile looks "in between" to me.

I think it looks great! The small subway tile is very busy with granite. There are lots of posts on Houzz from people who hate their subway tile.

I like the tile; I do not like the way the installer ended it. Should end at the wall.

I like it!

It is a lot of white, you could have done a pretty contrasting color, but if you like all white it is fine the way it is.
Agree about the dishwasher! How will you load it when standing at the sink? Who signed off on that design?

Looks great. I would use white grout. Contrasting grout color gives a much busier look. Good opportunity to use a few colorful accent pieces. Post the finished project.

The tile looks great. It's as classic and as beautiful as the smaller option, and they go really well with the countertop. And no, it's not weird that you have the same tile in your bathroom. Don't be afraid of the white color; just imagine the options you have now for bringing some colors inside. Bring in some bold contrast.

I think the tile is fine the way it is. Less busy than a smaller subway. Count me in, though, with everyone who says the dishwasher should be moved. It just doesn't make any sense to have it at a right angle to the sink.

@katinparadise @cpartist @Cass Collins @Lila @SandyC.

Regarding the dishwasher - Yes, not ideal, but it was there or nowhere, unfortunately. A larger reno in 5 years or so will allow us to open up the kitchen on another wall and allow for a more favorable configuration. It's one reason we went with this very affordable granite over the soapstone I want eventually, because it's not in place forever.

Happily, the sink is large and we are tall, so loading / unloading in that position is not difficult at all. We had the same configuration in one of our first houses and it was fine. Definitely better than no dishwasher at all - we are not handwashing types. :)

Thanks everyone! This was such a hard decision. In the end I decided to have it pulled out and put in the way I wished, and yes, he ended the subway tile oddly. It will be ended correctly with corner and side-edge bullnose this time.

It would be a minimal charge to have a plumber move the pipes I believe. It just seems very awkward. How can you rinse and load? I know you are tall, but the dishwasher door will have to be closed when you're running the faucet.

@SandyC. Right, but there's just no where else for it to go. The stove is to the right of the dishwasher, and there isn't room to the side other side of the sink.

It's definitely most important to have it done to your liking. As to the dishwasher, it does seem your options are limited and as long as you're okay with it, that's really all that matters. Enjoy your new space!

After a lot of thought, I had him pull out the larger tiles. Regular subway tile with the proper corner bullnose & long-end bullnoses will be used this time. Thanks for your help everybody!

New tile is going in. Correct bullnose end pieces are on order. I know it's a lot of white and subway tiles are overdone, but I have loved and dreamt of this look (based on memories of my great grandmother's kitchen) for years and years, long before white cabs and subway tile were considered trendy

It's looking lovely. I'm sure you're glad you decided to make the change.

I like the look! I think in the photos you show, the length of the tile makes the length of the walls seem longer.

I like it.

Looks great!