Here are some BS choices that I like so far. First are some choices that Jillius found for me:

Here are some that I saved a few months ago... not sure if I still like all of them:

And here are some mosaics from a local tile store that I LOVE (but are super pricey). I was thinking of using mosaics to bring in the pop of colour or section of visual interest:

I love that BS, Rebunky. Do you know what it is?

Thanks so much for thinking of me rebunky! Yes, the overall look of that BS is lovely! I wouldn't do that on such a large section of wall, and prefer more subdued colours for such a busy tile but it works so well in that kitchen.

Oh... you're opening a new can of worms with the discussion about hardware now!! Don't know if I'm ready to go there yet! But I will save this as an example of how to mix metals because I may want to do that in my kitchen. ;)

Mr K, what is your budget for backsplash tile per sq/ft? I still love the inspiration pic but I also found this that I really love the mix of colors too

Hi guco45! Nice to hear from you! How's your kitchen coming along? I should be checking out your threads to get ideas. ;)

I've only come up with an overall budget for the kitchen and haven't priced out everything so don't have a budget for the BS yet.

I really like the colours in that inspiration pic. Very soothing and fresh. I think I'm drawn to colours that are drawn from nature. In that pic those colours make me think of the ocean or the beach. The seats of the stools look like they're made of driftwood or some other aged wood. So lovely.

a) you prompted me to google "Sweeby Test":)

b) I think you are not sure you like all your inspiration pics for the backsplash you saved before, because couple of them seem to clash a bit with a countertop. It is very hard to find the backsplash that will complement the stone..even harder to find the stone that will complement the backsplash lol (said by someone who did just that)

I do like tiles on pics 2 and 4 the best. I presume they are also more expensive. which leads me to:

c) budget your backsplash-my backsplash ran us about 1000 dollar, and that was after I gave up, with a heavy heart, on a backsplash of my dream that would be 5000. And it's a really modestly sized kitchen with two big windows-so not much wall space at all..like, at all.

I find there are "stone" kind of people and "tile" kind of people-I fall hard for tiles.

I had to stop myself with all my might, or else I'd have a house with beautiful tiles-and nothing else in it))

The pic that rebunky posted is pretty amazing with this subtle but full of character tile-I'd try to find out what it cost..

d) about how blues and green can read warm(that's from your other thread)-but of course they can, Every color is warm or cool in relationship to some other color..same thing as one red might be cooler than other red, blue might be warm like turquoise, or colder as navy blue...You always compare, consciously or not, one color with another..

I prefer warm tones-but I have blues and greens and grays too in my house.I just pick the warmer ones (unless these are little accents..then it's fun to have something cool too)

If you narrowed your stone to two choices...now it's time to look for the backsplash you like, and then see what it works better with-Cosmopolitan White or London Gray.

The busier the backsplash-the easier it will be to go with less busy countertop. And vise versa.

I saw London Gray in store(still agonizing over my master bath countertop)-it seemed too cold to me, for my space..but I, as I've said already, started everywhere with the tile..:)

Truth to be told-all the tiles I loved or liked were a special order..month or even two of production time

Slabs are more easily available-they already there, maximum need to be shipped.

So if you like -a lot-a certain tile, to the point you're ready to commit-take all of this into account.

Check out Fireclay tile. Also, recently came across this textured subway tile from Mission Stone

aprilneverends: He he... when I first started frequenting the kitchen forum I kept seeing "Sweeby Test" mentioned. It drove me nuts and I wondered "What is Sweeby?" I'm really glad I took the test, especially now that I'm in full on material selection mode. Getting reminded of the vision I have for this kitchen has been really helpful. Thank you for coming up with the test Sweeby!!

Counter or BS? It's a very "chicken or the egg?" kind of decision, huh? Then you throw in the cabinet stain, floor and hardware into the mix... it's really quite something that so many people get it all right and end up with such beautiful kitchens! I keep worrying I'm creating a monstrosity that only I think is beautiful.

Wowee... I had NO idea that a BS could get so pricey. I'm waiting for the quote on the counter to come in and flooring will be confirmed soon. I'll calculate a budget for the BS once all those pieces are confirmed. Good points about ordering slabs vs tiles. It looks great in my inspiration photo but I don't know if I like using a slab as a BS yet. Would love some feedback on that.

Thanks so much for all the info about colours! You're all brilliant. It sounds so simple and makes so much sense when you break it down for me like that!

I've thought things over and I think I'd rather have a busy BS than a busy counter. I don't like the look of a busy counter with too much movement and colours going on. On the other hand, I find BSes fun and interesting to look at.

smm5525: those are GORGEOUS!!! Love the textures and the colour on them! I'm in Canada though so the price might end up too high for me. :(

Still looking for more feedback! ;) I think the first thing I should decide is whether I want to go with the look of a slab on the BS or tiles. A slab BS seems less common than tile BS. What are the pros and cons to installing a slab on the BS?

Scratch that question of slab vs tile. Found some great threads discussing that. Next questions are:

1) If I go with tile, what would go well with my two-toned cabinets and the Caesarstone London Grey counter?

2) Where should I stick in a pop of colour?

3) What do you think about using mosaics in one section? Will they become dated very quickly? I'm trying to select timeless materials that I will still love at least 10 years from now. We will be staying put in this house for at least that long.

The first thing you need to decide is your budget. There is not point in looking at/falling in love with $35 sq ft tile if your budget is under $10 sq ft. I don't have a very big kitchen and even the backsplash over my stove is not big, but I need about 57 sq ft of tile (but should buy about 62-65 to allow for breakage etc). No way can I afford beautiful handmade fireclay tile! So I'm not looking at it at all. What I am getting is a lovely carrera marble 3x12 tile that is just under $10 sq ft and the shipping is reasonable (ALWAYS ask before ordering - some ship by VERY expensive means). I'm sure some of these other tiles would have been smashing in my kitchen. I also assume that there are Chanel suits that I would look smashing in, but I buy most of my clothes at Garnet Hill and Chicos!

Budget first!!!!

Ms. K, if you are thinking about a stone slab on the backsplash that makes a statement with color or movement I think you will want to choose that first -- and then pick the right simple countertop that ties everything together. Slabs that make a statement are expensive ($2500-$6000 USD where I live just for the slab without fabrication and installation) plus the very best ones with veining are put on hold or sold as soon as they arrive at the wholesaler. It's definitely a look that's worth the effort and I think it would go great with your rift oak. Vertical stacked tile would go great too. Lots of ways to finish off your kitchen at this point.

Anglophilia: I can handle the disappointment. ;) Because I'm at the very beginning of my search for a BS, I actually find it helpful to cast a wide net then scale back as needed. I don't want to miss out on something. And, if it's way out my budget, I can either use it as an inspiration and find something similar at a lower price point or scale back elsewhere in the project. As I narrow in on what I like, and I'm ready to make the final selections, budget will certainly come first! ;) You've got my curiosity piqued... I'm going to go look up handmade fireclay tiles!

Stan Z: thanks, that was very informative. Knowing that makes it less appealing to use a slab. I'm also wondering how slab BSes are removed if I ever tire of it? Right now, tiles feel like an easier choice.

So... any other suggestions to my 3 questions above?

(while you are at looking into Fireclay Tiles, don't forget to check Ann Sacks, Pratt and Larson, Walker Zanger, Tabarka Studio, Cle Tile..the list goes on and on...)))

(accents do have a potential to feel dated in some time. but. if you know you already loved something for years-you can take this risk because you'll probably continue to love them for years too)

I really like the backsplash that Faith from apartment therapy had it's raised slightly behind the cooking area but low everywhere else and it's the same as the countertop. Really beautiful.

Your first two inspiration pics have white BS, The third one does not, but it does have a lot of undercabinet lighting to make that tile look really beautiful. Without it, The tile would probably look dark and not as pleasant. Are you planning on installing undercabinet lighting? If not I think I stick with white or really close to white. If you look closely at the picture you will see that she got the pop of color under the hood, it's very dark over the hood.

aprilneverends: Ooo, I've already started falling in love!! Those Ann Sacks Beau Monde glass tiles... to die for. Gonna browse through the rest throughout the day.

practigal: Ahh... very good observation. I will be getting undercabinet lighting but don't want it to look dark when the lights aren't on. Will keep that in mind if I choose a darker tile.

Do you like crackle subway tile? There's a co that makes some in limited colors at $8 sq ft

Might I suggest you consider ditching the upper cabinets between the rangehood and the window, replacing them with open shelves? That'll allow a lot more natural light into the room, and it's always nicer to work in natural light! You can use those open shelves for pots n pans, bowls, etc, that you use all the time. The ease of accessibility will more than make up for a little bit of occasional dust. Just a thought!

Ack, so sorry for the very late replies smm5525 and summery.

smm5525: I do like the look of some of the coloured crackle subway tiles. Can you share the name of the company that you mentioned?

summery: That is an option I contemplated during the layout planning. I LOVE windows and natural light so you've got me considering it as an option again! I nixed them the first time around because I don't have very many pretty every day items to put on them. I know I'd just end up creating a very cluttered look. :( But perhaps bringing in the natural light will be a good tradeoff??

Update: I apologize for dropping this thread for the last two weeks or so. I had to focus on finding the flooring ASAP, as it will be the first material to be installed. After much consideration, I decided to go with a real hardwood floor rather than the wood look porcelain tile. Here is the gorgeous HW floor I chose together with my stained cabinet sample (rift white oak) and countertop sample (Caesarstone London Grey):

I am utterly in love with the floor so I'd like to make it the centrepiece of the kitchen. What can I select for the backsplash to make the floor shine?

The floor will shine anyway. But. The more your backsplash will blend with your countertop-the more seamless the look will be. This floor reads as very classical to me, very reserved and noble. If you want to concentrate on these qualities-try to go for a backsplash that will be also reserved and noble. I don't know whether I make much sense lol. I just don't know how to say it better.

I think simple nice quality tile in a very pleasant gray that blends in with your London Grey will be your best bet.

But. Please remind me..you're still going for two-tone kitchen, right? Some cabinets are going to be white? or..?

Here's the crackle tile. I'd go with something neutral in a crackle finish to add texture.

https://www.msistone.com/mosaics/highland-park-collections/

I love crackle tile. Love it. But I'd also get an opinion about using it in a backsplash..because it's crackled all the way, and things get trapped inside or something. We were advised not to use it around the fireplace. Then I read somewhere(maybe even here) you're not supposed to use it in the shower. Well if they make it and people love it like I do-it's obviously used somewhere, and probably-in kitchen backsplash:) But I'd make sure to ask anyway.

I believe you are supposed to seal it either prior to or after install. Or both

aprilneverends: "Reserved and noble"... I hadn't thought of this floor in that way but I love that description! Who knew that a floor could have such "personality"! ;) I think you're right - this floor will shine regardless of what BS I choose. I seem to be most drawn to BS tiles that are more reserved and muted in colour so I think that's a good idea, to select tiles that will blend nicely with the London Grey.

YES, I forgot to mention that I will still be doing two tone. I haven't chosen the shade of Benjamin Moore white yet but whatever I choose, I plan to put it on the cabinets and the walls. I'll need help with selecting the paint at some point!

Thx for the caution re the crackle tiles. I like how, even if I get a very muted colour, the crackle will add that subtle bit of visual interest.

smm5525: Thanks for the link! Those are gorgeous tiles. I've added them to my "to consider" list. I'll be sure to ask my GC about sealing - thanks for the tip!

Now that it looks like I'll be getting a very neutral colour palette, would it look awful to put a splash of colour or a section of mosaic tile somewhere along the BS? Should I rely on less permanent accessories like rugs to bring in the colour?

A small mosaic behind the range wall would look amazing. Fireclay has wonderful options. Expensive but it's only a small amount so probably within budget.

If you want a mosaic, do it in the enclosed hutch area. I think the window, sink, and glass cabinet doors make that area a prettier focal area than the cooking zone. You've got the big hood to add enough interest there.

Oh I didn't see your original pics. Yes, the hutch area would be pretty

I think I'd do a whitish subway with a non white...[lightish gray or light khaki ] grout...looks to me as though you are going to have a focus wall with window at the far end......keep the backsplash rich but consistent with counter. Tons of white subways... You have a classic set of materials thus far... see what can happen with tile and hardware too. I think I'd NOT do color backsplash in favor of more distinguished or stylish hardware on your beautiful wood.

I would definitely do a pretty mosaic pattern with/without color on the hutch area.

Here are Fireclay options:

https://www.fireclaytile.com/handpainted/contemporary/

Wendy, sorry I didn't see your comment before. That mosaic is from Ann Sacks. This photo was on their site.

This is from Fireclay (editing). I think it is a very cool shape. To me it looks a little contemporary yet not too modern. I think it fits with your rustic/contemporary style you like. Subtle yet not boring. It is called Picket. I like this color a lot. I'm not sure what it is called. I am sure they would come in a lighter white or off white color if you wanted it to blend to the London gray countertop.

Oh and I love the wood flooring you chose. Gorgeous!

That Ann Sacks tile is over $100 a sq. ft.!

If you did a mosaic, I'd use one from the same line as the field tile and use the color of the field tile in the mosaic.

If you want to get design help, Fireclay offers it free and will send as many free samples as you want without a shipping fee. I put together an Ideabook with inspiration photos, ideas, and comments for Brittany. Contact them on their website and when you hear back, you can direct them to your Ideabook. I tried to select a tile from their $15 Foundations line but my countertop is a little hard to work with.

As always, you wonderful GWers did NOT disappoint me! Thanks so much for all the advice. I've been out searching for BS tiles today so don't have time to do individual replies but want you all to know that I've read and re-read each of your comments. I'm taking it all in and really appreciate your replies!

Your suggestions really jive with my tastes! ;) I agree that a mosaic in the hutch area would work really nicely. I also like the colour suggestions. I'll either get a tile that reflects the muted grey or brown tones in the London Grey, or get a slightly off white tile and grout it with muted grey/khaki grout.

The tiles I couldn't resist today were the Calacatta Gold marble tiles. I couldn't find any in subway tile size, but did find a few in mini brick size. I'd prefer a larger sized tile, as it seems easier to maintain. The marble is GORGEOUS and goes so nicely with the rest of my materials but it is pricey - $20+/sq ft.

I also found some subway tiles in soft greys and khaki colours that I like, but they were either a smaller/larger size than I'd like or they were glossy. I'd prefer to have matte tiles... the glossy doesn't seem to go with the rest of the materials I chose.

I absolutely love all the tiles you've shared with me but I live in Canada so with the exchange, they would all be super expensive for me to buy, and to have shipped here. :( WAA!

Calacatta gold looks amazing whenever I see it in photos! If what you looked at and loved was under $20/ft I'd be leary. The good stuff is not cheap!

Did you take pictures? Post the pictures please!

We have a calacatta gold elongated subway backsplash in our two toned kitchen. I really wanted a slab but knew it would be too expensive so we went with the tile with small grout lines and I think it works well. Unfortunately it was around $35/sq ft, I believe, but we didn't have a large area to tile.

If you have 2-toned cabinetry, then they backsplash should pick up on both of them. Go with a multi colored backsplash.

What about a simple pattern in a cement tile picking up your colors? That's what Old Bat used in her kitchen, although she picked a busier tile than I'm thinking for you. It makes her kitchen! The beauty of the cement tile is you can get them colored any color you want and it gives a bit of a "rustic" feel to the kitchen.

Squares

Diamonds

Small pattern

All Tiles

This is just one company. There are several with good reputations to search if you like the look of the cement tile.

Maybe you should go to a local tile store and find some options within budget and post for feedback. Otherwise, it feels like a wild goose chase!

I would not do marble with marble-look quartz. Chose a plain counter if you want Calacatta Gold tile. The above photo, well....you've got eyes. What do you think?

I don't see any brown or khaki tones in London Gray, but even if they are there, the counter reads gray in all the photos I've seen. I love Calacatta Gold, and with how hard it is for you in Canada to find choices in tile, maybe you want to go with it. It also has a more matte appearance than glossy subways. I think it would be good to use a solid somewhere in your kitchen so I'd consider doing a plain counter like namarie's. You may not love a plain counter but your patterned backsplash will.

I think Kitchen Magic's photo is really pretty... as well as the tile posted by others.

Ack, sorry again for my very delayed reply. As usual, LIFE got in the way - how annoying! ;)

rebunky: I was so disappointed by how pricey the Calacatta tiles were that I didn't even want to take photos of them! Wow - I didn't know that $20/sq ft was on the low end for Calacatta. I think that nixes it for me then. :(

namarie: I know your kitchen so well! ;) I didn't realize your tiles were Calacatta Gold - I always thought that CG had more brown tones than grey? I did some Googling and I see lots of tiles with the same colours as your tiles so it looks like I assumed wrong! I think your choice to do tile with very narrow grout lines makes for a nearly-slab-like look! I'd love to get the slab look too but it is WAY too pricey, and I wonder how the heck to remove a slab BS should I ever tire of it??

Kitchen Magic: I did really like the look of some mini bricks I saw at the tile stores I visited. I like how the ones like in your photo have muted colours so it gives me a multi coloured backsplash without being too busy.

cpartist: how gorgeous are those cement tiles?? I've never seen cement tiles before and it looks like the design possibilities are endless, if you get them with some graphic design printed on.

smm5525: Good idea. I will do that instead of dragging all of you along with me as I think aloud!! Sorry for that... I just really love to see all the different ideas you all share!

mayflowers: Hmm... I agree that I can't have both the BS and the counters look busy. The London Grey is staying so I think I'll be going with a solid BS for most of the kitchen... but I'll still consider putting in a more "busy" mosaic tile somewhere, most likely in the hutch area. :)

barncatz: I agree - I love the tiles everyone's shared! It helps me figure out and narrow down what I want for my BS tile.

cpartist, I love cle tiles so much..thank you for the link, I know them of course, but I was happy to see they vastly improved their website..so much more user friendly now. So enjoyable. I have my favorites there; but now I found a few more..:)

I love them too. I'm planning on using cement tile for my front entry (a "rug" set into the wood floors) and my back friend's entry hallway and into the powder room.

HI! Ive got white rift oak and fenix cabinets in bianco male and was thinking of doing painted glass back splash (because all the cool stuff comes from the US and is crazy expensive) how do you think that would turn out?