i like the look but after you choose your grout, go one shade lighter. you end up with a lot of lines.

Not a big fan of the too-many-lines with subway tile look but it might look nice if you went with tile that was bigger than the standard 3 x 6. Dal Tile's Elevate line makes 4 x 12 (and one size bigger) subway tile and it not super expensive. Comes in a variety of colors and in their white (which is more of a bone white), comes shiny and matte. The matte is more of a satin sheen to it, it is not a true matte.

http://products.daltile.com/series.cfm?series=464

White subway tiles would look great, but do not use dark grout.....Use the same color as the tiles..............

Dark grout creates a look that is very busy. And, the dark grout will highlight every teeny tiny imperfection in the tile install.

We are certainly not opposed to the use of dark grout with subway tiles, especially since you don't have much pattern already in the kitchen. It might be nice to add some dimension with a pattern like a herringbone. Our Cento collection is a great subway style tile that comes in a 5x7 and not the traditional 3x6. The bigger format tile in a herringbone with a light grout would really add some interest to the backsplash:

Another great route to go, is to use a larger format subway tile like Clubnev suggested. Our Piccadilly line is a 4x12 subway that has a nice glossy finish and some texture. If you wanted to add a little sparkle, the line also carries a great deco tile with subtle pattern and sparkle! Dark grout would not be distracting using Piccadilly because of the larger size!

That's a good idea, with the patterned subway going through the rest of the subway. We're doing that in our shower but I didn't think of it in the kitchen - adding a subtle row with a matching pattern like that.

would probably look ok, but honestly, I think a pale gray tile (with blending grout) would look much nicer, as it would pull in the veining in your counter and the color of your floors, rather than just adding another competing pattern.

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Here is a photo to show you.......This is NOT my favorite look. In fact, I would never do it on my projects......

To use a contrasting grout - make sure your installer is super meticulous because if there is any variance or sloppiness with the grout lines it is VERY visible. Your tile contractor should be knowledgeable enough to plan for corners and cuts, in a way that enhances the contrast of the grout.

That said - I like some contrast in the grout - but typically not a HUGE contrast.

Good luck with your choices, and tile installation!

Cento 'A' is almost an almond color and would look great.

I was also thinking "don't do it" until I saw your 'paint' attempt. I think a light gray could be very sharp, especially with your floors. I was trying to find some stained cabinets with that look. I realize they're not real close to your kitchen.

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I don't think your kitchen is going to be bland. The nice thing about some gray is highlighting the other finishes a bit. But another way to get a little glitz in is to stick with the white but go with glass, where you can get crackle, texture, and various kinds of sparkle into the mix.

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(hey, how did that little bit of color get in there?!? ;)

just throwing that idea into the mix. keep in mind, while sweating this, that at some point the kitchen will become inhabited again, and you'll stop seeing the alignment of the pulls and the coordination of the finishes -- it will be full of chaos and everyday life. that's never bland! hang in there, whatever you choose will work out.

Alinkaradion, your certainly getting responses from designers & pros. I am not. So with that said, think functionally. It's a kitchen, so think grease, splatters, etc. I would have done the back splash the same as the counters. Forget tile & grout, unless your determined to. Take it all the way up to the bottom of the cabinets, so much easier to clean. Yes, all the outlet holes can be put in. No hate mail please, just my thoughts.

I completely agree with acm...I was about to offer the same advice and then saw I their post. I love your cabinetry with the modern hardware.

Subway tile is a tried and true classic. Do remember by using darker grout you are creating a real design feature. Is this what you want? Be sure to have the grout sealed no matter the color.

Do you want the pattern of the tile noticeable from your living space? Do you want it more pronounced than your beautiful countertops? That's how I would decide.

@Judy Mishkin, years later - but what colour grout is that in the first picture?