Nice kitchen! I think gray glass subway tiles would look great and fitting the traditional style of the cabinets/design. I would try and pick a gray close to the gray color of the island cabinets.

The problem with your two choices is both have a pattern. You are mixing two different patterns. Your countertop has movement. Your backsplash should be plain.

Kind of like wearing plaids with strips, they may be the same color, but it just does not work.

Also, if that is a professional range, you have to have some kind of heat deflection shield. You cannot put tile that close to a professional range.

Kathi, in my professional opinion, I agree that this is also a stylistic question, like you mentioned, and then, of course, a matter of personal taste. I do think the glass tile that Lindsey suggested is a bit too busy, has too much color going on and is too modern for this style of cabinets. Regarding the range, every manufacturer has specific installation instructions. But typically, those type of ranges come with a 6" - 8" high backguard (which I don't see installed in the pictures). Ceramic or porcelain tile is non-combustible so that is not a problem behind the range. This is also a code question. Some States, counties, etc. will require the backguard to be installed, others will approve the installation just with a tiled back splash, without a backguard. Also, the clearances to the top and sides to the wall cabinets (combustible) need to be met per the range manufacturer.

"But typically, those type of ranges come with a 6" - 8" high backguard (which I don't see installed in the pictures)."

No, they come with an "island trim". It is called an island trim because it is not allowed to be used up against a combustible wall framed with wood studs. The backguard needs to be ordered separately, and costs several hundred dollars.

"Ceramic or porcelain tile is non-combustible so that is not a problem behind the range."

No. The entire wall assembly has to be noncombustible. No wood studs or paper faced gypsum board.

Borrowed from/ coordinating with ANSI and NFPA, also in Title 24;

International Residential Code

G2409.2

b. All clearances shall be measured from the outer surface of the combustible material to the nearest point on the surface of the appliance, disregarding any intervening protection applied to the combustible material.

http://premiumaccess.iccsafe.org/document/code/272/4668391

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"This is also a code question. Some States, counties, etc. will require the backguard to be installed, others will approve the installation just with a tiled back splash, without a backguard."

The codes don't differ by area. All codes will say essentially this;

G2447.1 (623.1) Cooking appliances.

Cooking appliances that are designed for permanent installation, including ranges, ovens, stoves, broilers, grills, fryers, griddles, hot plates and barbecues, shall be tested in accordance with ANSI Z21.1 or ANSI Z21.58 and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

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No local municipality is going to spend millions of dollars to invent their own standards and test thousands of products to ensure they meet those standards.

It is written right in the installation instructions that you can NOT use the "island trim" when installing the range against a back wall. NO local govt is going to pass a code that says you don't have to follow the installation instructions.

The only difference from one municipality to another is what the inspector misses, or that they have not taken the time to understand the installation instructions.

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Here is a more complete explanation;

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/tile-backsplash-wont-meet-building-code-dsvw-vd~3992018?n=55[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/tile-backsplash-wont-meet-building-code-dsvw-vd~3992018?n=55)

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Scroll down to G2409 for new code links (the ones in the other thread have been broken)

http://premiumaccess.iccsafe.org/document/code/272/4668391

I think glass would be fine but just in one color.

Fred S, thank you for your very detailed info and all the research. I based my statement on my design/permit experience designing kitchens, etc. here in the San Francisco Bay Area over the years. Regarding the backguard, as an example, here's are the installation specs of a Viking open burner range (and similar ranges like the one used in this project as far as I can tell and for residential kitchens), not a commercial restaurant range/kitchen setting and let me know what you think (see page 10 for the clearances they call out based on a wood/composite overlay): http://www.vikingrange.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m6922359_057733-000_EN.pdf

I think it says the same thing 3 times.

i agree with emmarene, i think glass in one colour would look good, the countertop is a beautiful eye-catcher, so the rest should be kept simple

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Kitchen Design Ideas · More Info

Thank you Fred. I knew I could count on you!!

Lindsay, behind your range you need to add the 8" or higher back guard. Please ask the appliance place. They should have instructed you. ALL codes are the same regarding this. If I understand correctly, it is not that the tile is flammable, it is that over time the gypsum and 2x4s behind the tile will eventually catch fire.

Beyond that, I still would go with a simpler tile backsplash.

Thanks everyone. We do have a 9" backsplash for the range it just isn't in yet. Do you think gray subway tile over beige?

Get samples of each and live with them for a few days. You may want to choose the beige to tie in your floors.

Thanks Brad, I am still deciding and just can't come to a decision. I am so torn between beige and gray!

Lindsay; Gray is timeless. Gray is also very easy to coordinate. Good luck!

interiordesignme. I am also need to decide a backsplash behind my Wolf 48" range tops- trying to avoid too many grout. Original plan was installing beveled white subway - I guess they are too busy with my warm gray cabinet. I love your gray kitchen (2nd photos) with super white granite. I have to install 10" riser per regulations, how that it will look like using your allen + roth Bright White Glass Wall Tile ?