What does the floors look like? Yes, that is too much blue backsplash.

Paint the cabinets white and put on modern hardware

Painting cabinets is a huge job ... I've done it! I was happy with the results but I was covering up blah oak instead of nice maple. Replacing the backsplash is a much smaller job, and IMO glass mosaic like this is out of place in a kitchen. I would go with either marble, a natural stone, or the new Portuguese-style tile coming out now.

Keep cabinets. Replace backsplash.

I agree with pc84098 that a natural stone would work much better than the blue mosaic. I also like your idea of a beveled subway tile. Not white though.

Like some said above, do not paint the beautiful wood and update hardware and replace backsplash. The tile feels out of place. Here's some kitchens with similar tones to yours with gorgeous backsplashes.

(thin mosaic tile would look very classic and subtle)

(this would be a great color for your kitchen's tones and add a bit of contrast)

(you could lay tile vertical rather than horizontal to add interest to otherwise traditional tile)
(based off the scale of your kitchen I would do smaller sized subway than what's pictured below and not beveled (like you mentioned) since your cabinet doors already have dimension)

Hope this helps!

Update: Here's a better, more recent photo that shows the floor, too. Thanks for the ideas so far!

Are you looking for a more "earthy" feel?

Take a cue from what the house looks like and the surrounding environment. Then go into your soul to find the answer. Forget cliche's, and public opinion. Do you want to 'warm up' the room? Do you want light and airy? If you have a 'fun' streak in your personality - then do it. You can use any color with natural maple and white. What's your favorite color?

The best way to learn is through encouragement, not rote ideas. Much more personal to hear: "Wow, that's really you", than: that's a nice backsplash (because they've seen it before and familiarity breeds the too easy copy cats.)

I could go on....

If you don't want to paint the cabinets then definitely replace the backsplash because the maple and the blue doesn't work well together. I would go with natural stone instead of
marble. If your cabinets were gray or white I think that marble would look great but not with maple finish.

Is that corner the only area of backsplash or is there more?

While I love Bisazza tile this is too much, the scale is wrong. (Gotta give the former owner credit - she went with what made her happy.) Now, find what makes YOU happy.

@jhmarie - The backsplash is around the entire kitchen, including the surround of one window that's between cabinets. It's pretty overwhelming.

Your hardwood floors are lovely. You need a bit of a contrast. I would not do a white subway tile backsplash, since you have white countertops and appliances. What about a grey backsplash.

shirlpp - I was thinking of that picture too - I love the gray there because it reads a bit blue. Cool, really true gray and maple are not the best combo, but the blue with gray undertone is very pretty.

I would switch out the back splash... but not to white... something like a tumbled travertine...

Kimberly, tell us some of the things you like. Then we can help you help yourself. Otherwise we are just grasping at straws. You must have looked at photos. A designer is supposed to draw out from the client what the client is about. Merely throwing out ides until something sticks is not professional.

Tell something about the house, your lifestyle, the mood you want to create. What you like about the house and it's surroundings. Etc, etc....

@Rosenhaus Design - Good question. I tend to like a more traditional look (e.g. shaker-style cabinets, hardwood floors, subway tile, marble). But my house is a 1960's split level with a 2000's kitchen, so I'm not sure what would work there.

I like the look of rectangular mosaic tiles, I like a little bit of color -- as long as it's not going to look dated in 5 years. My kitchen walls are currently white so there's room to add color on the walls and keep the back splash a little more neutral.

I'd be open to natural stone, but tend to like white/grey ones more than tan/beige ones -- but I'm not sure how that would work with my cabinet color. I could probably find a tile I like if I had a better sense of what color(s) would work with my cabinets, floors, and countertops...

Thanks for your help!

I really like the blue -- probably it's the slight iridescence that makes it feel Too Much for you, but I think the whole effect (in your second photo -- much better!) looks cheerful. I'd try to find blue patterned rug and towels to make the whole thing look great.

Look at this combination! I wish these dish towels would work in my kitchen!

https://www.houzz.com/products/saveurs-de-provence-tea-towels-blue-terre-prvw-vr~33029690