you're going to get lots of negatives on this one on here! many think the strips are dated and don't belong. And don't worry about resale! You are the one living there now. You don't decorate your kitchen for the people who may buy your house in a decade! (unless u are moving next year). While I don't think the strip is too dark (you have a lot of white), I'm not sure it's the best choice. How bout if you do a 2X8 subway tile in a herringbone?

or something like the 1X4's

another idea if you must have accents

ss strip

Just the white subway. I like the way the light shines on a white subway backsplash.

Thanks, Beth! I think I'd prefer something with glass or metal, more reflective, if we do trim. I like that stainless bit. We have white appliances at the moment but I think we'll eventually put in stainless ones. I'll investigate another tile guy, perhaps....

no to the no no no

Beth has great alternatives

I vote no strips! I also agree that the black would be too dark, and I think it would clash with the espresso island.

lol I told you they wouldn't like the strips!

white thassos marble w/mirror dots.

or this statement backsplash.

I don't like the strip, but there are alternatives for added interest.

In light gray would look nice.

No to the strip but you don't have to settle for subway either.

The stark white subway...perhaps consider an extremely pale gray. NO accent strips.

Beth,

Hahaha....now I'm singing the Meghan Trainor song, too.

I didn't like the strips either--and this tile guy is really the owner of a kitchen/floor store. I didn't use him for flooring because when I asked him if the estimate included shoe molding, he told me I didn't need shoe molding. Which was not an answer to my question.

Any suggestions for how to find a tile person who will do the work for me if I buy the tile?

And Beth, you are turning me into a tile fiend....I LOVE that white with the mirrored pieces and I found that website....

I've gotta jump on the no-trim-train, since trim feels dated. Like Beth H suggested, there are other ways to add interest beyond trim.

We are putting in a distinct marble countertop in a couple of weeks ourselves and have decided to go with light gray subway tile. Senio brand, color "silver". Your base color seems warmer than ours, so that specific gray might not work as well but that's the beauty of samples! I'd keep it simple to keep the focus on the countertop. I wanted to do a herringbone pattern but lost that battle to the hubby, who hasn't put up a fight about anything else. I think a light gray subway herringbone would look great, and would add some interest without having to add trim or accents.

With the vibe that you are currently creating with the white appliances, I think the white on white would work!

I won't comment on dated because I don't think that's terribly relevant if a person wants it. My personal feeling is that backsplash areas which are typically under cabinets don't need embellishment. The accessories you use on the counter will give the interest. Also, consider your outlet positions that will appear bigger with the plates.

I vote no strips too!! Black will be too dark. White on white would be nice and clean.

Thanks, y'all!

Updated pics now that the pendants are in and the bin pulls and knobs are on (woohoo, I can open my peninsula cabinets and drawers!):

(Random question: are the pendants too high? Ceilings are only 7.5' and we were afraid much lower and people would hit their heads if they were working at the peninsula...peninsula is normal counter height, about 3 feet I believe.)

Pendants:

Soon-to-be dining room light:

So! How about any of these backsplash options?

Too gray?

Too silly?

I kinda love this one....

Too gray?
T

Too bathroomy?

Or, plain white glass subway tile? Maybe that's shinier than doing ceramic or whatever subway tile is usually made of?

Thanks so much!!!! :)

Love the new Ravenna tiles. I would not do a trim

I think your pendants are too high and maybe too small for just 2, do they come bigger?

Diana, love your new peninsula and color. and your lights. the pendants appear to be a tad too high.

As for the Thassos (I see you found tilebar!) and mirror dots. I actually found a marble company in china who makes those exact tiles (heck, tilebar probably buys their tiles from them, or companies just like them overseas). anyway, they cost me $5.50! Couldn't believe the price and how much the markup is here. Now the downside is having to file paperwork and dealing w/Customs. but the money I saved on all the marble I bought was worth it. ( I bough a bunch of carrara planks and black marble basketweave and hex for my bathroom) I bought two boxes of the white/mirror just because the price was so good. Not sure where I'm going to use them yet, but thats another story!

I would suggest you get some of those samples that tilebar offers, bring them into your kitchen and see what you like best. All of the ideas here would look great and they are all beautiful choices.

Thanks, Beth!

Hopefully the Contractor can adjust the lights lower. I'm irritated because he was supposed to finish up today and there's still trim missing from the peninsula and shelves that were to be set up inside cabinets. Argh.

Anyhow, would you be willing to share info on where you found the tiles?

And yeah, loving tilebar. And it's cheaper than some of the tile places near me.

Diana, I emailed you. And yes, tilebar has some great selections.