The inspiration images help a lot - excellent cutting and pasting skills. Can you tell me your tile budget in $/sf?

Thank you. There is 50 sqft of backsplash and the first tile she looked at was I believe around $14/sqft. She is pretty flexible as far as budget goes; although the less she spends here the more she has to spend on the master bath redo, ha!

i should also mention she is going to replace the faucet and possibly the knobs if needed

edited to add asking more for ideas and looks rather than specific brands at this point.

windowless kitchen, some under cab lighting at sink area....no ceiling cans over on the side by the long run, nor any under cab lights there. I would probably replace the island fixture with a trac fixture with directional bulbs. the island is a work island...you would want practical good lighting for task rather than the decorative fixture. The issue of "sucking the light" may reflect need to focus attention to some lighting issues. You are getting intense glare from those ceiling bulbs...but you might be better served with directional eyeball type fixtures along with the trac light over island.These would not be difficult fixes and are needed if the complaint is about light,or lack of it, in the room. Then get the backsplash.

Well, I'm rounding you up to $15 so that I can include at least one handmade tile. This is Fireclay Tile in French Linen in a 2" x 6" tile. At the $15/sf price point you can also get the classic 3" x 6" subway tile and a 3" hexagon.

Eyegirlie: If you're interested in the Dove Gray arabesque tile that eam posted, Home Depot has a very similar tile -- maybe the same? At least with HD, there's no minimum purchase, and you can take home samples. This arabesque may be darker than you'd like.

I'm adding a picture of the other end of the kitchen (it's from the original listing of the house so not her decor).

I think a lot of the glare problems from the can lights will be reduced just by painting the ceiling- right now it's a custom shiny paint that reflects.

My biggest issue seems to be making sure the backsplash also blends with the countertops and looking for suggestions for "looks" or ideas more than specific brands.

I'm not normally a small tile fan, but this look might work if she likes it. ( Somebody on here used a similar tile but of course I don't remember who. Her kitchen wall wrapped like this one, as I recall.)

DuPont Circle · More Info

If she wanted to really lighten it up, with beige walls and white backsplash?

Off-white Kitchen · More Info

I would paint the ceiling a flat white (not eggshell or semi-gloss) rather than Revere Pewter.

Yes, I'd also paint the ceiling white! I think that would go a long way.

Barncatz, I really like that first picture you posted! We love the look of a subway tile shape with variation in the colors.

And thank you for the tips on the paint color. She will usually paint a small section in the room to see how the color reads in that space.

Look at scrappy's kitchen, white cabs, dark counters and plenty bright:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2817825/scrappy25-renovation-part-4-final-reveal-white-inset-soapstone?n=76

Maybe a similar-looking tile with beige-y/creamy centers instead of the grey?

Nosoccermom will find her way to you. She provides at minimum five images per post. I like barns posts as well. But basically your mom should be engaging with us. She should also run Google image searches for kitchens with white cabinets and black counters to find more ideas of the looks she might want. All of her inspiration images use grey or taupe tiles. If she's not interested in whites it will save us energy to know that up front.

Which again, is why you should encourage her to engage with us directly. Otherwise you're wasting our time.

I'm not waisting anyone's time. I've been a member of this community (gardenweb) for many years but my mom is not very technically savvy so I'm standing in for her. I also know what she does and doesn't like.

We have also googled and pinterested for hours but sometimes people here are more helpful or have ideas we may not have considered.

With her cabinets being a cream color I don't think a white backsplash will work. We actually have a sample of a "cream" subway tile leaning against the canisters in one photo and it reads very white.

I really think starting with one task at a time, with pauses, in this kitchen is your better bet. First: remove wallpaper and paint. Second...new "close to ceiling fixture" above island....third....more lighting issues addressed.....fourth...hardware change on cabinets. Last would be backsplash and ceiling paintjob. I think the kitchen is maintaining it's custom feel for the time period. The backsplash is not enough square feet to matter. If you are really itchy to break off the black tile, then just repair and paint the wall between counter and cabinets...you don't have to rush into a tile job...it isn't going to change that much. I may be the exception but I think the black tile works very well with the counter. You could redo the counter on the island along with the fixture above it for a significant tweak. The removal of wallpaper will give a new feel and then decide some things. The kitchen seems really balanced with light/dark ....wood and stone materials.....I know what happens when you start cutting into rooms and removing elements that were placed cohesively together......I am saying "cool it."....but good luck working with your mom.....I am really liking the kitchen the more I look at it.

I don't think the OP has been wasting anyone's time as suggested. She provided lots of photos of the kitchen being discussed and also inspiration photos. My mother certainly wouldn't go anywhere near a computer so I totally get it if hers is not computer savvy.

i do feel the black tile is making the area too dark and oppressive. So that would be one of the first things I would do, as well as painting the ceiling a flat white. None of the existing light can bounce off the counter or backsplash as is. I like that arabesque look or a nice cream coloured subway might be nice.

Hopefully some more experts will chime in.

Eyegirlie, first photo is Walker Zanger tile, the Gramercy Park collection, in Hamptons Beige.

I agree with herbflavor that you should take it step by step (but maybe I disagree with him or her a little on the order). Remove the wall paper. Figure out your lighting plan and get it done. Patch the ceiling and walls and prime them so you have a neutral starting point. Are the light bulbs in the can lights and island fixture LED, incandescent or fluorescent? If LED what temperature? 2700K warm or 3000K soft white? The lighting in the photos is not flattering and may be making it look much different than it actually is. You may need to buy some different bulbs and try them out to see what you like.

I wouldn't do anything with colors until the above is done and you can see how it works with what you are going to keep: cabinets, floor, and counters.

Then you can decide whether you want to go with a single metal for the light fixtures and knobs or mixed metals. The main reason I'd replace the backsplash is it will help make the room feel more contemporary. With the black appliances and sinks it probably would work but the 4" tiles make it look dated. At this point you may also want to consider bringing in a designer because I think the balance between existing and new colors will get complicated. Also I'd hold open the possibility of a paint color other than Revere Pewter with the cream cabinets and golden oak (something less green and more like barncatz's photos above). Something to consider if she likes that look. Paint a 2 foot by 2 foot piece of foam core with the Revere Pewter and move it about the room at different times of the day. Revere Pewter can look very different under changing lighting conditions. Personally I would not mix yellow/gold with green but it really will depend on the room (which looks like it never gets a lot of natural light?)

I like the first image that Barncatz posted as well. I don't think arabesque shapes works with the divided glass cabinet doors. out of context for sure.

I also, however do like the backsplash that is in place and maybe replacing the other elements you spoke of first would be enough?