No reason to continue backsplash tile in to a desk area... no risk of splatter which it's essentially for. I wouldn't tile the desk area.

I'm not sure what you aren't liking about subway. You might go with a longer subway such as 8 or 12" vs. the traditional 3x6.

What are the colors in your counter tops? Hard to tell in the photos as it appears gray in some and brown in others? That would help.

I don't not like the subway tile, just the feedback I've been getting from online sources saying that subway doesn't fit the style of the kitchen. The countertops are "super white" quartzite. No browns just white and greys.

My initial thought for doing the desk was because it originally had a stone backsplash before we replaced the countertops. But the height of the desk is different than the countertops so maybe tile would look off if it didn't line up throughout.

or a more narrow, but longer such as a 2x8 however not stacked... just an example of this tile from tilebar.com

has a subtle wavy appearance

I would do subway tile, either a light gray to bring out the veining in the counters (and give a little contrast from the cabinets) or a white that has some shine and sparkle. Ignore whatever you were reading. :)

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(p.s.) Imperial, you gotta stop posting examples of those crazy busy backsplashes on questions like this! terrible fit!

I think we're deff. trying to stick with bright white, there are no windows in the kitchen so it does get a little dark already without all the lights (task and ceiling) on.

3 colors

http://www.anatoliatile.com/soho_ceramic.html

I'd do an elongated gray tone that works with your counters similar to as above yet in a subway pattern as stacked leans modern.... a bit more sleek looking and not as typical as the 3x6.

It would warm it up with the whites and look very nice! Not too dark IMO, just a tone similar to your veining or if the veining is darker and lighter tones pick the lighter or mid tone gray in the veining.....

The elongated hex tiles Porter posted pictures of would look amazing in your kitchen. One thing I noticed is you may want to also change out your electrical to bright white. They're going to stick out like a sore thumb. Definitely easier to do without tile up.

You don't need to tile behind the desk. Here are a few options for tiling. You could even do a white tile with grey grout?

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