IMO you have alot going on already I would forgo the accent piece behind the stove which IMO only belongs in a Tuscan style , huge kitchen.

Thank you both for your input. The kitchen is large. The island is 10' x 5.5'. I could do the entire kitchen in Taj Majal as the pricing isn't that different between the granite and the quartzite. I will need to make another trip to the stone company to see if I can get consecutive Taj Majal pieces I like. If I do all Taj counters, should I then do the perimeter cabinets in a slightly darker tone? Taupe maybe, rather than cream?

You do NOT need to darken the perimeter cabinetry. I would keep the splash very simple as well. I realize the kitchen may be large, it's beside the point. You also want to make certain you have a slab large enough for a no seam island installation...... can assure you that even a 9' x 4' island is VERY generous indeed,particularly with no appliances suck as cook or sink on it.

Not sure your interpretation of "contemporary Mediterranean"......ie what is the selected flooring, hardware, etc. Nothing but nothing lives in isolation. I do not love your sink placement, relative to your range. Your huge island could benefit from a large prep sink

This is the flooring we selected. It is a combined great room - kitchen - dining area.

It is a Mediterranean style home in New Mexico. I don't want it to be dark - and I don't want too many 'curvy' wood accents, so trying to keep it simple. We will have lots of light. The way I am interpreting contemporary Mediterranean is to have cleaner lines without the curves. We will have cedar beam details in the kitchen, and high Mediterranean clerestory windows as well. There are arches and curved corners on the walls. I plan to have a farmhouse style sink, and have not yet decided for sure on the hardware - either brushed nickel or bronze. Stove top and appliances are stainless. Hood will be built in. Really appreciate your advise.

I'd refine the concept. I don't see Taj quartzite or granite with a farmhouse sink ( unless it's stainless ) Something a bit more organic with less gloss feels better to me. You've lots of light..... keep the light and simple cabinetry, or darken, or darken the island if you like! I DEFINITELY would even consider soapstone or a plain honed black granite for tops. I don't see glass tile either. : ) I confess and the mosaic thing is sooooo overdone. I do see a ceramic subway. jmho. A cement tile splash could be great with very plain tops as well.

If you can use the Taj on all your counters, do so. Otherwise find a similar toned light quartz counter. The busy granite (ditto for the mosaic) are just going to detract from, rather than enhance, your gorgeous Taj Mahal. Taj looks wonderful with both light and dark cabinets, so I don't think you need to darken the perimeter cabinets to taupe. The dark island cabinets will be a striking counterpoint.

I disagree about pairing a dark perimeter counter unless you keep all cabinets light, both island and perimeter, while keeping the Taj island counter.

I love Jan's suggestion of a cement tile if the colors coordinate. Or look at Fireclay Tiles for patterned ceramic tiles. Here's a kitchen with Taj counters and a patterned Ann Sacks tile. A simple dark/light patterned tile would suit your kitchen much better than the busy multi material mosaic.

Eclectic Kitchen · More Info

I wonder how the Walker Zanger Andalucia collection tiles would work. Here's one from that collection:

I came across this thread in a search for backsplash ideas, and I just have to know, what did you end up doing? Are you still here and will you post photos?