I think the tile you like for the fireplace is too contemporary and too light. Since your kitchen cabinets and pretty floor is more traditional, I think sticking to something more transitional for the fireplace would look more cohesive. The style of the cabinets, appliances and hardware leans way traditional but you can add transitional accents and furniture to blend the two. I like your idea of gray kitchen wall and a darker accent wall on the fireplace. If you're keeping the mantel sheetrock, I'd find a transitional tile that complements and contrasts the mantel, floor and wall color. BRB.

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Thanks Darzy. I did not a fancy backspalsh in the kitchen so to make up for that I want the tiles to be stark in contrast to the wall and match the countertop.

Should I paint the mantel in swiss coffee against the dark grey wall; or is it better to let it blend with the wall color? Does the fireplace tile gain from having a white/swiss coffee mantel to soften the look? I can go extremely light grey on the 3 walls so the accent wall need not be the darkest shade of grey but somewhat medium-dark and yet look like an accent.

I was thinking of doing marble tile on the floor in front of the hearth , maybe ceramic polished marble tile of 12"X24" size. It is easier to walk on.

and fancy white mosaic marble in place of the fireplace wall like this

[https://www.houzz.com/products/greecian-white-splitface-12x12-marble-mesh-mounted-mosaic-wall-tile-50-sheets-prvw-vr~22138124 [(https://www.houzz.com/products/greecian-white-splitface-12x12-marble-mesh-mounted-mosaic-wall-tile-50-sheets-prvw-vr~22138124)

I want to change the floor to dark brown at some point. That will be another project.

Thanks Beth

So is it better to do swiss coffee on mantel with white carrara mosaic tiles on dark grey wall or, the mantel should be dark grey to blend with the wall?

no swiss coffee w/carrara. might be too dingy. maybe White Dove or a white w/a gray undertone. it's better to wait for the stone and see what tone it is.

trying to find some good examples. here is gray wall (BM Stonington Gray) white mantel, marble stone

carrara, white mantel

white mantel and the glass/stone you liked. this white is a bit creamier

love this dark gray and marble.

hope this helps.

So the wall is painted now:

Wall: Olive Gray semi gloss valspar

Mantel: swiss coffee

I like herringbone for drama. And splitface for the white color it brings with unpredictable pattern. Both from Home Depot.

Please help pick. Thanks. I am feeling adventurous so I think I can do the mosaic on the hearth floor which is about 20".

this herringbone w/the bardiglio and carrara might be a nice look w/the gray wall

but I would think you would want to do the same pattern on the floor and up the surround.

it's a small surround area. pick one or the other.

you may be able to use the other one around the surround like this one

herringbone is smooth so I think it will be ok on the floor. Splitface would not have worked on the floor due to uneven surface. I do like the one with grey in it :)

yes,,,what I meant was, I don't think using the herringbone on the hearth and the split face on the surround together. if you use the split face, then you will have to a solid piece or a few larger tiles for the hearth. you could find a remnant piece of carrara to use on the hearth if you like the quartz. Otherwise, just use the herringbone for everything

Thanks Beth. One of the installers said these are small pieces and may break when he cuts them. Is the quality of Home Depot tiles comparable to the ones at tile outlet companies?

the carrara you mean? HD prob gets lower quality. try Builder Depot. they have the good marble and it's a decent price. Tilebar.com has that other one w/the dark gray you like. its called Talon.

Why don't you go for the 1x4's? it will be easier for him. marble is very fragile and hard to cut when it's tiny like that, because it fractures. having a larger size will make it easier for him.