Do you have any inspiration images? If not, google images of kitchens with some of your finishes, white cabinets, counters, etc... and take a look at what others have done. A little color might be nice, or some visual texture.

Encore has come really great subway tiles that I think fit your modern rustic style. A bit of color would look really nice & add some texture.

I really like the "I" tile that eam44 posted. Third photo.

Thanks all, Eam what kind of tile is your first and third pic?

It looks to be I-beam tiles. I found some at modwalls.com

I would vote to go with your original plan for subway tile. Beautiful kitchen with a nice canvas of hard finishes to add your style through furnishings, home decor and soft finishes. Backsplash trends change so frequently, it would be easy to fall in love with something today and not like it in a couple of years.

These are actually Chain Homme tiles from Fireclay Tile. They are available in many glazes. I would aim for soft, subtle color, like Feldspar or Foggy Morning below, or one of the white glazes, but you can really do almost anything. They run $50/sf, before tax and shipping, so it’s a lucky thing that you don’t have a ton of area to fill.

Please don't do a plain old subway and have your kitchen look like every other kitchen! You have a relatively small area to tile and you should splurge on this main element that you will see every single day, from many angles in your open floor plan.

You can still do a neutral color if you prefer, but add some texture.

An example would be the Moderne collection from walker Zanger:
http://www.walkerzanger.com/collections/products.php?view=mat&mat=Ceramic%20and%20Terracotta&coll=Studio+Moderne%E2%84%A2

Andalucia Collection from walker Zanger:
http://www.walkerzanger.com/collections/products.php?view=mat&mat=New&coll=Andalucia

Or these by Ann Sacks:
https://www.annsacks.com/products/tile-stone-mosaic/forms-field-tile-made-by-ann-sacks#/forms-manfred

Another from Ann Sacks:
https://www.annsacks.com/products/tile-stone-mosaic/vincente-wolf-textures-field-tile-made-by-ann-sacks#/textures-waves

I like the modern textures and shapes posted so far for your kitchen. I was actually drawn to that second swirly patterned white one eam44 first posted. The I-shape is cool too. Ann sacks that chipsa linked is gorgeous.

What is your budget if you don’t mind saying. I ask because those tiles are big bucks as mentioned.

I would really love to see a pop of color in your gorgeous kitchen. Are you open to seeing a few tiles mocked up in a color?

If so let me know the colors you like? What color makes you feel good to look at and you never tire of seeing or wearing it?

Or do you like a more neutral palette of just whites with the dark island?

For instance I love soft greens and turquoise blues so I finally chose a soft green backsplash for my white cabinet, black granite kitchen. My style “I think” is rustic modern too!

I hope you don’t mind but for some reason I keep imagining navy blue or blue grey in your kitchen so I played with a few tiles. If you let me know the colors you like though I can try again.

Or if you want to stick with white that’s fine too. I can try and mock up anything you want. I haven’t played with my little doodle app in so long. It’s not as professional as photoshop but you will get the idea....hopefully, Haha!

Please ignore the shapes too. I mainly just picked for the colors. But this blue patterned tile was kinda cool so I tried it. It’s definitely bold! But here ya go!

I thought this soft grey color might look nice but in a more modern shape.

Thanks Rebunky. That one is the Ogee Drop, also from Fireclay Tile. I love the pattern, and the graphic nature of the dark grout/light tile combination. The tiles are big, however, so under the window you might only be able to fit a single tile height. Here it is in another favorite glaze, Tusk. They sell for $35/sf. Fireclay has many shapes and glazes at different price points that might work here.

Ok, here’s a pathetic attempt! That ogee drop is so hard to make look good.

I love them all!!!

now as somebody who also had very small area to tile...my slightly inappropriate question would be to ask "what's the budget"..:)

(I went with (non white) subways from Ann Sacks, and it was much more that 1K after 30% contractor discount (taxes, shipping)..and I had maybe 25 sq feet max-including spares for cuts and possible breakage and such? I think Janelle has a bit less sq feet to cover but still)

I feel that some people get uneasy when price gets discussed; well I think it's important to know what one's looking forward to.

as you all know-I madly love tiles. So I'm dying over 99% of suggestions here. And yes, color would be cool, and pattern too, whether subtle as in different shape, or pattern-pattern-will be cool too-this kitchen will take both very well

ETA- feel it's important to clarify..it's not always a question of whether one can afford it or not..it's a question of willingness to splurge on this as opposed to something else too. some people like yours truly madly love tiles, and in my case I didn't lack willingness, it was purely a question of money. but other people might feel less strongly about tiles...say they're more passionate about other things, and that will dictate their decisions.

Ah, I love them all. I love blue and green too, right now I like orange but orange will not have the lasting love that blue and green have. I like marble too. The other side of this kitchen is our living space. This is a (small) great room and it has a stone fireplace with a rustic beam. I think I think I shouldnt have too many strong elements in the room? Budget is up to $25/sq ft.

ok that's great. if you go with, say, colored subways (or squares..simpler shapes..) and they are, say, in the vicinity of 30-35 per sq feet..and you mention to a company you have a contractor/kitchen designer-they'll very easily apply that 30% discount to your purchase(which makes me think it's kinda build in the price feature LOL)..and that will keep your tile just under 25$ per sq f. that saying, if you love the idea. I for example do love the idea..:) subtle grays and blues would look amazing. some greens would too.

the cement tiles will be mostly in your bugdet..and can look amazing as illustrated upthread .but these are usually big..I never(I think?) saw them being less than 6 by 6, and the selection is narrower with this size too ..so something to take into account..what is your space between tht counter and the window sill? you don't want half a pattern there..you want a whole nice tile..or at least a solid tile that's been cut

I really like your kitchen, it was born to have a nice backsplash:) you have this visual line that allows for doing lots of pretty things..

With Fireclay Tile, the greatest expense is in a special shape, or in sheeted tiles. Tusk is one of the glazes in the Foundations line and it runs $15/sf in the following dimensions: 2”x6”, 3”x6”, 4” square, 6” square, and 3” hex. Other dimensions are around $28/sf, and special shapes can range from $35 to $50/sf.

Take a look at cement tiles.

Here’s one of my favorite backsplashes. I would have gotten it myself, but out of my price range. I think eam44 might know. It might be Fireclay?

I picture a big bowl of oranges for your orange pop of color.

Hi Janelle --

Lots of beautiful ideas to pour over upthread!

Because you have a stone fireplace and rustic beam in your great room but the kitchen is pretty sleek right now, you may want a backsplash with an more informal or organic feel.

Speaking really generally -- curves, color, and texture are design elements that read that way.

I think I'd spend some time thinking about what "modern rustic" means to you because it's one of those VERY broad style descriptors.

Some exercises that might help:

• write a list of words

• pull some visuals

• explore what your "X and Y" words would be in the statement "too much X feels Y"

(examples: "too much white feels bland" "too much pattern feels overwhelming" "too much crispness feels like a showhouse" "too much wood feels oppressive")

Looking forward to the choice!

Your space is sweeping with the windows, sunlight, large island. I'd go more bold with color and a pattern. Go to tile showrooms and find something special and as bold as you can live with. A large pattern, contrasting grout lines , if you don't dig the color idea.

So, this is what I ended up with. It took my hubby one full day, cost about $200 in materials. At first I wasn't thrilled but it's growing on me :).

Oh nice! I like it! Can I ask what tile this is?

Enjoy it! Happy Thanksgiving

Looks great! Tell your husband he did a good job. Enjoy!

I love it, Janelle do you know what it is called?

I love it!

MS International

Greecian White 12 in. x 12 in. x 10 mm Honed Marble Mesh-Mounted Mosaic Tile from home depot