plain white. i've seen quite a bit of disappointment here for marble look tiles. either with variation in the depth of color between tiles or how the installer arranged them.

Hi there,

Is the second photo is your actual home? We feel it combines beautifully with the grey island. In general, we prefer wider tiles - it makes the surface looks sleeker to our opinion (more like a slab tile). We can also suggest darker grout to create bigger contrast.

Good luck!

It really depends on the other materials in your kitchen, (assuming the photos above are not your kitchen).

Thanks the bottom photo is actually my kitchen. The tile layer didn’t offset the tile like we asked so it’s being ripped out. This is my chance to go with white if I’d like to and that’s what I’m leaning towards.

Plain white

i think it might have been a bit better offset... the diagonals not matching up so much as they are now. but really marble looks nothing like that. there are too few different designs.

if they are letting you change tile for free with the redo, i'd go white.

and this time don't do the 'sidesplash' on the right side.

The marble look tile looks like another recent design dilemma https://www.houzz.com/discussions/bathroom-tile-turns-out-ugly-what-should-i-do-dsvw-vd~4964262 Take this golden opportunity to go with white subway tile. Along with ninigret's recommendation to eliminate the sidesplash, stop the tile in line with the cabinets, not the counter.

Another vote for white, with matching grout. You have a beautiful kitchen. Here's your opportunity to make it even more so.

If you have a opportunity to switch, definitely the white. The faux marble is not looking so great. I can see several tiles with he same pattern butted up next to each other, which is never good. The white tile looks so much better.

I'm seeing the marble look too much of a dominant feature in your beautiful space.

I think for your particular kitchen you could find something better than the plain white. What is your stone on that countertop? different from the island? are you open for something a bit different (since just about everyone and their mother has done plain white subway tile?) ?

Of the 2 choices I don't think you can ever go wrong with white, timeless and classic, but not really exciting or personalized. I love the other tile choices in the above photos by Beth H. Could you try a third option?

Still like the idea of white since their is two different countertops and two different cabinet colors.

The white subway tile is a real disconnect for us given the style of your kitchen. But then, it is the popular "go to" these days (and for 1920's homes, which works historically, and for cottage or farmhouse style). Beyond that we would not call it timeless ("timeless" in our opinion is an easy thing to say, but then I guess we can check back in ten years). Just not seeing it or the other selection. With ALL of the choices out there today, it is unlimited. We might do a mosaic blend that pulls your countertops and cabinetry together, and reflects the style of your home. Doesn't have to be loud and in your face, but we would look for a bit of "warmth". It is otherwise sterile. Just our opinion. Do what you love. Nice job so far.

Hello. From these two options, I like the second most of all.

Now the next question matte or glossy white tile?!

The white tile is definitely the best of the two options. However, if you have the option to choose from a different tile altogether, I'd consider something with color or gray for contrast. I think that may have been what the original intentional was, but either they weren't laid right or it just wasn't the right fit for your all white kitchen.

Hi Brittany,

Definitely glossy white. But the suggestion of real marble should be considered. It's not a large area, so the material cost would not be that significant. Again- skip the sidesplash and end the tile at the edge of the cabinet, not the counter ;)

I happen to think that tile was layed exactly the way it should have been and IMO adds some real interest to an otherwise boring space he could have nixed the side splash but IMO an off set lay out would have made this too busy.

Ouch Patricia. I picked out everything for that boring space haha.

All of you have been so helpful!

I’d love to choose a different tile all together but because we already have our close date we are unable to do anything that would change the purchase price. I’d also love to stop the backsplash at the cabinet but evidently it’s not allowed because it isn’t to code. It’s considered a “wet zone” and it’s there to ensure it doesn’t rot the drywall. That was my understanding anyways. It is either the backsplash or a counter edge there. Between the two, I like the backsplash more.

Thanks so much for all the help and opinions! I’ll be sure to post a photo when it’s completed.

Tile work is an art in itself. Unless you have a tile installer who specializes in unique tile install & will take the time to pick the best tile composition side by side, I suggest staying away from high contrast flowing streaks in tile.

That Marble looking backsplash is a perfect example, what may happen if someone is just slapping them up with no care how the lines go. It's like a giant puzzle piece which will never be solved.

White with light grout is classic & a safe choice. The picture you posted of the white looked classy.

The large tiles would compliment the large crown & the thick lines in the hood area with your kitchen.

Could even do an accent area

If you want more color, the pictures below may be to your liking:

Hope that helps:)

Hi!

Probably the real marble will be the best option as suggested by Weil Friedman Architects.

Of course, real marble up the wall, like some suggested would be spectacular, but that would be a fancy $$$ price tag to get another marble slab. If it's in the budget, that would be beautiful.

Also, you mentioned;

I’d also love to stop the backsplash at the cabinet but evidently it’s not allowed because it isn’t to code. It’s considered a “wet zone” and it’s there to ensure it doesn’t rot the drywall. That was my understanding anyways.

Correct. There are codes pertaining to protecting drywall from future moisture or rot near wet zones.

Add a little bit of color or contrast in the backsplash. The all white kitchen on top is boring. Even just a few accent tiles but to go all white is just blah.

Carolina- it's not all white- follow the thread.

"Also, you mentioned;

I’d also love to stop the backsplash at the cabinet but evidently it’s not allowed because it isn’t to code. It’s considered a “wet zone” and it’s there to ensure it doesn’t rot the drywall. That was my understanding anyways.

Correct. There are codes pertaining to protecting drywall from future moisture or rot near wet zones. "

Really? What code applies to a countertop backsplash? Can you supply us with the code number?

Grout is porous, and if water was even a remote consideration by the code in this situation, the tile backing would need to be something other than regular drywall at a minimum.

When applying the code, you can not ride half a horse, or take it out of context.

Here is the section that would have applied to the wall protection near wet zones.

The contractors and cabinet sales people tell you it is a code issue so that they do not have to fit the countertop that perfectly to the wall.

No it is not all-white, but even with the grays, it's boring and leaning a whole lot towards all white. A trend which I'm already seeing as on its way out.

I like the plain white best

I agree with most others that you should go with plain white. It gives you a lot more freedom with the rest of the kitchen.