What would make your heart sing when you see it in the mornings?

I used white subway tile in our white kitchen because I wanted to add color thru things that could easily be changed.....tea towels, tool caddies, rugs, etc. I did not want to be married to a tile that in 10 years I would not like or was "out of style".

But, Beth usually has some awesome ideas and I am sure she will pipe in soon.

What did you envision as the finished product?

The photos in your idea books are very tone on tone and the color comes thru the accents.

Kathi, thanks for the feedback. My idea books are a hot mess but you are right I seam to gravitate to tone on tone but am afraid of too much white looking sterile like a hospital. Part of the reason I jumped and did the island gray. I did like a more contemporary marble with etched dots but at $32/sq ft I don’t want to spend $1000 on tile before install with all the costs that go into a remodel. I also seam to gravitate toward herringbone or chevron patterns. I was afraid the white subway would be a trend but the gray island is too. Every time I find something I like I get sticker shock.

Here is a great tile, but it is Carrara marble so it might not be afforable.

MSI Tile - Tundra Gray Marble Polished 3x6A grey tile would look good.Here is another one. www.tilegallerychicago.com The tile is V182 Tender Grey Gloss.

Thank you, I like them all. I was searching for the Tundra few weeks ago but the blog redirected me to amazon and I knew it wasn’t the same tile as the photo (which happens with affiliated links). When I thought I found it I wasn’t sure it was the same but I should probably order a sample.

I don't think white subway tile will be going out of style any time soon. It was installed in the subways over a hundred years ago. White tile with a light grey goute would look good too.

Here is a white tile with an interesting liner tile.

This picture frame adds interest to white tiles.

You read my mind, I was going to ask you if a picture frame on range wall was a good idea or not.

We cook a lot so the subway seams more practical too instead of worrying about sauce and oil splatters. I know I would clean immediately but we went with quartz not to worry about always sealing which is something to consider if we put in marble backsplash.

What do you think about glass subway tile vs. ceramic?

Herringbone? Maybe Glass?

The picture frame behind the stove is...meh, unless you LOVE it.

Glass tile can be tricky, because it does not always show true. Let me see if I can find the conversation.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/white-glass-tile-turned-baby-blue-help-needed-dsvw-vd~4226599

Marble back splash is no different than marble counter tops. They can be hard to clean.

Here are some conversations. I do not like dark grout because it makes the backsplash very busy!!

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/backsplash-advice-lots-of-pics-dsvw-vd~4983479

I used white on white and added color with accents...

I disagree about marble backslashes being as problematic as countertops. I suppose if one was a wild cook who flings marinara sauce all over the kitchen, it might be, but if one is that kind of a slob, just about anything will be a mess.

Consider a larger sized subway tile in honed Carrera marble. I got mine from http://www.carraratiles.com. I got mine there and it is gorgeous - nice and white with just a very small amount of gray running through it.

We used white, non-staining grout and it was sealed with a wipe-on seal three times. It is a breeze to keep looking nice, even behind my stove. But I will admit that I'm not frying chicken very often.

I agree with the above - a nice Carrera marble that is predominantly white with grey veins will go really well with your kitchen.

how about a ming green marble? has lots of whites/green gray tones.

carrara marble in a diff format.

this marble has more pronounced veining. poss a statuary or calacatta marble. looks like 3x12 done in a herringbone. this would be very nice and a bit different than the chinese marble passed off as carrara.

4x12 dove gray crackle tile. these can be done in a herringbone

Thanks everyone, I will probably be months without a backsplash. Managed to pick everything from lighting, paint colors, fixtures, counters and cabinets relatively easy. The floor color has me stressed just as much as the backsplash. Started a poll for that but down to the wire I have to pick today. Any suggestions since this will tie the kitchen and whole house together? Down to provincial or dark walnut with the dark being favorite but most risky with all the dust and scratch warnings.

Have you considered using a stainless steel or aluminum metal mosaic tile for your
backsplash to bring together your light cupboards and quartz counters with your
gray island? The 304 grade stainless steel and aluminum tiles are considered
low maintenance as the tiles just need to be cleaned using soap and
water with a dry wipe at the end. We invite you to check out these kitchens and
our selection of metal tiles that may give you some ideas for your kitchen
project.

We are a premium online supplier of metal mosaic tiles
for backsplash and other wall applications. If you are looking for ideas, feel
free to browse our customer installations for metal backsplash ideas:

http://www.houzz.com/projects/72838/eden-mosaic-tile-installations

You can also check out our Houzz store at:

https://www.houzz.com/pro/edenmosaictile/eden-mosaic-tile

We offer the possibility to receive samples.

Good luck with your backsplash design!

I like the provincial the best, but I am a medium tone person.

I like the dark walnut better but I think both of them are good choices.

The boards were not stained prior and what a difference on the sanded floor, provincial has more red/orange and dark walnut was really much darker. I had them mix both with classic grey 50/50. I now am leaning between one of these mixes.

I like the 50/50 Grey & Provincial the best

Maybe a faux wood tile? Great price point and would add a lot of texture. You could go with something in gray.

What type of wood do you have for the floors? I am down to the same colors and I have red oak floors? My builder told me not to mix colors - did you do them yet? I am afraid of the same thing - the dark walnut being too dark.

Tech Mom, I need to decide tomorrow as stain goes down in 2 days. These are nee red oak. The GC told me not to mix, could cost more, harder to keep consistent and if needs repairs in an area harder to match in future.
Because we are doing a 50/50 mix the floor guy seams confident its not a problem. Realistically the stain will never match 100% when patching and I am not sure why the cost may be more unless its a labor issue to make sure color is consistently applied. When I go to paint store they mix without charging lol.
The grey definitely tons down the red in lighter shades but saying that I noticed lots of red coming through in the lighter to medium stain colors which makes me suggest stain on red oak should be a little on the darker side and not light. Having kids and potentially a pet someday I don’t want to be obsessed with the floors upkeep so that is why I am stressing over loving the dark walnut and gray mix as more dramatic choice and provincial with gray as a safe nice alternative. Some more pics, top left 50/50 provincial/grey, top right dark walnut, bottom left 50/50 dark walnut/grey, bottom right provincial. The grey island is in the background, cabinets white.

The colors are gorgeous with the gray mix! I felt that Provincial would be too traditional for how I wanted to decorate so I liked the walnut. But, once I saw how dark the dark walnut was I was leaning towards the Provincial and my friends always complained about seeing all the dust etc.on the walnut. I feel the floor being a little more neutral would allow for more decorating color options and a warmer feel. I really do love the dark walnut here with the gray though! It could sway me. My other fear that the Provincial would pull too much red and gold.

@Anglophilia

"...it was sealed with a wipe-on seal three times."

Can you tell me what sealant you used? Will it work on Dolomite marble?

Thanks.

camille,,,i have dolomite. use any sealer thats meant for marble (polished and honed are different,,,so make sure you get the proper sealer for whatever one you have). and impregnating sealer is what you need. Miracle511, Aquamix Sealer Gold (i used that one on my dolomite. it's a water base)

or Tec or this one, are all good brands

@Beth H.

Thank you.

For floors probably going with 50/50 provincial and grey will post update on weekend but still undecided on backsplash. Does anyone know of ceramic or porcelain tiles that come in gradient colors?

Does anyone know if this is ceramic or glass or where to find online? Like marble but want to look at other options too.

Love your floor color choice. How about a penny tile?

Encore Ceramics. they have all sorts of colors, glazes, sizes, textures and you can blend different elements. gorgeous stuff. made to order.

Bali Crackle

Thanks Stacey and Beth I will check out those options.

I just looked at the tile you referenced in your last picture above while choosing finishes for my house. It was a hand fired Italian tile and was $$$$. I was tempted as they had it in a gorgeous blue but it was 10x the price of a simple subway and i chose to put that money into my countertops instead of backsplash. That said it’s gorgous in person!

Thanks pink_peony, I found any backsplash I really liked was over $30/sq foot which would be $1000 in materials before labor. With all the other expenses I don’t want to settle but I don’t want to splurge either. Hopefully find something nice at a decent price point....hopefully.

There are so many options for backsplashes, we can see why you are having a dilemma. Here are some of our designs that might help you make a decision.

Chi Renovation what is the last tile, penny?

penny rounds look nice too. so many options that aren't that expensive

i love these colors

i love penny tile

Hi, if anyone has a white kitchen, love your backsplash and don’t mind sharing a picture and where you purchased the tile please let me know. I am still debating the backsplash...at least floors are finally stained, lights installed.

TechMom here is the provincial and gray 50/50 floors. Looks different depending on lighting.

After waiting till the last moment before we move in, I ordered a cheap tile from home depot, joseph court brand, color weathered grey 3x6 tile. Cost $140 with tax for 49 sq. Ft. Delivered to store and we picked up for free shipping. The matching pencil was too thick so returned and used a rounded stainless trim piece for tiles on the ends. I had white grout left over from the bathrooms. My father who is not a tile man but actually an auto body shop owner installed it for me. Best tile job in the house, wish I had him do all the tile work. I debated over marble backsplash or white subway and in the end went with light gray subway and really like the finished product. Just started cleaning so we still have plastic on appliances and outlets to adjust and put covers back on.

Looks great! Congrats!

Maura,,,i agree. he did a very nice job. looks good w/the gray. love the floors too.

don't forget to do the gray switch plate covers !

Thanks Beth! I am debating changing the actual outlets to gray too or do you think ok to leave white and covers gray? Might look weird...hate to call electrician back, might ask my father to do that too lol.

I worked for a retail warehouse and what seems to work best for customers i helped who did not want subway tile but still wanted a little white to keep a clean look, used mosaics with a mix of stone and glass, or porcelain/ceramic and glass. Or even "Subway" tile of other sizes and colors. you can find products like these at home depot, lowes, arizona tile, dal tile, floor and decor, etc. I have even seen people use thin veneer stone ledger (so its not as heavy as using a real ledger) in place. Just make sure you seal all of the natural stones before grouting and after grouting to prevent stains, as well as recommended a premixed pre sealed grout to assist in no stains if worried. I have also seen customers use marble or any natural stone "subway tile" size and break it up with a line of another mosaic to bring in color from countertops and floor without over whelming you and still having white, or a white mosaic with other colored grout to break up the white. Examples of items below not necessarily in these colors..

I worked for a retail warehouse and what seems to work best for customers i helped who did not want subway tile but still wanted a little white to keep a clean look, used mosaics with a mix of stone and glass, or porcelain/ceramic and glass. Or even "Subway" tile of other sizes and colors. you can find products like these at home depot, lowes, arizona tile, dal tile, floor and decor, etc. I have even seen people use thin veneer stone ledger (so its not as heavy as using a real ledger) in place. Just make sure you seal all of the natural stones before grouting and after grouting to prevent stains, as well as recommended a premixed pre sealed grout to assist in no stains if worried. I have also seen customers use marble or any natural stone "subway tile" size and break it up with a line of another mosaic to bring in color from countertops and floor without over whelming you and still having white, or a white mosaic with other colored grout to break up the white. Examples of items below not necessarily in these colors...(the rest of previous comment, wouldnt let me attach all photos)....