I do love the look of the marble.... I'd personally wait until you have the cabinets, counters in and then sample some tiles so you can better visualize how it is going to look from day to night with lighting. Under cabinet lighting? I personally feel if you select a backsplash tile before the bones are in that there is a great margin for error.

The inspiration photos you posted are very pretty, but I'd wait to see some samples in your own space.

Perhaps ordering some samples in so you have them? Tilebar.com has some very nice tile and a good sample program. One that I thought of you might sample is white with a little gray in a more linear subway.

Fireclay.com is another great source

I do love the Highland gray with it.... however, you say you want a kitchen that is white.

The veined tile I am not fond of the shape of the edges is all. The wood look is not at all what you said is a look you were trying to achieve I think it has a lot going on and will take from the beauty of your counters.

Did you any simple corresponding marble tile in subway? Did you try just plain white. matching the colors from the counters IMO is more important that to the cabinets exactly.

Did you try just a simple white backsplash tile with no beveled edge?

I think you might eliminate the wood look tile with all the different tones of gray and off white. Really won't let your counters be the focus of the pretty kitchen you are planning and will lean it a bit rustic with your knobs/pulls as well making it a bit more rustic.

You need to get what you like and not what other ppl tell you at the store. I wouldn't do a beveled tile to be sure.... They have a subway called, "whisper white" I'm not sure what it looks like. Computer monitors can be tricky to you might look at it. I look at your tile on different sites and it looks nearly true to white. They have another subway that you might light, but it's not the size you want, but is more of a linear subway if you have a large kitchen backsplash it's a good option yet you may feel it's far leaning white.

https://www.msistone.com/ceramic-mosaics/white-carrara-subway-tile/

https://www.msistone.com/glass-mosaics/statuario-celano-3x6x8mm/

There is this:

Portico Pearl Subway Tile 3x6

lighter than your gray you posted above, but again your veining looks very gray to me. Here is a photo of cabinets similar to what the photo looks like Portico Pearl yet it's cabinets:

What I find mind boggling is you don't bring home all the samples you can then when the contractor says, "ok, what backsplash do you want" now that you see the counters in........... That to me is no excuse to have you select things you have no idea from day to night with natural and your cans or pendants or whatever other lights are going to be that you don't have 24 hours to pick a backslash! I think you might need to put your finger down on the contractor telling him you need 24 hours after the counters are in. Telling him you find it and expensive mistake to make and you need 24 hours and you have multiple samples and that is it! YOU NEED 24 HOURS! You are paying them, they aren't paying you and they aren't going to put in the counters most likely and jump on to the backsplash!

Go up to MSI and ask see all you feel will work well.... Again, I sincerely feel you should avoid beveled tile and that is my suggestion.

Do not let the contractor spend your money for you and put you in the position of a mistake He/She can give you 24 to 36 hours. You are paying him/her and it's your home. Explain that lighting both natural and light bulbs change colors in a home and you won't make the costly mistake.

Go back up and get some more samples and have them ready and stand up to the contractor!

Stick with clean looking tiles as from the start you wanted a clean look. Don't for for the wood look unless you've changed your mind about tiles and the look of the kitchen. MSI should send you home with your selections even if one piece of each so you can look at them once the counter is in. Don't do it at the store. The lighting is totally different.

don't like the fake marble tiles. if you want marble, then do the real carrara. the dove gray is nice, but if it's not what you really want, then keep looking.

And yes, don't let him push you around. you should do what Porter said. wait until the countertops are in. Why do you have to order from MSI? Otherwise, just tell your GC to subtract the tiling cost from your order and you will hire your own tile setter. If you get rushed into picking something, I will bet you will be back here asking what to do.

I would suggest quite a few others, but I'm not going to bother if you have to have them in a few days!

I don’t have to have them picked out in a few days, yay! I told our construction company and the project manager I wasn’t sure yet so I am totally open to suggestions! They said they didn’t want me to pick something until I know it’s 100% what I want. I can use any company I want, it doesn’t have to be MSI. I was just sent there to get some ideas. The dove gray is probably my favorite so far out of what I’ve seen.

It’s not a huge space that will need to have backsplash but I’m guessing it’ll still be quite costly-I thought I was told materials wise it’s quite a bit more expensive. Which is fine, I just want to do what will look nice.

Is this look of continuing up the wall a more modern look/Too trendy or what? My house is definitely not modern style in its furnishings-it’s more eclectic/modern farmhouse sort of style. I’m terrible at this stuff, so thought I would ask people who are much smarter than I am! :)

Hi we are actually doing a similar kitchen! Vanilla cabinets and the exact same backsplash! I like your grey sink—i went with stainless to match the appliances. For the backsplash we are doing a longer subway tile (not beveled). It is 2.5 x 10 in white and is kind of imperfect with random “dimples.” Not the best description—don’t have the exact name. But will attach a pic. Definitely bring your cabinet and countertop sample to a tile store. The place we went to let us bring tile

sanples home for a week. We are using a light gray grout. Good luck!!

there are so many great choices. so tired of plain old white or gray subway tile. everyone and their mother has it. dare to be different?

how about something in a pale blue or green instead of all this gray?

check out WalkerZanger or EncoreTile

2x6 crackle glaze from encore. . (they have tons of colors and blends)

Love the weathered white Cle Tile 2x6. Get a quote for the quartz for your backsplash if you like the look. It's pretty and then at least you know!

Check out tilebar.com they have many lovely tiles in subway and a great sample program. I'm out to work all day or I'd post some here....

http://www.lmgtile.com/kite.aspx

https://tilebar.com/castle-wind-chill-3x12-ceramic-tile.html

https://tilebar.com/collection/marble.html

https://tilebar.com/byzantine-bianco-ceramic-tile.html

https://tilebar.com/nabi-glacier-white-3x6-ceramic-tile.html

https://tilebar.com/urban-brick-vintage-white.html

Katelyn,,,those are Encore Ceramics in the silver or cashmere. can't remember which color that was. if you click on the link, and then go to their different colors and glazes, you will see it. Just be advised that they are about $35 a sq ft (give or take). I recommended these to another poster on here and she went with it. Absolutely loved them after they were installed. If I can locate her again I'll post her link w/pictures.

it's the crackle glaze,,,look at the Silver one. (the tiles come in different sizes and shapes too)

http://encoreceramics.com/crackle-glazes/

http://encoreceramics.com/product/2x6-field-tile/

they also have the 3x8 and 4x10 sizes.

http://encoreceramics.com/product/3x8-field-tile/

I was able to look at all of the links/ideas and I’m going to get some samples and visit a couple other showrooms I found to see some of this in person. The Encore ceramics are so gorgeous! And the Castle Wind Chill and the CleTile seem really pretty too. Both of you definitely gave me some great options to consider. Today was a long day so I’m going to revisit the links and information tomorrow!!

Good luck Katelyn..... please post again what what you find on your travels!

Katelyn, I'm currently having the same dilemma with a backsplash decision for Calacatta Verona quartz counters. I'd love to see what you chose!