I love your floors!! I went with glossy white subway to add more texture to my kitchen. It also reflects light so i think it adds to the the light & brightness of the space. I think you would be fine either way.

Beautiful kitchen! I vote for glossy with the grey grout. I think it will look stunning.

It depends on what you want the backsplash to accomplish. Gray grout is going to add a pattern to your room and catch the eye. Matching grout is going to allow you to add another subtle texture layer to the room.

I think your island and lights are lovely and should be the focal point of the kitchen. A patterned backsplash is going to spread the attention around the room.

Glossy for ‘layer’ and white so as not to compete against those gorgeous surfaces.

Gloss/matching grout

make sure you get a few different shades of white if you go in that direction to see which matches best!

Yes, gloss/matching grout.

glossy. I would see if you could have them do some on a board with both white and light gray. Do you want to be able to see the pattern (use light gray) if not white.

We did a light color on ours. We used polished stone.

I was definitely leaning towards glossy so I think I will follow all of your advice :). d_gw: I also worry that grey grout will pull the focus from my countertops so I think I will stick to white grout.

What about maintenance? Is it easy to clean? Do you see lots of smudge marks?

I agree with everyone else, glossy with white grout! I do feel the normal subway tiles are a bit industrial looking next to that beautiful island. Maybe doing a skinny subway tile on chevron pattern will help with that.

Glossy white tile with white grout, definitely!

Gloss....see example:

https://www.houzz.com/products/subway-backsplash-tile-shiny-gloss-3x6-prvw-vr~52172360

I vote for glossy gray tile with gray grout. Too much white, otherwise, imo.

Glossy, white grout. Let your counters be the focal point.

Beautiful kitchen, I prefer matching grout with either glossy or matte, you have a lot

"shine" there already.

I vote glossy!! Beautiful kitchen!!

Counters are glossy; subway is glossy.

Glossy and 3 x 9"

We agree, with doing white glossy subway tiles.

Gloss with light grey grout, BTW your countertop looks great, bunch of posts concerning installation issues with lining up veins in that Cambria product have shown up on Houzz as of late

Do a sample board with both white and light gray grout. Have the installer put a few tiles on a board and grout them so you can see your selection before they go on the wall.

smileythecat: Thank you! I was able to approve the slabs and the lineup of each piece. I had them rework it a few times but we found a good fit overall!

omg I love your kitchen! maybe use a grey glass subway tile to tie in the grey stone?

My first kitchen remodel had white cabinets and white glossy subways with light gray grout. I loved the look. My second kitchen again had the white cabs and glossy tiles but I went along with DH desire and got white grout. It does look like a white sheet. I can use any color decor but I wish I had a little outline of the tiles that only the gray grout gives. If you do decide to go gray make sure its light gray. You have a beautiful kitchen and I think either of them will work.

This is my daughters kitchen. Backsplash is pale gray with some texture and white grout. It looks gorgeous in person.

How much of a gap should I leave for the grout lines? or Should I have them install the tiles side by side without grout lines?

veronquiue, the tile manufacturer will have their own specs on proper grout lines. which tile did you go with?

I would do 1/16” grouts

ID,,,what you would do doesn't necessarily mean it will match the specs of the tile. yes, 1/16 would be fine. but depending on the type of tile she gets, will determine the grout lines.

100% agree with Beth H. If the specs allow it, I’ll do 1/16”.

Good article about this
https://www.fireclaytile.com/blog/full/which-grout-size-should-i-use/

Even though they don’t include 1/16” :)

Beth H: White gloss subway tile. I will share a photo once the grout has been installed tomorrow. I'm still undecided how I feel about it. It's definitely a big change!

Oh man I am running into the same dilemma but for elements. To be honest I think matte would look really sharp in your kitchen as your counters already shine a lot. But I like the concept of backsplash matching counter sheen. We are doing antiqued counters in black granite counters but with wood lower cabs and white uppers. I feel as gloss would be distracting as everything else is soft. Going with pops of color in hardware and lighting instead. I love your kitchen! It looks phenomenal so far!

Hi Veronique, I stumbled upon this thread because I had the same question and needed some advice. But now I need to know about those floors. Where are they from and what's the color called? Thank you!

I would love to see a current photo of your kitchen!

@k9arlene Could you tell me the name of that subway tile?

Yes... can you share a photo of the update?

@Beth H. : Hi Beth ive seen on a couple different posts that you recommend the longer tiles. ive been desperately looking online for a 2.5x8 tile that comes in slightly off white or white MATTE and all the same color. but i cant seem to find any at all. i really want that specific size and no high shine or multi color. i didnt know if maybe you would be of some help? im desperate lol

Kristina,

try the bedrosians makoto line. they are matte, a slight variation and 2.5 X 10

https://www.bedrosians.com/en/product/detail/makoto-tile/?itemNo=DECMAKSHW2510M

or the Cloe. exactly the size you want. they aren't completely matte, but not glossy either. the color varies a bit, but in the white or gray you shouldn't see a big diff

https://www.bedrosians.com/en/product/detail/cloe-tile/?itemNo=DECCLOWHI28G

no variation and completely matte, but these are 11"

https://www.bedrosians.com/en/product/detail/clara-tile/?itemNo=100000799

https://www.bedrosians.com/en/product/detail/manhattan-mosaic/?itemNo=GLSMANCAS28G

if you just want a plain matte white

https://www.allmodern.com/wall-decor-mirrors/pdp/hull-soho-2-x-8-porcelain-subway-tile-a000841710.html

glazed brick?

https://www.tilebar.com/sample-cadenza-salt-cellar-2x9-clay-ceramic-subway-tile-for-wall.html

3x9 matte

https://www.tilebar.com/kiln-white-3x9-matte-porcelain-tile.html

or they do have a vintage matte clay tile, 2x9

https://www.tilebar.com/cadenza-stroke-vintage-white-matte-2x9-clay-tile.html

https://www.tilebar.com/bayou-white-3x12-ceramic-tile.html

These are on sale/closeout

https://www.tilebar.com/calloway-white-3x10-matte-ceramic-tile.html

tilebar has 5 samples for $5. order some of theirs