I would avoid white subway tile... too bright against the creamy color of the cabinets. Try a tile with a bit of metallic in it to pick up the stainless steel appliances. You can then go brushed nickel if you change the pendants.

You might not want to do white subway due to the fact you have creamy colored cabinets. If you can post a picture with a close up of the countertops it might be easier to help. Perhaps try a creamy tile like that of the cabinets? Or a glass subway tile that is grey or blue?

DO NOT do subway tile in white here as it would not go with the look! I could see doing it with Randy Trainors look with that photo, but your cabinets are not that color, do you plan to paint them? The 6 by 6 tile there is questionable, Your thoughts on white subway with the light color cabinetry would not look right. Your backsplash does need to be changed to a little darker to match your flooring but have the accent look. there are millions of tile to choose from.

Ken

I wouldn't do regular white subway. I think arabesque would look really pretty with your traditional cabinets. Or something like the montauk tiles from tilebar would look gorgeous and reflect a lot of light. I would order online samples or take some home and see what colors look good with your cabinets.

Some lanterns would look beautiful with the style of cabinets also

You can choose from metallic wall tiles. These are easy to clean and look lovely. Here are some options: Azuela Gap, Magical, and Masia.

The glazed finish is dated and looks kind of dingy with the clean white door and white painted trim in the adjacent room. I would paint the cabinets white to match and fill in the fluted trim on each side of the range. Then you can have your white subways as well as a clean, fresh updated look.

No To white , ...why not just put the same granite as your countertops , that should look wonderful with your cabinets .
And is coherent in your kitchen .

I would not do a white subway tile. That would not match in either style or color. I would stick with the traditional thing you have going on and pick a patterned tile in a light off white color to go with the cabinets ... something like an arabesque or a herringbone pattern. I would update the pendant lights and I would repaint the walls a lighter more neutral color. I would also upgrade your cabinet hardware. Those knobs are small and boring ... add some pulls.

I would just add/clarify, that you can do subway tile, you just need to find the right white, or in your case cream. The prior reviewers are right in that a white subway tile will look like you tried and failed at matching your cabinets and worse since your cabs are cream and glazed it will give them the appearance of being dirty. You def don’t want that. Go to the tile store. Pick out multiple shades of off white/cream tile . Line them up horizontally (how you would install them) directly under your cabs and stick a piece of white paper (like printer paper) behind them so you can clearly see the difference in all the shades of off white/cream. You’ll be surprised at how different they really are once you do this. Maria Killam has a post on exactly this exercise if you look at her site. Regardless of what shape you pick do this to test your colors. I will now let the qualified designers advise on shape of tile ;-). Since I’ve made color mistakes, just trying to share what I’ve learned.

I'm not a designer and don't know if this would work in your specific case, but I personally love the look of white tile against cream cabinets - it can be done, and it can look beautiful. :)

One more, off Maria Killam's blog, this is her sister's kitchen with glazed cabinets and lighter subway tile (here's the link: http://www.mariakillam.com/my-sisters-fresh-new-backsplash-before-after/)... so pretty! :)

Totally see the pt above. I think it can work, but think it’s most successful when The white is intentionally repeated elsewhere - like how the barstools above are white and not cream (at least reads so on my computer) , to help make it feel like the design was always about white + cream together. Just my 2 cents.

Since you're updating the backsplash, it's a great time to re-evaluate the overall color palette of your home. Your cabinets look very creamy, but the trim looks very white. If the trim in the rest of your home remains white, then it would be best to paint the cabinets the same white as your trim, and install a classic white subway tile blackspash. Or, you could keep your cabinets cream, and install cream subway tile, but then you would want to change your trim from white to cream. If you want to keep your trim white, but you don't want to paint the cabinets right now, then I would install a white subway tile, and try to reinforce the white/cream theme in your kitchen accessories. Eventually, when the cabinets need painting, you can paint them white, and they will blend nicely with your white backsplash and white trim.