Your kitchen looks great!

For your backsplash, what about white, glossy arabesque? I feel like it’s not trendy, so you won’t hate it in a few years, but not as safe and boring as subway tile.

I really like that second blue tile, but I think I’d get tired of it. I like to change my seasonal decor, rugs and pillows too much and I worry it’d make me feel locked into a color. It’s a beautiful color and pattern though! I may consider that pattern and color for my laundry room!

Love the white, glossy arabesque! A friend of mine has that but hers seems honed. I think I’d like glossy even more.

Can't help with the backsplash but wanted to ask if you're sure you want barn doors on the pantry? Sliders are going to limit access to the pantry and personally I'd go with doors that match my cabinetry.......say, something similar to the frig doors. IMO that would make your kitchen look even larger.

If you want a color I would match the island, not something that matches the floors.

Thanks for the suggestions on the pantry doors. I do really want barn doors, but I do see what you’re saying. I figure down the road if I don’t like the barn doors we can switch them out for standard doors since these are a normal size doorway.

For the color - I have gone back and forth on this. Do you think white barn doors would be better? I like the idea of grey to match the island, too....you don’t think it’d be too matchy?

Arabesque has become as predictable as subway tile.

A French restaurant in town has a barrel ceiling with beveled subway laid in herringbone. It's gorgeous.

Wow @mayflowers ! I'd love to see that!

I like beveled tiles, and I think that would look great! What is the style you're hoping to achieve? I love the blue island, I think the backsplash should be "plain-ish" to let that be the standout. As for pantry doors, I'd stick with white.

@Sara thank you :) The island is actually a dark grey but it definitely photographs blue. It looks like a true dark grey in person though. Im going for modern farmhouse...like everyone else in the world right now haha! I'd really like to stick with the barn doors to add a little character to our kitchen - do you think white barn doors or were you saying white standard doors?

I also have concerns about barn doors for the pantry-- I'm imagining dueling doors with pantry and dishwasher.

The kitchen is beautiful! A white backsplash would be perfect, maybe you could hang some small art that ties in with the island.

Here's beveled herringbone.

This layout is interesting and a little calmer.

We love your new kitchen! We would go with 4"x 4" rhombus tiles. You can mix & match and create your own design layout.

Bianco Dolomite 4"x 4" rhombus design

Bianco Sivec & Equator 4"x 4" rhombus design

@melle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/ The doors will be dual bypass so you'll slide over/under each other. You'll never be able to have both doors totally open. I honestly don't see it being an issue.

@mayflowers You're right, it does look good! I am so bummed I didnt do our perimeter black or a contrasting color. I know I'll love what we did, but I got scared of the maintenance bc I have for kids with sticky fingers. We are military and not local yet, so I havent even seen it in person!

@white marble source The rombus does make it a little more interesting! I'll have to look up some other pics to show my husband. Thank you!

You are welcome! @Ashley Butler

Some design ideas for you..

i misunderstood the pantry door design, i thought it would be one big door that slides to the right. i guess this would be more like bypass doors on a closet.

thanks for clarifying!

I think the beveled herringbone look suggested would look great with under cabinet lighting and the pantry barn door.

Thanks @Mon There is under cabinet lighting. I am definitely leaning towards the beveled herringbone. Its so pretty but is also interesting. I love the shine from the bevel, too.