White rectangular tile is about as timeless and classic as you can get. If he doesn't want white "subway" tile, what is it that he doesn't like? White? 3 x 6 tile? rectangles? plain porcelain or ceramic? If you eliminate white tile, then what about a colored rectangular tile? If he doesn't like the 3 x 6 size, then what about 2 x 4 or 4 x 8 or 2 x 6? If he doesn't want rectangles, you could use squares, arabesques, or penny tile. If plain porcelain or ceramic is the problem, how about marble, travertine, glass? Or you could be very simple and use the quartz slab as a backsplash.

Thanks Diana! It’s the shinny all white look he isn’t a fan of. I’m hoping to find a white “stone” look in a 4by8 or 2by6. I never though redoing a counter and backsplash would be so hard!

I saw this at an open house yesterday and snapped this pic. It looked great! For my own, I used the same granite as the counter and it looks amazing too. I think the smaller backsplash tiles are distracting.

I don’t think there’s any backsplash material as timeless as subway tile. But if the disagreement is about the shine/texture, there are any number of variations out there. Carrara marble 3x6 tile may work for both you and your husband, or a matte finish ceramic tile. Check out the Daltile Rittenhouse line for some options.

No textured tile for a backsplash and I personally do like beveled tile for a backsplash if you want timeless a simple subway tile is still the best choice but I also think timeless is really only a word. Get what works best with your space. I would never use cararra with quartz I do not like man made and natural stones together.

Does DH not like the subway shape or the white color? There are crackle tiles and fireclay tile that have slight interesting texture and color variations but don't have an obvious pattern.

Can we see a photo of the rest of your kitchen? You need a tile that works with the counters and the space.

@d_gw it’s the shine and all white look he doesn’t like (and I love). Here is my current kitchen (wall color is light grey, looks blue in photos, and this can change. Cabinets will be staying). New counters will be Quartz Caesarstone Ocean Foam...haven’t purchased yet but is one we both agreed on!

I think with the longer tiles you have to be more concerned with lippage. That's where the wall or tile isn't perfectly flat and the tile can get bumpy. A good tile guy can minimize lippage with the pattern and by checking each tile to be sure it is flat.

@d_gw we are definitely getting it done professionally. I the the crackle subway tile might work with him, going to check some out this week. Thanks for the tip

Sonoma, Fireclay and Heath tiles all carry textures/matte/crackle versions of their tiles. They also have different sizes.

I think one of the dilemmas is the color of your cabinets.

@Deb S we are keeping the cabinets. I don’t like modern, more traditional... love farm house kitchens but not able to gut my kitchen right now. I am trying to work with what I have.

Glazed brick tiles are also really great looking! Try Waterworks Grove Brickworks in a dark color.

Or white with darker grout.

Oh I definitely understand doing things smart instead of $$$! Professionally spraying the cabinets a different color is an option if you love the white quartz and backsplash . I just don’t see a lot of traditional brown cabinets with white quartz tops. I am not a designer so don’t quote me, but I think of medium brown cabinets like yours going with a warmer tone granite or sile stone. Another possibility is adding some white cabinets to help bring in the cooler tones. (See pic) Do you have any inspiration photos?

Ok lots of ideas above!

but maybe the best negotiation for you and your husband is using the subway tiles but laying them virticall or in a heiringbone pattern so it’s stays timeless but not so traditional and expected. ❤️

We are doin ocean foam for our counters and the backsplash is a in pick below.

@Alison Thank you for sharing that!

https://www.amestile.com/vetcalmb

@Deb_s here is a kitchen I like with dark cabinets with light counters. I’m sold on a light quartz. I’m not a fan of granite or anything buzy. I appreciate everyone’s feedback! Will check out grey and white options too like Alison is doing!

Just a thought- I think the reason white and grey works in the inspiration photos is Bc the grey ties into the stainless steel. The one pic you posted is Carerra marble and has a lot of grey veining in it which is carried over in the backsplash. They don’t have white cabinets, but the woodwork in the room is white, so that helps pull the colors together.I am not familiar with your quartz choice, but what are the colors of the flecks in it?

They are grey specks in the ocean foam quartz.

Oh that’s great! Ocean foam stirs up thoughts of green or blue so the grey will help a lot. In the second inspiration photo you posted, I see that the upper cabinets have a glass door and the white interior of the cabinet box is visible. You color palette is nice, but I think you old pull it off better by breaking up the brown cabinets in some fashion. If you change your cabinet hardware, check out this website www.dlawlesshardware.com. Also, you can change your electrical outlets to grey with stainless steel outlet covers. I did it on a friend’s recommendation (black and stainless for me) and it looks amazing. What color will your appliances be?

Appliances will not be changing they are black. I’m not a fan of dark Cabinets on bottom and light on top! I am looking at changing my handles to black or a dark handle for cabinets but thats an after thought. Need to figure out quartz and backsplash. I have not purchased the ocean foam yet, still open to other options...

Hmm- I don’t know if I can talk you into introducing some more stainless and white features but I think (my opinion only of course) that’s what it’s going to take for you to be satisfied with the look and choose your backsplash and countertop. Don’t forget you can swap out the sink with an apron front (for a farmhouse look). eBay is a great source for an inexpensive one. :D

I’m only interested/ can afford to changing my countertop and backsplash...that’s ALL!!!! If you have a difference countertop /blacksplash you think will work with my dark wood cabinets and black appliances please advise....

I LOVE our Ocean Foam quartz counters and it seems very versatile. Pretty much every tile I loved looked good with it. I almost went with a crackle tile from MSI, but I've wanted white subway for ages so I went with that with a gray grout. The tile shop I purchased from had a matte white subway if it's just the shine he doesn't care for. It's great to look for things you both agree on to love the space though. And if you agree on the counters I don't think you'd regret it! They are simple and pretty. It helped that it was one of the lower price tiers which makes me love it even more LOL.

thank you elleewa! do you have a picture you could share of counter and blacksplash?

Here’s a few from my subpar camera phone. I still need to do a progress/reveal post but I got a new camera and had a hard time with the learning curve. I really love the counters, it’s one of my favorite parts of our renovation.

Paint is timeless. Low-budget, but timeless (and easy to change up if the color becomes "dated"). Because there are so many varieties of tile, any particular tile will eventually become dated (sorry to all of you who don't remember how out subway tiles were for most of the 2nd half of the 20th century).

Haha, they were never "out" for me because I've always liked them. When everyone was doing "Tuscan" kitchens with brown tumbled marble or skinny mosaic backsplashes, I did subway tiles in all my bathrooms. I say do what you like, with good quality and craftsmanship, and it will never be out of style.

Cabinets are beautiful-glad you're not changing them. I'd keep the brushed nickel hardware too. Adds a little sparkle against the dark wood. For your new countertop, I would avoid adding the little backsplash piece you have now (no 4" vertical piece) and you may want to consider an undermount, single bowl sink for an updated look. Love your faucet! Now, the backsplash: I think an arabesque tile in a light grey (same shade as one of the flecks in the counter), would look lovely and blend into the grey paint, creating a cohesive look. Personally, I'd keep the backsplash light in colour as your cabinets are dark. Add some under absent lighting if you don't already have some, and it will look smashing (IMHO anyway)!

Silver Has to much shin! I’m going to look at a grey/white tile, a bit bigger tile tho! The grey breaks up the white a bit. Thank you everyone for the advise and tips!

JJ The tile in your last picture is perfect slight variations not stark white and not shining. Great job

Why not use the same Quartz in the backsplash ..I like your cabinets . I think it would look elegant !