We just did a remodel in a small kitchen with very similar colors. Counter isn't in yet, but I'm condering a dove gray crackle subway tile or a glass subway tile. We have 17 inches from counter to upper cabinets. Here's the dove gray tile. It's available at home Depot.

Beautiful kitchen! I would not tile above the cabinets. I think you could do any size subway and not be too busy. Could you do a tester board and try it first?

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A soft beach glass blue is always pretty with a lot of white and gray.

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I have something similar in my kitchen to what you describe...white with granite grout. It's a really nice way to add texture without over-doing it.

A small (2x4) subway should look good. I think you are right to consider the proportions, especially if you use a contrasting color grout. We used a 4x10" tile w/medium grey grout. It looks great where we tiled from countertop to soffit:

but I think it looks a bit large where we tiled between countertop & cabinet:

A white grout probably would have worked better.

You have alot of gray already. Maybe painting the area above your cabinets, in a soft gray will be enough. Tile will not help the acoustics of your kitchen in that area, either. I really like your counter, and flooring with the cabinets. You might need to bring in some lemon pie yellow? or a soft dusty terra cotta or blue, to cheer up the kitchen and make it look special?

dark eggplant or at least a bluish dark gray for the island. Would not do backsplash until island is painted..if you are truly doing it. Much will change with that, as well, hardware on cabinets...which I would do. Could see a basic square tile -3 or 4 inch on the diagonal for backsplash....tweak the grout color a bit. Focus on your island. Re: mosaics for backsplash... if it is your desire , try a more monochromatic selection, not multi- tonal. Tend to think a very basic backsplash is your best bet. You have nice stools, an island you are working with, good accent pendants, a great floor, window treatments and hardware not yet chosen. You don't need the risk of backsplash that muddies your palette. Search for hardware, maybe some cup pulls on the drawers for detail....you have a choice of metal finish which can be a little energetic boost for the style quotient.

Erin can you take another picture further back to show the tiles and the island in the pic? I'm partial to the simple tiles but it would be helpful to get a better sense of scale.

Here are some examples of kitchens that may have some of the combinations you are considering...white cabinets, painted island and subway tiles.

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Yes it could definitely work. You want to use the granite as the palette. I prefer the tile on the far right. You could also do something even a little smaller than that in the same shape.

what shade of blue are you thinking? bring home paint cards and prop them up. Different lighting and day/nite observation will reveal things about shades. You could also go deep plum-red island and oil rubbed bronze hardware...that would instill a bit of warmth and plays with some elements in counter.

LOVE midnight sun! A little more neutral and grey than the others.

midnight sun and blue review!! Do you have funds left over: think about facing the back and sides of island in beadboard..fabulous with the blue paint. And the dings/scratches will be hidden with relief /texture provided....alleviate day to day worries.