I like the marble

I like the marble subway tile. The mosaic is a little busy.

Let your counters shine! Go with a plain subway tile or the marble.

Hello, here's a page on Houzz that shows some pictures and ideas.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/lg-rococo-countertops-ideas-and-photos-phbr0lbl-bl~l_167027

What about a soft gray glass subway tile that pulls out one of the grays in the marble? He gets the subway feel and you will get a classy finish that won’t be too busy?

I would do something in a white tile, that matches the white in your counter, but in a different shape/pattern. An arabesque maybe?

The mosaic was dated last year and it does not complement your counters.

I don't usually like the mix of real marble next to fake marble.

IMO your marble counters are the star. I would find something like a white simple tile.

Everyone has different taste. Here’s how things look to me.

I wouldn’t pair real marble with quartz. People do it all the time, but to me it makes the quartz look like fake stone. I wouldn’t pair anything stone-like with your counters because (for me) it looks too heavy - I call it Stonehenge. I’d pair a beautiful glazed ceramic tile in an interesting shape or layout with that counter. Do you have a budget in $/sf?

To introduce a warmer tone I’d choose a “slightly” off-white, like Tusk below from Fireclay tile (you can find a similar glaze from any manufacturer). It looks white, but it has warm undertones. I would recommend a “greige” or a warm beige, but you’ve already painted your walls. Finding the right tone in that color family that compliments the walls and the quartz will be tough.

If you like this idea, bring home as many samples as you can. You’ll know the right cream/white when you see it.

If you want something completely different, believe it or not, green tile is the classic choice with your cabinets. I find it can be dark, but it’s something to think about. Good luck!

I'd like to stay around $12/sq ft or under.

If you can get more matching quartz, use it for the backsplash. It will match in color and texture and you can stop trying to figure out what goes with the counters. I have used matching counter material for the backsplash in two kitchens and it made everything so so so easy. I used the matching material for the backsplash over the 60” range up to the hood, too.

The marble for sure.

Neither, keep looking.

I don't think that you need a transition to tie quartz to cabinets. Actually, the contrast is very pretty and I would go with Rococo quartz backsplash to continue that beautiful marble-like flow. I think it would look even better than marble tile you're showing here. Mosaic tile is pretty but different patterns on the quartz and on the tile simply don't go well together, in my opinion.

You could use the quartz as a backsplash, but that will cost considerably more than $12/sf. Do you have any inspiration images? If not, google images of cherry cabinets and your quartz and see what speaks to you.

Or, choose an off white or grey glazed ceramic tile in a shade that compliments your quartz. Daltile will have something in your budget for sure.

OK folks how about these? The first one is called San Dona (at the Tile Shop), but I think it is also called Thassos. It is pure white (no veining) and has a pretty sparkle to it. People say it looks like granulated sugar. It comes in all sorts of subway tile: 3 x 6, 4 x 12, and even 2 x 8.

The second image shows a marble that has the same kind of white and similar gray veining as the Rococo quartz. However, its veins are more subtle. Sorry I don't have an image of it against my coutnertop.

Really loving all your comments. I need the wisdom of the crowd!

Best will be to find a gray from the veining in the counters -- a little warmer than white or marble, and it will enhance the counter rather than competing with it.

I like the san dona tile. I also like what ACM posted above.

Debra....try Mother of Pearl tile samples for. backsplash. I'm not a fan of subway, and I find this is a good neutral tile that compliments most any countertop/cabinet combo!

I'd go with something like this, an off-white rectangular tile with a crackle or wavy texture.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ivy-Hill-Tile-Catalina-Vanilla-3-in-x-6-in-x-8-mm-Ceramic-Wall-Subway-Tile-CATALINA3X6VANILLA/206496899?cm_mmc=Shopping%7CG%7CBase%7CD23%7C23-6_FLOOR_AND_WALL_TILE%7CNA%7CPLA%7c71700000032320965%7c58700004387943932%7c92700036924278105&gclid=Cj0KCQiApbzhBRDKARIsAIvZue_AvUH2YsgemG7rSPDMFEQ4rQ21kGTknu_rKrsI1Whv6Uug5wktTEsaAigwEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

HI -- The light one is better or tile that matches the same as the counter material . If you did something that matched to the cabinet color that will become tired and dated . Staying with classic is timeless .

Don't use something so busy ..why can't you get the same as your countertop ...would be the best and easiest to do ...even having it cut into subway tiles ..same material ..same great look !

I doubt whether using the same material as the counter top will be less than $12 per sq ft.

And having it cut into tiles, even more $$$$.

Do you dislike the white thassos marble? I like that it has a sparkle to it--not a lot of sparkle--but it seems somehow prettier than the plain white subway tile. I haven't been able to find a white or a gray that truly matches the countertop because the white in it is not bright white--more of a gray white--and so many subway tiles are a bright white. An off white subway looks odd because there's none of it anywhere in the whole room.

I do like the Thassos marble, it's a beautiful tile, and so pure and white. It would definitely go with the gray-veined quartz and the cherry wood cabinets. However, it seems to be more of a bathroom tile rather than a kitchen backsplash. Marble backsplashes read more formal than porcelain or ceramic tile, and I like a kitchen to be more casual and/or rustic. But that's just me.

Does anyone know what this gorgeous backsplash tile is called?

It looks like ming green marble to me. But who can be sure? it's such a small photo

Diana it came from the second page on this website: https://www.hgtv.com/remodel/kitchen-remodel/inspired-examples-of-marble-kitchen-countertops-pictures 

the link doesn't work.

This is a honed subway tile. My son photoshopped it so it's not a great job but you get the idea. Although you can't tell from the photo, in my lighting it actually looks like these tiles were cut from the countertop--that's how well it matches. I'm sold on it, but my hub is worried about staining, etching, damage from the toaster touching it, etc. I think that since it's on the wall and will be sealed that it'll be fine. However, I have to admit that we will not seal it every 6 months. Most likely we'll seal it once and forget about it. Do you think I should avoid honed marble as a backsplash?

PS: Hub wants a marble look alike ceramic but when I see them in real life, they all look chintzy to me next to the quartz.

Deb I think you need something plain otherwise your backsplash and counters look like they are competing and way too busy. Your counters are beautiful so find something that compliments them and doesn't over run them. The marble looking tiles clash with your counters. It is like putting grey and white checkered shirt with grey and white striped pants. How about a nice light grey tile? Or a pretty white? Do you feel that is too boring? Really, your counters are so pretty. Let them shine. This picture shows a crackle subway tile and the counter is similar colors.

I strongly agree with everyone who is recommending you not pair marble with your quartz. It will make the quartz look fake and it's a very busy look, too much movement. Is there a reason you're not interested in a ceramic subway tile? There are a million beautiful options, it's much cheaper, and it would look a lot more timeless IMHO.

I haven't been able to find a gray or a white subway tile that really matched the grays or the white in my countertop. I wanted to run the quartz up to the base of the cupboards but that was too costly. I just can't get past the desire to have the walls look like an extension of the countertop.

I've found that all the fake marble ceramics look chintzy next to the quartz; only the real marble looks like it's more of the same. The picture I showed is bianco cararra, which is not a heavily veined stone.

I know sorry, but it looks "off." It does not look the same even if there are tiny bits of grey. It is your kitchen......we are just trying to help.

The only thing that is going to make your walls look like an extension of your countertop would be running your quartz up the wall. It would look amazing, but if it's too costly then I think you should move off the idea entirely and find another look you love because these other stone options are not going to look right, IMHO, and it will definitely never give you the look you actually want.

On the other hand...If you choose a ceramic tile, it does not need to exactly match the colors in your quartz. It's a different material, so it won't look weird if it's not an exact color match. That's why it would work better than marble. That said, I would definitely not use a fake marble ceramic either. You need a solid, either white or a color. I would consider a microcrackle in grey or white. There are some very beautiful options out there.

Definitely go with a plain tile and let your beautiful counter tops be the star of the show! keep looking til you find the perfect plain white or gray tile - no veining or sparkle. My humble opinion.

That soft pistachio green subway that NewEnglandGal posted looks fantastic!

This Santorini glass mosaic tile could look great as backsplash in your kitchen -- https://homearttile.com/product/santorini/. It has white and browns and can tie the countertops and cabinets smoothly. Great thing about it is that it's not too busy. Another nice option can be Whisper White hexagon ceramic tile -- white but not icy white, it's more gentle and can be a good solution too if you want an easy transition -- https://homearttile.com/product/whisper-white-2-hexagon/. 

I don't think that you should pair marble and quartz. It's better to apply the same type of quartz as your backsplash than combine the two.

What about mother of pearl as a backsplash with quartz? Here's a really attractive and affordable choice: https://www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/art3d-12-x-12-shell-peel-stick-mosaic-tile-in-white-dtar1019.html?&experiencetype=2&selectedvertical=3

Here's what I chose. It's an Italian marble subway called bianco carrara giaio. The tiles look like they were cut from my countertop as evidenced in the second image. I had wanted to run the quartz to the base of the cupboards, but it was too expensive. This is a way to get nearly the same look. The veining isn't heavy but matches the veining color and style of my countertop.

I want to thank everyone who weighed in on this decision. Listening to everyone's ideas helped me to clarify what it was I wanted to do.