@kpenni. I think I’ve come to peace with the subway tile. It’s textured a bit but I think I could live with. Originally was going with the white then my cousin (unofficial designer) suggested the gray because the whites don’t match up. I’ll upload some photos for you.

@kpenni

This is how I believe it looks in the white. The gray is actually called something blue. Nothing has been ordered yet. I think there’s a reason there’s so much subway tile with this gorgeous superwhite. I think we are ordering the longer gray/blue color tomorrow. It’s been in my house for about two weeks. I gave all other samples to my cousin for her house.

And for my last bit of input, I ordered a sample of this herringbone from Wendy of Set in Stone. I emailed her and she was super nice. We LOVED it but then got too scared to commit. It’s worth to reach out to her. Looking forward to your decision. And I love your kitchen BTW.

Hi Guys! Sorry it's been so long, my work schedule has been kind of crazy lately.

Well, I think I'm totally chickening out on everything, even the wavy subway!!! I think I'm going to end up going with the elongated white polished subway with the light gray grout in a brick pattern. Even though I still love the herringbone look, I think the brick pattern will give the kitchen a cleaner look and that's ultimately what we're trying to achieve.

Beth H, Thank you for all the wonderful recommendations!!! I love them all (btw, I tried the Fog and it still didn't look right with the countertop). I think my countertop has some strange undertone, so nothing seems to really "go" with it except white.

Mark_rachel, I found that picture. It was from HGTV.

Donna C, Your tile looks really good! I think your countertops seem a little darker with more gray than mine, so I think you could go with either of your samples and it will look great!

Since my cabinets are so white, as long as I get a white enough subway, I think it will be ok. I like the ones that are either 4 X 12 or 3 X 12. I think it has a bit of an updated look, still keeps the clean lines and lets the countertop get the attention.

One more question... I thought I had the grout figured out. We were going to use Mapei Warm Gray, but someone suggested Custom Building Products Prism in either Rolling Fog or Light Smoke. Apparently that grout doesn't need to be sealed.

Thanks SO much!!!!

any of the epoxy or urethane grouts are already stain resistant. I used Warm Gray on my white subways in the shower.

Mapei Flexcolor CQ. if your tile installer isn't familiar w/this type of grout, have him research it first. it needs to be done in small patches, with wiping/cleaning (very little water on the sponge) as you go. It's not like traditional grout.

Beth H- That's absolutely gorgeous!!! Just so I understand, did you use the Mapei Flexcolor CQ? I love your shower! What tile did you use?

yes, Mapei Flexcolor CQ, Warm Grey. It comes premixed in a container.

Here's an overall shot. I also used it on the marble floor. It's the perfect gray tone without being too blue or too tan.

here's a close up.

my tiles were from my tile supplier. there wasn't any particular maker on the box. I just picked them from the sample board on the wall.

4x12, ceramic. they are a brighter white than the DalTile brand at Home Depot.

Mapei. 2 of their whites in case you want to compare.

if you do pick a white subway, make sure to compare tones of white, and buy the bullnose pieces to finish your edging.

you don't want to place your tiles vertically on the end. that's a cheap and easy way for the tile guy to do it.

make sure your tile guy does a dry layout so you don't end up w/slivers in the corner.

this is a bad tile layout. the edges look horrendous. buy the bullnose or some type of liner. he also screwed up in the corners. when you wrap the corners, it should be a continuation of the previous tile or design. he didn't do that.

if possible, move your outlets to the under the cabs, or place them horizontally somewhere. not in the middle of the wall:

it's not mandatory but it sure looks a lot better when you don't see outlets in the middle of your wall every 3 feet.

lastly, use a 2x8, or 3x9 size tile if you can. and please reconsider something besides the offset layout. there is nothing to be hesitant about. it's only a tile backsplash. every other kitchen has 3x6 white subways. At least go w/the herringbone or a stack layout, or vertical, or a 45 degree herringbone,,,,anything else !

this is the 45 degree herringbone. with bright white grout. I would never recommend a bright white w/white tile, especially w/a design. It looks like a white sheet. you need some contrast

Have you looked at cle tile? They have beautiful tile. They also offer 3 samples for $5.

I like the Cle tile too (of course I like the most expensive one at $27 sq ft!...) but the modern farmhouse ones are nice. I like that they provide a little contrast in that they are not just white glossy subway tile which I feel has more a bathroom/sterile look. I may get some samples too as will change out my backsplash one day.....

Those are my fav too!

Rachel, the Zellige are the 27 a sq ft. (they are handmade in Morocco)

and the 2x12 architect series are also $27.

Look at the Liberty brick or the Farmhouse brick. they are$13and $11 respectively.

https://www.cletile.com/collections/liberty-thin-brick-tile

https://www.cletile.com/collections/thin-glazed-modern-farmhouse-brick

This looks nice too! It’s not too dark

I love all the suggestions! I can't thank you guys enough!

Well, the big day is finally here. Our tile guy is here installing the tile. We decided to go with the 3 X 12 bright white polished subway with the Rolling Fog grout. We ended up with that because we really just wanted the cleanest look possible and I think the elongated shape sets it apart from regular/standard subway. As much as I wanted to do something different, I just couldn't picture anything else in mind (lol) and couldn't find a gray the blended with the countertop. The Rolling Fog grout is very similar to the Warm Gray, but it has a slightly more blue undertone that matched our countertop better.

I'll post pictures when it's finished.

Thanks again for hanging in there with me!

And Beth H, Thanks you for all the tips and recommendations!!! Our tile guy has to make the pencil trim and we're working on getting a shade for that kitchen window. It's so nice of you to help with so many aspects of our kitchen. There are things you suggested that we never would have thought of, but so grateful you suggested them.

So happy you decided! Our tile just went up. My husband really loves it! We are going with Cape Gray from Prism. We can’t find it at our Home Depot. Was hoping to get it done Monday. Can’t wait to see your finished kitchen. I know it’s been a long ride. Congratulations on a final decision!

Thanks Donna C! Your kitchen looks great! I love it! It's going to look so good with the hood!

It has been a long ride, never thought it would take this long or be so hard. It's funny, now that the tile is going in, I can't imagine anything else, and you'd think this would be easy! haha

Hi everyone! Here are a few pictures of the new kitchen. We still need to replace the wood blinds above the sink. Waiting on samples. Thank you again for all your help, suggestions, patience and support!!! Don't know what I would've done without you! I know I kind of went the safe route, but even though we considered EVERY possibility, we just really wanted a clean look.

This one looks kind of pink, not sure why. It doesn't look like that in real life.

Tile: 3 X 12 Floor and Decor Canvas Meringue Ceramic Tile

Countertop: "Super White Quartzite" (Best price, great customer service) MC Granite, Kennesaw GA

Not sure what the paint color was for the cabinets. The cabinet people did a color match to a cabinet called Metro Frost.

It looks so beautiful!!!! Love it! I can never get the right coloring in my pictures, I know how that is. It's lively in pictures and I'm sure even more stunning in real life. Enjoy!!!

lovely

Thanks so much Rachel!!!

Looks so nice. Good choice.

Congratulations! Kitchen looks great! I’m sure you’re glad to have all the decisions done! Enjoy your new kitchen.

Looks great, such a crisp and clean look! Enjoy your kitchen!

Thanks so much!!! Yes, so glad everything is finished and decisions are all made! I was hesitant about the "subway" look, but in the end, it was really the best choice for us. And I think the elongated look makes it a little different. We saved so much money on the tile, I think we're going to repaint the whole interior house! Lol! On to the next project. Can't thank you all enough!!!

Motto? Never doubt the simplest decision. It's always the over think that will kill you : ) Very nice.....very.Blow some cash and lose the metal blinds. Double happiness.

Jan has a good point about those blinds! try something like these

you would remove the minis completely. just showing you how a roman blind might look

That last pic from Beth is a Hunter Douglas Nantucket Silhouette. great versatility and DISAPPEARS into the headrail when not needed. No "stack" as you get with a blind. : ) Nice and tidy and any amount of light or privacy as you wish. No slats collecting dust.

Jan- I kept thinking about your original post about the importance of simplicity and that really helped me make the decision. And this may sound strange, but I just couldn't picture anything else in my mind that I liked as much.

I completely agree about the blinds! I never liked them and hate all the dust they collect. They're so hard to clean. One problem: Our window frames are very small so there's no way we can put anything inside the frame. Anything has to be on the outside. We ended up ordering a shade in a light gray from Home Depot for over the window. Do you guys think we should put the same thing on the bigger windows?

kpenni

The HD Silhouettes aren't cheap. But here's the thing. You are getting a shade that looks good on an outside mount, is more decorative than utilitarian, , looks like a roman shade when partway up and flattened, allows translucent light, privacy, is a blend between a shutter and a blind. ...............and disappears when you want nothing on the window but unobstructed, or even filtered view.

Almost no treatment is capable of MORE options : ) Find a dealer near you, and go look and see how they operate.

Whatever you select, put it on BOTH the windows. No curtains, no valances ........simple.

Ok Jan and Beth, sounds like a plan! I'll work on it. Thanks!

kpenni,,,I've had these Silhouettes on one of my windows for many years. loved them. Jan is right, they are virtually care-free. Pirouettes are the same type from another maker (I believe) and come in all colors.

Perhaps if you beef up your window trim, you could do an inset? not sure since I can't see your window.

They are FINE!!! on an outside mount. Much ado about nothing : )Do the two inch.

jan, don't yell at me ;) i have a thing about outside mounts, so maybe it's just me.

LOL!!!!!!! NOT YELLING AT YA BABE! teeny weeny here..........they are fine outside......really......lol

sigh,,ok. i'll relent on this one. lol

I love that you guys are so passionate about your craft! We really benefit from your expertise. If there was any way we could do an inset we would. I'll look into the two inch. Thanks again!!!

Still LMAO from last night...........

Kpenni your kitchen looks great! Beth and Jan really know their stuff. i love how so many have tried to help you. Cant wait to see what you choose for your windows.

Thanks NewEnglandgal! I know, I can't believe the response and all the help I've gotten!! This forum has been a HUGE help! So much appreciated!

Got the quote for the Hunter Douglas shades. It's $723 plus $131 if they install just for the one window over the sink. I knew you guys said they were pricey, but oh goodness! There's got to be a knock off out there somewhere that's almost as nice. I really want to paint our interior home and trying to save on everything else to be able to do that. Any suggestions?

Look to see if there are any local companies. We had a local company put in plantation shutters in our bathroom for MUCH less than other nationally known companies. They are very nice.

Good idea mark_rachel! I look into that. Thanks!

Kpenni so glad you started this thread! I am learning a lot myself. I am putting Super White on my island and silver grey granite (looks like soapstone) on my perimeter so will be looking for the same things as you, back splash and window treatments so thank you for starting this thread!

Beth hope you will be around to help me when I need it for backsplash because you are the queen of tile!

I tend to like subtle looks, and to mention that beautiful counter's grey seems to gather in other cools: stainless steel and handles. White elements gather into one. Pretty and neutral. Floor warm.

Opportunity for softening fabric at window to combine soft grey/ white.

Quick grab to show with tiny bit of blue:

Just spent on this, and can sew a bit, and blinds are down mostly at night: buy cheap light color, and add trim like blinds horizontally? Especially is it's purposefully used with as here: a pattern of that color only.

https://www.houzz.com/photos/betsy-burnham-eclectic-living-room-los-angeles-phvw-vp~117645

Houzz: "Although valances can be appropriate in any room, many associate them with traditional decor, as in swags, jabots..."

I've seen them out of burlap.

Update on the shade: We found some Sheer Horizontal Shades on Justblinds.com. We looked at several sites online as well as Home Depot, but these seemed nice and were so much less expensive. They won't be here for a few weeks. Fingers crossed. I'll let you guys know when they come in.

NewEnglandGal- Sounds like your kitchen is going to be gorgeous! Can't wait to see it!! I'm glad my dilemma can help someone else. This site has been so helpful to me! I'm SO appreciative!