Mosaic tile.

For a modern look stack the subway tile either horizontally or vertically, rather than using the traditional brick pattern.

Can I use white subway tile even if the countertop is more of a off white color with beige flecks??

...and do I go with matte or glossy tiles where countertop is matte? I do prefer a glossy backsplash though.

Subway tile comes in off shades of white as well . I would visit a tile store and grab a few samples to take home and see which would look best

p.s. The color of that mosaic tile would also look good. There again........ Sample tiles to bring home.

How about just a touch of bling?

If you like glossy.......well then.......glossy it will be!

i agree that either glossy or matte tiles can go well with a matte counter, so if you prefer the easy cleaning of glossy that should be fine.

Just about anything will work. I like glass tiles in a long rather than sq. go cream, dark br, black and a touch of stainless.

I have same color combination in my kitchen. I use 2x4 stainless steel tiles which you may find in any Lowe's. It's unique, contemporary and easy to clean.

Forgot to mention the stainless steel tile is only about $12.50 / sq. feet. It's not so expensive.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Crazy, you don't say if this is a starter home/condo or not? I am assuming it is a starter that you may sell in the future, therefore stay in the neutral zone with your paint, backsplash and future flooring. You already have great basics, and because of the limited daylight and dark cabinets, use as many light and reflective surfaces as possible.

Porcelain tiles are less expensive than glass, and you can order custom mosaics and subway patterns off the internet versus going to big box home stores. Also, as you have stark white countertops, consider using white as one component of the backsplash tile in a mix a three or more colors, that way it will coordinate with the countertops nicely. You have a great opportunity to play with some color and textural interest.

http://www.modwalls.com/CustomTileBlends.aspx

http://freshome.com/2012/11/20/kitchen-subway-tiles-ideas/

Elise it's not a starter home. It's a bungalow style house.

Most of the off white tiles I find have too much yellow in them. Could I go pure white with the backsplash even though the counter is more of a very light beige/off white color with brown & white flecks? Or would that look odd? If you google corian linen the pics show a more beige color than it's showing in my pics. I found a cream (looks more of a med. beige) tile that will go but I had just always pictured something really light for the backsplash

What about something like Calcutta marble? Would tie the white and brown together but may not be contemporary enough for you.

Absolutely you can go pure white with the backsplash tiles! That is one of the most popular treatments with subway tiles. Going with a pure white mosaic tile would mean alot more grouting but would still look great.

Here are some samples. I can get them in different sizes than what's shown here.

calcutta gold subways... white with grey and "brown" veining. This site carries them at great prices and will send you a sample (for a fee of course) to give you an idea of what it would look like. This one is honed but they have polished and tumbled I think. I just did a bathroom with a bunch of tile from here (not affiliated in any way).

http://www.stonecenteronline.com/calacatta-gold-marble-3x6-subway-tile-honed

What's the counter material? Maybe slabs to match. Stainless steel perhaps for an inexpensive neutral See photo for example

Crazy, your samples are great. Looks like you are leaning toward subway tile which is very classic and modern and suited to the bungalow style home. Work with your designer/tile store to come up with a pattern, either horizontal or vertical, that you like. If you want accent tiles, then a smaller gray or stainless accent tile can be worked into the pattern. Have fun with this and know that you designed your personal backsplash!

I love the idea of stainless as mentioned by Davidw3333 - his kitchen looks amazing, however - white subway tile would also look excellent!

I'd reccommend this Illusion 3D http://www.glasstilestore.com/shop-by-colors-now/white/illusion-3d-brick-white-thassos-pattern.html because it's simple but never boring. I think stainless would look good too http://www.glasstilestore.com/collection/metal-tiles/stainless-steel-1-2-x-2-metal-tile-stacked-pattern-stainlesssteel1-2x2stacked.html

another interesting option... comes in polished or honed but remember that stone polished is not like ceramic polished. Much less shiny. http://www.stonecenteronline.com/calacatta-gold-marble-3-4x3-4-hand-clipped-mosaic-tile-polished

Waiting for my flooring to be laid and I'll update pics when it's finished.

There it's finished minus a few accessories, window treatments and MAYBE a rug under the table?? :) I'll post a before pic when I find them. The cabinets were a ugly knotty pine.

Looks very nice. You may want to reverse your refrigerator door so it opens into the kitchen area.

Before & after

I think grey or taupe glass backsplash would look awesome!

Wow! I just saw the finished product. That looks amazing! Well done!

very nice - clean and simple and streamlined with rich colors from the cabinets. I like!