Subway tile isn't a trend. What you are tempted to put on is urban chic. I think I'd get some dark hardware for the cabs , white traditional subway and thicker grout lines...sanded grout in a charcoal or pewter. The grays and red browns and copper tones of the tile frankly will be really off w the cabs. The counter is a fine pick...but is there no granite that attracts you? With the nice long run and u shape a certain granite can be super here.

None of that is complimentary to your other choices. It’s all too busy. Combined? It looks like a tile showroom trying to showcase as many selections as possible in a display. It’s jarring and inappropriate to any kitchen.

Simple is better.

Your backsplash tile is too busy, and is too dark with your countertop choice. Also, as said above, subway tile is the more timeless choice. It ought to be - it’s been around for more than a hundred years. If you don’t like it, that’s fine. But I think you will be dismayed once you install the backsplash that you show in your pics.

I am am glad you are keeping your cabinets. They are pretty. Try to have design choices that are in keeping with the cabinets.

I do not understand your statement in your OP, “the rustic quality I’m looking for”. Please show us inspiration pics so we can see what you mean, and help you. None of your choices says “rustic” to me. So I think you mean something different. Please show us a pic of a look that is what you are aiming for.

Have you thought of soapstone as a countertop? Would look great with the cabinets, is rustic, timeless, does not need to be sealed, and has this indescribable soft feel to it.

Edited to add: here are a couple of pics from a 1-minute internet search of rustic-look kitchens with maple cabinets and soapstone counters.

Yes I agree there would be too much going on with those backsplash choices. And sorry but I don't see any rustic aspect to your kitchen cabinets or the black tops. Maybe you could add mountain colors into the mix by selecting a lighter earth tone countertop and bring in some green.

Thanks everyone -- I will try to respond to each:

Herbflavor: since this is basically a weekend place, I want the countertops to be as bullet-proof and maintenance free as possible. That's why I went with quartz. I'm not sure the colors are coming through accurately -- the colors of the tile definitely mix well with the cabinets and the floor. Yes, I am planning on changing out to dark hardware.

Patricia : the herringbone is to be ignored -- just happened to be where the picture was taken. All the decor is going -- it is from the previous owner. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the whole kitchen but it basically continues to the right of the range for one more upper and lower cabinet of about 24".

live-wire: I'm not sure what exactly you're referring to. There is one backsplash tile under discussion.

Shannon -- Yes, I love soapstone! Unfortunately, it's maintenance is higher than I would like for this application and the color really didn't work with the floor -- (wish I could change the floor but that's another discussion). When I say "rustic" quality, I guess I'm just trying to keep some element that reflects that it is a mountain place -- it is easy to have the overall look slip into truly contemporary and I'm trying to guard against that I guess. I thought the stone and wood-look tile would keep a mountain flavor and keep it from becoming too sleek with the quartz countertop. I guess I'm wrong :-)

If I can find some "inspiration" photos, I'll post them. I think it's always hard when you're trying to introduce new elements and keeping some of the existing elements.

I always notice that darker floors have a "grounding" effect on a kitchen like this. You might consider flooring as a spot for the earthy color or rustic? As you say.......Which can really mean different things.

The backsplash you're considering looks too busy to me. I really like Shannon's inspiration pictures. I agree with herbflavour about a dark flooring being "grounding". It will affect your backsplash choice in any case.

Suzy: I agree the other elements are not particularly rustic which is why I’m looking to the backsplash for a little of that quality.

Hi all! I am updating the kitchen in our mountain home and want to maintain some rustic/mountainy feel while adding some contemporary elements.

I like each element you're suggesting ... but I don't like them TOGETHER.

Since your countertops will be black and your cabinets are very simple, I'd go with a 4x4 tile backsplash ... with a small accent tile every so often. This will tie into the countertops, and it's something that's a basic but it's never been "in style", so it can't go "out of style".

Subway tile isn't a trend.

Subway tile as a kitchen backsplash is totally a trend; in fact, tile as a kitchen backsplash is a relatively new kitchen feature. Here's a website to back me up: https://www.larkandlarks.co.uk/the-lark/kitchens-through-the-decades-2613

Remember, your golden cabinets are staying. Any other finishes you choose must live with the cabinet color. Too many or too dark additional finishes may clash with each other and clash with the cabinets. “Rustic”, to me, means natural materials including wood, stone, metal. Fancy glass or ornate shiny tiles aren’t rustic in any way.

Mrs Pete brings up a good point about backsplash. Depending on your cooking habits, you could entertain the idea of no backsplash (save for the range).

Calllee, I think it would help everyone if you cropped your pics to isolate the materials you are actually considering. I Think Live Wire Oak and others (and me) were having trouble sorting out which materials you were considering and which just happened to be in the background when you took the photos.