If this is for resale I’d honestly say leave the wood cabinets but consider cladding your island in a rustic wood (similar to this image - just ignore the white cabinets)

https://www.houzz.com/hznb/photos/reclaimed-wood-clad-island-contemporary-kitchen-nashville-phvw-vp~3907290

Then do a backsplash that isn’t trying to ‘be’ brick like when you have lots of the real thing. Maybe a subway tile that has a distressed edge like the tile in this photo. And don’t bother going up above the cabinet with it. Since you have the cabinets fully ‘breaking’ the backsplash you can keep it to under the cabinets. I miss Chicago! Good luck with your sale.

We were on the same wavelength Beth! I love the tile bar samples too!

First of all, thank you both for responding! Unfortunately, the cabinets are painted. I've made my white-cabinet-bed and now must lie in it.

I like the idea of maybe something a little more distressed and potentially the stack layout. Can I get away with doing both?

Since I am going with white cabinets I should still stick with white tile? I'm afraid to add another color, but I'm also afraid the white + white won't go with the granite well. Not sure what the rules are with white cabinets and a warmer color tile. Any ideas on color after looking at the style of our place would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks again!

I like the look of brick in the kitchen....bricks which match what’s already in your loft....but they should probably be sliced so they don’t take up counter space when installed on the wall. I don’t like white subway with dark counters: the contrast is too stark.

you have baltic brown granite (at least in that other photo). with white cabs and white tiles, it's really stark against that style countertop.

you could try an bring in the warmer brown or even use the black brick-like subway tiles. Or, pull in that gray color that's in the stone. and really, your backsplash is small. I'd paint above the cabs in a light color, bring in under cabinet lighting, and prob do something in the black tile.

even a Basalt subway tile would look good in an industrial way

This is the granite, I meant to include it. Also, sorry they keep sending sideways!

Can you post current pictures?

I love that last picture Beth posted (which is why I was hoping you didn’t do the white cabinets). It will help us to recalibrate our brains with the current image.

does it really have that much red in it? if so, you could do a thin red brick veneer, but honestly as I buyer I'd like something easier to clean. I'd do the vertical stack in a industrial style in black. look at the Diesel Camp options.

Is the market good there? Because if it is, anyone buying the place is going to tear the kitchen out and start over, and it is likely that nothing you do short of tearing it out yourself (which I’m not advocating) will change the sale price. Save your time, save your money, and just leave it alone.

If the market is bad, you’re going to need better tile. Take a look at the glazed thin brick from Fireclay Tile.

that fireclay tile is over $30 a sq foot. (plus shipping which is usually a few hundred). for a house that's going up for sale, too much to invest.

why don't you speak w/a real estate broker and find out what's selling and what buyers want. see if she thinks the kitchen would be a tear out. I know that particular granite is no ones favorite, so I wouldn't try too hard to match it.

I see your space as more industrial. Since you're looking to resale, not sure if brick appeals to the majority of buyers. That said, I think subway tile is a much more safe choice, plus, it can add to the industrial vibe. I would go with flat panel white cabinets.

Don't go brick overkill. It looks like you have brick walls - so - don't overkill and do a brick backsplash ...Good Luck.

As this is for resale, do any wall repair, and paint the backsplash area. Let the next buyer decide what to use.

Aspect Metal backsplash tiles in Stainless would look great in this kitchen:https://www.houzz.com/products/4x125-mini-subway-metal-peel-and-stick-backsplash-tile-set-of-3-prvw-vr~100900565. 

Your counter top is Dakota Mahogany; I would play up the darker rustier looks of tiles that look like metal. You can even do a larger format tile that way.

Thank you everyone for the responses!! We still don't have the white cabinets back, but the doors are off and the updated paint (BM Balboa Mist) is up on the wall, I will send a picture of that this evening.

We met with 4 realtors and all of them told us to paint the cabinets white, so I am led to believe that is what is moving in our market.

I am still deciding what to do, hoping to go out to a few stores this weekend and see some options, and bring a piece of our granite with us to see what would go. I really wasn't thinking dark backsplash would be the route to go, but I will get some samples and see how that feels in the space.

One recent picture that maybe made me feel that the white subway tile would still be a viable option is attached. I realize our countertops are a little darker, but maybe we could add some black can lights like that above our island to play up the industrial vibe. Add dark door hardware. Then warm up the space with a few rugs and maybe wood stools w/ black legs?

But I am still thinking about the subway tiles with rough edges, or the metal looking tiles ( https://www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/ivy-hill-tile-2-x-6-metal-subway-tile-sost1664.html?st=1 ) .

This is very hard to decide! Thank you all again for your time spent thinking about this!

I agree with many of the other replies.... do not do brick! it leans a little country in the kitchen and is not easy to clean... I lived in Chicago and love that modern, industrial look while keeping the original character of an old building. definitely play up modern/industrial. I love subway tiles. The color, grout, style edges and layouts are endless. I love subway tiles. I also thought the idea of pulling in the bronze finishes....very hot right now but depends on other design elements in your open concept

Well it all depends on the white paint you selected. This tile is great but it works better with a bone or off white rather than a stark white:
http://www.lungarnoceramics.com/Images/Lungarno Sales Sheets/Notting Hill Wall Tile Sales and Fact Sheet.pdf

Your kitchen looks wonderful and I love the brick accent wall, but I think doing a brick backsplash would be overkill. The subway tile with the distressed edge that thinkdesignlive posted would be perfect!

I honestly would not do anything more. I'd be surprised if you recoup the cost of the cabinet paint -- it may move faster, but not for more. Agree that many will plan to redo the kitchen.

Maybe do an intentionally coarse paint job on the backsplash to highlight an industrial feel and call it a day. Your place already has personality, and most buyers won't find picking their own backsplash prohibitive if they like the rest.

Here are a few pictures of other units in our building that sold with the white cabinets. I feel they are too cold...but I am now kind of stuck with the white cabinet route. Also, unfortunately the 4 inch lip of granite has been removed, so I need to add a backsplash of some sort.

I'm going to include a picture of my current kitchen with the cabinets off...I apologize in advance for the shocking state of my cabinets. Please keep in mind that we are in the middle of some home repairs/haven't decluttered before planning to move. Don't judge me too hard! One thing seeing it without the cabinets on is that I would really like a few with glass fronts - has anyone DIYd cabinets to be wood front to glass front, just thinking a few on either side of the stove? Just another idea.

there's another option that isn't that expensive, and it can be removed if the new owners don't care for it. Back painted acrylic panels. (or, just finish the wall and paint it. install the clear acrylic over it. you could even do a cool wall paper design or geo design. )

Wanted to update the group on our final finished product, we went to Floor and Decor in the Chicago suburbs and ended up going with a great stainless steel tile. We are pleased with how it turned out and hoping to sell quickly. Thank you again everyone for your feedback!

That should sell fast -- great space.

Looks perfect in your space, very modern choice!

Looks fantastic and ties so well with the duct work! Good luck!

Love it! Good luck w the sale!