That looks like a computer rendering and not a real photo, so there could be some distortion on the tile size. I would consider it a mosaic, but the pieces are larger than the standard "matchstick" mosaics. Looks like the tiles are about 1.5" tall

Are you planing on something similar for your kitchen? I ask, because this look has been around for 12 years and is considered quite dated.

I was considering it...I am so lost when it comes to designing! I am definitely looking to go for a more modern look. We are moving forward with the black counter top and are a bit unsure of what to replace the backsplash with. I am attaching a current picture of our kitchen. I am open to ideas for a more "modern" look for extremely outdated kitchen (without breaking the bank!).

If you find a look you like, ignore fads and go for it. Hope you find something comparable to your inspiration pic.

This may not be exact look you hope for but it wouldn't break the budget.

https://www.pinterest.it/pin/192317846568840329/ 

Black counters are going to suck up all the light in that space. The picture above is a much lighter space, with much lighter cabinets. I'd rethink the counters if I were you.

@design girl Our goal is to install either recessed lighting or a fixture that brings lots more light to the kitchen. We are also going to repaint the walls a lighter color as well.

Since you are working with a wood kitchen, here is my wood kitchen idea book with both new and older, refreshed kitchens. In general, mosaic type backsplashes have too much movement to look good in an oak kitchen because oak has movement due to the grain and wood tone variations. Most of the kitchens in my idea book do a simple backsplash with wood because it gives the eye a place to rest and keeps the look from becoming busy. From my experience on this forum, the mosaic or multiple color backsplash is the most frequently regretted backsplash.

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75202366/list/wood-kitchens

Newer design trends are using more whites and cream and less or lighter grays. While nothing will make older oak cabinets look on trend (I have them myself) the whites, creams or newer sages can make the space look refreshed. Under cabinet lighting can make a world of difference, especially in making a kitchen brighter.

Wow! Thank you @jhmarie for sharing your link. I saw a few in there that I saved to my computer. I really like the subway tiles and I agree, it makes the kitchen look much less busy vs. using the mosaic tile. Thank you!

We are planning on having all stainless steel appliances. Our cabinet hardware is currently silver. If we choose to have black/dark gray countertops installed, would we change it to black to match the black countertops? Or should the hardware match the appliances?

Is that a bathroom towel holder mounted on your cabinets?

Lol yes, I think the people that lived there before us used it to hang decorative dish towels on it.

Just curious @jkent9024, do you have a backsplash? if so, what color + material?

Danielle,,,they're called 'Linear bar mosaic" or Random Linear bar tile" (meaning they will have both thicker and thinner bars)

they make them with stone, marble, glass, ceramic or a combo of all of them.

They somewhat fallen behind the design curve,(they were big in the mid 2000's) unless they're all one solid color or material. usually the ones w/glass and stone are kind of on the outs. like this

this is all marble and is usually tolerated a bit more

The sales woman at the store where we will be receiving our backsplash and countertops suggested we go with a light grey subway tile backsplash. Similar to this simulated picture. (I have to use simulated pictures because I can’t imagine how it will look otherwise).

Feels a bit plain to me. Maybe it will bring some light to the kitchen. we are going to install under cabinet lighting. And maybe some decor will jazz it up. Thoughts?

danielle,,don't you have another post going w/the same question? I posted a bunch of stuff over there. you don't need multiple posts going for the same question.

get your countertop installed first and then decide on a tile.

I started this one to ask about the style of tile but it kind of merged with questions related to the first post.

too soon to pick a tile. things look diff in your home. wait for install. heck, it's been 6 months since I redid my kitchen and I still can't decide on the tile I want.

I have a simple subway tile backsplash in a cream color.

Light gray subway tile looks OK with light maple cabinets - which is the closest wood shown in the rendering, but not so great with warm wood oak. It can look fine if the gray is a "warm gray" which reads more green. Cool gray and warm wood tones often don't bring out the best in each other - one reason why white cabinets have been so popular and were matched with the popular gray walls and tile.

Warm oak has returned - though not in the style of the older oak cabinets, but in a more updated style frequently using white oak and often cut "quarter sawn" to change the look of the grain. The return of warm wood has resulted in less use of cool grays and / or using grays in mostly light tones. There are a couple of gray tile backsplash in the idea book I linked, but the wood tone of those kitchens works better with gray then the warm oak does.

Be careful of trying to force the formally on trend gray with your older kitchen in an attempt to "update". I have older oak cabinets and a kitchen with these cabinets can be wonderfully refreshed, but they are what they are. I went more vintage in style rather than try to make them look "new" - but others have changed out the counters and backsplash in a complimentary style and have achieved a refresh that helps them enjoy their kitchen again. Others have tried to mix on trend surfaces, often in gray - and all they have done is accentuated the older look of the cabinets in a style that is often a "miss".

When you refer to “warn gray”, does that look something like this...

I've had curiousity about these peel and stick, guaranteed to stick [for how long?] - their display photo shows dark gray counter and the cream tiles. Not sure why blend with your floor isn't ok... and 'trim' looking with various heights and amounts [between counter and uppers].

Metro Gallino Peel and Stick 3D Gel-O Wall Tiles Mosaik, Set of 1 · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/metro-gallino-peel-and-stick-3d-gel-o-wall-tiles-mosaik-set-of-1-prvw-vr~129500121

I am thinking putting in new counters , new appliances and a new backsplash into that kitchen is a waste of money. Maybe wait until you can change a few things like the appliance garage that eats counter space , you need storage by the looks of it. If you were my client I would put the brakes on right now and wait until you can afford a better kitchen . No black counters in this space for sure.

The tile in your posted photo already looks dated. I agree with others that a lighter and simpler tile would be a better choice.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting when the kitchen is renovated, the contractor is going to remove the appliance garage.

@Norwood Architects are you referring to the most recently posted photo or the first photo?

So you are getting new cabinets too , the more info you supply the better we can help.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting, I am not getting new cabinets. I was told that the wood is good quality, and if anything, later on we can paint them. My goal is to work with the cabinets we currently have. Please let me know if there are any other questions I can answer. :-)

I think your kitchen is cute and can be easily refreshed. I have seen much worse oak cabinets. Those are fairly neutral. Getting rid of the appliance garage is a big plus. iMHO, the blinds need to go and the three pendants are cluttering the space. LED undercab lighting is needed. I would think twice about black countertops in that small space. Personally, I wouldn’t care for any sort of gray with that warm oak. I can see a creamy quartz with some warm veins and a simple cream herringbone subway backsplash. It will be a bit hard to repair those holes in the sink base. I cannot imagine what the previous owners were thinking when they installed that towel bar. Good luck, don’t despair. It will be lovely when finished. Just keep it light and bright.

Based on all of the wonderful tips...I am working between these two ideas. I know everyone hates the dark gray/black counter tops (the ones we saw were beautiful...can't stop thinking about them! So I'm trying to make it work).

I have attached the two ideas to this picture.

If we go with the darker option, my goal is to go with a lighter paint on the walls and increase lighting in the kitchen with under-the-cabinet lighting and a better light above the sink + in the middle of the kitchen ceiling.

That second photo is very similar to what our kitchen is; warm oak Shaker style cabinets, SS appliances, bronze hardware and a subway tile backsplash (but in cream). We have a black granite countertop, but it is leathered, not polished. I was going for the vintage Craftsman look, but did not want soapstone itself. My leathered Absolute Black granite was a close enough substitute for me.

My kitchen is south facing with a wall of windows, and I have plenty of both under cabinet lighting and overhead lighting, so it doesn't feel dark at all; you'll have to determine how much lighting you'll need for you. (Honestly, I hate some kitchens that are so light and bright, I'd need sunglasses to prepare a meal in them, but that's personal preference).

@jkent9024 your kitchen is definitely very similar to the look that I am going for. My house wasn't built with many windows that promote natural light...I figure I should embrace it and manipulate the use of lights to increase lighting in the different rooms of my house. I have never been a fan of the white cabinets or white wall colors. Thank you for sharing!

Computer monitors do not always show true colors and different monitors show colors differently, so it can be hard to give examples of different color tones. I often think this kitchen has green tile, and then I look again and it is gray:

I personally do not like to work on a dark surface, but oak kitchens can look very pretty with dark counters. There are several in my idea book and I've always liked this one:

Craftsman Kitchen · More Info

You may personally favorer a darker look which is fine if that is your preference. This gray green (which reads warm) looks fine with this oak. Take a door with you to the store to compare to countertops. One thing you need to be careful of is that the green does not bring out any red or orange tones in the cabinets.

To decrease red and orange tones, look at your lighting. You may want to switch to "daylight" bulbs - around 4000 to help your cabinets look their best.

My own preference with my oak was a cream "alabaster" subway tile. I am not fond of gray and feel the cream makes it easier to use more colors in my kitchen and that gray can be harder to work with, but we are not all the same - thank goodness - I like variety in kitchens.