We're updating a 20 year old kitchen. Think honey-toned maple cabinets, coffee brown quartz counters, French Quarter/ Mardi Gras (😱, I know!) backsplash (4x4s) and floor (12x12s on a diagonal, no less).

The cabinets are in good condition. Plan remove ornaments, plate rack, trim from hood and re-stain to tone down the honey to more neutral shade (maybe pecan-ish?). The counters aren't terrible, so they will stay, too.

Plan to update backsplash with 2 goals in mind:

1. Something that I love that will go with the floors for now.
2. Something that I love that will also go with a mid-tone hardwood later!

We plan to decide to stay or sell in 2-3 more years...Perfect lot, perfect neighborhood, but cannot put forth the $$$$$ for an entirely updated kitchen. Especially if we decide to sell.

I've looked at 'cream/beige' tiles and 'sage green' tiles...but I really love the look of marble.

I've selected a Calacatta gold 3x9 tile (I only have pics of 3x6, but I think I prefer the longer). I like it with the quartz. And it isn't that too awful with the floor, if temporary. (I may even change the floor grout to something more neutral and lighter to help.)

But I wanted to ask for additional opinions/suggestions. The floor photographs about 25x brighter than it actually is, but still it's awful😞. No way around it.

I've included pics...

Please no suggestions of painting cabinets white. My practical hubby says no way. And I do love the wood stain over white, I think.

Trying to avoid anything uber trendy because...FQ/Mardi Gras, duh! LOL!