3x9.

why no grout lines? are these tiles all cut perfectly straight and all match up? prob not. do a 1/16 grout. Here's a 1/16th grout on mine

(place a few on top of each other and see. I bet some are slightly larger than others. if you try and butt join these it will wreck your pattern. )

also, are you keeping those countertops?

1/16th is probably what I meant by little to no grout. ;-) Yours looks nice! Is that a stainless piece in between? I've seen that done in a gold also. I would love to see your finished photo of your kitchen!

Planning to also redo the counters. I've seen a Calacatta Gold quartz, but heard said not to do quartz with a marble...I'm not sure we'd be careful enough to have a marble countertop, so then there's that.🤷🏻‍♀️ No littles, but have a couple of messy teens.

Your grout line size will depend on the tile. Please read this.

https://www.custombuildingproducts.com/media/60712312/tb85-grout-joint-width.pdf

1/16 will be disappointing unless you have absolutely perfect and even, straight, tiles. Even glass tiles have some differences. I did 1/8" for mine, and I love it. My tiles are 3x12.

Given the color of your counters and your cabinets, I think you'll be very unhappy with how the Calcutta Gold subway tiles will look in your kitchen.

We should all be so lucky to have amazing tile guys!! That insert looks pretty cool, Beth. If I had wanted gold accents in my kitchen, I would have loved that. It's a nice touch of "bling"!

My BF did my tile - he would have shot me if I had asked for something like that, so I am happy we are still together LOL!

Jewelisfabulous - the counters are being replaced. The cabinets are being restained. Thanks! The original question was mainly about what's the best size for subway tile in a small kitchen.

Looks great, Beth! What counter did you go with?

Also, are you wrapping your backsplash to those side walls or keeping it directly behind on the cooktop wall only? So many things to consider! Ours is awkwardly wrapped on one side now (the other side is the maple cabinet of the fridge). The wrapped side extends about 13" past the cabinet and I don't really like that.

this one.

comes in a polished, but I got the matte.

my island is also calacatta.

Tile is wrapping all the way around the window (with the walnut trim, and over to the far right)

I wanted the 3x12 size. 2x8 was ok, but would have looked too busy w/the gold. 3x12 was perfect, but minimum was 80 sq feet. had to settle for the 4x12

So pretty! Is the island also the silestone quartz? So your backsplash is the porcelain marble look tile, Calacatta Oro? Those definitely work together.

What do you think about mixing a marble tile backsplash with a quartz counter? I'm very worried about the expense vs. durability of a marble countertop - but I love the lighter colors of the marble subway tile.

no. the island is real marble, and the tile is real marble! Both Calacatta. (but the tile has more of the golden tones in it than the island. there are different Calacatta coloring)

here's the window area. I do all my own wood work. did all of the walnut pieces for this kitchen (i have shelving too)

I think the wood keeps the marble and the gray from feeling too cold.

as for mixing quartz and real marble (I hate fake marble tiles in the kitchen) you can do it, depending on the quartz countertop that you pick. Some say you can't mix marble quartz w/real marble, but it depends on the quartz, the coloring, and the veining.

Looks great! And how awesome to do your own work! I agree about the wood with the marble. That's why I'm not worried about using marble with the maple cabinets. Plan to restain to tone down the honey to more of a pecan, but they may even work as is. I need to look at more of the countertop options, too.

Okay, I'll go first. Backsplash is the last thing you choose, after the cabinets are stained and your counters are installed. There are FAR more choices in backsplash tile than for countertops and you are severely limiting yourself if you get "married" to a backsplash and then try to pick a counter. Trust the extensive experience of those who have done this before.

Yes, @crcollin1_gw, this is understood.

Counter has been chosen and will be either a marble or a quartz, and EITHER will go with this backsplash, thanks. Cabinet stain has also been selected.

Now, what's your opinion on size of tile vs. space? ;-)

I like the 3x9.

@Beth H. : What's that Schluter piece called? I wanted that (and am willing to cut to get it), but all of the ones I could find were at least 3/8", which seemed too wide.

Port,,, this is it. The visible side is pretty narrow. I'm using 1/16th grout lines and it all works. I believe this is thinnest. the `1/2" size is used for 3/8" tiles. (leaving room for the thinset)

there are off brands that sit flush w/the tile.

off brand left, Jolly on the right. see the little ridge bump out on the inside?

the Schluter has a little bump out piece on the inside portion that won't let the tile sit flush. grout will be used on the inner side.

see the little gap on the left side?

@Beth H. : Ah!! I thought the top was 1/2" wide, not 1/2 deep! That makes so much more sense! I suppose that's what you get for shopping online (we're still in the design stages).

yes, you have to get a slightly deeper size than the depth of your tile. otherwise your tile will sit proud.

I really like the look of that! Here's one I've seen previously. It may have been your inspiration, Beth. Though I love the warmth of your walnut & black finishes even more. And love love your copper sink! I'm planning to reuse our silgranite sink, but will have a copper top breakfast table, so that will have to do, lol.

@chessie sorry to bother you - your backsplash tile is beautiful! What is it? And do you have more pics of it? (Sorry to hijack the thread!)

W, I did see that one. Tilebar has Matrix with similar size marble and brass inlay. Almost went w/that one, but it's very busy looking.

I used this one as an inspo

I was trying to find an alternative than having to cut a million 4" Schluter pieces! But, there really weren't any.

I really like @chessie's tile, too!

I like that one, too, Beth. Very nice.

jk113 - thanks, it's glass tile. I had it in my mind what I wanted and could not find it anywhere. And unbelievably, I walked into Lowe's and there it was.

@chessie - thanks so much for sharing! I’m going to check out my Lowe’s today. And thank you for including those additional pics - I really appreciate it!

@Beth H. ...I also have to replace my floors & I'm torn between ripping them out & just extending the existing flooring from the adjacent rooms (rustic wood tone planks). I'm worried it'll be just too much of the same toned wood as the cabinets. Would a slate, other stone, or cement type tile work at all? What would you suggest would look good with the counters, backsplash and wood cabinets?