I don’t think subway tile is boring. It comes in several lengths and can be installed different ways. Keeping the backsplash neutral wall give you room to do whatever’s you want with the rest of your open plan home.

Here are a few ideas from Tilebar. You can order samples from them, so you can see them in your space. The grey/green colour you need has to be just right or it might look mismatched.

I'm a sucker for herringbone and I love what Flo has shown above. If you are DIYing your tiling and decide on herringbone, then please do your homework before you start so you know how to get the pattern layout correct. Or look for tiles on mesh backing in a herringbone pattern already.

These are a little interesting, maybe a bit industrial looking. Not sure it is the right green/grey to match.

Green Tiles & Mosaics- Green Subway Tile, Glass, Mosaic & More · More Info

More grey than the one above but still that bit imperfect which gives a bit of something out of the ordinary.

Green Tiles & Mosaics- Green Subway Tile, Glass, Mosaic & More · More Info

I like a longer subway shape myself, over a traditional 3 X 6. You can do 2 X 10, or 3 X12 or 4X12...

Glass Mosaics & Tiles for Backsplash, Floor & Walls | TileBar.com · More Info

I liked the textured look on this, and the longer shape.

Green Tiles & Mosaics- Green Subway Tile, Glass, Mosaic & More · More Info

I really like this one.....has some nice colours in it but not too bold and daring. You'd need to see it in your space but something with a subtle pattern like this might be really nice.

Green Tiles & Mosaics- Green Subway Tile, Glass, Mosaic & More · More Info

All of these are Tilebar tiles. You can search by colour on their website - I searched green and found all of these.

I do really like the white herringbone 2x10 that Flo posted with some gray grout. I’ll grab some samples of that and make a board to help visualize it.

I’m starting to feel the green might not be the best approach. I have a lot of green I’m the house and feel it’ll be too much if the backsplash is also green.

appreciate all the comments, I feel I am making some good progress.

The general “jewelry of the kitchen concept” of a backsplash has been lost since everyone starting pushing the simple white splashes..for every situation....it is meant to add a little color/style/highlight in the kitchen ...not to be a generic feature....i wouldn’t rule out any color or interest there

I didnt understand the comment that you have a lot of green in the house...there is none in the pictures?..but if you do ...that would suggest it is a color you like and would be probably enjoy in your kitchen

it also took me a year. I finally put it in last month!

I like this one. If you want a herringbone, find this color in a 2x10 or 3x9, 2x8 size.

just so nice to have a color. please, no white tile!

Take a look at this tile. Winchester Tiles. Tundra under Elements.

https://www.winchestertiles.com/details?product=W.ELPTU2406

see? longer tile size just looks more transitional than the 3x6 size.

240X60mm (about 9.5X 2.3)

they have 19 other colors too

https://www.winchestertiles.com/Products?&range=%27Elements%27&page=1

Interesting tile Beth! I have a lot of blue/greens on the accent wall and also that bar wall, so I was thinking more green in the kitchen may be too much, but sounds like most think it isn’t.

Does a Carrrera marble tile like this work? It’s a bit of a neutral gray against the warm gray on the walls. Not sure you can do a marble next to a simple quarts like I have, but I have no clue on that.

Definitely gray green subway in a herringbone pattern!

meh on that one. This is 1x4 version, you can see how it looks. it's going to be on the cooler blue tone side.

did you look at the other colors they have? since that Tundra really isn't green, it's more gray w/green undertones, I'd request a sample. get one of the grays too.

Here's the green one (pasture)

compared to tundra. (order a sample of this!! what another month!)

and a cooler gray

another of their blue/green. beautiful color. When you look at these, Tundra really isn't that green!

Tundra in a herringbone!!

This is the Residence collection in Agapanthus in the herringbone. gorgeous.

look at this line. they have diff colors

https://www.winchestertiles.com/Products?&range=%27Residence%27&page=2

I see you like plants, so I wonder if you might like an alternative tile shape sometimes called "leaves" ? It's good to provide a more organic element as relief to the angular repetition that's inevitable in kitchens. Some carry this as a glass mosiac tile (in a variety of colors) while others sell it in stone or ceramic:

https://i1.adis.ws/i/flooranddecor/100248301_context?w=620&h=620&img404=404&v=1

Here's another 'take' on the same general idea, but this seems to be called braid not leaves -- slightly different shape and angle, larger, more colorful:

Ok! I’ll order a sample of the tundra stuff! It’s hard to gauge the color of that online, hopefully it looks great in person. I do like the longer format tiles, seems to go well with my long handles and long shaker drawers.

thank you! lol. order a few others. click on the other link w/the Residence line.

Keep in mind, you need 1:3 or 1:4 ratio of length to width to get most out of a herringbone layout. Don’t rule out light tile consider colored grout if you prefer some color. Any green would work best if “grayed” enough so it works with base cabinets. How long do you plan to be in this house?

flo, I only gave those dimensions because the tile looks better than a 3x6. IMO.

and for any herringbone patterns, the length should be divisible by the width. otherwise the pattern will wander

Mark, what did you end up using? i am so curious to see a photo!

@Xty G (z4) I ended up buying the grayish tile in the original post, but when it arrived, it was a completely different color, more blue with a hint of gray. Immediately returned. At this point I'm planning on going with a white tile, just trying to decide between going horizontal 3x12 or herringbone 3x6. Home depot has these and they are the correct "color" white for the counters and cabinets. I gave upon finding a 2x6 or 3x9 for the herringbone, even though it might look nice too. The herringbone seems to add a little more interest than the subway layout.

I wouldn't mind your opinion here!

My deadline for completing this is the end of the year, haha.

Home Depot now offers the tile shape called Picket, sometimes presented as an alternative to subway tile for people who are bored with subway and want something more interesting. I'd call it a hexagonal tile, with some hexagons more elongated than others. The shorter ones would be something like the "leaf" inspired tile I mentioned earlier. I've seen it installed horizontally as well as vertically. https://www.homedepot.com/p/MSI-White-Tapered-Picket-2-5-in-x-13-in-Glossy-Wall-Ceramic-Tile-13-64-sq-ft-Case-NHDWHTA2-5X13PI/313368345

Mark, i think either choice would look great. i also like the look of horizontal picket subway tiles like Karenmo mentioned:

I think the picket tiles would be perfect and if available from HD grab them while you can.

the left

the 3x6, even in the herringbone, is too farmhouse looking for your style kitchen. That 3x6 white subway is so overdone, I can't take it anymore! you can do better.

do the left ones in a 1/3 offset, or try the herringbone in those, although, a 2x8 size might be better. Home Depot has IvyHill tile in a 2x10.

this is either a 2x8 or 2x10. a 12" size for the backsplash in a herringbone may be too long.

Cloe is back in stock

https://www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/bedrosians-cloe-25-x-8-ceramic-subway-tile-bedr3793.html this is a 2.5X8, a much better size.

here's a 3x6 in matte black tile just so you can see what the layout would look like. in a black I like it, but in the regular white one? no way.

what about this tile? its a marble, honed/polished and brushed, in a chevron.

and this wave tile from Fireclay tile in this green/gray color is perfect w/your cabs. or do a white if you like. it's a cool design

or, if you like the elongated picket, do that one

herringbone in a 90 degree layout

what about this herringbone in a 1x4 sheet size? it's thassos marble. very pretty. https://www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/es-stone-thassos-1-x-4-natural-stone-marble-herringbone-mosaic-wall-floor-tile-iosh1238.html

https://www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/emser-tile-raku-3-x-12-beveled-ceramic-wood-look-tile-frsw2181.html?piid=53641023

Finger tiles?

https://www.wayfair.com/home-improvement/pdp/the-mosaic-factory-08-x-57-straight-edge-porcelain-mosaic-sheet-tile-msfc1160.html?piid=50165371#seemoreoptions-vdhagz1ycyo

I would go with subway tiles. I’m not a big fan of the backsplash looking to busy. I prefer a more calm feeling.

What about a stacked installation instead of the standard one? Your kitchen is modern and that installation seems to fit. I also love the picket shape for some variety.

Thanks for the input, I'll grab a few more samples - Chloe, white marble herringbone, and white picket and see how I like those!

Which of these two layouts work best? I keep going back and forth between the regular and 1/3 offset. @Beth H. :

1/3

agree, 1/3

How about using.your countertop material to create a solid backsplash? Personally, I think it is a calm sophisticated look and appears to be replacing the tile look for backsplashes. If you wait long enough something new is bound to come along!

Not the best picture of the BS, we did regular

I like 1/3 for much larger tile. we did it thst way in our master bath.

Have you considered a washable/wipeable wallpaper which looks like a tile backsplash? It would be easy to do and if you really like the look, you could have it reproduced in actual tile in a few years.

What will the ends look like? If using a trim piece factor that in too.

If using those subway tiles, make sure to get the bullnose pieces for the edges

you want the bullnose on the short side.

If they don't make them for this tile, they will prob have some type of liner. If they don't have that, use a Schluter Jolly metal edge in the same finish as your hardware. (or the white if it matches your tile)

Love the 1/3. BTW I see Gonzaga in the LR. Did you go there? If so, you've just disproved what Jimmy Kimmel says about Gonzaga. 🤣🤣🤣

The bullnose pieces would be a great idea if OP was going for a stacked arrangement. But if the tiles are offset, no matter how you shake it every other tile at the exposed edge will be cut, so bullnose won't save the day. Even flipping the tile around won't work. Yes, you can get the exposed edge ALL bullnose, but then you have a cut edge meeting a finished edge on the second column of tiles ...

The Schluter edge is the only way to make all edges and joins uniform.

LOL @tozmo1, yes i did go there. some funny stuff. and yeah Schluter is the way to go with the ends of the tile. just found out a new Floor and Decor opened up 30 minutes away, so going to see some examples there tomorrow. if nothing else pans out, sticking with the white subway tile. Gotta move on at some point.

Even if white subway is perhaps a bit overdone these days and for that reason may date itself more, it does go with your overall decor, and is still beautiful. Changing it in 10 years is very do-able -- it's NOT rhinoplasty we're talking about here!

This is how we finished our edge of subway tile in a shower recently. We turned bullnose pieces on their sides. The main tiles are Daltile Restore Bright White 3x12 from Home Depot and the edge are Daltile Restore Bright White 2x6 bullnose pieces. I love how it turned out and think it looks so much better than using a Schulter edge.

What about stacking them with no split? What is the style of the rest of your house?

@felizlady,

I am not OP but very interested in good washable/wipeable wallpaper that could go behind stove. Do you have any recommendations?

I haven’t done wallpapering for years, but still love it. Your local wallpaper store will have a person who can pull several books of washable/wipeable wallpaper for you. I would not put it behind a stove that has no raised back panel, but I never do any frying on a back burner.

annoulax.....no, you're wrong.

the cut pieces will still have the bullnose on the end.

this is how to properly do it so it looks clean and neat.

Running a tile vertical on the edge is the lazy way. (and you still need a bullnose edge on the long side of those) It just looks messy to me.

quarter round edge

Jolly edge

and make sure you do a dry layout so you don't end up w/sliver cuts on the end. this is horrible.

So I finally did something, after 2 years of looking at an unfinished kitchen. I went with the normal 1/2 offset layout. I kinda liked the 1/3 offset but all I could see was the diagonal stairstep it created. Went with a medium grey grout, Mapei Silver. Overall it looks really nice, even if it is just plain subway tile. Appreciate all the help!

One last question - what color should I do for the caulk between the tile and the window trim? Grout color caulk or white?

Clear caulk but really any would work. Won’t be so noticeable

Mapei Keracaulk in silver to match your grout. Did you use Mapei Flexcolor? if so then look for the Keracaulk in sanded Silver. if it was standard grout then probably unsanded.

@Xty G (z4) Yep the flexcolor premix stuff. I picked up a tube of the keracaulk in sanded Silver, so if that is the proper stuff to use next to the trim, I'll give that a go. Thanks!

looks good mark.

yes, use the silver caulk around the window and between the countertop/tile

Looks great, by the way! Yes the Keracaulk should be used around window and down along where thebtile meets the countertop.

Your “plain” subway tile looks beautiful. It finishes your kitchen in a classic way. Congratulations!

Uhhh, @Beth H. : help me out please? If I'm wrong about tiles cut in half necessarily having a unfinished i.e. cut edgesomewhere, please explain? I think perhaps you didn't read my comment all the way to the end...

Mark: your kitchen looks great!! Nice tiling.