arabesque looks bathroomy

I would wait until your cabinets are painted to make a final decision on the backsplash.

Arabesque -- no reason, just totally personal preference.

Herringbone would be my choice

Arabesque is lovely in a kitchen. But it would probably be good to wait on a final decision until the countertop is installed.

Hi @mainenell! Counters are already installed—they’re the ones in the pic. :)

Lovely kitchen❣️Herringbone is the way to go.

Neither.

I don't think there's enough room behind your sink to allow the herringbone to shine. I'd go arabesque. But you might do a mock up of both and see which looks better behind the sink.

Perhaps neither. Herringbone tends to look very busy and arabesque is going to look dated very quickly IMO. If there are going to be lots of grout lines (as there would be with small tiles) I would prefer a simple subway tile. Good luck!

I am with the commenters who said "neither", for the reasons they said. Also, I agree with the previous comment that the area behind your sink won't fit herringbone, and I think probably not arabesque either. I'll add another reason for "neither": you need a really good installer for those patterns. You must not only do your research to ensure a really good tiler, but also be willing to pay the prices that a top-notch tiler gets. Many posts about the woes from middling installers who weren't able to install these patterns properly.

Edited to add: why are you painting the cabinets a darker gray? I would not. Also, is there a hood going in, or are you leaving the cups hanging there?

Thanks for the comments, all! I have a good installer lined up—a referral and have seen his actual work, so I’m comfortable with his ability to do a more complicated pattern (& am prepared for the cost). I’m pretty picky about a style and those are the only 2 I really like—I don’t like regular subway tiles at all. What else would you suggest?

As for the cabinets—good call. I didn’t want to go darker, but don’t love how the lighter is rendering (it’s BM Gray Huskie…I have this on my bedroom walls & love it, but it’s not working as well on the cabinets, almost rendering baby blue)—so was thinking a very subtle tone down. And no hood—cups may come down, I just have a ton of mugs and have them there for space. :)

"And no hood—cups may come down"

You must put something there - either a hood or an OTR MW, but you cannot have wood cabinets - which are combustible - above a cooktop. It's a Building Code violation, and for good reason. That is a significant fire hazard.

Hmm, thanks for that. Interesting—that’s how all of the townhomes in my neighborhood were built; been here 15 years. There is proper ventilation below the stove. I can look into it, tho! Any thoughts on alts for backsplash? Would love any ideas, thanks!

If you don't like subway, I think a small arabesque can work, but you could also use almost any shape in a plain white tile - fish scale, geometric, etc. Look at how each type and size of tile will fit on the smaller areas of your backsplash, which may help you make a decision.

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If you use a smaller rectangular shaped tile, for example a 2" x 6", your installer may be able to install enough herringbone patterned rows in your sink area to avoid the tiles/pattern looking squished or cut-off. I'd talk to him about what tile dimensions that space requires for a good looking herringbone pattern in it.

(Herringbone is a pattern/s made by laying rectangular shaped tiles to form the pattern/s. The tiles used are the same rectangular shape used as when the tiles are laid in the brick pattern called "subway". Sometimes preformed sheets of tile are sold as herringbone but that is the pattern, not the tiles' shape. Arabesque tiles, however, are a shape of tile.)