I think your kitchen looks great...love the paint. Personally I agree that subway tile is a "yawn" and will be the like 1990's glassblock and look dated even though its "classic". I don't have a specific tile to suggest, but bring home lots of samples and have fun with it.

You have a short backsplash already. Do you plan on removing or adding tile above? Consider buying some sample paint (or peel and stick paint samples). Put them up to help you decide on a color. This way you can live with it for a while. Otherwise just bring home samples from a tile store that you like. Then repost or update this post. Also take pictures in the different light as lighting will make a difference.

You already have a 4” backsplash of the counter material. Either take it off, and tile down to the counter…or, leave it, and paint above. Backspalsh on top of backsplash is a dated look.

I think it really looks great, and would probably just add a couple of decorative elements, maybe a wooden cutting board and a nice teakettle. A little added color and texture. As mentioned, you already have a backsplash.

If a full reno is going to be quite a few years down the road, I might do something like this. If the redo will be only a couple years, I would wait and not do anything but paint the walls, since it looks adorable as is!

I think calacatta gold marble tile would look nice because I think the golden colored veins would tie in your gorgeous honey colored wood floors and open shelves. Maybe in a herringbone pattern?

For fun I also changed the window trim to wood. I painted the walls in SW Sea Salt. The freshed up paint color on the ceiling was just a warm white color I grabbed from the countertop.

I used this tile for the mockup.

I find i prefer no tile backsplashes lately. I think busy grout lines distract rather than enhance a kitchen. I like the look of framed art and cutting boards leaned against the walls where tile would be best.

You have abacksplash that 4" piece is it. If tile is what you want you need to remove that piece. I think I would spend the money on a counter depth fridge and an actual hood for the gas range.

First off, It's quite a nice kitchen and I love that you seem to have real hardwood flooring. As far as backspash I wouldn't recommend the highly stylized patterned tile that seems to be popular these days. That IMO will become very dated soon. You may think white subway tile boring but it is classic and will withstand the test of time I believe.

The 4” piece needs to be removed first. I think there are many backsplash tiles that work with your stunning new/old kitchen. Any shaped of a marble tile works because of the cabinet color. An arabesque shape in white or ivory would add interest but not take away from the main event, which is the cabinets.

I like what @rebunky posted.

The paint color really FILLS the space. I don't think you want more weight or design on the wall. Sometimes the hardest thing is knowing when to STOP, when you are DONE.

I love what rebunky mocked up - I think it looks gorgeous, elegant, and really elevates the kitchen to a luxury look (whereas white subway would drag it down, IMO). Agree with RedRyder, an interesting shape in white or ivory tones, with light grout color would look interesting but not too distracting.

Wow, thank you, everyone! The short backsplash piece was removed because it had a chunk missing and could not be matched. That material is apparently no longer produced, so anything we get to replace it would have been slightly off. I am so grateful to all of you! This is very helpful.

The herringbone installation in the photo from @rebunky is something to consider. It does mean a rectangular tile is used (the dreaded “subway tile”). But when installed this way, it’s perfect for your space. Subtle but interesting.

That looks like carrera marble, which would be gorgeous with your striking, deep colored cabinets.

Thank you. I do like it. My counters are carrera gold quartz, I don’t love the brown veining, but that’s what was here when we bought the house. I like the marble herringbone much more than pure white for tying it all together. Hoping to find tile with some gray as well as some “gold.” My final wondering is about how high to go.

Kitchen looks beautiful!!

I like the herringbone a lot!
I also think a Zellige tile would look great

between the room being long and narrow and the beautiful floor boards w grain and narrow planks i'd stay clear of long narrow tiles...change the pattern . the herringbone doesnt work and I get dizzy thinking about it ....

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...just the difference in perception I guess. I like a pattern w colors-more soft than bold at the splash level for your pretty space. these are nice. arabesque ties are quite varied .... a pattern like that is good too, if you find the right one.

If your countertop has gold veining, then look for crema marfil marble, not Carrara. It is too cool-gray and will clash with the countertop. A soft caramel tile in an interesting shape might work. Or Zellige.
Can you post a photo of the countertop?