Busy plus busy doesn't work. You need something not busy. Plain, even. Just in the right color, with maybe a texture, or interesting shape. It's hard to see what the veining color is on those counters, but something that pulls in some of that. Maybe at a tan, or terra cotta?

Daltile's Artcrafted line is where I'd start. It has both. https://www.daltile.com/products/Wall/Artcrafted 

dark wood cabinets are making a comeback, yours look great!

Both backsplash areas do not have to be the same tile, that said, I think the tile shown is a bit busy for your overall countertop choice. If you do love it, Why not put it on the stove side and a calmer tile for the rest, something in a off white to brighten the workspace and blend with the countertop.

Have a look at this line of tiles by Anatolia Tile Soho.

There are many colours and shapes available including large and smaller subway, herringbone, hex large and small and some mosaic and matching trim pieces too. It is difficult to colour match from a picture on a monitor but if you get some samples you can likely find one that works with the colours in the veining in your counters.

Maybe Halo Grey or soft sage would work but you really need to get some samples in your house to see it with your other choices.

Here are some photos from the site so you can see shape and colour options.

This picket could be run either vertically or horizontally - it is just a little bit different from subway but different enough to be fresh and still classic IMO.

The scallop shape is nice as well.

Please don't do white subway - I don't think that is the right choice for your space and I think a white may end up too harsh against your counters and make them appear dingy.

Another great source is Tilebar. 5 samples for $5. Order some samples in until you find something that works well and that you and your husband can agree about. I hope you'll enjoy the process - there are so many gorgeous tiles out there.

If you're lucky one of the pros will be along to offer some advice and options. Have a look on HOUZZ for some inspiration from similar kitchens to yours. Pinterest is another good place to look for ideas.

Look at tiles from Sonoma Tilemakers. They come in many colors, finishes and "patterns". These are some photos of their tiles I took when i was doing my research.

Some of the colors:

Their Dahlia pattern/shape:

BUT don't be afraid of real pattern if you like it. Most here are very afraid of pattern! lol

Here is an example of Taj Mahal counters with a very patterned tile from Tabarka. It works in this house, but might not be a choice everyone would make.

Callinan Spanish Remodel · More Info

Go visit local independent tile stores and borrow their large/grouted sample boards. Best way to see how a tile looks in your space.

I'd vote for the 4 inch backsplash of the same counter material.

Subway does not have to be stark and if worried about tiring of a tile, it’s a good choice. The right coloration and finish can be soft/interesting.

Another way to create interest is by shape.

Buy a box of your favorites (that can be returned), so as to get a better sense of how they feel in your kitchen overall, vs just what suits the counter.

I love the tile you picked but does it go with your walls? Maureen’s stacked Zellige type tiles might work better if you pick the right variation.

Your counter and cabinets are lovely and will likely stand the test of time. The backsplash you’re eyeing is busy and you might tire of it. Go with something much more neutral and plain.

A backsplash isn't permanent. Sure, changing it out can be a pain and a bit messy, but people do it all the time, sometimes even right after they installed one, realized they didn't like it and pick something different right away.

Here is a similar tile, but back and white, so you can see the repeat and scale.

Orono MN - Home Staging · More Info

A star and cross pattern in a solid color would be my pick. It would give you some of the flavor of the star tile you picked without fighting for attention as much with your pretty counters.

I am over tile. I think a slab splash looks fresh now. Your kitchen reminds me of one of my favorite which used a slab splash.

"Appliances are cheap and white and won't be changing. We're trying to build a house that feels casual and gives you a hug when you walk in. And we'd like to look built over time, so you couldn't *quite* figure out when it was done based off of what was super trendy in 2020 - 2024. Which might be impossible. lol"

_________________

I would not ( yet) waste a single dollar on tile, about which you are totally ambivalent. I would begin thinking about ditching "cheap and white" appliances as I see no point in that concept- it doesn't give you a "hug", it just screams I am waiting to be changed midst the nice cabinetry and counter tops.

Call the counter folks for a riser, and begin saving for new apps, in stainless which are about as forever!!! as any you will ever own.

Show the entire kitchen .....please?

Ps

This reminds me of a client 30 odd years ago

" I'd feel safer with a horrible pair of beat up shoes, than two shoes, one new, and one old .........."

It made no sense then, and makes no sense now. Finish what you began: ) and finish the important, first.

Don’t do it. I’ve seen this type of tile for years and it is dated already. Go simple - one colour & textured. Interesting doesn’t mean “loud and in your face”.

Laminate counters?

If it were my choice entirely I'd just put in the 4 inch backsplash and be done with it,

Except that won't work using the same material as the counter because the grain direction changes on the two legs of the counter. Unless you can specify grain direction on the risers.

I would just paint the splash area rather than adding a 4th element (floor, counter, cabinets).

Or add a 6" high splash on the just the sink leg made from the counter material.

Off topic--looks like you need to add some wall outlets before tackling the splash problem.

What about paint, for now? Easy enough to change later.

JAN MOYER

"I would not ( yet) waste a single dollar on tile, about which you are totally ambivalent. I would begin thinking about ditching "cheap and white" appliances as I see no point in that concept- it doesn't give you a "hug", it just screams I am waiting to be changed midst the nice cabinetry and counter tops."

Oh Jan... this is the silliest thing I've read all day. How in the world would YOU know what gives ME a hug? We've never met.

It's not a budget issue. It's a values issue. My old white appliances (Produced by four different brands over a span of 20 years, and featuring a stove with a good bit of rust.) might scream "I am waiting to be changed" to you, but to me it whispers, "I don't bow down to arbitrary rules put forth by industries that continuously work to convince the masses that their possessions are a reflection of their personal worth."

"Finish what you began: ) and finish the important, first."

I did exactly this! It was my intention to remodel my kitchen without caving to the silly constant pressure from design professionals to purchase new appliances. (You're not the first disparaging voice I've ignored. There have been many.) I'll use them till they're dead and replace as necessary. They'll never match... and somehow I'm still a whole person despite their shabby appearances.

Success! :P

ci_lantro

"Except that won't work using the same material as the counter because the grain direction changes on the two legs of the counter. Unless you can specify grain direction on the risers."

Oh... I hadn't considered that. I'll have to ask the contractor if I can specify grain direction, or if that's a thing that would bother us. Thanks for the heads up!

barncatz

I REALLY like that tile, and can imagine liking it for a very long time. I've never seen it before... thank you!

Brooke, I wish i could ”like” your comment a million times. It is so good to see someone who knows what they actually want, not what fashion tells them to want. Bravo!

What can I say ? I'm in the business of making sure a client gets a true long term value along with a functional and lovely result. Which implies a certain fiduciary responsibility ............: ) Whatever makes you happy! Happy holidays!

JAN MOYERI appreciate that. You're obviously passionate about (and very skilled at) what you do, and based on other posts I've seen from you I gather it is your goal to guide people in the direction that is to the highest ideal... extremely desirable traits!

My desire to stay true to my own compass will forever put me in contrast with the personalities that inform me that the "right" path is over there... and this kitchen remodel process has been chock full of that contrast. lol

Thank you for sharing your perspective. :) Peace.

You cab colors are pretty!!

Bc your house is eclectic and your kitchen actually feels warm and traditional rustic to me…I think you could get away with a lot. I’m personally drawn to the warm stone with a shape option.

Honestly though, I just listen to @jan_moyer! Or any of the pros who come on here…that’s why I came here in the first place 😊

So moving past the color of appliances, if you’re willing, show the whole kitchen and see what’s possible! You don’t have to do everything now but bc it’s your forever home, it’s nice to think about what you can do and then space out as appropriate. Good luck!!

Just wondering if the counter top is indeed granite? The edging doesn't look like any granite edge I've seen, more like Corian. But that's just an aside.

I happen to agree with Jan about the appliances, but it's not my house.

If you are firmly opposed to replacing them, then you can use a plain white square or rectangular tile and be done with it. If you feel that bright white appliances work with the cabinets, counter top and floor, then white tile will give the same effect.

I’d for sure do tile. Leaving just the painted wall looks like a college apartment. Something simple. A subway (not stark white), there are many beautiful softer whites, or a simple picket fence style. Keep it elegant, warm and timeless. The tile you showed IMO is too trendy and not the right style for your space. You are changing out that white microwave right?

The OP stated that she is keeping all the white appliances.

A big NO to the cheap white appliances! The kitchen is too beautiful for that, especially with the lovely countertops. Find a plain tile that picks up the background color of your countertops and be done with it. The tile you have select$d is way too busy,- your countertops are the boss of the kitchen - you don’t need another bossy finish.

Not a professional here but if budget and homey look appeals (house looking not pinned down to a date ..) what about simple headboard kind of material ? It might work with the look and I see it still being featured in some designs. This one would work with the pattern direction of your counter top. You could paint to your desired color. Easy to wipe down etc.

Just wondering if the counter top is indeed granite? The edging doesn't look like any granite edge I've seen, more like Corian.

Not granite, not quartz, not Corian. 99.9% sure that is laminate.

Here is a laminate bullnose edge:

Notice the sink in the OP. Looks like a Karran sink designed to be integrated with sheet laminate tops.

agree with Laraine Woodruff (sorry my tagging's not working) - wonder about beadboard painted a creamy color (maybe putty?) to connect the pretty cabs and the white appliances - would give some texture but not compete too much

If the c-tops are laminate then all the more reason to keep the white appliances.

Diana Bier Interiors, LLC

Yes, the countertops are laminate!

This actually was a low budget kitchen remodel (Our house, neighborhood and lifestyle all make a non-budget remodel an illogical choice.) but when we got into it there was an issue with two walls that was going to make stock and semi-custom cabinetry just not work at all (long story, unimportant details...) and we found that custom cabinetry was only a few thousand dollars more than what we were first considering (and totally solved the problem) and we're going to live here forever, so we went for it. Now we have these fantastic cabinets kind of by accident. We definitely wanted to avoid over-improving the house / sending perfectly useful appliances to landfill doom... and I have never cared for stainless... and small budgets and built in paneled appliances are mutually exclusive, so here we are.

Literally everyone in my life is confused about it. I feel like I've had to work harder to convince people that these white appliances are ok than I worked on the remodel. I'm weary. Ha!

Anyway, I know bright white won't look good with the countertops, if they get tiled it needs to be a creamier tone, but we are planning white trim and have white doors, so the white appliances aren't going to be just sticking out there. They blend enough for me.

Thanks for your input and pointing out that I'm planning to keep the appliances, appreciate it!

Laraine Woodruff

I really, really love the bead-board idea! Thanks!

since they are laminate, why not do something less expensive like a nice beadboard/nickel gap? I think it would look nice w/the asthetic you have going AND down the road, easy to remove if you ever want to upgrade the countertop.

here's a laminate countertop and the beadboard:

inespenisve and easy to DIY

This one has the piece up the back, but you could install a piece of trim in the joint between the two. here's a link https://www.lizmarieblog.com/2011/06/beadboard-backsplash/

This one even tell you how to do it and the under cabinet lighting!

https://www.thelatinanextdoor.com/2020/10/11/beadboard-backsplash-and-under-cabinet-lighting/

https://www.dododsondesigns.com/diy-shiplap-kitchen-backsplash/

If you still want tile, look for something like this. warmer, creamier tones in more of a handmade type of tile

try bedrosians or, wayfair-IvyHill tile

I think there are better wall colors than this minty green shade. I don't think it's doing this kitchen any favors. sorry.

These would be nice:

Not a professional, but if you really like the tile, why don’t you buy enough for, say, a 2’ long & whatever height the space between your counter & upper cabinets is & attach it to a piece of plywood that you could lean against the wall. Then you could live with it for a while & see if it still brings you joy. I had a cranberry largish brick-shaped tile for my backsplash that would not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for over 20 years it made me happy every time I went in the kitchen.

I agree that painted beadboard is a good choice for you. I refaced my kitchen and chose beadboard since my backsplash is. It near my cooktop. It has stayed clean and just got repainted after 7 years. It also allows you to choose any paint color that looks good it’s your other elements.

If tile seems more practical, then an interesting shape (love the cross tiles) but in a solid creamy-beige-y color to complement both the wood cabinets and the countertop. White is definitely too stark. Your patterned tile can get tiring, for sure.

@Beth H: gave you good suggestions for wall colors that will enhance the cabinet-countertop combination you already have. You can use the same color for the beadboard if it isn’t too dark.

Here is my backsplash - in a completely different colored kitchen.