With that choice, you are creating a very grey kitchen. Is that what you want?

Me, I’d pick a colored tile. The green tile (second from thr right in the pic), would be very appealing. Green and grey (counter) will pair quite nicely.

" In an ideal world I would wait til kitchen is completed. "

I would insist on waiting or ask them to leave it out.

i think you'll be fine. pick a grout color thats closer to khaki..a warmer gray in other words...hope the floor is a warmer hardwood to balance out everything and youll be okay. I had 3 days to pick everything off selection boards with a new build once in the past...... amazing it all came together. the only other thing would be if he has a simple white subway tile that he has used ...not sure if he has selection boards , or what......but with white you get into the hassle of matching or tone discrepancies w white cabs.....your pick is actually safer./ there are folks who would have picked a warmer counter since formica has about anything.....but assume thats a done deal........ Id focus on the floor next if you havent already.

Tell the builder you don't want a backsplash and just want it left painted. There is no building code that requires a backsplash. Tell him you don't even want a credit for it, which would be an incentive for him to agree to leave it out.

Are you sure you want such a gray kitchen?

I think the scale of the tile might be too large.

Personally, I think you’ll regret the countertop more than anything. It’s not gonna look clean and it’s driving your other choices. Just my opinion, but I think it drags everything down.

on the formica web site 3706 patine concrete has a much more taupe/bisque appearance. Our screens however give impression of gray with your provided picture.....a diffculty . you have seen all this in person ?? ..in your lighting?? ...presumably...so ultimately you will be the best to decide this. .

Looking at a wall tile in a flat orientation skews the color and light as do the warehouse lights. Take both samples to a residential space, stand up the wall tile, a sample door, and lay the counter in front of it, then take a picture. You will have a much better feeling of what you are dealing with.

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. After a lot of mulling I have decided to try a white tile. Still looking at options. To answer some of your questions. Yes countertop is a done deal. Flooring is a warm wood colour and walls are also warm BM dove wing. I’m hoping to add other warm elements to the mix - brass and white light fixtures and tan leather island seats.While the kitchen area itself is small it is open area. With that in mind Beverly, do you still think I should use a smaller tile? The actual tile area is about 30 sq ft.

You can live with a painted backsplash for a year and be happy. It’s better than making a forced decision now.

Oops herbflavor, forgot to mention that the Color on Formica site is way off. It is definitely a cool gray not taupe.

I’ve been living with a painted backsplash for 20 years now, no regrets. With white cabinets and floor, grey countertop, and especially today’s grey skies and falling accumulating snow on a grey landscape, the paint gives me color.

well since your choice of "cool gray" is a done deal for counter I think the tile is fine. if by chance the floor is a wood ...... pick grout that is a warmer gray then..khaki??? I'd go ahead with it. In some time you can replace the formica /splash .... if you so desire to change it up....

here's 3 scenes......2 have lighter/warmer grout.. sets the tile off nicely... about what you'd achieve w your tile and similar grout. 3rd picture.....dark grout leaves a very cold look....avoid that....grout makes a difference.....good luck !!!!

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