Thank you. I wish I could wait until the counters are installed but my project can't start until all decisions are made. It can take weeks for tile orders and I need to have it all ready. The task mahal I like has grays, creams, beige and some gold. It's very neutral and does not pull yellow.

Fireplace and slab reserved.

Here are some pictures of tiles with taj mahal from Google. The trick is to have a sample of the top so that you can get the right tone for the tile. Off white is usually the best way to go, but it is the tone - not too white, beige, cream or gray! Yikes. Have the samples in your home and under your lighting.

For the fireplace - I wouldn't tile to match the kitchen. It is it's own entity. I actually like the wainscot but would paint it bolder.

If you are going to leave it white, I would put a tile around the firebox that has a little pizzaz.

Good luck!

Oh I love these ideas thank you

Or why not put more Taj Majal around the fireplace? If you have remnants from them cutting your slabs for your counters it would be a low cost option. Love your slabs!

I am going to ask!

It’s very hard to match your backsplash tile to your countertop in advance. The stone will be horizontal, and under new lighting. The tiles are going to be vertical, underneath your cabinets. It’s unreasonable to request that you have the backsplash chosen in advance.

I would get some tile samples from places that can ship quickly. I just used tilebar.com and they were prompt once I ordered. They will sell you 5 samples for $5. Check local tile places as well and ask what the shipping time usually is for the samples you like.

I understand the contractor’s request. However, this is one item that can look “wrong” if chosen too early. See if you can negotiate this one item.

Thank you for the advice. I realize this is definitely true. Maybe that's why this is has been so hard.

I did too. I had a lot of remodeling work on a house we bought and when I got to the backsplash, I was literally “out of decisions” and lived with a painted backsplash for two years. Better to finish the kitchen without a backsplash than rush to do it and possibly make a mistake.

All that yellow hued lighting IMO needs to go. You have abaeautiful counter coming that is lovely but not when lit with yellow cast to it I like all LED 4000K bulbs in actually all living spaces but for sure in the kitchen THen you choose the backspalsh So while waiting for that install change the bulbs in what you have and the under cabinet lights might need a new strip Tak mahal to me is the star in the space so I like a very simple larger format subway tile in a cor from the counter with matching grout to not upstage the counter . IMO backsplash and wall colr are 2 of the last choices and can wait no big rush.

Thank you for the insight. We are getting new under counter lighting so that's a good point that it will look different still. When you say larger format do you mean like 4x10? Also do you recommend matte? The counter is polished.

I think I would do that size and polished for ease of cleaning . You could them use a larger tile same color but in a matte for the FP I would do much larger tile for that but I need to see your FP I am not a huge lover of all matchy finishes it looks like you just couldn't decide. IMO taj on a FP too much. but I need to see the FP and the space it is in.

There is an image of the fireplace in my post or maybe comments. I also included a youtube link that is a walkthrough.

Congratulations on your new place. I love taj mahal.. it is one of those gorgeous stones that can read gray or cream and everything in between.

So many options before you. Once you get a sample of the stone it will be easier to match but meanwhile it can't hurt to start collecting your ideas. Don't rush the process. You will find hundreds of folks who bought tile and then when the counters were installed had cases of tile they couldn't use. Colors were wrong and tears were happening. Tone, lighting, color, texture all play into this.

I love your fireplace lovely!!!

Here is a post by someone else in similar shoes. Check out the options for her.

TM Quartzite Houzz Post by Tania. new build, quartzite and unknown backsplash!

Taj Mahal ideas to put into your idea book

Deerfield Whole House Renovation · More Info

Taj Mahal Quartzite Kitchen Countertop · More Info

A Stunningly Beautiful Kitchen for a Stunningly Beautiful Home · More Info

I love the idea of buying extra slabs and doing a backsplash with the same material. I did this in my home with marble. Love it.

Taj Mahal Quartzite Kitchen w/ Full Height Backsplash · More Info

Gray Cabinets Brighten This Small Light & White Transitional Family Kitchen · More Info

ARC. LASER Kitchen · More Info

Thank you so much for taking the time to share these ideas! I will study them. My contractor agreed to wait until the slab is installed for me to decide on tile. Yay!!!

I rarely click on videos and now I see the FP IMO leave it as is or show us close up what the tile is now.

It's only backerboard. We redid the fireplace and the tile is the last thing. Speaking of waiting to decide, it's been blank for 9 months. LOL

We moved into our house 3 years ago. This is a photo from our move in day. Taj Mahal on counters and island, pure whire on cabinets, and subway tile.

Thank you Mark! I love how crisp everything looks!

Glad this photo was helpfulPaul, Joanna. I thought it would help for you to see the subway tiles with the quarrtzite and paint colors.

Mark1993, love the kitchen, but I can't help but tweak it a bit. those huge black pendants are really overpowering to the surrounding white and light background. hope you don't mind, but I gave you some other options

if you really want black, do something less dome-like and a bit smaller. I'd also switch to gold (like the faucet and hardware)

this one is closer to the island color

there is nothing but the window that's black in here. these lights are so 'in your face'. no?

here's a few in white

Joanna, I’m so glad the contractor was agreeable to waiting on the backsplash tile. Your personal stone will be unique, and you can see how many different backsplash tiles look good with Taj. This is great news.

Look how much better it looks already. LOL out with the old!!

Counters are in! (Island legs will be painted soon.) I have champagne bronze hardware. I feel even more uncertain of what to do. The counters are stunning and I love them. I think white subway is just too white. Would love some thoughts as I can't not have a backsplash in this condition.

I will be having the floors stained to a more neutral medium oak color.

Absolutely gorgeous! Don’t rush the backsplash choice. I agree that white is too bright. I’d look for some off-white options. It took me forever and a year to finally pick a tile, and I’m so happy with our choice.

Ours is mini star and cross in Halite from Fireclay. I love the matte finish that has a perfect subtle sheen and coordinates with both the cabinets and countertop. They have lots of shades and shapes. But it’s expensive and it does take a while for them to make your order.

took me over a year too!

the star and cross would look nice w/the taj. fireclay can send you samples of their whites or any other color.

AnnSacks has this tile that goes perfectly w/Taj, but it's not for the budget-faint-of heart! lol

you might be able to find some similar for a lot cheaper.

(all of these photos are Taj)

Zellige tile

Tilebar has the NabiJewel (HD and wayfair carry this under IvyHill tile) I have a sample of this and it's very pretty. look at the Natural white color

BTW, those generic pendants aren't doing that kitchn any favors. try something like these (Hudson Valley Lighting) also not cheap, but so, so pretty. I photoshopped the tile

if you do white subway, don't use a 3X12. try a 2x8,3x9 or 2x10 and do it in a herringbone to give it some pizzazz

A taupe or griege tile would also work

this is a raised arabesque design. (tilebar)

Here's that star and cross from fireclay, this is the mini in the color Feldspar

it's on a quick ship. 40sq ft

https://www.fireclaytile.com/quick-ship/tile/mini-star-and-cross-feldspar

quick ship also has the Tusk color in a 2x6. (love the lights in this pic too)

https://www.fireclaytile.com/quick-ship/tile/quick-ship-3-x-6-tusk

This is the regular size in more of a taupe

these are taupe cabinets, so the white tile stands out a bit better.

Shadebar tiles from Kate-Lo. these are the taupe colors but they do have white

these are really white cabs w/good lighting. taj is paired w/either a cloe tile or the Portmore tile.

another arabesque shows w/similar cabs to yours

similar lights like those in that fireclay Tusk link. it wouldn't be difficult to remove your one canopy fixture and make two holes, patch the middle one. you just piggy back your electrical off the one that's there.

this would make such a diff in the overall look. (stools too)

another shot of the Hudson Valley lights but these are in blue. they're very pretty

Build.com has this one with the single canopy. would be easier to switch over

https://www.build.com/product/summary/1824930

PB Monroe light

Oh that Nabi Jewel is pretty! These are all awesome thank you. I definitely need new lights. These are great ideas. It's very exciting thank you. We have a light over a nearby dining room table so I've been struggling with the combination of the two. What are your thoughts on a standard 3x6 tile in a greige color. Stellar Bossy Gray has caught my eye.

Taupe or greige tiles would be my first samples. Your Taj has definite creamy veins and maybe a light caramel tile would look good. Not any whites.

You need samples (more than one for the “possible best”) so you can put them against your backsplash wall. This kitchen is already looking sophisticated and elegant.

Tile bar.com Santa Monica subway in ivory

Lancaster tile in Cream

Wayfair options

Two more

This is also Tilebar.com. I like the size and shape.

@redryder thank you! What do you think about this 5x5 set from AMSI? It has varying tones and I would want to offset it. But I worry one of the main tones is too yellow.

This one

It’s hard to comment on something subtle like “yellow tones” in a tile next to your countertop. My monitor says it’s off because of the brighter ones (lower left and upper right). And the word “yellow” scared me.

I would keep looking. Get more samples.

tilebar has 5 samples for $5. get the jewel.

https://www.tilebar.com/collection/tile-mosaic-collections/nabi-jewel-collection.html

they also have the Nabi Harlequin. grab that one too.

If you scroll to the bottom you'll see other pics that people have done

https://www.tilebar.com/nabi-harlequin-glacier-white-glass-tile.html

It's on sale here^

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ivy-Hill-Tile-Delphi-Harlequin-Natural-White-13-in-x-16-in-Polished-Ceramic-Mosaic-Tile-1-41-sq-ft-Sheet-EXT3RD100270/315228563

I like the lancaster and santa monica that Red posted, but I just don't care for those larger sizes. 4x12 and 3x12. I think a thinner 2 or 2.5 X 8 or 10 would look better. and if doing the plain subway, I'd do in something besides the standard subway layout. boring.

do the herringbone, a crosshatch, a stack, anything different.

the colors of the tils you have in that last pic all seem to work fine.

Thanks so much I will order these!

do the natural white, not the glacer white! (on the Nabi. both of them. i have samples of both. the natural white is creamier than the bright white)

@redryder I mocked up a subway tile in Bossy Gray. Ignore all the clear tape making it look mottled. I think I like it and would use pure white grout. I know it's simple but that's more my taste and I want to dress it up with new lighting and decor. My main question is does it look "dirty" against my white cabinets or is it enough contrast? I just don't think I want an all white kitchen but if this doesn't look right that's what I will do next. Here are a few pics in different light. Evening light looks kind of flat without the under cabinet light on. Thank you all for helping me with this. It's very stressful and this particular tile is not cheap so it needs to be nice or I will do something else.

On my screen that looks very nice. Seems to go nicely with both the cabinets and the countertop. Somebody on here gave me the idea of using QuakeHold museum putty to hold tiles up temporarily, if you want to try to see how it looks without the tape.

@jaja06 I will look for that! Sounds ways easier.

My monitor says it looks like a good match. But in person is the best judge. I would look for a grout as close to the color of the tile as possible.

@Joanna Wright.. LOVE IT!!! You found your tile it looks lovely

I ended up completely changing my mind and went with Bedrosian Cloe White tile and couldn't love it more! I also chose a tumbled marble mosaic for the fireplace. I appreciate everyone's advice, it paid off. Here's the finished product.

One more view.

Looks perfect!

Thank you! ❤️